by Alexis Angel
I sigh and place my head in my hands. Well, at least one of us will be happy.
21
Owen
Victor and I are in his award-winning man-cave basement, drinking a couple of cold beers at his mini bar when the doorbell rings from upstairs.
Victor’s wife and kids are at ballet practice, so Victor has to go upstairs to answer the door. I follow him, curious to see who’s there.
When Victor opens the door, Jay from the club stands there in his signature leather jacket and a pair of jeans.
“Hey, Jay, come on in.” Victor gestures Jay inside. If he’s baffled by Expose’s manager ringing his doorbell, he doesn’t show it.
We walk back into the main living room.
“Please, take a seat,” Victor says, and both Jay and I do as he instructs.
Jay sits on the opposite couch across from Victor and me, and I gulp nervously and try to keep my breathing even. Jay isn’t in the business of making house calls, especially way out here in Connecticut, so to say I’m fucking freaking out is the fucking understatement of the year.
The three of us sit there, staring at each other like a couple of fucking chumps for a few minutes, then Jay finally breaks the ice and speaks.
“Here you go, man.” He extends his hand to reveal my beloved Gold Card.
“What the fuck is this about?” I ask with confusion. I don’t take the card at first, afraid this is some sort of fucking trap.
“This is for you. We’re officially reinstating you as of today,” Jay says and wiggles the card in his hand, beckoning me to take it.
I stare at him, then the card, then back at him.
“Are you going to fucking take the damn thing or what?” Jay chuckles.
I nod and grab the card before Jay can change his mind. I look over at Victor, whose expression doesn’t reveal that he has any fucking clue what’s going on either.
“This isn’t a joke?” I raise an eyebrow and look to Jay for solid confirmation.
“Nope, dead serious,” Jay says and nods, leaning over on his elbows.
“Why?” I ask the pressing question.
Victor begins to bounce in his seat, interrupting Jay from answering. “This is fucking badass, man.” He’s really hyped up, I can tell.
“What?” I laugh and look at him.
“You know,” he playfully slaps my upper arm, “this is like a true miracle. You’re getting your card back just in time for your date with Crystal!”
Victor high fives me, and I glance back at Jay, who’s just staring at us like we are a couple of dipshits. He’s not entirely wrong about that.
“So?” I ask expectantly.
“What?” Jay shrugs and looks between me and Victor.
“Why did you guys change your mind? Why are you giving me my card back?” I twirl the card between my thumb and index finger. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m super stoked to get it back.” I grin at him.
“I just want to know who to thank,” I chuckle.
Jay takes a deep breath and stands up.
“We got a call from ‘above.’” He even fucking uses air quotes.
He moves to the door. “Bye, fellas, I’ll let myself out.” Jay casts us a wave.
“Bye.” Victor waves back and grins at me.
“That’s all you are going to give me?” I shout back to Jay. “Come on, not even a little clue?”
Jay opens the door and leaves, closing it shut tight behind him.
“This is so awesome, dude!” Victor gives me a congratulatory slap on the back.
I absentmindedly place the card on the table, paying it no attention. I don’t even fucking care what it represents right now, and the fact that I have it back means jack shit to me at this point.
I stare at it blankly, not saying a word.
“Uh, Owen…?” I hear Victor calling my name. “You okay in there, buddy?”
He gives me a quizzical look.
“I’m fine.” I shrug. “Want to go back to drinking in your basement?”
Victor looks at me as if I’m losing my shit.
“Dude, are you even remotely excited?”
“For what?” I ask.
“Um, let’s see…to have your card back? You are officially back as a Gold Member, this is fucking epic!”
“I could care less, really.” I shrug dismissively.
“I thought the whole point was to score the rare date with Crystal?” Victor picks up the card and studies it. “It’s got your name on it; it’s really yours,” he says without looking up.
“Yeah…” I trail off.
“Owen, listen to me.”
I meet eyes with Victor, who’s wearing a serious expression.
“What?” I ask, feeling uncomfortable by his daunting gaze.
“Don’t make the same mistakes I made in life,” Victor confesses firmly. “You’ve been pining over Crystal for months.”
“I’m not making any mistakes,” I lie. I’ve made a huge fucking mistake by leading Molly on.
Victor shakes his head.
He doesn’t believe me, but he knows me better than anyone, so why should he?
“Men like you don’t settle down,” he affirms.
“I’m not trying to settle down,” I protest.
“You like Molly.” Victor finally makes his point and confronts me.
“Maybe.” I don’t pretend, I don’t deny it.
“So, I’m just telling you, it’s not a good idea. You’ll end up like me.”
I stare at Victor as if he’s a fucking idiot. “Victor, you have a great life, and I know you love your family,” I shoot back.
“Yes, I love them, but I would do anything to have a date with Crystal. You don’t know how lucky you have it right now, Owen. She’s almost untouchable, and totally out of the grasp of a married guy like me.”
“I’ve hurt Molly,” I say in a whisper.
“She’ll get over it.” Victor rolls his eyes.
“You think I should still keep my date with Crystal?” I ask, even though Victor is already selling his case pretty fucking hard right now.
