Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“This creature can handle that,” she replied with a smile.
“Tell me they’re making you call yourself that,” Harlow said.
He thought they were trying to fit in. Wasn’t asking questions like that going to get them in trouble?
The young woman’s eyes rolled. “It’s part of the experience. We’re supposed to be like these submissives. I don’t know. It was something about us not having names so the clients can fantasize. It was a lot. This place is weird. I’m thinking of quitting. I’m kind of worried it’s a cult. But the bartender is heavenly. At least he was until he pulled his disappearing act. I don’t even know why I’m here.”
“It’s so hard to get a good job these days.” Harlow was off, sounding soft and sweet and totally girlie, like she was the best friend you always hoped to have.
He sat back and watched her work. Within minutes of meeting, she knew the waitress was named Ashley and this was her part-time job. She also worked for an insurance company, but she was in a probationary period and kind of hated it and wanted to go back to school, but she didn’t have the cash and this place paid pretty well. Ashley told her the club was attached to some kind of corporate group, and they often hired people from the club for higher-paying work.
“Like three of the waitresses I trained with are already working upstairs and making serious money,” Ashley was saying.
Oh, this was Harlow’s superpower. His baby was one of those people everyone opened up to. When he’d first heard the word private detective he’d had a vision of her in gritty situations, playing out those noir scenes in movies, but it hit him that this was the real job. Talking to people, getting them to say more than they should.
She was excellent at it.
“But I will admit the scenery is gorgeous, and I’m not talking about the décor,” Ashley said with a knowing wink. “Not that you need it. Your guy is hot, but I will say the new bartender is chef’s kiss hot, and he has that oh, shucks cowboy thing going for him. But the hottest guy here is the dungeon monitor. I’m not joking, that man is heaven. Master J. If you get a chance, take a look at him.” She turned Niall’s way with a rueful grin. “Again, not that you are not superhot, Sir.”
He had to chuckle at that. “I appreciate it, Ashley, and my girl there is welcome to look as long as she comes back to me.”
Ashley looked to Harlow. “I changed my mind. That attitude alone makes him the hottest. Girl, run. The guys here are mostly possessive jerks. But there are some fun things to do. I can take you to one of the playrooms. There’s some wild stuff in there.”
“Is this one bothering you, Sir?” a deep voice asked.
He looked up and a middle-aged man in leathers stood there. “Not at all. I find her amusing, and she’s being incredibly welcoming to my sub. We just got here and we already like it, thanks to that one. She’s an excellent sub and a good server.”
He had to hope this obvious authority figure hadn’t heard everything.
“Well, she’s supposed to be working not talking, but I’m glad she’s made you comfortable. Go and get their drinks,” he said to Ashley, who scurried off to do his bidding.
Niall held out a hand, and Harlow sank down onto his lap. “It’s a nice place you have here. My sub and I are new to the lifestyle, and this is exactly what we’ve been looking for.” If they were hoping to play in a hellscape. He didn’t say that part out loud. “I’m Nate.”
It was the name they’d agreed on. Ruby had told him it was Nate or Nolan. He’d made some snarky comment about the name Nolan that earned him a hearty glaring from Ruby, who apparently liked baseball or something.
“Phil,” the other man said and shook his hand.
Harlow cuddled close, her head down like she was slightly afraid of the big guy.
Or she was playing her part to perfection.
“Nice to meet you,” Niall replied. “We thought we would have a drink or two and then watch some of the scenes. Kind of ease in. I think it would help a lot if you would let some of the subs talk to mine. She’s on the fence but I’m invested. I want this to work.”
“I’ll see if I can send over one of our more experienced subs,” Phil offered. “This kind of lifestyle can offer a lot for a man. It takes us back to when things were good, if you know what I mean.”
Sure. When women couldn’t have their own bank accounts and couldn’t leave a man who abused her. Fucking asshole. This guy was why the lifestyle caught so much shit. He took something that was personal and individual, that demanded communication and understanding, and turned it into gender wars. But he smiled and agreed. “I do indeed. So if you would help me convince her, I would be so thankful.”