Delicate Surrender (Club Temptation)

“Thank you.” Glancing over at him, I can’t help but smile. Even though there’s a fine line that we’re walking on trying to keep our feelings a secret, I feel myself wanting to leap over the edge.

When we reach the car, I find that I was right. Gideon’s car is waiting at the sidewalk, and he opens the door, helping me slip into the passenger seat effortlessly. The sleek, midnight blue Lexus is exquisite, with leather interior, and the scent of a pine forest fills the space.

“Are you ready?” Gideon asks when he joins me, his one hand draped casually over the steering wheel and the other resting on the stick shift.

“I am.” Even though I aim to sound confident, I feel more nervous now than when I stepped up on stage for the first time. I’ve been on dates before, and I’ve been on professional dinners, but this feels different.

Gideon starts the engine, and as we travel down the road, I focus on the lights from outside, attempting to calm myself from the nerves that have taken hold of me. My gaze turns to him again as he reaches for the stereo button and flicks it on. Soft classical music streams through the speakers, making me smile.

“I didn’t peg you for a classical man,” I say. I’m not sure why, but for some reason, I thought he’d be into rock, or something louder.

Gideon’s gaze lands on me for a couple of seconds before he turns his attention back to the road. “I appreciate all genres of music. That’s not to say I don’t have my favorites.”

“What are your favorites?” This time, I turn slightly to face him, noticing how the corner of his mouth tips into a smile. He’s so handsome, with his sharp features, and those deep green eyes. His lips are full, curved into a wolfish grin when he looks at me again.

“I have to be honest and tell you I’m more of a Metallica fan.”

“I knew it!” Excitement bubbles into my voice and Gideon chuckles. The sound is low, rumbled in his throat, which makes my body clench involuntarily. Everything this man does makes me ache, low in my belly.

“And I like the old classics like Bon Jovi and Air Supply,” he tells me.

“Air Supply?” This time I’m arching a brow at him. I’ve never heard of them, which clearly shows our age difference, and I wonder if it bothers him.

“It seems I’m going to have to teach you a lot more than just how to kneel and take my spankings,” Gideon murmurs seductively, making my whole body—from the top of my head to the tips of my toes—shiver.

“It seems you do,” I tell him. “I’m ready, you know?” I don’t know why I tell him that, why I utter those words, but I feel a confidence I didn’t think I’d experience.

“What got you into the lifestyle?” Gideon questions just before we pull into a parking lot. The club doesn’t look overly busy from the number of cars in the lot.

I’m not sure how to answer Gideon, mainly because I’m not sure why I started attending parties in the first place. The clubs I’ve frequented were all newbie parties, where I could learn, and find out more and more about what it is I enjoyed. But I don’t know what exactly drew me to the lifestyle.

“You don’t have to tell me,” he says then, taking my silence for discomfort.

“No, I mean… I’m honestly not sure what made me go to a club the first time. Perhaps it was pure curiosity.”

Gideon regards me for a while, watching me with intrigue in his expression. “I get that, it makes sense. Let’s go inside.” He grins, and it eases the tension. Gideon exits the vehicle and makes his way around the front of the car. He opens my door and offers me his hand, which I gratefully accept.

Like a gentleman, he leads me toward the entrance, and as the door whooshes open, Gideon allows me to enter first, his hand once more finding the possessive spot on my back.

“Good evening, Mr. Hale.” The bouncer grins when he notices Gideon. “Welcome, miss.” The man smiles at me.

“Thank you,” I tell him as I’m led by Gideon through the doors and into the dimly lit club that emanates elegance and wealth. I’m nervous, but I inhale a deep breath and follow Gideon anyway.

Chapter 10

Gideon

We make our way to the bar and grab two sodas, then I lead Clover up the stairs to where I know the private rooms await. Before we reach them, I stop her in front of a couple playing out a scene. I want her to experience the craving. My body stops flush against hers, my front to her back, and I know she can feel me. I’m rock-hard.