Room One Hundred & Twenty-One: Kiss of Fire

Chapter 3

3

SELENA

“ A pparently, we had different values. I valued commitment and she valued fucking my best friend,” he quips, and I pretend to care.

How much longer do I have to listen to this guy?

I met Daniel on a dating app and we decided to grab coffee before I headed into work. But I’m currently regretting that decision, as throughout our date, he seems to only want to talk about himself or his ex-girlfriend. Clearly, he’s not over her.

“Wow, that’s terrible.” I feign interest, then sigh with relief when I see that my cup is empty.

Good, we can wrap this up now .

I stand, slipping my purse strap onto my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I actually need to head into work. But it was really nice talking with you.” And by talking, I mean I don’t think I’ve uttered a single word about myself other than my name.

I watch as his brows knit at my abruptness, and I take the time to study him once more. He’s an attractive man with smooth, tanned skin, pretty blue eyes, and dark wavy hair. His cream cashmere sweater and tailored gray slacks give an air of subtle sophistication and elegance. I can’t deny that he’s nice to look at, but I refuse to waste another moment at this table talking solely about him.

“Let me drive you,“ he offers, disposing of his beverage.

“That’s okay. It’s not that far.“

“No, please. Let me take you.” He smiles. “I want to spend a little more time getting to know you.”

That’s a joke, right?

Against my better judgment, I agree. A decision I regret as soon as I get into his car. My office isn’t far from the coffee shop, but he yaps about his ex the entire drive. I try to tune him out but it’s hard to do—the man has only one volume and it’s loud.

When we finally pull up to my building, I quickly unbuckle my seat belt and fling open the door. “Well, it was?—”

“You work here ?” he asks, though I’m confused as to why he’s surprised. Then, I remember that he never asked anything about me.

“Yep,” I confirm.

“What do you do again?”

I struggle not to roll my eyes. “I’m a personal assistant.”

“To whom?”

Oh, now you wanna ask questions?

“To the executives and owners of Mosaic Inc.”

“Oh, shit, really?” His eyes gleam with excitement. “Do you think you could get me an interview? I’ve always wanted to work for them. You must know Noah Kincaid, right? The CEO?”

I don’t know why I’m indulging this man. “Yes, I know Noah,” I deadpan.

“That’s awesome! So you can help me out then. I promise I’ll take you somewhere special to thank you.” Daniel winks, but I don’t find it attractive.

“Wow, that’s awfully tempting,” I lie. “But any interested candidates must submit their resume and application through the company’s website. If you have any questions, I can connect you to someone in recruiting, but that’s the extent of my abilities.” I plaster on a fake smile before exiting his vehicle.

As I shut the door and head inside, Daniel comes around the front of his car and calls out to me. “You’ll do this for me, right?”

Did he not hear a word I just said? I ignore him, annoyed that I wasted my time.

“Hey! I’m talking to you!”

I should turn around and tell him off, but I freeze when I spot Brody and Chance staring at me from the lobby. They glance between me and Daniel, and I wonder how long they’ve been standing there.

Holding Brody’s gaze, I’m flooded with images of yesterday. Images of him and Chance kissing that woman. Of Noah watching me as if he could eat me alive, knowing I’d let him. The way he stroked his cock behind his desk, making my mouth water and my pussy clench. God, my body is growing hot just thinking about it. So much so I have to force myself to relax.

Last night, I fled from the office, horny as hell, and immediately grabbed my vibrator as soon as I got home. I made myself come over and over, trying fruitlessly to satisfy the ache between my legs. But I went to bed desperate and needy and wishing it was me and not that blond they were playing with.

I’ve dedicated so much time to taking care of these men to the best of my abilities that I’ve ignored my own basic needs, which has made me cranky as hell. That’s what led me to finally agreeing to meet Daniel after weeks of mindless chatting online. Sure, there were some red flags, but I ignored them, hoping I was just being too critical and knowing I needed some self-care and good sex. But that turned out to be a disaster, much like the shitshow my bosses made me witness in my own office.

I swallow my embarrassment and exhale. I just want to forget about last night and this awful date with Daniel. Summoning my resolve, I push my shoulders back and slap on a smile as I wave to the guys.

“Good morning, sirs,” I greet them as I walk past before stepping onto the elevator.

Never let them see you sweat, Selena. No matter how much they get to you.

“Good morning, Ms. Abernathy.” I’m hoping today is the day I’ll win her over, but I won’t hold my breath.

