Chains (The Club #8) (6 page)

Aggravation sets in as I slam my fists down onto the top of my desk.

“Peter, this is unacceptable,” I seethe through clenched teeth.

For a year we’ve been fighting tooth and nail to land Spencer Enterprises and with one fucking stupid move, my partner has lost everything. Pushing back from the large conference room table, I move to stand. Fury builds inside of me and no matter what compromise I concoct in my head, I’m not sure I can fix what he’s done. The man needs to put his sexual needs aside and not fuck our potential client’s daughter.

Who the hell knows what he was thinking, was he even thinking and how could he be so stupid and get caught. He knows how important this business is to us…to our firm.

“Connor,” he says as I glance in his direction.

“Don’t talk, in fact stay as far away from me as possible right now, Peter. I need to figure this out and you need to learn to keep your dick in your pants,” I say with a wave of my hand, moving farther away from his stupidity.

“How was I supposed to know she was Cliff’s daughter? It’s not like she wore a sign around her neck at
The Club
.”

Stopping in my tracks, my fists still balled up along my sides, I try not to jump over the table and beat the ever living shit out of my best friend.

Has he lost his fucking mind?

“You know better than to discuss the establishment within these walls,” I retort turning to face him, absolute disgust bursting from my facial expression.

It doesn’t faze him, nothing ever does. Instead of thinking with his genius IQ, he’s put his dick before his brain. I can’t even bear to look at him while he stands there, face void of any emotion, necktie basically pulled and hanging from his collar and his hands shoved into his pockets. He’s disappointed me, regardless of our long standing friendship and business partnership. This is a fuck up that will take more than an
I’m sorry
to fix.

“Connor, I’ll fix this. It’s my problem and believe me, I know how important this client is to our firm. I fucked up, let me deal with it.”

Shifting my body toward him, I stare daggers into his eyes.

“You know what, Peter? This problem you’ve created is bigger than you and me right now. There are more than just the two of us as part of the equation. You better fucking love this woman for what it could potentially cost the firm. Get the hell out of here and figure something out fast, marry her if you must. I’m not losing this time…not now, not ever.”

As he leaves the conference room, I turn back toward the tall windows. With both hands, I prop myself against the glass scanning the men and women walking along the sidewalks of town. Releasing a burst of air I apparently was holding on to, I slowly begin to relax as I continue to look down onto the street. Closing my eyes, I remove myself mentally from the situation and count backward starting at ten.

Once I feel that my heart rate has slowed down to a somewhat healthy rhythm, I open my eyes and stare down onto town. From a distance, each person seems to have their shit together, moving at their own pace and doing their own thing. Their lives may not be perfect, but from up here they seem calm and appear to be happy. Continuing to push the shit storm of my own circumstances from my mind, I focus on the crowds, the traffic and the world around me. It’s rare that I ever stop and watch the day to day grind of our busy streets. We’ve been in this building for five years now and I’ve never taken a moment to look at the beauty from above, perhaps there’s a reason. I’m a businessman with the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have a reputation to uphold and in no way will I ever let down my guard. I’ve worked too hard to create the life of luxury I live. Strategically I’ve found men who were also skilled in commercial litigation and with them, I built my empire. There’s nothing I could ever want for, my life is perfect. Except for one thing…Jesika is still gone. 

Driving through the streets of town, wrought iron lamps light a pathway toward my destination. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, my thumbs drum a beat to the radio as Nickelback’s
S.E.X
. booms through the speakers. The situation from earlier today has added another heavy weight onto my shoulders. Regardless if the actions of my partner are mine to dissolve, I’m still responsible for upholding a pristine reputation for the firm.

After I left the office and cooled down, I spoke to Peter. I understand he was unaware of who this woman was outside of
The Club
. I’ve never even met the woman he frequents his time with; it’s not my business nor do I care to know who or what he does while there. We’re all secretly members for a reason and what transpires within those walls isn’t something we make public knowledge. I can only hope that the plan he puts forth will remedy his mistakes.

Approaching a red light, I hit the brake, my car coming to a complete stop. Men and women quickly move along the crosswalk, smiles and laughter passing me by. An ache begins to fill my chest to see the happiness I know I’ll never experience. A year ago I made a decision to let go of everything I was feeling. Perhaps opening myself up for a chance at love was wrong, I never spent time with a woman where I felt the need or desire to let myself fall. Jesika changed something in me with her charisma, the way her eyes bore into my soul and the touch of her skin. Everything about her made the charcoal walls of my heart fade away. Now, those feelings are just a distant memory. She walked out of my life and ever since, I’ve found it best to resort to my old ways. I’m a man of distinct interests, no matter what I may have felt for her, the dark, cold walls surrounding my heart have been resurrected.

