Tempting Tricks (Tempting Nights #2)

Chapter Five

~Annabelle~

“ I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” I state for at least the fourth time in the last half-hour as I look at myself in the mirror. “I don’t even know who that is.” I point at my reflection and then turn to look at Holly.

“Isn’t it fun though? Being someone else for a little while?” She giggles and leans into the mirror, adjusting one of the lashes adhered to her darkly colored lids.

I look at myself again and just stare. My usually long, wavy chestnut hair has been securely hidden under a golden blonde, shoulder-length shag bob, making me look different enough, but it’s my eyes I’m transfixed upon. My light blue irises are now a tawny brown, surrounded by long full lashes, painted thick with mascara. Something I rarely wear. Combined with the rich red lipstick and nails, I feel like a complete imposter in this disguise. But not unappealing. No, I actually feel very attractive .

Holly found a short black satin negligee in my drawer that she found acceptable, but made me pair it with a garter and silk stockings. I wanted to wear my black satin pumps, but she insisted I wear my knee-high patent leather boots instead. I only ever wear these boots under long skirts, so pairing them with a barely-there skirt felt so awkward but also very sexy.

“Okay, put this on.” She hands me a long black trench coat. I slide it on, tying the belt around my waist extra tight, my hands shaking slightly. “And don’t forget this.” She hands me a little black purse with a shoulder chain. Just big enough to hold my phone, credit cards, and some lipstick. She’s dressed in a tight red corset, black leather short-shorts, and over the knee tie-up boots with big, clunky heels. She puts on a coat as well and then ushers me out of my apartment and down to a waiting Uber.

Twenty minutes later, we’re standing in the lobby of a really nice building, waiting in line, our coats checked. Ten minutes later, I’m filling out paperwork with my name and signing away any liability to the club, agreeing to the ‘rules’ laid out in the form. I scan them quickly and sign. I’ll only be watching, so I don’t get caught up in the fine print. Five minutes after that, Holly and I are led to an elevator, up five flights— why did I think we’d literally be in a basement— and then into a beautifully decorated lounge area.

“See, this isn’t so bad, right?” Holly links her arm with mine and whispers.

I scan the room and agree. The room is tastefully decorated in dark purple, red, and black velvets. Soft couches circumference the room, with tables and soft-cushioned chairs throughout the open area between. There is a large bar at each end of the room, each lined with padded stools. I beeline for a stool at the bar on the far end of the room and pull Holly with me.

“Let’s just sit here and have a drink first, okay?” I suggest, sliding myself as elegantly as I can onto the stool, hoping I’m not exposing my nether regions to half the room.

Holly reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Of course.” She slides onto the stool next to me and signals the bartender, requesting two glasses of champagne. When he returns, she slides one bubbling flute next to me. “Drink this. It will help you to relax.”

“I’m relaxed,” I shoot back, bringing the glass to my lips to take a large sip.

“Uh-huh.” She looks over at me, smiles, and then winks. “Remember, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. And if you do, no one will ever know who you are.”

“Easy for you to say, Miss Dungeons and Dragons over there.” I giggle and take another sip of my drink, scanning the room over the rim of my glass, almost choking when I lock eyes with a pair almost directly across the room at the other bar. I spin my stool around, turning my back to the room, and hiss out to Holly, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!”

“Are you having an orgasm, or are you trying to tell me something?” She spins around as well and leans closer to me.

“He’s here!” I seethe out between clenched teeth.

“Patrick?” She spins around again, glancing around the room.

“Don’t look for him, Holly!” I grab her arm and turn her back to me. “Make it obvious, why don’t you? ”

“So what?” She cups a hand over mine. “Belle, I’m telling you, he will never know it’s you in this disguise. You’re totally safe. And there are thirty other women in here. I’m sure he’s not going to single you out.”

“Hello, ladies.” A strong, dark voice interrupts our conversation. We straighten in our stools and both twist at the same time. I audibly sigh in relief when it’s not Patrick. We both nod and say hello. He’s an extremely handsome gentleman, dressed in slacks and a white button down, an expensive watch on his wrist.

“I was wondering if you came as a pair?”

It hits me right then. Right there. I’m in a fucking sex club. Yes, the pun is intended. Holy shit. What did I get myself into ? I turn to look at Holly, praying she’ll handle this, which of course, she does. She practically purrs a response to him. “Unfortunately, for us I think, we do not.”

“Perhaps another time then?” He takes Holly’s hand and places a kiss to the back of her knuckles then leaves us both with a nod.

“Did that just happen?” I turn and hold my hand over my mouth as I try to contain the nervous laughter trying to escape.

“Would you be okay here for a little while on your own?” She turns her head in the direction of a man dressed in faded jeans and a tight black t-shirt sitting on one of the couches. “I think I’d like to get me a piece of that.”

I laugh at her boldness and nod my head. “Go. I’ll be fine.” I wave as she steps off the stool, and then growl playfully after her. “Go get him!”

She walks up to him, sits beside him, and begins to speak. I watch them for a minute but soon find my eyes wandering across the room to where Patrick was standing before. He’s not there, so I scan the room, my heart skipping a beat when I find him. He’s sitting at one of the tables, not quite as far away from me now, drinking some kind of dark liquid from a tumbler. He’s not looking at me this time, so I take in this different side of him, so unlike what I’ve seen in my office. He’s dressed nicely. Very nicely, in fact. Designer slacks and a fitted black button up shirt. His hair is actually brushed, and his face is free of stubble.

“Is this seat taken?” I swing my attention to the person speaking next to me and stare for a moment.

“Oh, no.” I point to the chair. “Please.”

“Thank you.”

I watch as he makes himself comfortable and then orders a scotch from the bartender. “Would you like another champagne?” he asks me, looking at my nearly empty glass.

I look at my glass, then him, and shake my head. “Not right now, thank you.”

“Are you looking for a demonstration of anything in particular? I’d be happy to help.” He smiles, scattering goosebumps across my flesh, and not the good kind.

“Not right now, thank you again.”

“Certainly.” He stands with his scotch and holds out his hand. “I’m Anthony, if you change your mind.”

I put my hand in his, but instead of shaking it, he lifts it and kisses my fingers before releasing them and walking away. Is this a thing here? This kissing thing? I look down at my fingers and almost grimace. Before I can even recover from Anthony’s request, someone else is sliding into the stool next to me. I’m relieved when I look over and it’s a woman. Unfortunately, my relief doesn’t last long .

“You’re very beautiful.” She reaches over and strokes my hair, then frowns. “It’s a wig?”

“Yes.” I nod, and smile.

“It’s a good one. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t touched it.” She looks me over then, scanning me from head to toe, then finds my eyes again. “I’d love to taste you. Find out what color your hair really is.” Her gaze falls between my legs. “Are you bare?”

Holy shit. I definitely haven’t had enough to drink for this. I smile. “I’m sorry, you’re quite attractive but not my type.”

She scoffs then poufs up her hair. “You don’t like brunettes?”

“I don’t like pussy.”

“Touché.” She laughs out loud. “You told me, didn’t you?” She motions to the bartender. “Buy this one another glass of champagne, please, Paul, and put it on my tab.” She turns back to me, rises off the stool, smiling. “I like you. You’ve got fire.” She gives me a small finger wave. “See you around, Blondie.”

I can’t help the smile my lips form as she saunters away, and I happily accept the champagne she’s ordered me, knowing there are no strings attached. I take a small sip, the glass frozen against my lips when I hear a voice I recognize beside me. “I’ve been watching you.”

Turning my head to the side, I lock eyes with cool green ones that I know well, my heart lodging in my throat.