Her fingers hover over her keyboard when she glances up at me. “Good morning,” she replies coolly before resuming her work.

Knowing this is the most I’ll get out of her, I head over to my desk to get settled in. Yet, when I shrug off my cardigan, I feel the fine hairs on the back of my neck begin to rise. I turn to find Noah’s gaze laser-focused on me and an odd expression on his face. Once again, he pins me with a stare and I struggle to look away.

What is this hold that he has on me? That all of them have on me?

“Selena.”

I startle and snap my head in Ms. Abernathy’s direction.

“May I speak to you in the kitchen, please?”

“Oh… okay.” My heart hammers in my chest like I’ve just been called to the principal’s office.

I stand and follow behind her, ignoring Noah as he watches us go by. She pulls out two mugs from the cabinet and pours fresh coffee into each one. Then she places a caddy with sweeteners and creamer in front of me as she sips hers black.

“Thank you,” I say as I fix my beverage the way I like it. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

She pauses for a moment, and it makes me nervous. “I’ve never been good with beating around the bush so I’ll be frank. I think you are an exceptional assistant.”

I blink in surprise. What did she say?

I must be dreaming because out of all the things my mind could’ve conjured up that she’d ever say to me, that didn’t make the cut.

“Um… wow. Thank you so much!” I beam with shock and pride, but her expression remains neutral.

“And because I think so highly of you, I encourage you to be very careful.” Her words cut into me like a hot knife as she holds my confused gaze.

“Careful? What do you mean? Did I do something wrong?” I know my promotion was sudden, but I think I’ve been doing a good job. And to my knowledge, there wasn’t anyone before me. So surely, they aren’t comparing my work to someone else’s. Except maybe to that of Ms. Abernathy. But she’s perfect, and I know I’ll never measure up to her.

“You, my dear, are their latest… obsession.”

My stomach drops like a brick. Their latest? Obsession?

So there was someone before me. But then, how can I be their obsession when they go out of their way to avoid me like the plague?

I need some time to think. Something I can’t do when she’s staring at me. “Thank you for the warning. I’m almost positive they want nothing to do with me, but I’ll be sure to be careful.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “Just try not to get tangled up in their web. You’re a beautiful girl and you’re just their type.” They have a type? “They have a way of making you feel as though you’re drowning while somehow making you crave every second of it.”

I don’t even know what that means, but I don’t question it. I’m still reeling from the revelation that she thinks highly of me and that my bosses might like me after all.

“Watch yourself, dear. Those boys are wolves in sheep’s clothing.” I’m discovering that. “Trust me, I know far more than they think I do.”

With those parting words, she leaves and I stare after her, wondering what the hell is going on.

Did I wake up in some kind of alternate universe this morning?

“I bet they have big dicks,” my best friend teases, and we both fall into a fit of laughter.

Damn, I’ve missed her.

Lexi Tessoro and I met in college, back when we both attended Northwestern University. She had a difficult time during those days—family drama or something like that she said. But the one good thing she got out of it was meeting the loves of her life.

Loves. Plural.

She found Tristan, Liam, and Miles during that dark time. And now the four of them live together. I met them a few times when I was still living in Chicago, and I have to admit seeing them makes me envious. They’re openly affectionate with her, like they’ll die if they aren’t touching her. And they’ll kill anyone who even thinks of hurting her. Like, literally kill them. Maybe someday I’ll have a fraction of what she has.

“Lex! They’re my bosses,” I scold with a playful smile on my face.

“Who are sexy as hell. I saw their photos online, girl. You’re not fooling me. How on earth have you not slept with them yet? At least one of them?” she asks as though I’m the one in the wrong.

“You’re insane, you know that? Those men of yours have scrambled your brain.”

“Probably. From too much sex!” Her tone is filled with mischief.

“Don’t rub it in,” I whine.

“Oh, please, you and I both know you aren’t a prude. And you’re beautiful, Selena. But something is holding you back, and whatever it is, you need to let it go.”

I’ve already told Lexi about the woman from yesterday, and how undeniably jealous I felt after watching them touch her and kiss her. Of course, it didn’t help that she was drop-dead gorgeous, which is something I’m not. She seemed more like their type than I am. But these men are so confusing, so what do I know? And according to Ms. Abernathy, I’m their type, whatever that means. Guess they like short, chubby girls with too much ass and annoyingly big boobs.