The light turns green and instantly my thoughts are brought back to the present. Tonight I need to free the frustration I’ve been building up and
The Club
is just the place. It’s my sanctuary, the one place I can feel in control, find solace and release my sexual yearning.

Rounding the corner, I pull into the lot. As I exit my car, I button my jacket and walk toward the building. Lights dimly illuminate the way, my eyes scanning up to the tall, brick structure. This building holds the secret sexual cravings for men and women of Dominant and submissive lifestyles. It is within these walls I can be in complete control. Every fantasy I hunger can, and will, become my reality.

Once I arrive at the main entrance, I’m immediately met by security dressed in dark suits. They know me well for how often I visit the establishment, yet still follow the appropriate security protocol. No words are exchanged as we make eye contact; this isn’t the time or place to conduct a conversation of pleasantries. Instead, my fingerprint is scanned and they move to the side to allow me access to the building. As I enter, I pass through the hostess area, providing a smile to the ladies up front before continuing onto the bar. Sounds of music fill the large space while men and women mingle and enjoy their evening.

Approaching the bar, I press my hands onto the cool surface and order a scotch on the rocks. While awaiting my choice of poison, my eyes roam the large space before glancing down at my watch. It’s only nine o’clock, I would have expected more members here, especially since it’s an invitation night.

Taking a sip of the scotch, I allow the liquid to swirl against my tongue, savoring the burn as it passes my taste buds and lingers down the back of my throat. After a few moments of gazing over the crowds beginning to filter in, I place the glass back onto the bar.

“You always had a taste for a good scotch,” a soft voice purrs from behind me.

I’d know that voice anywhere…Angela. My stomach instantly starts to churn as the smell of her expensive perfume wafts past my nose. There’s no way I can avoid her without making a scene. Swallowing a portion of my pride, I turn to face her. She begins to trail her fingertips up and down the front of my suit jacket while seductively licking her bottom lip and gazing up to me with hooded eyes.

“It’s an exquisite flavor,” I respond in a stern tone, removing her hand from my body. “One that I do enjoy on occasion.”

She looks to me, defeat drifting from her deep brown eyes as she pulls her hand from mine and shifts it to her side.

“We could be magical together, lover,” she whispers before walking away.

My eyes follow her a few short feet as she furthers herself from my space. Angela is indeed a beautiful creature, one that has always been at my disposal. The only concern with our arrangement is the stalker tendencies she insists on pursuing outside of
The Club
. The day she showed up at the firm was the moment I told her she needed to find herself a new subject. I had no interest in a relationship with her outside of
The Club
and there was no way in hell I’d be willing to bring my personal life through the doors of my firm.

It doesn’t help that we’re both here more often than we should be, but it satisfies the craving I need to feel whole. Rather than cause a scene, I play nice to an extent and keep our interactions to a minimum. It’s better this way, she’s found plenty of men to suit her fancy. No need for her to linger around someone who is void of what she wants out of a man.

Turning back toward the bar, I request a bottle of water and begin to make my way through the room. A few familiar faces catch my attention in the VIP area and, with a nod, I bid them a good evening. I’m in no frame of mind to stop and discuss anything, I need to get upstairs and find someone to sink myself into. Someone who will help me forget the agony of the day. I continue toward the back of the room and climb the stairs to the second floor.

My eyes scan over the bar area in search of the one person I know can quench my need. She’s always here on a Friday evening and without a doubt is ready for a night of sheer pleasure. With long strides, I move to the corner of the room where I see she’s sitting…alone. As I approach, her angelic face turns, looking in my direction. An enticing smile forms across her full lips, her head bowing down to my presence.

“Stevie,” I call out to her. “I’m more than pleased to see you here alone; shall I assume you’ve been waiting for me to come find you?”

Her face turns upward, dazzling blue eyes staring back to me, waiting for me to give her direction. The sight of her willingness creates a sense of power through my body. Tonight she will once again be mine to control, treasure and submit to my will.

My arm extends out to her, my fingertips caressing the smooth waves of her silky blonde locks. Her pale white skin glistens in the amber lights of the room, her bosom rising with every intense breath she takes.

“I asked you a question, Stevie, I expect a response from you,” I demand pulling tightly on the long strands of hair.

She blinks and her neck muscles tense sending a wave of gratification through me to see the effect I hold over her.

“Yes, Sir,” she responds lowering her eyes.

A smile pulls from my lips, my hand releasing grip from her hair while I extend my other arm to her, giving her permission to stand. She follows my cue and stands before me, our bodies mere inches from one another. I move to the side, allowing her to stand behind me as we begin our journey to the other side of the building to the group room.

Upon entering, I turn to Stevie ensuring her gaze has drifted downward to the floor.