by Wilde, Rhea
“It doesn’t matter… I know what I want. And I don’t want it here… Not like this.”
“Very well. I will take you back out of here so you can leave.”
“…Thank you.”
Luther offered his hand to me and took me out of the room. We walked back through the constant orgy surrounding us. Despite all of the desires inside of me, it just didn’t feel right to me. I couldn’t allow myself to give in. It wasn’t just because I needed to focus on all of the details for the story. I didn’t want to experience something like this.
As we stood next to the door of the dressing room, I leaned in close and whispered to him.
“I need to see you again.”
“Of course.”
“Not here. And not at Platinum.”
“Okay. Wherever you want.”
“I’d like to talk to you… Just talk.”
“Whatever you want.”
“There’s a cafe on the corner of Broadway and 5th. Do you know it?”
“Yes.”
“Can you meet me there tomorrow? Around 3 p.m.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
I turned around to enter the dressing room when he grabbed my hand. He leaned in close to me and whispered.
“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”
“No, I’m not offended. I just… We’ll discuss this later.”
“Thank you for attending.”
He smiled at me and I nodded. I turned my back to him and quickly made my way into the dressing room. I knew that staring at him any longer would only fuel the desires in me that I was trying to ignore.
The concierge returned with my bag of clothes. I took the mask off and quickly got dressed. With everything back in order, I was able to regain my focus, the desire I had only moments ago now at the back of my mind. I wasn’t completely ready for what I saw. But I had done it. I found the story I was looking for. Now all I had to do was fill in the details.
Chapter 17
I didn’t tell Roy the details of everything I saw. He didn’t mind. I think he was just as relieved as I was that I managed to make it out of there without a scratch on me. The truth was that I wasn’t even sure about what I saw. To call it an orgy would have been putting it lightly. This was something greater than that. This was a mansion completely full of people doing nothing but giving in to their carnal cravings.
I wrote down all of the details of everything I saw. I did my best to recall all of it. It was so much for me to take in that I ended up with a laundry list of things. This was it though. This was the story that I was looking for. A secret sex party held at a billionaire’s mansion and I managed to get my way in. Now I just needed to figure out how everything was orchestrated.
The only thing missing from all of my notes is everything that happened with Luther. He held me close to him. All I had to do was close my eyes and I could put myself back in the moment. There was no way I could forget the way it felt to have him pressing up against me. The tight skin stretched over his muscular frame felt so wonderful against me. His touch was gentle yet firm all at the same time. I had to remind myself not to get lost in that moment. I was conflicted.
As I sat there in the cafe, I looked around and waited for Luther to arrive. I arrived early and found a booth in the corner so that nobody could overhear our discussion. My recorder was positioned in my purse so that it could pick up everything he was saying even from across the table.
A few minutes before our scheduled meeting, Luther stepped in through the doors of the cafe. Almost everybody turned and looked at him. How could they not? He had an air about him that made everybody notice him. It wasn’t just how expensive his suit was and how it sat upon his broad shoulders. It wasn’t even his charming smile or impeccable grooming. No, it was something else. It was something everybody, man or woman, would be able to notice. With a billion dollars sitting in his bank account, he was practically royalty.
He noticed me immediately and made his way over, turning down a waitress that was trying to take his order. He took a seat across from me and smiled.
“I ordered you a latte,” I said to him, pointing at the drink on the table.
“Thank you, Harley. What did you put in it?”
“There’s nothing special in it.”
He took a sip of it, the smile still on his face while I casually dug into my purse and turned my recorder on.
“It’s nice to see you,” he said to me. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen you during the day. I could get used to it.”
“We’ll see about that,” I smirked.
Finally being able to see Luther under some normal lights was different. His light blue eyes were striking upon his face. I remembered what he looked like on our date and was reminded of just how handsome he was.
“I like your outfit,” he said. “You look just as good with clothes on.”
“There’s no need for flattery, Luther. It won’t get you anywhere.”
“I know that. I’m not interested in getting anywhere, Harley, I can assure you of that.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Absolutely. I’m perfectly fine where I’m at. The tricky part is in getting you to come to where I am.”
He winked at me. I was then reminded of why I asked him here in the first place. I wanted answers and I wouldn’t leave without getting them.
“So, what was that?” I asked him. “Last night. I saw things… things I never imagined in my wildest dreams.”
“Your dreams don’t sound very interesting, Harley. You should work on them.”
“My dreams are fine. Maybe it’s everybody else that needs some help.”
“From your point of view, Harley. For others, it’s a means of wish fulfillment. Desires. Fantasies. Whatever you want to call it.”
“Who runs it?”
“It’s a joint collaboration between several individuals. You’ve met some of them.”
“Landon. Romeo… You.”
Luther nodded.
“Who gave me the invitation?”
“I instructed Sage to slip it into your locker. I figured it was time to invite you. That’s what Platinum is.”
