THE INVITATION (The Marriage Diaries, Volume 5)

The Marriage Diaries, Volume 5

Erika Wilde

eBook Cover Photo Copyright: Novel Graphic Designs, January 2014

eBook Formatted by: BB eBooks

Published by Erika Wilde, January 2014

Kindle Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Epilogue

Other Books in The Marriage Diaries Series

About the Author

“I
 can’t believe you’re getting a drink with me instead of going home to your wife. Don’t
even
tell me that there’s trouble in paradise.”

Dean grinned at his best friend, Brent “Mac” MacMillan, who sat on a bar stool beside him at a local joint they frequented after work to relax and unwind. Though, admittedly, ever since Jillian had shown up at Dean’s office weeks ago and propositioned him with spicing up their sex lives, he’d spent a helluva lot more time at home with his wife, than hanging out with the guys.

“Trust me, the only reason I’m sitting here with you instead of being at home with Jillian is because I have a huge favor to ask.”

“Anything,” Mac said sincerely. “Just ask and it’s yours.”

Dean knew he spoke the truth because they’d always had each other’s backs. They’d met in the Navy and served in the same SEAL platoon and were now business partners at Noble and Associates, the security firm that Dean and Mac had established when they’d retired from the military a few years ago. The two of them had started the company doing oddball security gigs, but with their training and experience they’d quickly become a prominent, multi-million dollar firm specializing in executive protection and corporate threat management.

Becoming a successful, viable corporation had taken a lot of time and dedication on both their parts, but all the blood, sweat, and leaner times had been well worth the sacrifice. Dean couldn’t imagine any other partner than Mac. He was the brother Dean never had, and the one person he trusted implicitly.

Dean took a drink from his bottle of beer before getting to the point of the conversation. “Remember a few years ago when you asked if I was interested in an invitation to The Players Club?” The Players Club, a huge, massive estate located outside of San Diego in the hills of Fallbrook, was an exclusive, members-only society that catered to the erotic and forbidden. The only way to get inside the private, elite mansion was by invitation only by a current member, which Mac was.

“Yeah, I remember,” Mac replied, a hint of curiosity tingeing his drawl. “And I distinctly recall you turning down the offer saying it wasn’t Jillian’s thing. Has that changed?”

“Possibly.” He’d never brought up the subject of The Players Club to his wife, but considering how open-minded Jillian had become, he figured it was a good time to introduce yet another fantasy he’d entertained for years. And with their twentieth anniversary coming up, it seemed like the perfect gift, for the both of them.

Mac studied Dean for a moment before realization dawned. “Does this have anything to do with that day when Jillian dropped by your office, the two of you spent some time alone, and she left with a big smile on her face and looking a bit disheveled?”

“Noticed that, did you?”

A knowing smirk curved the corner of Mac’s lips. “Along with the fact that you couldn’t concentrate on shit after she walked out.”

Dean laughed, unable to deny his friend’s claim. He had very fond memories of that day in his office — the day that changed so much between him and his wife, for the better. “Jillian has decided that with both the boys grown and out of the house, it’s time to focus on us and making our sex life more interesting and daring.”

“And how’s that working out?” Mac asked before finishing off his beer.

“Fucking fantastic.” Dean grinned. He wasn’t one to share details, but he had to admit that even beyond the phenomenal sex, they’d become closer as a couple. Their relationship was more intimate, their interaction on a daily basis more fun and flirty.

“Lucky bastard,” Mac muttered begrudgingly.

“What are you complaining about?” Dean asked, amused by his friend’s envious statement. “You always have some hot bombshell ready and willing to warm your bed.”

“Not the same thing.” Mac sighed as he absently wiped away the condensation on his beer bottle with his fingers. “You’re lucky because your marriage has lasted nearly twenty years and you still seem to be enjoying a smokin’ hot sex life. Do you know how rare that is?”

Realizing which road they were suddenly traveling, Dean grew serious. “You tried really hard to make your marriage work, Mac. You just rescued the wrong woman, and you never should have married her.”

Mac’s lips thinned, as they always did whenever they talked about the one woman who’d ripped his heart out and stomped on it for good measure. “I’m done rescuing. Period. It’s not worth the fucking hassle or emotional turmoil.”

Dean didn’t argue, and just hoped that the
right
woman came along to change Mac’s mind someday. But at the age of thirty-six, Mac was set in his ways and certain he was better off a bachelor who kept things simple and temporary. And being a member of The Players Club offered him easy, uncomplicated sex with a woman who enjoyed the same level of kink that he did.

