Finding Jaime (3 page)

“I have to get back to work.”
 

Her face is flushed, and I drop my head back and sigh. I overstepped, again, and now she’s uncomfortable with me like before.

After a shitty night’s sleep, the brain splitting headache I have is the only thing I can concentrate on right now. I look at the computer screen in front of me, but nothing is staying still on the monitor.

“Hey, Jai, do you have those reports from last Tuesday?” Sam, my boss, asks.
 

I reach into my drawer and pull out the file that took me four long days to complete—a task that should’ve taken four hours. “Here you go, Sam,” I say while rubbing my temple with my other hand.

“Headache?”

I open my eyes and stare at him.
 

No, I just like looking like I’m sucking on a lemon while being fucked in the ass for the fun of it!
 
I bite my tongue so I don’t say that out loud. Not that I would let anybody in my back door again—gross—trying it once was enough. It hurt like a bitch and did nothing for me in the slightest.

“Yeah, it’s fucking agony,” I reply and open my drawer for the painkillers I keep there. I swallow two and take a sip of my bottled water. “Woke up like this.”

“Actually, you don’t look too good today, and you usually look so fine…”

“Say what?” I glare at him, and he has the audacity to backtrack as though I didn’t just hear him say something that could have him up for sexual harassment.

“I mean, you always look so professional,” he says, and his face reddens. “I didn’t mean to say that—you understand? I’m not in the habit of saying things like that—”

“Sam, just stop. It’s fine, okay? But, could you just leave me to suffer on my own? I’m busy having a pity party, and you’re not invited.”

He has the balls to laugh at me but then gets it that I’m not kidding, and I want him to fuck off. “Okay, see you then.”

He closes the door behind him, and I rest my aching forehead on the cold wooden surface and groan. “Please kill me now.” I glare at my desk phone when the sound of the ringtone assaults my delicate ears. “Yes?” I hiss into the receiver and continue to rub my temple.

“Hi, Jai!” Sadie says so cheerfully I’m tempted to shoot her the finger. “Mom and Dad say hi. Oh, and they’ve asked me to stay over another night, so I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Aunt Carol is coming over, and I haven’t seen her in almost ten years.”

“That’s nice,” I mumble. “Have fun.”

“What’s wrong?” I hear the concern in her tone. Sadie should’ve been a nurse, or at the very least she needs to pop out some kids in a few years to fuss over.

“I have a fucking migraine,” I moan. “My head is being torn open from the inside and painkillers aren’t working.”

“It could be left over from the other night,” she suggests, and I can hear the stupid grin in her voice.
 

“No. I felt okay last night. I didn’t sleep all that great.”

“Are you stressed? How’s work? Is Sam giving you too much to do?”

“Whoa slow down, Lester Brown,” I reply. “I’ll be okay, Sade. I’ll finish up here and go home. I might have an early night tonight.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, Sadie,” I spit. “I’m not in the mood to hook up.”
 

“Well, okay then, sweetie. Get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow before I have to work the night shift at the hotel.”

I end the call to my second mom and return my aching head to the desk. I sit up with a start and realize that I’d fallen asleep.

“Shit, I need to get this done,” I say out loud and attempt to get back to work.

I look through the figures on my screen and find they’re a lot clearer than before. I work quickly through the numbers, knowing I don’t need to have it completed for another two days at least. I lift my head to the knock on my door, and Sam pops his head through the gap.

“Hey, Jai,” he smiles. “Ready to head out?”

“One…sec…” I click the save tab and shut down my computer. “I’m all done, let’s get out of here.”

I notice Sam’s eyes give me the quick once over as I approach the door. I round my shoulders and pull out the front of my shirt to hide my lady balls, making it obvious I know what he’s ogling. His face flushes and he moves out of the way so I can pass him with plenty of room between us.

“Bye, Sam, see you tomorrow.” I wave as I walk away, and I don’t have to see him to know he’s watching my ass in my pencil skirt.