“What’s holding me back? Maybe the obvious fact that I work for them?” I say, my words dripping with sarcasm.

“Pfft. If it’s consensual, then it’s fine.”

“Did you forget that they hate me?” I narrow my eyes at the phone, knowing she can’t see me as I move around the kitchen. I make myself a cup of herbal tea before ensuring all my files for work are in order for tomorrow.

“I’m not convinced they hate you. I think they’re playing hard to get,” she suggests.

“What gave you that idea?” I huff.

“The way they avoid you after you do something that pleases them. It reminds me of a boy on a playground who’s mean to the girl he likes because he’s too afraid to admit it.”

I shake my head at the analogy. My bosses aren’t little boys. They’re grown men who’ve decided to keep me at a distance. “Can we talk about something else, please?”

“Fine,” Lexi agrees with a hint of exasperation. “So, you gonna try dating again or you gonna become an old cat lady?”

Sheesh, she’s tough tonight.

I groan just as my kettle whistles on the stove. Plopping a tea bag inside my favorite Golden Girls mug, I pour in the hot water and think about Daniel.

Yeah… I’m not ready to do that again.

“I think one date is enough for right now. I don’t have the patience to be polite to a jackass for an hour straight.”

Lexi laughs. “That does sound painful. I’m so glad I never have to worry about that.”

“Not everyone can be as lucky as you, meeting your forever men at a sex club.” There’s a long pause before she gasps sharply on the other end of the line. I jump at the sound, eyeing my phone in confusion. “Lex? You okay?”

“You should go to Club Sin!” she squeals.

The only thing I know about Club Sin is that it’s the BDSM club where she met Liam, Miles, and Tristan. There are also a few locations, including one here in Seattle.

“You want me to go to a sex club? To find a date?”

“Hear me out. You told me that the only reason you agreed to have coffee with David?—”

“Daniel,” I correct.

“Whatever. Was because you’ve been feeling sexually frustrated and pining over your bosses. Right?”

“Something like that,” I mutter.

“Well, the club is a great place to go if you’re just looking to let off a little steam, have some sexy fun times, and maybe meet some guys to take your mind off them.” She makes it sound like I’m just going to the bar down the street. “And it’s a safe place. Everyone must agree to go through a rigorous application process and background check. Plus, I could vouch for you. I think they?—”

“Wait. Time out.” I cut off her rambling.

I must admit a sex club is intriguing, especially after exploring a few kinks back in college with a guy from my business class. I quickly learned that I like breath play, edging, forced orgasms, and impact play. Which shocked the hell out of me because I never thought I’d be into those sorts of things. But there were plenty of times I found myself handcuffed to a bed, begging to be choked while having my pussy spanked.

Hmm… not sure what all that says about me, but I seem normal enough so we’ll leave it at that.

“Are you thinking about it?” Lexi prods.

“Isn’t this place super expensive?”

“The membership fee is hefty, yes. But don’t worry about that. If you wanna go, I got you covered.”

“I can’t let you pay thousands of dollars so I can be spanked with a paddle or flogged with a whip.” I know my friend is wealthy and generous, but that’s too much.

“Of course, you can. Seems to me you could use a good flogging.” She snorts.

“I still can’t let you pay that kind of money, Lex.”

“If you don’t let me do this, then I’ll just tell the boys and they’ll do it for me. You know they’ll give me anything I want.”

“That’s because they’re madly in love with you.”

“They are, aren’t they? And I’m in love with them.” She sighs dreamily. “They saved me, Sel. Literally saved me from death. And they’ve given me a life I never imagined I could have. I love them so much.”

“I know you do. And you deserve to finally be happy.”

“So do you. Now, let me help you find what I have.”

“And you think I’ll find it at Club Sin?” I ask skeptically.

“Well, you sure as hell won’t find it at the coffee shop with Doug.”

“ Daniel ,” I tell her again.

“Whatever.”

I’m sure she’s rolling her eyes at me.

The offer is tempting and I am tired of spending nights alone with my favorite vibrator. Maybe I could just try it out and see. There’s no harm in that, right?

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

“Really?” Lexi shrieks.

“Yes, really. Now hurry and help me with the application before I change my mind.“

“I’ll send it to you right now,” she gushes.

Perhaps this is just what I need to stop thinking about the three gorgeous executives who lately seem to star in all my sexual fantasies. At the very least, I’ll start living out my desires, instead of daydreaming about them.

I just might learn I’m into some new kinks.