Friends With Benefits (22 page)

The foyer opened to the second level. She peered up. From here, she could make out the doors to rooms beyond the railed landings.

They followed Gabe back to the main entrance and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“I’ll take you upstairs momentarily, but across from the stairs,” he pointed behind him, “you’ll find another powder room. Beyond here, access to the other side of the building is private.”

Angela took note of the “staff only” sign on the door at the end of the hall. She trailed along behind Gabe as they walked back to the large double doors at the back of the foyer, opposite the door they’d come in.

“You’ll also find facilities distinctly for women and men on each floor, as well as in the main ballroom.” Gabe pushed the doors open with a flourish and moved aside, allowing Angela to enter ahead of him.

“Oh my,” she exclaimed.

The room they entered was empty and silent, but not eerie, and not overly large for a ballroom. Angela pictured many an event taking place in this room years ago. A bar took up a good portion of the back wall. Dark paneling covered the walls, hardwood the floor. A number of private booths were placed strategically around the perimeter. Round tables that sat four were scattered throughout. The center of the floor lay open, leaving space for dancing. The one thing that appeared out-of-place were the two stripper poles, one each side of the dance area. Small sparkling lights embedded in the ceiling gave the look and feel of a star-studded night sky.

“This is the main area. Many people never move beyond this room. Light snacks are provided. There’s a full-service bar, and a DJ provides music each night. But I must warn you, there is a two-drink limit. I understand some people need a little alcohol to release their inhibitions, but too much can create undesirable situations and lead to trouble. And no food or drink is permitted beyond the ballroom doors.”

“It’s beautiful in here. How often are you open for business?”

“Thank you.” The barest hint of a smile tilted the corners of Gabe’s lips, the first she’d seen since he opened the door to them. “We’re open Thursday to Saturday night and the first Wednesday of every month. Wednesdays are for dancing only, and the other levels are off limits on those nights. It’s a good way for me to observe potential members without putting my regulars at risk. Thursdays are restricted to Platinum members.”

“Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the upstairs.” He looked over his shoulder as he ascended the wide staircase. “You may have noticed we passed an elevator just outside the guest entrance. It will take you to the second level and the basement if you are unable or don’t want to take the stairs.”

Angela caught Connor passing Tyler an “I’m impressed” look. Gabe McBride had thought of everything.

Up on the second floor landing, Gabe paused. They could go to the left or the right. “There are six rooms up here,” he said. “The large room in the center is split down the middle with a viewing window. There are three play areas at this end and three private rooms at the other end, one larger. If you are in a viewing room you can see back and forth, should you want to watch or be watched. Beds, lounges, chairs, and other equipment can be found throughout the premises. Clean towels, lubricant, and condoms are available in each room. That’s my second rule. Unless you are with your spouse, condoms must be worn.” He shared a glance with Connor. “Even if you’re in a relationship with another person, you are free to
not
use condoms when you are in your own home. When you’re in mine, you’ll follow my rules.

“My third rule is that I don’t provide toys. You are welcome to bring them with you, but please take them home with you. I don’t expect my cleaning staff to handle used toys.”

Gabe allowed them to peek into each room. One room had a bench of some sort, and what looked like a swing hanging from the ceiling. Another had a massage table and some oils. The large room had two double beds, and the rooms on either side had big panes of two-way glass and drapes that could be pulled closed. A back corner room had seating available, like the seats in a casual movie theater.

People actually watched somebody’s private moments? Angela wondered if she would be able to do that without feeling like an intruder. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that the mere suggestion aroused her.

“You’ll find a full bathroom in each of the private rooms.” Gabe led them back to the stairs.”

“What’s on the third level?” Tyler asked.

“A private residence, which, obviously, is off-limits.”

“You mentioned a few private rooms,” Connor said. “What are those for?”

“They are for private bookings. First-come, first-serve. With the bronze membership you have to pay extra for their use—one hundred dollars for an hour or five hundred for the evening.”

