Risqué Business (Club Risqué #8)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

I t was finished quicker than any of them expected, and the seven women got to make suggestions on the facilities and functionality of the building.

Desi was absolutely right. When money was no object, it could grease palms and ensure that there was never a shortage of materials or construction workers. But the six months it took from start to finish did at least mean the youngest babies were no longer being breastfed, which helped when it came to leaving them.

Desi and Luanna had taken on the job of hiring staff who were being handsomely paid to give up their evenings since a six pm start was not particularly hospitable. But everyone was happy with the outcome. It helped a great deal that a couple of the new employees, including the creche manager, were familiar with the lifestyle, making everyone more relaxed.

Not only that, but the kids were excited too. Well, the ones who were old enough to understand.

“This is so awesome,” Charlotte commented as she and Desi dropped off their kids, and Jacob, Daniel, and Daisy immediately ran off to the craft corner, where a selection of fun activities were already laid out.

“Yep,” Desi agreed, as she sat a pudgy, eight-month-old Kieran in the safety of a large, gated area with the twins, Isabella and Rafael, and twelve-month-old Willow. “And the sympathetic staff means I don’t have to worry about turning up in club wear or having to get changed before I leave.”

“Bonus,” Charlotte agreed wholeheartedly, smiling as Evie toddled off to play with her best buddies, Christian and Trinity’s son CJ, and Luanna and Logan’s daughter, Diana, all of whom were about the same age, before they left their happy kids and crossed to the club.

“Damn, I’m looking forward to tonight.” Grace caught them up at the door, and Luanna was with her. As agreed, this ‘soft’ opening was just going to be the fourteen of them, plus a couple of dungeon monitors, while Trinity and Micah would take turns with the management for the two and a half hours they were allowing before the club opened up to the regular clientele.

Melody, Micah, Trinity, and Christian were already inside, having arrived early to ensure everything was ready.

“Where are Laurel and Connor?” Xavier asked as the rest of them greeted each other.

“Oh, Leo was playing up when they arrived, so it was taking them a little longer to settle him at the creche,” Logan told them. “They’ll be here in a few minutes. Leo will be fine once Evie and Diana take him under their wing. You know what little mothers they are.”

“Is it weird how excited I am about this?” Laurel asked when she and Connor finally arrived. “It’s like coming to the club for the first time all over again.”

The others laughed. “I know exactly how you feel,” Grace agreed. She and Laurel had been in the lifestyle the longest. “Family life takes things in a completely different direction. Suddenly, everything else takes a backseat when it comes to babies.”

“Woohoo!” Laurel scampered into the main floor of the dungeon and twirled around with her arms outstretched while the rest chuckled at her antics, pleased she was back to being her old self. Connor shook his head indulgently and followed his wife, deliberation in his stride as he reached her, scooped her up, and threw her over his massive shoulder before heading for a convenient station.

Laurel lifted her head and grinned, giving everyone a ‘thumbs up’ in that incorrigible manner of hers.

“Come on,” Logan said to Luanna. “I want to use the suspension room. It’s been forever since I had you strung up in my ropes.”

Luanna said a soft goodbye to the rest of them, who all seemed content to play in the large, open-plan playroom, and followed her husband.

“Well, I’m bagging the whipping station,” Jake stated, to absolutely nobody’s surprise. He hefted his toy bag onto his shoulder and grabbed Charlotte’s hand, pulling her along behind him.

Grace tried not to pout. The whipping station was one of her favourites. “Come on now, pet,” Xavier murmured in her ear. “Surely you didn’t think you’d get away with something so straightforward on this special night?”

Micah turned to look at Trinity. “You go first,” he told her. “Melody and I don’t mind waiting.”

“Are you sure?” Trinity asked, looking around.

“Of course,” he reassured her. “I’ll feel better if I know everything is under control.”

She gave him a nod, then turned to her husband, Christian, with a smile. “So, do you have any plans?” she asked as they wandered deeper into the room.

“This was a good idea,” Joel said, hooking his arm around Desi’s waist as he looked out over the area where their friends were setting up their scenes.

Micah nodded, pulling Melody close to him. “Indeed, it was. I’m looking forward to rolling it out to the rest of the members.”

“I can’t believe how much things have changed for us all,” Desi murmured as she snuggled into her husband’s side and rested her head on his chest.

Truer words had never been spoken.