“I don’t see him all that much anymore. Really, Jules. He’s got his own life.”
Julie picked at the label on her beer bottle. “But you two used to be so close. God, I was always so jealous of that.”
I had been very close to Cole at one time. “We were just kids. People grow up. Life moves on.”
Despite what I said to Julie, I missed Cole a lot. His mother had married my father when I was just eight years old. You’d expect there would have been a lot of bumps in the road when our families blended, but it had been surprisingly seamless. I still looked back in amazement at how well it had all worked out.
Dad dated Cole’s mother for years before they married. Cole and I had become friends right from the start. I was a tomboy and suddenly I had someone to share adventures with. We spent hours exploring the woods near Cole’s house. If we weren’t kicking a soccer ball around the backyard, Cole was teaching me skateboarding tricks. On hot summer days, we splashed around in the above ground pool at my house from practically sunup to sundown.
When Dad and Marissa announced their engagement, I was genuinely happy. I wanted Marissa to become my real mom and I wanted Cole to be my brother. It felt like I was getting the perfect family. I could barely remember my mother who died suddenly when I was three years old. Not being able to picture her face in my mind used to send me into a spiraling panic, until I had Marissa in my life. When Dad married Marissa, I felt secure again.
The adjustment was more difficult for Cole when our parent’s married. He had to leave his home and school and move in with us. He had to deal with a new father, who was much more of a disciplinarian than his sweet natured mother.
Still, Cole and I got along wonderfully after the wedding. He was the perfect brother. Everything was great, that is, until puberty hit and I realized, literally overnight, how amazingly attractive he was. That seemed to have ruined everything. Even though I had tried desperately to hide my feelings, nothing ever seemed the same between us.
Julie’s elbow nudged me out of my daydream. “Earth to Ava.”
“Sorry,” I turned to Julie, “what were you saying?”
“I was saying…” Julie rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, “that you should invite Cole out for drinks, so that you two could catch up. And of course, I’ll be there, just in case Cole happens to notice me, for once.”
Julie was gorgeous. She never had any problem attracting attention from men. The fact that Cole never seemed to pay any attention to her irritated her to no end. In an maddening ironic twist, his indifference made her infatuation for him grow even deeper.
I tried to hide my creeping annoyance. “Jules, I’m not going to play match-maker for you and Cole again. Remember how it turned out the last time?”
Julie’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She had spent days sullen and angry when the ‘chance’ encounter I had arranged between them didn’t live up to her fantasies.
We left the bar early that night. No one we knew showed up at the bar and I had shattered Julie’s good mood by bursting her ‘Cole’ bubble once again. To my relief, Julie decided she wanted to head home early.
That night, as I was lying in bed, my mind inevitably drifted to Cole. Right before I had graduated from college, he had moved out of the house. I had had my share of boyfriends in my four years of college, but Cole was always in the back of my mind - torturing me with what could never be.
Cole and I barely crossed paths in those four years - a few holidays here and there, and a few weeks in the summer. The summer after my sophomore year, I met one of his girlfriends. I knew that he must have had many girlfriends over the years, but I had always carefully shielded myself from that reality.
When his beautiful girlfriend was in our home- right in front of my face- there was no longer any way to deny it to myself. Seeing her with Cole felt like a sucker punch to the stomach. It made me sick. The truth was that Julie’s crush on Cole looked like simple puppy love compared to what I felt for him.
Somehow, along the way, Cole must have figured out exactly how I felt about him. No matter how closely I tried to guard my feelings for him, I must have let something slip: a longing glance or a shiver of desire when he brushed by too close. And it must have disgusted him. He had kept his distance from me ever since. I couldn’t blame him.
I was ashamed of my feelings for him. We weren’t related by blood, but we had grown up together. We were as close as any brother and sister could be. When he pulled away from me, I was horrified. He had discovered my secret and it had repulsed him.
I vowed to keep my distance from him. I still had my pride. I had never acted on my feelings, so my utter disgrace was mostly self-imposed. Just knowing that he suspected was humiliating enough.
The other main reason I stayed away from him was because, despite it all, I still felt that way about him. My body still reacted like fireworks were exploding inside me every time he came near. No man could twist my insides with a single glance like Cole Hunter could. When Cole Hunter entered the room, there was a good chance that my panties were soaked.
I flipped around in my bed trying to work Cole out of my brain. Damn Julie for talking about him! I had been doing so well trying to forget about him. I sighed and slipped my fingers inside my panties. I needed to banish thoughts of Cole from my head or I’d never fall asleep. Instead, it was Cole’s name that softly fell from my lips as I made myself come.
