What Piper Needs (18 page)

“The meet and greet is set for next Saturday night. Start time is eleven p.m.” She gave him the street address, then continued, “It’s a warehouse in the art district. It looks like nothing special on the outside, but there’s a big red number one above the door. There will be a bouncer inside. Don’t be intimidated. Your names will be on a list.” Michael jotted down the information. “We’re expecting quite a big turnout. This place has been recently remodeled, and it’s very elegant. There’s a huge main room with lots of comfortable places to”—she cleared her throat—“have fun. There are also lots of adjacent spaces to
play
. Everything kicks off with a cocktail party, so I advise getting there before eleven thirty. There’s lots of mingling. The doors lock at midnight, no late entry allowed.”

“Okay, I have it down,” Michael said. “How big of a crowd are you expecting?”

“The core group is forty-five members. Some are couples, some not. For this new meeting, half of us are inviting one person or one married couple. The headcount will be around seventy-five if everyone shows, which probably won’t happen. All new entrants will be asked a series of questions by one of the gatekeepers. If your answers aren’t satisfactory, you will be asked to leave. Don’t ask me what they are, because they always change, and I can’t tell you anyway. But I’m certain you’ll answer them correctly. Oh, and leave your phones at home. No electronics allowed whatsoever. No exceptions.”

“Gatekeepers? That sounds…extreme.” Michael chuckled. “Do they wear Dom masks and stand sentinel with whips in hand?” He was only half-joking. He needed to know what to expect. What he was envisioning would totally freak Piper out.

It was better to get the information right up front.

Beth laughed. “No whips. Gatekeeper is just a fancy term for the secretary and treasurer of the group. They’re also in charge of security. They pretty much look like an accountant and a librarian. But we embrace the ‘underground’ part in Sexual Underground. Information about this group is not meant to be public or shared casually in any way. If word gets out, there could be a serious problem with the police, or negative publicity in the media. You’re a lawyer. I’m sure you understand the security issues.”

He did.

The fact they took everything so seriously reassured him. In his line of work, he wouldn’t be able to be part of something like this that wasn’t secret. “I totally do. I need to ask you—are you the only one from the office who is involved with this group? I need a heads up if there’s anyone else.”

“Nope, I’m the only one. You’re all clear on that front. Honestly, I wouldn’t have even asked you if I hadn’t seen the look on your wife’s face when she came out of the bathroom. Then when I walked by your office, and I figured out what was going on under your desk, I knew the two of you would be perfect additions to the group. If you decide to become members down the line, there are fees and documents you have to sign—confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements and such. If you were to talk, you’d incur a huge monetary penalty.”

Michael nodded along with what she was saying. “Got it, thanks,” he told her. “I’m still not sure if we’ll be there. I’m still figuring it out. I hope that’s not an issue.”

“Not at all. And don’t worry. There’s no pressure to do anything. You can just hang out and watch if you want. Or you can go partway. It all depends on your mood. We also have bouncers, who we refer to as ‘checkers,’ to make sure it’s always a safe environment for our members and no one feels pressured or uncomfortable at any time.”

“
Hm.
It seems you guys have thought of everything.”

“We try. Everyone involved wants it to be kept under wraps and very professional. Well, as professional as these kinds of things are capable of being, of course.” She laughed.

“Thanks, Beth,” Michael said. “I think I have all the information I need.”

“Great, hope to see you, and your wife, soon.”

Michael hung up.

Anticipation pulsed in his chest as he thought about the Underground, as well as his plans for tonight. He was taking his beautiful wife out to a fancy dinner, and he hoped it would end up being as exciting as their hotel romp.

* * *

Insisting on being chivalrous, Michael shut Piper’s car door after she’d slid in. She grinned at him as he got in the driver’s seat. “So where are we going?” she asked.

“I’m not telling,” he answered, “so no more asking. It’s a surprise.”

They started down the road toward their mysterious destination, and Piper found she was relaxed and really looking forward to their date together.

She reached over and set her hand on Michael’s shoulder, rubbing lightly. While they drove, she turned over in her mind the advice Caroline and Emma had given her last night. She glanced at her incredibly handsome husband and thought about beginning a conversation with him about how she was certain they could keep spice in their marriage without doing another top ten.

Then she frowned, thinking of that conversation spiraling into a disagreement when they were going someplace special.

Michael turned to her. “What are you staring at? You look deep in thought.”

“Oh, nothing in particular.” She gave her husband a reassuring smile and decided against bringing up anything. She didn’t want it to get in the way. After all, there was plenty of time to have that discussion. It didn’t have to be tonight.

“Now what?” he asked. “Why are you laughing?”

Piper brought a hand up to her mouth. Her mind had switched on a dime to how she and the girls had ended their evening. They’d all agreed to invite Gillian to the next meeting, but before they’d left, Caroline had insisted they come up with an STD handshake. That girl was full of surprises. It ended up being a cross between a fist bump and a patty-cake. They’d all died laughing. “Nothing you’d think is that funny,” she said. “Caroline was just being silly last night. You know, she has grown by leaps and bounds. She’s so comfortable in her own skin. I envy that. It’s like what they did in the bedroom with Emma and Pete finally set them free somehow.” Piper shook her head. “It’s amazing. I want to be her when I grow up.” She chuckled, resting her head back on the seat. “It was really nice to have Emma there, too. Everyone got along great. It’s so fun that we can support each other like that. It feels like a family. A dysfunctional, sexed-up family, but a family nonetheless.”

“I’m glad you have that kind of support,” Michael said. “And I have to say, Jace seems pretty happy, too. I’ve noticed the difference. It seems the Strattons have figured out their sex life, and it’s impacted their marriage for the better.”