“What do you mean?”
Luther shifted his eyes to make sure that nobody was listening in on our conversation. Then he leaned across the table and whispered.
“You can have a lot of fun in a place like Platinum. But there are laws, so one can’t have as much fun as one would want. That’s why we have these get-togethers.”
“How does it work? You just invite whomever you see at Platinum?”
“For the most part, yes. You want to know why men are willing to spend such a premium to get in? It’s because they’re scouting talent. These men have more money than they know what to do with. But they still know the value of a buck. Platinum is a test. And when they see something they like, they’re allowed to take it even further with them. Outside of the club, of course.”
“So every woman at that thing last night…”
Luther nodded again.
“Some of them are compensated,” he said. “Some of them are not. It isn’t a huge secret but those who are lucky enough to get a job at Platinum know that they’re getting into the pockets of some very fortunate men.”
“Okay. Let me get this straight. Women are just basically putting themselves out there so men can take them home?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. The men get to go further. The women are compensated. And Franklin makes money from his business.”
“So, it’s just a front? Platinum is a sex shop. They’re selling slaves.”
“Harley, please. This is a mutual agreement. It’s only necessary because archaic laws require us to go through a loophole.”
“This isn’t right though.”
“What’s not right?”
“This. Everything. You’re not…”
“Harley, I do believe you have no idea
what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t? These women are paying paid for sex.”
“They’re being paid for their services. If the two parties agree to have sex with one another, then it’s mutual consent.”
“But it’s illegal.”
“It’s only illegal if it’s paid for directly.”
“Loophole indeed.”
Luther raised his eyebrows at me, smiling as he took another sip of his latte. I was still having trouble taking everything in. But everything he was saying did make some sense. It explained why men were willing to pay so much to get into Platinum and why women were willing to work there. It was a secret agreement everybody had made under the table.
“That still doesn’t explain everything,” I said.
“What’s missing?” he asked.
“Me. Why was I invited? Hell, why was I even hired? I’m not… I’m not like those other women.”
“Franklin has an eye for this sort of thing, Harley. You’d be wrong to question it. And as I told you before, I told Sage to invite you. Because I wanted your company. Is that so hard to believe?”
“I’m not a hooker, Luther.”
“Which is why I didn’t pay you. If you weren’t interested, you didn’t have to go. Which makes me wonder why you attended in the first place. Either you actually did want to be there or you have some other motivation…”
I swallowed anxiously as he stared back at me. I could almost hear the sound of my digital recorder as it sat there in my purse. I couldn’t let him suspect why I really wanted to talk to him. But as I sat there and looked back at him, I was beginning to ask myself the same question.
“Do you have a problem with anything you saw last night?” he asked me. “I apologize again if you were offended.”
“I’m not offended. I… I can handle myself. Hell, I work at a strip club. It’s not that much worse.”
“Then you’ll forgive me when I tell you that I still don’t understand what the problem is.”
“…Why me?”
“What?”
“Why did you invite me? What do you want from me?”
Luther looked at me confused. He shook his head, his brow furrowed as he scratched the back of his head.
“Do you want me to say it?” he asked.
“Yes. Just… state it plainly if you must. I just want to know—”
“I like you, Harley. I’m attracted to you. And I was hoping that you felt the same way. I thought that maybe we could enjoy some time together.”
“Well, you thought wrong.”
“Apparently, I did. But I’d like to make it up to you.”
“You can’t…”
I sighed as I looked back at him. I felt this wave of emotions swirling around inside of my stomach every single time I looked at him. He was so gorgeous, so handsome and so charming. But I didn’t want to lose myself to him. Not after everything that just happened with John. And not after I promised myself that I wouldn’t fall so easily.
“What is it you want?” he asked me.
“What I want… What I want is…”
“Harley, don’t lie to yourself. If I’ve given you any reason for offense then say it to me right now.”
“No! Stop saying that. I’m not offended.”
I accidentally raised my voice. All of the other patrons in the cafe turned and looked at us. I sheepishly buried my face in my hands to hide how red my cheeks were becoming. Luther raised his hand up and assured them that everything was fine.
“You’ve given me a lot to think about,” I said. “I just need some space. Can you give me that, at least?”
He nodded to me without saying another word. I needed to get away from him even though I could no longer deny how much I enjoyed being around him.
“Will you at least let me take you home?” he said.
“…Fine.”
We left the cafe and got into the limo that was waiting outside for him. We sat in silence as we headed toward my loft just a few blocks away. When we arrived, Luther stepped out of the limo with me.
“Can I have a word with you?” he asked.
“Yes, what is it?”
“In private. Can we discuss this in your place?”
I was reluctant to invite him upstairs. I knew that there was a good chance of something happening. I didn’t want him to get the best of me. But whatever he had to say, I had to hear it. It was necessary for him to lay everything out on the table for me.