“Absolutely,” he says, nodding with confirmation. “She’s fucking gold, brother, the pillar of manhood, the reason every guy at the Expose Club pays top dollar to have that membership.”
“I guess you’re right…” I trail off. He may be convincing me, but I still have Molly’s gorgeous face in my mind as I picture her slender legs wrapped around my waist and digging into my ass cheeks.
“Damn right, I’m right,” Victor laughs. “Crystal is fucking hot as shit. An opportunity like this doesn’t present itself everyday, Owen, my man.”
“All the other guys who haven’t had her yet will be jealous.” I grin. What? Don’t judge me, I can relish in that power for a few fucking seconds.
“Exactly.” Victor slaps my back. “She is the ultimate prize, the final destination, the fucking jackpot, man!”
Victor stands up and claps his hands together as if he’s getting pumped up for a marathon.
“Well, Molly hates me now anyway,” I say, and finally admitting that fact out loud makes me feel deflated.
“Look, Owen, I know you’re conflicted, but everything will work out. You can always apologize to Molly later.”
“That’s a good point,” I say, but I wonder if it’s a lost cause. I fucked up royally with Molly.
“So, are you going to redeem your prize?” Victor grins mischievously.
“Maybe we should switch roles,” I joke. Sometimes I think that maybe Victor is more adventurous than me and that he’s just trapped.
“Fuck you,” he laughs.
“I guess I’ll keep my date,” I say, still a little wary.
“They reinstated your membership. It’s a sign from the universe.” Victor nods proudly, as if he holds the key to all the answers.
“Okay, okay, don’t twist my arm. I’ll go see Crystal,” I laugh, teasing him.
“Excellent choice, my man,” Victor states
.
I just wish my heart was all the fucking way in it for Crystal. Although I’m hoping maybe once I see her, everything will become crystal clear. Maybe I can get my head on straight, stop pining over a girl. Because that’s not me, not by a fucking long shot.
Still, as I leave Victor’s Molly’s is the only face I see.
22
Owen
My feet feel like they have heavy lead balloons stuck to them as I walk the familiar tiles of the Expose Club.
A few minutes ago, when all the comforting sounds and smells of the club hit me, for a brief moment, I felt like I was where I belonged. I straightened my shoulders and thought, I’m king of this place, and I’m getting ready to show everyone who’s around to witness it as I earn my metaphorical crown…
But then it turned out to be…not that many.
The place is surprisingly dead, but then when I glance at my watch I realize that it’s still early afternoon.
My heart pounds in my chest as I approach the attendant who is in charge of pairing up the talent with the men on their schedule.
“Hello,” I say with an air of confidence as I walk up to the stand.
“Good afternoon.” The receptionist is a thin woman with long silky black hair. I don’t recognize her and wonder if she’s new to the club. Her name tag reads ‘Heather.’
I clear my throat. “I’m, um, here for my date with Crystal.”
“Crystal?” The woman asks for confirmation, and I nod my head adamantly.
“Yes, my name is Owen Wolfe. I should be on her booking calendar for this month.”
“Hmm, let me see.” Heather glances at a computer as her hair falls softly over the side of her face.
I begin to sweat, wondering if my name is no longer in the system because of my temporary ban. It’s only been a couple of hours since Jay lifted my suspension, so I have no fucking idea what to expect, but I remain hopeful and calm.
“Is everything alright?” I can’t take the uncertainty anymore, and I have to ask.
Heather clicks onto another screen. “Let me just see here…” she whispers and trails off.
“Do I have the date wrong?” I begin to doubt myself and my memory.
“Oh, here you are!” Heather chimes and then beams up at me. “Congratulations, I see you in the system, and you have the all-clear.”
“Wow, okay, thank you.” I hold a hand to my chest. “You really gave me a scare there,” I joke.
“I’m so sorry about that, Mr. Wolfe.” She sounds sincerely apologetic and a little too serious.
“Please, call me Owen.” I flash her my signature billion-dollar smile. “My father is Mr. Wolfe.”
“Yes, right…” she chuckles. “Owen.”
“So, should I go to the third floor now?” I ask expectantly.
“Yes.” Heather nods her head in approval. “Please take this key and make your way upstairs. You will see Crystal’s door is the first one on the left, right when you step off the elevators.”
“Thank you so much.” I bid Heather goodbye and make my eager trek upstairs.
The elevator dings on the third floor and dumps me out into a softly lit hallway. The décor of the area is much like it is downstairs, with red velvet drapes over the windows and gold trim railings against the walls.
The carpet is also red with little diamond shapes. Everything is warm, inviting and fucking sexy as hell.
I lick my lips and rap my knuckles against the door with the word “Crystal” splaying across the middle on a gold-plated plaque.
Everything I have wanted up to this moment comes rushing back to my head as the blood fills my hardening cock. I feel my heartbeat drumming in my ears, making a swooshing sound.
When the door opens, I’m surprised that it’s not Crystal on the other side, but a growly looking bald man. “Um,” I glance down the hallway, “I think I might have the wrong room.” I chuckle nervously.