“It really has made their marriage stronger.” She glanced at Michael. She had to have faith that she and Michael were on that same road. The contentment she felt inside right now had to be a good indicator. She had to trust in that.

“I’m certain that will be us very soon,” Michael said. “We’re finally on the golden path to sexual fulfillment, which, according to the Strattons, means everything will eventually fall into place.”

Piper snorted. “Um, golden path sounds like we’re going to end with a golden shower. Please don’t tell me you’re heading to a place where urinating in public is acceptable.”

“Does such a place exist?” Michael arched an eyebrow as he turned onto a parking ramp. “If you know the address, please share.”

“I know you’re kidding, but still.” Piper sat up in her seat as she looked around the parking garage Michael had just pulled into. “No way. You scored reservations at Le Repas?” She turned to her husband. “Who did you have to bribe to get them?”

Michael chuckled. “How do you know it’s Le Repas? This building holds many restaurants.”

“Yeah, right. We’re so not going to Buffalo Bob’s or whatever chains they have on the first floor. And I don’t believe you thought this up months ago, so if you didn’t bribe someone, you paid them. I just hope you didn’t throw in any sexual favors from your wife—but, hell, even if you did, I wouldn’t care! I’ve been dying to check this place out. The view is supposed to be spectacular, and there’s a six-month wait list. I know, because I’ve checked multiple times.”

The restaurant was located on the top floor of a building downtown, and anytime something new and great came to Madison, it was a feeding frenzy.

“I’m glad to see you’re so excited. And I didn’t exactly
bribe
anyone. I just
swapped
the reservations in exchange for a weekend of work.”

“That’s very noble of you to put my needs before yours,” Piper quipped as Michael pulled into a parking spot. “The sign of a true gentleman.”

“Stay right there,” Michael ordered as he got out of the car. He slammed his door and walked around to open hers.

She took his hand as she stepped out. “You’re being so…classy tonight. I’m not sure how to act. I’m assuming this night doesn’t end with a double strap-on.” She chuckled. “That’s a little low-rent for this place.”

“The strap-on wasn’t low-rent at all.” He kissed her cheek as he wrapped her hand around his elbow. They headed to the elevators. “That was plain hot sex, no rent involved.”

“Yeah, but I felt dirty walking out of the hotel with all our goods stuffed in a duffle bag.” Piper closed both hands around his upper arm and leaned into him. “But I agree, it was great sex. I can’t imagine what you have up your sleeve tonight. I’m assuming we’re not doing it over the petite filet.”

“The petite filet sounds interesting, but no. Not likely. I have some ideas, but I want to see where the night takes us first.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Michael opened the door for her, and they took the garage elevator down to the lobby, then had to walk to another bank of elevators to go up.

They entered the next elevator alone, and once the doors closed, Michael surprised her by pushing her up against the wall and placing his hands on either side of her head.

Before she knew it, he was kissing her.

Really kissing her.

His tongue delved into her warmth, urging her response, which she gave immediately. Her hands threaded across his shoulders as she tilted her head, savoring the kiss, meeting his tongue, and lapping at it. She made a small noise in the back of her throat.

When Michael pulled back, she was dazed.

He placed his forehead against hers, grinning. “That was just a preview of what’s to come,” he whispered as the elevator pinged. He stepped back as the door opened, gesturing with a sweep of his arm. “Ladies first.”

She glanced at him as she walked out. “Who are you?”

17

__________________________

____________

T
he restaurant exceeded Michael’s expectations. It was upscale, classy, and the ambience was excellent. Leave it to one of the partners to have wrangled a secluded table right by the window. The city was lit up below them. Madison wasn’t a huge town, but it still looked pretty at night.

“So, crème brûlée for dessert, then?” Piper teased as they both eyed the menu. “Wow, some of the stuff on here is so decadent. I’m not sure Madison is ready for
lapin à la moutarde
. I wonder if braised rabbit tastes just like chicken.”

“I’m sure it tastes a little woodier,” he said. “Why don’t you try it and find out?” Michael peered over his menu at her. “I think Thumper needs to be sampled.”

“No Thumper for me. I’m sold on the
coquilles Saint Jacques
to start and the
blanquette de veau
for my meal.” Piper closed her menu. “I’ve always wanted to try the famous French scallops, and you can’t go wrong with a good ragout.”

“I think I’ll do the pan-seared
foie gras
and the
hachis Parmentier.
I’d like to see how the French do shepherd’s pie.”

“I’m sure it tastes like heaven, served with dainty vegetables and topped with perfectly browned mashed potatoes.”

The waiter came up to the table. “Hello, madam”—he nodded—“sir. May I start you off with a beverage this evening?”

Piper began, but Michael cut her off. “We’ll take a bottle of the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.”

“Of course, we have two available years to choose from, 2003 and 2010.”

“We’ll try the 2003.”

Piper looked surprised, but happy. Michael liked seeing his wife happy.

The waiter left, and Piper picked up her water. “That was some fancy ordering, Mikey. Did you do a little research on the wine list before we came?”

“Not really.” He chuckled. “I just asked Don which he liked best, and he was emphatic about this particular champagne.”

“I figured. We know Don knows his way around a restaurant, and I love champagne.” Don Brady was the firm’s newest partner. He’d joined the company two years ago after heavy recruiting. He and his partner, Jerry, lived a few miles from Piper and Michael, and the Collinses had been invited over for dinner at their home several times. Don was a great cook and a wine connoisseur. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious. If you owe Don a weekend of work, I should invite Jerry out to the movies or something. He hates it when he’s left alone for the weekend when Don is working on a case.”

“That would be fine with me. But if you go, don’t mention that we took his reservation for tonight’s romantic evening. Don mentioned something about it being their anniversary, but he didn’t get technical.”