“Cade,” I say into my phone when I get in my car and start the engine. “Are you up for Lux tonight?”

Cade is the first person I know to call, apart from Sadie—as we’re roomies—to hit up the bars. She’s great at herding the team together for a good time. But, the person who I know will always be there seems to have the least fun whenever we go out.

Chapter 3

“Why did I ask for this?” I whine before sipping my cocktail. It’s bright blue, and I have no fucking idea what’s in it.

“Because work sucks, your boss wants your ass, and you look fucking hot in that dress!” Cade laughs and raises her glass. “Am I right?”

I look down at the figure-hugging corset style dress with a thigh-length flared skirt. My boobs are sitting proud and with no straps to hold them up, they feel as though they’re going to escape at any moment. And, with my hair pulled back, I feel too exposed, even with my crimson jacket. Why I decided on this outfit, I don’t know. I’m not even looking for any attention but, regardless of that, there’s a churning in my stomach, and I just want to leave. Sadie isn’t here—of course—and neither is Joss. Cade couldn’t get hold of her.

The reason I’m staying? Cade and Mark hit it off after their ‘explosive and orgasm filled sex fest’—her words—and are hooking up again. I promised I wouldn’t leave her alone, even though two of our other friends—Gem and Leah— are with us…somewhere. I look over to the dance floor and see the pair dancing with a couple of cute guys that had approached us.

“Mark!” Cade squeals and she turns in his arms, and they make out right there in front of me, tongues and all.
 

“Hi, Mark.” I give a little wave even though he’s oblivious to my presence. “So, Cade, I’m gonna go. I’m just not feeling it tonight, I’m sorry.”

“Oh, Jai,” she says, pulling away from Mark’s kiss-swollen mouth. “Don’t go by yourself.”

“Hey, I'll be all right,” I reply waving my hands. “I’ll call a cab and wait at the front by the bouncers.” I give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you soon, okay?”

They lock lips again, and I push myself through the bodies until I get to the door. It’s not late, but it’s fairly dark, and the summer evening air brushes over me.
 

I walk to the taxi firm a couple of blocks away. The streets are busy, and I pull my jacket tight to hide the fact that my ladies are fighting their way out of my dress.

I get just over halfway there, and I begin to cross a small road that runs between two buildings. Not wide enough for a car, but more of an alleyway that links the front and back entrances without circling the entire block.
 

A noise catches my attention, and I turn my head to see a couple emerge from behind a door that opens outwards. Sensual music thumps rhythmically from inside and the sound intrigues me. I take a quick look around and make a decision right then and there that I want to find out what’s behind door number two.

The door slowly closes as the laughing duo walk away, gripping each other’s asses as though they’ve just enjoyed each other a little too much—or are just about to. It’s only when I get closer that I notice their clothing. All black, shiny, and skin-tight pants that show every nook and cranny below the waist, and I see some Vaseline being required in their near future.

I catch the door just before it latches, my hot-pink fingernails just inside the frame, and I carefully pull back.

The corridor is lined with blood-red walls—fucking creepy as shit—and tiny bright lights in the skirting, allowing me to see where the hell I’m going and not fall over in my heels.

I reach another door, but instead of black iron, I see a silver colored steel looking one with a rectangular plate in the front. I almost scream when it slides back with a metallic squeal and the dark glasses that show no sign of life behind them.

“Name?” The gravelly female voice asks and I look behind me.

“Uh, Jai…Jaime,” I reply.
 

“First time at House?”

What? House? This doesn’t look like a house.

I know I look like a nervous teen, so I square my shoulders. “It is.”

The woman drops her glasses down her nose and studies me. Her green eyes with heavy makeup and false lashes take in every inch, and I hold my ground. I’m not letting her spook me. Her eyes crinkle up, and I hear a lock turning before the door opens inwards.