“You’re in the right place.” He nods gruffly and gestures me to come inside.
“You’re Owen Wolfe, right?” he asks.
“That’s me, guilty as charged.” I bounce on my heels and try to joke with this douche, but he’s clearly not up for my bullshit today.
“Mmm-hmm,” he mumbles and clicks something on a laptop beside him which I’m assuming has my name on it.
“There’s a lot of security to get to Crystal,” I note.
Baldy (yes that’s what I’m nicknaming him since I don’t know his actual name) doesn’t even give me the time of day or appease me with a response.
“So, now what?” I ask, feeling impatient.
“There’s your assigned room,” Baldy says flatly and gestures a bored hand across the way. “Go in there, and Crystal will be in shortly.”
“Okay…thanks,” I say and stand there for a few seconds.
When I realize it’s clear he’s not leaving his watch station and he’s not going to engage me in any further conversation, I quietly step away and shut the door to my assigned room behind me.
I take a deep breath and glance around the room, scoping the place out.
There’s a bed with velvet rope around it and privacy drapes. I assume I’m supposed to get undressed and lay there while I wait for Crystal, which is what I do.
I take measured, slow breaths and try to convince myself that this is what I wanted all along, and that Crystal is the grand finale, the prize that will make me the envy of all my friends and fellow club members.
Getting involved with Molly was a mistake, and I should never again try to invest my time in a woman who wants something more from me that I’m uncommitted to reciprocate.
Crystal appears a few moments later, and she literally takes my breath away with her staggering beauty.
“Wow,” I mouth, more to myself than to her, and I simply lay there, naked and exposed, but also feeling the stun of a million volts of electricity as she begins to undress in front of me.
Crystal can only be described as the perfect clone of Aphrodite, but Crystal may actually be even more spectacular than that.
She has toned muscles, though it’s not overdone. Her skin tone is bronze and glorious. Her long hair falls below her shoulders like fresh fucking spun silk.
I have to blink twice to make sure she’s even fucking real and actually standing before me, not just a sultry figment of my wild imagination.
When she removes her shirt, her humongous tits reveal perky, succulent nipples of an appetizing pink color.
“You’re really hot,” I say, even though I know my lame line is one she’s heard before and will undoubtedly hear after me.
She doesn’t speak or respond to my compliment, but she does slowly crawl her way on top of me, where she straddles me to lean in for a kiss.
She smells feminine and flowery, but I can’t focus on her like I want to. Her lips are soft and delicious, but the chemistry is not on par. There’s something missing.
My head swirls around and I begin to picture Molly’s face instead of Crystal’s.
Is this one date for an hour with Crystal even fucking worth losing Molly over? It’s not like Crystal will ever even remember my name.
I’m just another number to her, another payload.
Molly and I have true chemistry and passion together that can’t be matched or mirrored, and I’m certainly not going to fucking find it in Crystal.
I shake my head, then realize I’m talking. I’m saying no, over and over.
Crystal stops briefly and speaks to me for the first time. “I’m sorry, what?” Her expression has flecks of annoyance in it.
“I can’t do this,” I say and push her off me.
“What the fuck, dude?” Crystal looks deeply offended.
“I’m sorry.” I begin to dress myself again. I can’t get out of there fucking fast enough now. “It’s really not you. It’s just…I mean you are fucking smoking hot, don’t get me wrong. I thought you were what I wanted but as it turns out...there’s another girl who I want to fig
ht for more.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” she scoffs.
“I’m so sorry.” I continue to apologize profusely, but really, why the fuck am I? It’s not like I’m actually hurting her here. The one who I’ve hurt is Molly, and I need to fucking get to her right the fuck now.
“You still have to pay for your hour,” Crystal spits out.
“Whatever you need me to do,” I say as I head for the door and dart from the room. I don’t fucking care. I’ll pay twice her normal rate. I’m just fucking relieved that I didn’t make the biggest mistake yet and actually fuck her.
I race down the elevator and out the door of the club onto the crowded Manhattan street where I can finally capture some air in my lungs.
I just fucking hope my decision to choose Molly hasn’t come too little too late.
23
Molly
The only sound in the room is the clink of sterling silver forks and knives brushing delicately against pretentious white china plates.
The dining area is lit only by the soft glow of flickering candle flames.
The scene should be serene and peaceful, but the company I’m with unfortunately dampers any hope of achieving such a feat.
I’m eating dinner in my father’s dining room, where I last sat three weeks ago and stormed out after my father insulted me, telling me I wasn’t good enough to sit at his fucking precious right hand.
I’m facing my older brother Harry as we eat dinner. The two of us flank my father, sitting in his prestigious spot at the head of the table.
“So, how are things, Molly?” Harry asks.
“Hmm?” I glance up absentmindedly as I realize I’m only playing with the peas on my plate, not actually bringing them up to my mouth for consumption.
“How are you doing?” Harry inflects.
I try to snap out of it. “Good.” I nod my head. “Really good.”
I bring my water glass up to my mouth and take a swig of the refreshing drink.
“Are you sure about that?” Harry chuckles as if the fucking asshole has me all figured out.