Chapter 2
COLE
You would think that a staff meeting at a sex club would be pretty exciting stuff. I did. Turned out I was wrong. It was fucking boring. Purchase orders, accounting, staff complaints and marketing discussions made it just as boring as any corporate meeting.
I had been bartending at the ‘Sanctuary’ for over four months now, because I had a little gambling issue that I needed to take care of quickly. I had learned my lesson the hard way. The ‘interest’ on my debt had skyrocketed unbelievably. If I didn’t pay it down quicker, I’d soon be meeting up with some brass knuckles in a dark alley.
I’d done just about everything I could think of to raise cash quickly. It pissed me off, but I had to let go of my brand new motorcycle at a huge loss. Still, it put some cash in the palms of the loan sharks and bought me some time.
I worked a full time job with decent pay, but it wasn’t enough, no matter how much I cut back my expenses. I briefly considered moving back in with my parents to save on the rent money, but what fucking 25-year old man wants to live with his parents? Besides, Ava was back home. There was no way.
So, I took a second job at Sanctuary. I worked every hour I could pick up, practically living at the club on the weekend. The pay was better than the average bartending job and some of the customers tipped really well.
The owner, Betsy Kline, a plump grandmotherly figure, hired me on the spot. She had me take off my shirt at the interview. She examined my tattoos, pronounced my physique ‘not too bad’ and told me to work on my tan. Then she welcomed me to the Sanctuary.
My bartending uniform turned out to be a pair of jeans with biker boots and a tight black ribbon that I had to wear around my neck like a choker. I was working shirtless. It felt strange at first, but after all the things I had seen go down at the club since then, it was now no big deal. And, I think it helped with the tips.
The staff meeting sounded like it was finally wrapping up when Johnnie spoke up. “Don’t schedule me with anyone but regulars this weekend, Betsy. I’m tired of spending my time babysitting desperate housewives.”
Johnnie, who was known as Master Jay, was the most senior Dom in the club. He looked like an aging hippie, but when you saw him working, there was no doubt that he knew his craft.
Betsy pursed her lips. “Those desperate housewives pay the same kind of money that our regulars do. We cater to everyone in this club.”
I knew the type Johnnie was talking about. Mostly, they were just a harmless bunch of ladies looking for something to spice up their dull lives. After experiencing a s
ession with one of the Doms, usually they hung out with me at the bar for a couple of hours. The ones that I knew Johnnie despised were usually my best tippers.
Johnnie shook his head stubbornly. “Then get someone else to cater to them. I’m done. They’re not interested in a real Dom/sub session; they’re interested in some kinky sex from a movie star. They take one look at me, and their face sours. It’s insulting. All the training in the world wouldn’t make them good submissives.”
A few of the other Doms mumbled and shook their heads in agreement.
Betsy addressed everyone in the room. “Look, this is a business. We build our clientele by word of mouth. Our reputation means everything here. We’ll take every dollar they hand out to us, no matter who they are or how interested they really are. Those people are paying for an experience. Your job is to give them that experience and maybe educate them a little along the way.”
Dave, another Dom, frowned. “I’m sorry, Betsy, but I’m with Johnnie on this. A lot of those women are looking for something else entirely. It’s changing everything – the club, the atmosphere, everything. It’s getting annoying.”
Betsy’s expression softened. “I know we’ve had a lot of lookie loos coming in lately. It’s because of that new movie. It’ll die down, I’m sure. Just now, every curious housewife and bored sorority girl is coming out of the woodwork. And because of that movie, their expectations are a little… different.”
Johnnie snorted. “Different? They’re not looking for a real Dom. They’re looking for an actor. Some hot young stud to fool around with.”
Several heads turned in my direction.
I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat. “Don’t look at me. This has nothing to do with me.”
Betsy looked thoughtful. “They do all seem to swarm around the bar quite a bit…”
She was joking, right? I laughed hesitantly. “Oh, no way. I don’t know anything about that stuff. I’m just here to serve drinks.”
“But you’re just the type of guy they’re looking for.” Betsy was nodding to herself as she spoke. “You’re young, built, sexy, the tattoos, the abs, Jesus – exactly what they’re after.”
I suddenly felt trapped with the whole room staring at me and nodding their heads in agreement. “I’m not about to have sex with a bunch of horny, sex-starved housewives.”
Johnnie shook his head. “It’s not about sex.”
I felt my jaw clenching. “Whatever. I’m not into this stuff.”
Betsy had a gleam in her eye. “Okay everyone. Meeting is over. Let’s get to work. Cole, hang around – I want to talk to you. Dave, you stick around too.”
It only took a few minutes for the room to clear. I prepared myself for Betsy’s assault. The woman was tenacious, but there was no way in hell I was going to become a Dom - even if it was a fake Dom.