Angela wondered why anyone would leave their home, go to a private club, and then book a private room for the night. She couldn’t see the logic in that. She shrugged.

They followed Gabe back down the stairs. When they reached the main landing he stopped, turning to face them. “So, what do you think?”

“I’m impressed with the layout, and the measures you’ve taken to ensure people’s privacy and safety.” Angela looked up at Tyler as he spoke. Would he like to have people watch them have sex? She glanced at Connor. As though sensing her focus, his dark gaze found hers. The heat in his eyes sparked a flame low in her belly. Her pussy swelled, and moisture slipped into her panties. Oh yeah, he’d be all over this. A tremor flowed through her.

“Why don’t we go back to my office?” Gabe said.

They followed him back down the hall to his office. This time he took a seat behind the big desk, gesturing to the pair of chairs in front of it. Tyler let Angela and Connor claim the seats, while he took a stance behind his wife, placing his hands on her shoulders and squeezing gently.

“Saturdays are the busiest. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to come this weekend, check the place out. My treat. We open the doors at 9:30 and they close around three a.m. Dress as sexy as you want. But we don’t allow jeans, T-shirts, runners, leisure, or workout wear. Dress as though you’re going out for a night on the town. Once you’re here, you’ll see everything from business suits to sports coats, and sexy dresses to lingerie, strips of leather, or even nothing at all. Though, the latter is usually only seen on the upper level or lower level.”

Angela’s mind shot to a scene in a novel that she had read, where the woman’s outfit was nothing more than inch-wide strips of black leather and buckles, crisscrossing her body.

“The one place I didn’t take you to today was The Vault. The Vault is the basement level and is for those interested in bondage, domination, and submission. As I mentioned earlier, my other security office is located there. The Vault can be a little more extreme, though it’s not over the top. It’s by no means a dungeon.”

Angela’s mind conjured up a dark place with racks and chains, benches and hooded men. She refocused as Gabe continued.

“The people who play down there are generally more serious about their lifestyle choices. Those are our Platinum members. Membership at that level requires a thorough background check. I will not allow anybody to use their membership here as a means to purposefully abuse others. Security ensures nobody goes down there who shouldn’t.

“In fact, if you plan to go down to The Vault, you need to be pre-approved with either myself or one of my brothers. I’ll allow a guided tour on certain nights, but to be an actual visitor down there you need to have at least a Silver membership, and even then it will be assumed you’re not highly active in the scene. Platinum members like to know when non-active participants are in their midst so they don’t inadvertently engage in play that may not be welcome.”

Angela shivered as various scenarios played out in her mind. Could some of those things she had read about be happening down there? A low flame stirred and burned in the pit of her stomach. Maybe those particular fantasies were best kept to herself.

“Your brothers run this place with you?” Connor asked.

“Two of them, yes, though I’m the only one here full-time. We have another business they attend to on a full-time basis. But when they’re around, they can help you with anything you need. If you join, I’ll introduce you at the first opportunity.” He looked back to Tyler. “As I was saying, check it out this weekend, and we can go from there. If you’re interested, I’ll give you my business card, and you can call me any time to come in and complete the paperwork before your next visit.”

“What kind of paperwork?” Tyler asked.

“It’s more of a contract. I’ll need the typical information—full names, address, phone number—your likes and dislikes in this type of environment, and any medical conditions we need to be aware of, substantiated by a recent medical evaluation. You’ve already signed the non-disclosure agreement.” Gabe actually laughed at the look of shock that must have passed across their faces. “We require privacy, just as you do. I don’t want people to discuss out there,” he pointed out the window, “what happens in here. And neither do you. It protects your privacy and ours. The medical is obvious…people have sex here, and not always with their partners. Unfortunately, we sometimes need to protect our members from other people’s indiscretions. As members, we require, at a minimum, yearly medicals.”

“And the likes and dislikes?” Angela ventured. She could only imagine.