When we stepped inside of my loft, Luther shifted his head around and examined everything.
“I’m sure it’s not anything you’re used to,” I said to him. “It’s not that great but I like it. It’s comfortable. It’s home.”
“Harley, why must you concede every single chance you get?”
“What?”
“You’re already assuming that I wouldn’t appreciate this place before I could even comment. Why is that?”
“It’s true, isn’t it?”
“No. It’s not.”
Luther stood next to my door, his hands in his pockets as he waited for my response. I sighed at him, not sure what he was waiting for.
“Well, you have something to say to me,” I said. “So go ahead. Nobody else is here.”
“Right… I’m just having trouble figuring you out, Harley.”
“Why would you even bother?”
“I just don’t understand why you won’t even give me a chance. Do you not like me, Harley? Then say it.”
“No, it’s not you… It’s not… I’m not interested in… that.”
“That? You mean the party you attended last night.”
“Is it wrong that I would want a man for something more?”
“No, there’s nothing wrong with that. But you won’t even give me a chance with that either.”
“I already told you, Luther. I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Because what? Not now but you will be in the future?”
“It’s… I just got out of a relationship, okay? I don’t think I should be dating anybody right now. Not even you.”
“Are you admitting that there is something between us?”
“…No. I…”
“Harley, you’re not making any sense.”
“Don’t try to confuse me! I just broke-up with someone. What part of that don’t you understand?”
I was free to yell at him knowing that nobody else would be able to hear me. I didn’t have the answers Luther was looking for. The truth was that I was looking for them just the same as he was.
“Let him go,” Luther said to me.
“What?”
“I don’t know who he is or what he did to you. But I have nothing to do with him. There’s no need for you to take it out on me.”
“Luther—”
“Tell me that you’re not attracted to me.”
He took a few steps closer to me. I put my hands up to try and get him to stop.
“Luther, don’t—”
“Tell me that what you saw last night didn’t turn you on. Say it.”
“Luther, stop—”
He walked forward until he was right in front of me. He pushed his face close to mine. I could feel his breath on my face as he started to whisper to me.
“You want this, Harley. And I want it, too. Why can’t you just let yourself go?”
“No, you’re wrong. This is not what I want.”
I put my hands on his chest in a futile attempt to push him away. He came closer to me, backing me up until I bumped into my couch.
“Yes, it is. Why are you denying yourself your own pleasure? This doesn’t have to be anything more than that?”
“Stop—Mmm!”
He shoved his face against mine and started kissing me. I struggled against him, turning my head away. I pushed him as hard as I could. I raised my hand up and slapped him hard across the face.
“I don’t w
ant this!” I shouted.
We were both breathing hard as we stared at one another. Luther moved in closer to me once again. I put my hands up and struggled against him again. When his lips fell upon mine, I immediately felt his tongue trying to force its way into my mouth. My lips were sealed against his, my moans of protest muffled by his mouth.
“Luther—”
He wrapped one of his arms around me and held me close to him. Then he shoved his other hand into my skirt. A jolt shot through my body as I felt his finger rub against my clitoris. I moaned into his mouth, now allowing his tongue to slide inside me. I continued to protest but my body didn’t do the same. I grinded my hips up against his hand, eager for him to keep rubbing me. I raised my hands up against his hard chest, pushing him away. My strength was dwindling. My willpower was weakening. Everything about Luther was intoxicating. The way his tongue tasted. The way his hand felt against me. The way his scent filled my nostrils. I could feel him beginning to consume me and envelope me in his entire being.
I was breathing hard as I struggled. Even if I was using all of my strength, I couldn’t fight him off. Luther was too powerful. I let go of his chest and dropped them down on the top of my couch to try and brace myself. As he continued to rub me underneath my panties, he leaned his head down and started to trail kisses along my neck.
“Say it,” he whispered to me. “Say you want it.”
“I…” I gasped as I struggled to say it.
Luther took his other hand from around me then reached underneath my skirt. He pulled my panties down around my ankles.
“No,” I said to him. “Please…”
He flipped my skirt up across my stomach. I was now bared to him. He moved back up and kissed me upon my neck, trailing his mouth up across my chin and around my ear. He brought his middle finger back toward my clitoris, working it in a way so that the pleasure was clouding my judgment.
“Stop me,” he whispered. “Stop me if you don’t want it.”
Luther quickly fell to his knees. He gripped my ass in both of his hands and buried his mouth between my legs. I shuddered as his tongue replaced his finger against my clit. My knees buckled and I moaned in ecstasy. I reached down and grabbed his hair in both of my hands, bracing myself as the pleasure was consuming my body. I could feel how wet I had become. The slick sound of my opening became loud as Luther started to lick me. I bucked my hips up against his face. Pathetic little whimpers escaped from between my lips. My eyes were shut tight and I was no longer thinking.
