Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Another reason why I put up with his shit.
I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for him.
Taking a moment to enjoy my whiskey, I turn my attention once again back to him. He puts this event on every year, a date auction to fundraise for a charity that helps victims of sexual assault. His older sister's past is a big issue in why he takes this charity so seriously. Hell, her love for the lifestyle as well as his own is the reason why he created the club to begin with. To ensure people who enjoyed this way of life had a safe place to go to in order to have fun. Not to mention, the educational aspects of it. He’s even more into kink and BDSM than I am, so keeping people safe, especially in situations where submission is taken rather than given, is a subject near and dear to his heart.
He knows how to mix the allure of an elite lifestyle club with the importance of the cause, tugging at people’s heartstrings and their belts alike.
I’ve been to The Echelon many times over the years, both for events like this and for my own enjoyment, occasionally even just to share a drink with Thomas and overlook the debauchery of the back rooms.
He’s built himself an empire. Just as I have.
“Bigger and better.” I sigh and take a hefty swallow of my whiskey. “Story of the world, isn’t it?”
Thomas raises his glass in a silent, sardonic cheer, his smile more of a grimace.
“I’m thinking of opening invitations up a bit more this year,” he muses. “Maybe invite a few lifestyle influencers, some educators. I could set up a few demos for after the auction—flogging or shibari, something eye-catching.”
It’s not a bad idea, and the extra attention could do the club plenty of good even outside of the event itself. There are too many people out there that don’t know what they’re doing when it comes to the world of kink, and the education Thomas shares could be beneficial to ensuring that people enjoy themselves safely.
“Charge a separate fee to see the demonstrations,” I suggest. “You could cord off part of the dungeon specifically for that instead of letting people roam free back there. You’d probably get plenty of applications for memberships after that.”
“How very like a CEO,” he teases, grinning widely. “Money, money, money.”
I shrug unapologetically, watching the golden liquor in my glass slosh against the sides as I swirl it gently. “So donate some. It’s a win-win.”
Thomas drains the last of his drink and leans forward to pour himself more.
“You’re annoying when you’re right,” he jokes. “Do you plan on showing your pretty face, or am I going to have to get someone else to come be eye candy for the ladies?”
“I might come,” I hum thoughtfully, choosing my words carefully. “Let me know when you finalize your plans and I’ll decide if there’s anything interesting enough to clear my schedule for.”
It’s not like I go to every event Thomas puts on at The Echelon, but I usually take time to come to his auctions. They’re an easy way to spend a night with someone, and the girls know what to expect. They don’t plan on getting my number or seeing me again—it’s just a night to enjoy each other and then forget each other.
It works well.
Now that I’ve got my hooks in Riley, the appeal of wasting time with anyone else has disappeared. The other girls are uneventful at best. Most of them are already familiar with the world and don’t care to be taught. They are there for their own release, as am I. No connection. No real desire.
With Riley, it’s different. She’s innocent and new. There’s a soft side of her that everyone gets to see, but there’s a more daring side of her that’s waiting to be unleashed. Like a toy that hasn’t been fully explored… and I damn sure want to explore every dark side she has to be unlocked.
When it comes to getting off, I don’t want anyone but her.
“Women begging to suck your dick isn’t interesting anymore? Don’t tell me you need the blue pills already,” Thomas says with an arched brow and a shit-eating grin. “Come on, there will be plenty of girls there who are just your type.”
I snort, not deigning to offer him more of a response than a single middle finger lazily raised as I take a swig of my whiskey.
“You don’t know what kind of woman I want, Tommy,” I say blandly.
“Blonde, busty, and bratty with legs a mile and a half long?” he lists without hesitation. “I’ve got about fifteen women already on the list who tick all those boxes. Give me some credit here.”
My lips twitch into an amused grin even as I shake my head.