“I guess I should keep buying toys. They definitely seem to do the trick.” Erik chuckled and leaned forward to kiss me on the forehead.
“We do have a few spare rooms around this place. Maybe we could turn one of them into a playroom.” Olsen leaned forward until his lips were against my ear. “Would you like to be our toy—to be used anytime we wanted?”
“God yes.” I let out a satisfied sigh and nodded. “That would be incredible.”
“I might just need to move in if you guys build a playroom.” Joaquin sank down onto the mattress and smiled. “I probably wouldn’t want to leave.”
“A few things like this…” Erik leaned forward and tapped the bar. “And of course, several more wonderful things to punish you with.”
“It was hardly punishment.” I looked up at him and giggled. “I loved every second of it.”
My fantasies might be even darker than the ones Harmony was scared to share.
Chapter Twenty-One
Gina
Two weeks later
Everything was going great with Erik, Olsen and Joaquin. The playroom was still on the drawing board, but we had plenty of fun without it. As much as I loved spending time with them, I couldn’t get Angelina’s words out of my head. She said there was a fourth, and I was anxious to meet him. I felt like all of us were trapped in that uncertainty, unsure about moving forward with the relationship until we felt complete. As fulfilled as I was, there was an emptiness inside me, knowing that I was going to eventually meet someone else. I decided that I couldn’t wait any longer, so I invited Angelina to have dinner with me at The Dynasty. I was nerv
ous as I waited for her to arrive, but I truly needed to find out why she hadn’t introduced me to the final guy I was supposed to be connected with.
“Would you like to order a drink while you’re waiting for your dinner companion?” The waiter tilted his head and smiled.
“Yeah, bring me a glass of red wine—nothing fancy. You can go ahead and get a gin and tonic for her.” I motioned to the empty chair and looked at my watch. “She should be here soon.”
Angelina is usually never late. I wonder what is keeping her?
I was almost done with my glass of wine and considering an appetizer when I finally saw Angelina walking across the restaurant. There was something different about the way she walked—and about her demeanor in general. She was always so stoic, with an almost devious smile permanently pressed on her lips, and she commanded a room. She normally didn’t walk past people without them immediately taking notice. Instead, she walked with her head down and her face etched in a slight scowl. I watched as she walked to the table, pulled out her chair without waiting for assistance, and immediately sat down. She looked almost frazzled.
“I ordered you a gin and tonic.” I leaned forward and picked up my glass of wine. “Hopefully they’ll bring me another glass of wine with it.”
“Sorry I’m running late.” Angelina looked up at me and smiled. “I know why you called. I’ve been dreading this call, but we might as well talk about it.”
“Dreading?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “You always seem to be one step ahead of everyone. What’s going on?”
“Well.” She sighed and shook her head. “When I try to connect people with those they’re meant to be with, I always try to make sure it is perfect—I don’t like loose ends, so I tie them up before I even introduce two people.”
“Even after your algorithm says it’s a match?” I leaned back and stared at her.
“Yes, because people—well, people aren’t always perfect. Just because you’re meant to be with someone doesn’t mean they’re going to be a nice person. In fact, sometimes they’re quite the opposite.” She sighed again. “This is one of those times where I’m going to break my rules because I simply can’t figure out what to do next.”
“What do you mean? Is my fourth guy like a serial killer or something?” I swallowed hard and reached for my wine, dreading what she was about to tell me.
“No, it’s worse.” She exhaled sharply and paused her words when the waiter arrived with her gin and tonic, along with another glass of wine for me.
“Okay, out with it, Angelina. Tell me who the hell this guy is.” I felt my stomach clenching.
Everything has been going so great—maybe I should leave well enough alone if this guy is some kind of psycho.
“The fourth guy you matched with… well, he’s a complete mystery. He might as well be a blank slate as far as I can tell. He has no real online presence. I can’t even figure out why the algorithm is placing him with you. I even called Violet, the woman who designed the original Soulmate app, and she’s as baffled as I am.” Angelina drank her gin and tonic like she was guzzling water after a workout.
“This doesn’t sound good.” I felt the tightening in my stomach disagreeing with the wine, and I left my second glass untouched.
“I’ve tried everything and at this point, I’m at the end of my rope. I’m going to recommend something I normally don’t suggest. I don’t think you should try to connect with him.” Angelina sat down her glass and lifted her head. “I don’t want to risk sending you down a path that could destroy what you’ve already found.”
“I don’t know if that is possible.” I looked down at the table in hesitation. “I already feel it—that emptiness you mentioned. I shouldn’t, because I have three amazing men who treat me so well that I’m practically spoiled, but that feeling lingers—and it’s getting stronger.”