Chapter One
Naomi
You know that friend in the group who’s always deemed the shy one? The safe one? The one you mercilessly tease for being too innocent or sheltered? The one you would never expect to step a toe out of line, ever? Yeah, that’s me.
Arianna gives that black-cat energy with her laid-back I very clearly have mommy and dead daddy issues but don’t let it bother me attitude, while Cassi is our hyper-crazy, mildly inappropriate best friend who balances out Ari’s moods. Then there’s me. The quiet one, the shy one. The virgin. A title my best friends never let me forget.
It’s not like I haven’t been propositioned. I mean, I’m twenty-one, a junior in college. I could’ve slept with hundreds of guys and girls by now if I wanted to. It just never felt… right. I never had a problem with being a virgin; it didn’t seem like something that was necessary to give away to the first taker. No judgment to others, I’ve just always been… content, I guess.
So when Cassi announced that for her twenty-first birthday she wanted to visit a sex club and I finally agreed to go, her jaw hit the floor. Arianna was shocked too. I wasn’t going to not celebrate one of my best friends’ birthdays just because the venue was a little out of my comfort zone. I also couldn’t denythere was a small spark of curiosity inside me, but now we’re standing on some sketchy side street looking up at a blank, unassuming building, I’m suddenly filled with a rush of nerves.
An imposing man slips out of a door, and Cassi tosses her red hair to the side and smiles up at him like she’s ready to seduce her way past him if that’s what it takes.
“Gratify,” she practically purrs.
The man nods and gestures towards our masks. “Masks on, ladies, and welcome to paradise.”
My stomach flips at his words as I quickly tie the red mask against my face. It’s a bold contrast against my bright blonde hair and black dress, but Ari and Cass both said it looked amazing, so I’m rolling with it.
Slowly, we make our way through a dark hallway. It goes on for so long that, for a moment, I panic. Did Cassi walk us straight into some kind of trafficking trap or something? Honestly, she has been known to act first and think later. I tried to research this place to find out if it was reputable, but the website was mysterious and extremely vague. I’m sure it’s an anonymity thing for their clients, but still, something about this whole thing is rubbing me the wrong way. I don’t like this. I don’t like it at all. We should?—
Before I can even finish that thought, a whole new world practically opens up before us. Lights are flashing, music is thumping, and people are, well, fucking. Everywhere. It’s not like some gross darkened basement where you just see flesh on flesh. Instead, it’s glittering diamonds around necks, sexy lingerie, little black dresses and… tits.
My eyes lock on to a woman riding a man on a couch in the center of the room. She’s facing us, and with each thrust, her tits bounce, entrancing me.
“Fuck,” I mutter before I can help it.
Just because I’m a virgin, doesn’t mean I haven’t explored my sexuality, especially in the safety of my bedroom. My laptop is armed with the best antivirus equipment money can buy, which leaves me free to indulge in my fantasies until my heart is content and my vibrator is dead.
It didn’t take me long to realize it wasn’t about men or women specifically. Everyone is beautiful, but I’m attracted to people who intrigue me, who interest me, regardless of gender or orientation. Though I tend to lean towards men, I could never and would never deny the sight of a beautiful woman. Especially one that looks like her.
I drink in the sight, and the woman’s gaze meets mine before a seductive smile spreads across her face. I can feel myself flush under her watchful eyes, and I instantly look anywhere but at her. Fuck, I don’t think I can do this. I’m not ready for this kind of pressure. I’m awkward as fuck. I can’t flirt; I’m not smooth. I’m that extremely sheltered girl who only had one boyfriend in high school, and he ended up breaking up with me after three dates when I wouldn’t fuck him in his mom’s SUV after school. I dated a few guys extremely casually but only got to dry-humping with one my freshman year. That’s it—the total of my sexual experiences lives and dies with Brad Williams. Honestly, it’s humiliating.
“I told you guys, right?” Cassi cries as she bounces on her toes. “I wonder where the bondage demonstrations are.”
Ari looks less intrigued than us; instead, her hesitation is heavy as she assesses the room while Cassi leads us to a staircase on our left. I pause for a moment before hurrying after her, my curiosity getting the better of me.
When we get to the top of the stairs, we find a man standing there with an iPad in his hand.
He smiles. “Welcome. What desires can we fulfill for you today?”
“Are you on the menu?” Cassi shamelessly flirts.
He’s a good sport—he gives her a patient smile and shakes his head. “Unfortunately not, but two beauties like you should have no trouble finding company for the night. Do you have any rooms, kinks or demonstrations you’re interested in? We have sensory deprivation rooms, exhibitionism/voyeurism displays, group play, bondage?—”
“Bondage! Definitely bondage,” Cassi squeals.
He smiles politely as he gestures towards a set of elevators. “Next floor up, second door on your right.”
“Thank you!” She grins.
“What kind of sensory deprivation rooms do you have?” I say shyly. “Or, like, what are they?”
God, Nay. Could you sound any more pathetic?
Thankfully, the man is kind and doesn’t make me feel like a total inexperienced idiot.
“We have a dark room where anyone can step inside and be immersed in the moment. We also have an array of toys to take away senses, as well as a glory-hole room and?—”