I take in her appearance. A shiny red corset cinching her waist and hugging over her round hips. She looks like a pin-up with her curves.

“Now, then.” The stern woman looks me over once more as she closes the door behind me. I’m in another corridor just as eerie as the previous one. “This way, Bunny.”

“Bunny?” I’ve no idea why she calls me that.

“Yes, Bunny. You looked like a lost little rabbit standing out there all on your own. Kudos for having the balls to stay put. Not many do.”

“Okay, so what now?”

The woman laughs. “Patience, Bunny. There’s a lot to do before entering House.”

I follow her to the first door on the right. She turns the handle and swings it inwards, revealing a room that looks to be a simple office—beige walls, dark carpet, and a wooden desk with a huge black leather chair behind it. A smaller version in front, which I assume, is for me.

She sits in the seat, and I notice the nameplate on the desk ‘Madame Plaisir.’ I hold back a smile as I remember high school French class. She gestures for me to sit.

“You were fortunate that I came to the door, Bunny”—she grins—“my security officer had to use the restroom. He would’ve turned you away.” She sits back in the chair and crosses her legs, studying me. “You intrigue me, Bunny. I feel as though you need our help.”

I cock my head to the side. “Help? With what?”

Madame Plaisir laughs. “Oh dear, dear, Bunny, you don’t know what this club is, do you?”

I shake my head, and now I feel stupid for wandering into someplace that I have no fucking idea about. I decide to tell the truth.

“Look, Madame Plaisir, I saw some people coming out, and I heard the music. I let my curiosity get the better of me, and I walked in. Sorry if I stumbled in on a party or whatever it is that you do here, but I think I should go.”

“Bunny!” The authority in her voice had me frozen halfway out of the chair. “Good, now sit.”

And like the scaredy cat I was, I did as I was fucking told.

“Now that I have your attention let’s discuss what made you curious about this place. And please, call me Madame.”

My eyes roam around the room of their own accord, and my nervousness shows in my voice. “I…don't know. Like I said, I heard the music. I’d just come out of Lux, and I was heading to the taxi company. There were no signs outside, and I thought… Fuck, I don’t know what I thought.”

Her grin spreads lazily across her face, and she removes her sunglasses, showing her eyes that stand out vividly against the platinum-blonde bob with heavy bangs. Her dark purple lipstick is accentuated by the paleness of her skin.

“You need a change,” she states and taps the matching colored nail of her index finger on her chin. “You look…bored.”

Tell me something I don’t know.
 

I snort a laugh. “We all get bored from time to time,” I reply. “I think my boredom just had a different plan tonight. It obviously didn’t want to go home.”

Why am I still sitting here, in this room, talking to a crazy woman that could quite possibly want to wear my skin as a fashion accessory?

“Bunny,” she says, her voice soothing. “Here, at House, we offer boredom relief for every taste, for all people.” That gets my attention again—grabbing it by the balls and squeezing until they’re blue. “We just need to know what you want.”

“I…don’t know what you do here, or what I want,” I rush out. “Look, this has been…nice…but I think I should go.”

“We are discreet, Bunny. No names are used, and masks are worn at all times.”

Didn’t she hear me saying I should go?
 
“What kind of masks?”
Fuck you, piqued interest, fuck you with a studded bat!

Madame laughs, hard. “Oh, Bunny, you amuse me.” She stands and walks around to my side of the desk and moves behind me, placing her hands on the back of the chair. “Whatever you want. You can cover your full face, or you can go all phantom of the opera. Whatever you desire.”

“So nobody will know it’s me? Like, in here, or outside?”

She shakes her head. “One of the many rules is that identities remain anonymous while inside the club, so masks are a requirement. Also, real names are never to be used, even if coupled members arrive together.” She places her hands on my shoulders, and she pulls back my jacket, baring my shoulders. “Membership requires a non-disclosure agreement. Nobody outside of these walls must know what goes on in here.”