Haze

I was witness to the same thing happening with Caleb. It still does, to a degree, but a lot has changed since he married Rowan Bell, my second-in-charge within the Liore division.

"How's Bell?" I ask, not only because she's been in Europe for almost a month, but the truth is I adore her. I view her as a younger sister. It makes sense given the fact that she lived next door to us when we were all children.

"Miserable without me." A broad smile takes over his mouth. "You need to tell her to get her ass back here, Gabriel. I miss her."

I miss her too. I can count my close friends on one hand and Bell is near the top of the list. I shield her from the things I don't want the world to know about me but beyond that I'm close to her. I was thrilled when she agreed to leave her last job to come work for me. She's as determined as I am to make Liore a success which is the main reason she's so skilled at handling the day-to-day operations.

"She'll be back at the end of the week. I assume she already told you that."

"She did." He leans back in the chair, crossing his legs. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"Who are you hooking up with lately?" He taps his fingers along the arm of the chair. "I heard you're bringing someone to the benefit at the end of the month."

"You heard wrong." I tip my chin in his direction. "I've invited a few employees from our stores. It's a good marketing move. It shows how much we care about the community."

"Is the cute blonde who was racing out of your office the other night one of those employees?” I lean back, crossing my arms over my chest. "She's not invited."

He looks past me towards the windows at the expansive view of Manhattan. "I was waiting for the elevator. She practically ran me over to get in it before me. What's her name?"

"Why?" I snap back, too quickly, too tersely.

"Woah." His hands shoot up in mock surrender. "I'm not chasing her. I'm married, remember?"

"How can I forget? You remind me at every chance that I'll never find a woman as perfect as the one you married."

"I've seen the blonde before." His mouth twists into a scowl. "I've tried to figure it out since then. I know her from somewhere."

"She works at the Liore boutique on Fifth Avenue."

"I've never set foot in there." He leans forward in the chair. "I must be mistaking her for someone else. There are a lot of cute blondes in New York."

I swipe my finger across the screen of my tablet, pulling up a series of images of ties from the men's upcoming spring line. He came here to talk business, not to discuss Isla Lane. She may be a beautiful blonde who I'm aching to fuck, but she's an employee. She's off-limits and though the challenge is tempting, the consequences aren't.

I'm going to find exactly what I want tonight.

For just a few hours I need a woman who is gorgeous, eager, and whose limits line up with mine.

***

"She's nothing like most of the girls who come here. She's different."

That's improbable.

It's also inconsequential.

I came to the club tonight for one purpose. If that purpose comes in the form of a woman that Sage thinks is one-of-a-kind, so be it. I'm not here to cast judgment. No one who sets foot in this club is. We're all here for the same reasons, to fuck or to be fucked, to control or to acquiesce.

The only difference between any of us is the thick, glass barrier that separates the seasoned club members from those who are curious. There's also the matter of the confidentiality agreement you sign when you're invited to cross the threshold into the private area of Club Skyn.

Discretion is paramount and, fortunately, legally required.

I rub elbows with many of New York City's elite here. Not one of them wants their predilections to follow them into the world outside these walls. I'm no different.

"You've barely touched your drink, Gabriel." Sage raises her near empty glass to toast. "Here's to you finally jumping back into the fray."

I nod slightly, my hand firmly clutching the glass of scotch I ordered shortly after I arrived. As soon as Caleb had left my office with instructions in hand for the tie collection, I'd hit the gym to spar with Landon Beckett, an old friend. I was restless and wanted to blow off the pent up energy before I showered.

Like Caleb, his life has settled into a pattern of predictability with a woman he's passionate about. I doubt he'd understand my need to be here. I doubt most people in my inner circle would.

I've never cared about that. I've never sought the approval of anyone when it comes to what I do after work, on my own hours. This is my life. These are my needs. This is what I thirst for and tonight I'm here to quench that.