Hidden Obsession (The Club)

“Right. I get it. So don’t bother calling you guys next time, right?” I say, forcing a laugh. The story of my life. What did he have to do to me for them to take notice?

“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all,” he argues. “You need to report everything this guy does because you really have no idea what he’ll do next.”

I stand up, crossing my arms over my chest. “Okay, well thanks for coming over. I have to get ready for work soon, so if you don’t mind…”

“Right, of course,” he murmurs, standing up. He gives me a half smile as he walks over to the door. “If you need me, call me anytime, okay?” He hands me a slip of paper. “That’s my personal number.”

“Thanks,” I reply, staring at the digits. His personal number? Is he flirting with me? I shake my head, which earns me an amused look from Conrad. Why the hell would he be flirting with me? And more to the point, I wouldn’t care if he was…would I?

My pounding heart suggests differently. I resist the urge to laugh again. The first guy to pay any attention to me in ages is a goddamn cop.

“Take care of yourself, Raven.”

Chapter Four

I’m still thinking about Conrad when I finish work later that evening. It’s almost eleven, and being that it’s a Friday night, there is a decent crowd.

After I sign out, I make my way toward the premiere bar and order myself a lime and soda as I listen to the conversations going on around me. It’s a full house tonight, which is common for the weekend. I glance around, amazed at the cross-section of people the cub attracts. People of all ages are here to live out their deepest, darkest fantasies. Sometimes I try and guess what a person is into just by how they’re interacting with other people. Sometimes I’m right, sometimes I’m totally off the mark.

“Raven?”

I turn around, my heart racing, because I know that voice. If there is one person I don’t want seeing me here it’s him. Conrad.

“Hey,” I say, mustering up a smile as I force myself to meet his gaze.

His light green eyes twinkle at me as he revels in my discomfort.

“So…studying, huh?”

“I do study, I just need to support myself somehow,” I reply, my voice cold. “Anyway, I work here as part of security. Want to tell me why you’re here?” My voice is so sweet it drips sugar.

He laughs and rubs his neck. “Fair point. Why am I here?” He glances around, shaking his head. “There is no real answer that won’t leave me sounding like a kinky pervert, so I’m just going to change the subject.” He grins and I sigh.

God, that makes him even sexier.

“So, what time to you finish?” he asks, eyeing my black corset.

“I’m actually just done for the night.” I curse myself as I feel my cheeks heating up. Why does this guy have me so hot and bothered?

“Up for a drink? You know, so long as fraternizing with the clientele isn’t going to get you in trouble.”

“When I’m not working I can do as I please,” I say, biting my lip. Honestly, I’m not sure if that’s even true. I know engaging with members while I’m working is not allowed, but nobody has said anything about when I’m not working…

“Let’s go then.”

I jump as he takes my hand and leads me back downstairs.

“So, how did you come to work here?” he asks, cocking his head.

“A friend back home knows one of the owners and was able to score me an interview.”

“There aren’t many female security staff here,” he comments. “How do you handle the ones who need removing?”

“I’m not a security guard as such,” I explain. “My job is to go unnoticed, sort of like an undercover cop. I report anything suspicious to security. Besides,” I shrug, “it’s very rare that we have to kick someone out. The exclusivity of the club means most people who are here know how to behave.” I wave my hands around. “There’s nothing else like this place, you know?”

He grins as we reach the bottom stair and head over toward the main bar.

“Your turn: how did you find this place?” I ask, glad for the attention to be off me.