“So, do you think Jillian is ready for a place like The Players Club?” Mac asked, effectively changing the subject off him and his failed marriage.

“I think she could be, yes,” Dean replied. “She’s become more adventurous lately, so I’d like to give her the option of accepting the invitation, or not, though I’m
not
interested in swinging or sharing.” As he’d already learned that night she’d taken him to a night club, that point was absolutely non-negotiable.

“Trust me, there’s something for everyone at The Players Club,” Mac said, obviously speaking from his own personal experience. “And there are certain basic rules, and everyone abides by them or they’re immediately banned. Nobody’s going to touch Jillian.”

“Not if they value their lives,” Dean said, meaning it.

Mac chuckled and pushed his empty beer bottle across the bar. “Are you sure she’ll be okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice. “And I’m not referring to just the sexual atmosphere, but the fact that she’ll know people there. Like me, and a lot of our other guys.”

Dean had already thought about that. “You’ve already assured me that there is a confidentiality clause in the contract that everyone signs, so I’m assuming that whatever happens at the club, stays at the club?”

Mac nodded. “Yes, and for those clients who don’t know you, there are no last names exchanged to protect your privacy, as well.”

Which was all very reassuring to Dean. “Then it’s up to Jillian and how comfortable she is with everything.” She would be the deciding factor, because he wasn’t going to put his wife in situation that made her uneasy.

“Fair enough,” Mac said in understanding. “I’ll make a call and you should have the invitation in a few days.”

“Perfect.” Just in time for their twentieth anniversary. “I appreciate it.”

*     *     *

Jillian walked into Sugar and Spice, an upscale adult boutique that specialized in selling fun, sexy toys, gorgeous lingerie, and other erotic novelty items. Located in a cluster of other specialty type businesses that catered to a sophisticated clientele, Sugar and Spice had become one of her favorite places to shop lately, and had provided her and Dean with plenty of sensual ideas to help fulfill many of their fantasies.

Ultimately, this store had helped to revive her marriage, had increased her confidence as a woman, and had given her husband the permission to truly embrace that dominant alpha male in the bedroom. Or rather, their newly designed playroom, which was now filled with all sorts of provocative toys and gadgets.

“Hey, Jillian,” a familiar female voice greeted her.

“Hi, Raina,” Jillian returned, smiling at the beautiful blonde haired woman who owned the boutique, and who had also become a good friend.

It was early afternoon, and the store was quiet. Other than Aaron — a good looking, muscular guy who doubled as a bodyguard for Raina, and as a sales person when needed — there wasn’t anyone else in the place. From across the store in the video section, Aaron acknowledged her with a friendly nod before returning to stocking the shelves.

Raina came around the front counter, wearing a pair of white denim jeans, a pink top, and a pair of high heels that accentuated her long legs. The woman had a body of a centerfold, and Jillian had seen many male customers stare at her with obvious lust, but she never returned their interest or flirtatious, persuasive come-ons. Raina had once told Jillian that she never mixed business with pleasure, and considering she owned an adult boutique, dating men always came with certain expectations she had no intentions of fulfilling.

“What brings you in today?” Raina asked, always eager to help.

“I’m looking for some sexy lingerie to wear,” Jillian said.

“I thought I heard Jillian’s voice!” Another woman appeared from the back of the store carrying a few hangers displaying her gorgeous, one-of-a-kind corset creations that she sold at Sugar and Spice, and commissioned for customers. “A lady can never have enough sexy lingerie, that’s for sure.”

Jillian grinned at Paige, a red-head with voluptuous curves who wasn’t afraid to flaunt them, and an outrageous personality that always amused Jillian. “So true.”

Raina looped her arm through Jillian’s and guided her toward the lingerie section. “Did you have something particular in mind?”

“Maybe another corset?” Paige piped in, lifting one of the satin-lined hangers to reveal a stunning bustier made with emerald satin, pearls, and feathers. “I just finished this one this morning, and I have to admit I’m having a hard time putting it on display, instead of keeping it for myself.”

Jillian could understand why. The corset was exotic and seductive, yet fun, too. “My husband loved the red leather corset you custom made for me,” she said, thinking back to when she’d played the dominatrix to her husband’s slave in the playroom a few weeks ago. “But I think I want something more elegant.”

Raina raised a curious brow. “Special occasion coming up?”

“Yes, my twentieth anniversary,” she said as she looked through a rack of baby doll nighties — all pretty and sexy, but nothing that wowed her.