“A general description of what your expectations are from the club. Are you here for the social aspect in the dance club alone? Are you a look-but-don’t-touch couple? Do you play only among yourselves or with others? Will you be a regular visitor to The Vault? And if you are, are you a Dom or a sub? Are you looking for a Dom or a sub? Is BDSM a serious lifestyle choice for you, or are you simply testing the waters? Limits are dealt with by the individuals involved in any relationship.”

“Why do you need to know all that?” Tyler asked the very question that was foremost in Angela’s mind.

“It gives me and my staff awareness of your boundaries. Often people are interested, but too shy to approach, or don’t know how to express their limits. We can introduce you to others who have similar tastes, and steer away those we know may make you uncomfortable. Solid relationships are formed here. I work very hard to ensure everybody’s needs are met without putting anyone at risk.”

“I can’t speak for my wife or Connor, but I’m impressed by what I’ve seen and heard today. I’d be interested in checking out the club. Honey, what you do think?”

The heat in Angela’s cheeks gave away her thoughts before she opened her mouth. Tyler smiled.

“I’d like to see what it’s like here at night,” she said. “I’d love a chance to dress up sexy and dance with you and Connor in a place where we won’t cause trouble.”

Gabe frowned. “Cause trouble?”

“Nothing we did.” Connor reached over to brush his hand down her arm. His big hand warmed her. “We went out to a local bar. Some jerk came on to Angela when he saw her dancing with the two of us. We ended up in a fight. Insults were tossed around.”

Gabe nodded, but his features tightened.

Angela sighed. “I’d like to experience a night out with these two guys without being labeled a slut.”

Gabe frowned. His tone was firm when he spoke. “That doesn’t happen here, I can assure you.”

Tyler stepped forward as Gabe stood. “Gabe, thank you for the tour, and for extending us an invitation for this weekend. We’ll be on our way; I’m sure you have lots to do, and I think you’ve answered all of our immediate questions.”

Gabe moved around his desk to shake their hands. “The pleasure was mine. Scott spoke very highly of you. I hope you enjoy yourselves, and please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.”

“Thank you, we will. It was nice meeting you.”

Angela’s skin tingled from Gabe’s touch when he shook her hand. Oh yes, she and Tammy needed to talk soon about this hunk of a man.

He walked them back out to the front entrance and watched as they piled into the car and backed around to drive out.

They were down the street and stopped at a red light when a terrible thought crossed Angela’s mind.

“Oh no,” she gasped.

Connor swiveled his head to peer back at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Honey?”

“What the hell am I going to wear?” She groaned. “Don’t you two roll your eyes at me.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Angela stared into the mirror. Since Wednesday, she’d thought of not much else, other than what she’d see at the club. Would people be naked? Would she have the courage to remove her clothes? What would people think seeing her naked? Would she be less attractive than the other women? Starting at the top of her head, she let her gaze roam down her body—a first quick trip, then she started again, with a more critical eye.

She had a fair complexion, not perfect, but no obvious blemishes, other than that teeny birthmark near the corner of her mouth. Her blonde hair, ashy she guessed, brushed her shoulders. She’d decided to wear it down tonight so she would appear relaxed, as long as nobody noticed the slight flaring of her nostrils, or the panicked look in her blue eyes.

She tilted her head. She had never noticed how pointy her chin was before. Crap, no time for surgery. She moved on, raising and shaking her arms. No flab yet, thank God. She cupped her breasts, let them go, and cupped them again. Still somewhat perky. Oh, some freckles there too, next to her right—nope, her left areola. She tweaked her nipples, feeling like an idiot standing in front of the mirror like this.

Next, she ran her hands down her stomach and over her hips—hips that flared out too far in her opinion. She trailed her fingers over her pelvic bone, widened her legs a bit, and palmed her pussy. Both Tyler and Connor liked her shaved. Although a pain in the ass to maintain, it was smooth, and she did love receiving oral sex from them.

She liked her legs in heels. She dropped her gaze and wiggled her crimson-tipped toes. They’d look incredible in her black four-inch peep toes tonight.