Betsy didn’t even talk to me. “Dave, how long would it take to train Cole to perform at Level 1?”
“Just Level 1?” Dave leaned back in his chair. “Easy. Wouldn’t even take a week.”
Betsy smiled triumphantly. “Terrific. Dave will be your mentor, Cole. Observe his sessions for the next week. I’ll keep him on Level 1 clients-”
I interrupted her crazy idea before it went too far. “Whoa. Whoa. There’s no way I’m gonna do this.”
Betsy ignored me. “Dave, by the end of next weekend, I want you to start letting Cole interact with the clients - under your supervision. I think he’s going to be a big hit with the ladies, so give him lots of space to get his own rhythm going.”
I growled a warning, “Betsy-”
She held up her hand to stop me. “Cole, it’s just Level 1 stuff. Just a little slap and tickle. Light bondage, blindfolds, feathers, maybe some role-playing. Just some tame playtime the ladies want to experience.”
“No way. This isn’t my thing-”
She didn’t let me finish. “Don’t turn me down until you hear about the increase in your salary. The huge increase.”
Chapter 3
Three months later…
AVA
I looked around the mostly empty bar. “You know, we really need to find a new place to hang out. Nobody we know comes here anymore.”
Julie scanned the room for the hundredth time looking as bored as I felt. Suddenly her eyes widened. “Hey! Guess who I ran into last night?”
“If you were here – nobody.”
She smirked at my lame joke and then blurted out, “Jessica Holden.”
I still pictured Jessica in pigtails and dressed in her cheerleading uniform. “She’s still around town? I would have thought she would have ditched this place by now. She was always complaining about how boring it was.”
Julie agreed. “I know, right? Anyway, she went to a club in the city last week and said it was the coolest place ever. She said I should try it out. It’s called ‘Sanctuary’.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
Julie sat up straighter and her eyes got that sort of fervent look that I knew meant she really wanted to go. “It’s semi-private. But she gave me the deets and we could totally get in!”
I had already had two cranberry kamikaze shots, so I was feeling pretty generous. “Sure, that sounds like fun.”
Julie jumped out of her seat, her eyes sparkling. “I knew you were my bff for a reason. I’ll drive, since you’re such a lightweight.”
I was totally unprepared. “Wait…what? Not tonight… I meant, like, you know, some other night-”
Julie put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you dare back out on me now, Ava Cooper. You even said yourself this place was totally boring.”
I looked at my watch. “But, it’s like- almost eleven o’clock. By the time we get into the city, it’ll be like-”
“It’ll be exactly the time when everything starts hopping.”
“Look at what I’m wearing!” I glanced at my favorite jeans and the black button-down satin blouse. “I’m not dressed to go clubbing.”
Julie grinned – like she knew she had me cornered. “This isn’t a ‘mini-skirt and sky-high stilettos’ kind of club. Your clothes won’t matter. What you’re wearing will be fine.”
“Really? Is it like a grunge club?”
“It’s just different. Jessica highly recommended it.”
I wasn’t as adventurous as Julie, but if miss ‘perfect’ Jessica Holden had been there, I could certainly handle it. The alcohol swirling in my bloodstream and the fact that I didn’t need to strap on some ridiculously high heels helped cement my decision. But, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t lay some ground rules.
“I’ll go with some stipulations. First, you can’t ditch me.”
Julie’s mouth opened in mock outrage. “Of course I won’t.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Second, you have to stay sober so you can drive us home.”
She agreed. “Not as fun, but I really want to check this place out, so if that’s what it takes...”
“Okay, and third, we leave when I say we leave. No matter what.”
She downed the rest of her beer in one gulp and pushed aside the bottle. “Deal.”
Less than an hour later, we were driving through the city. I watched out the window as the bright lights of the downtown dimmed and finally disappeared. We drove into a more industrial area. It was dark and somber looking.
I looked over at Julie. “Are you sure you’re going the right way? This area doesn’t look too safe.”
Julie didn’t seem concerned. “I’m just following the GPS. We should be there in a few minutes. Jessica said it was in the middle of nowhere.”
I nervously chewed on my nails while Julie drove. Finally, we pulled into a parking lot behind a huge non-descript building.
My voice squeaked, “This is it? I didn’t see anything. No signs. No lines of people waiting to get in-”
“Chill out, Ava. I told you this is a private club. Jessica said we’re supposed to go knock on a black door back here. It must be that one.” Julie pointed to t
he plain door at the back of the building.
I was starting to have serious second-doubts. “I don’t know, Jules. What kind of club is this anyway? Is this another male stripper club, like that Australian stripper show you made me go to?”
Julie got out of the car and headed for the door. “It’s some kind of a sex club. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything. You can just hang out and watch if you want to.”
I scrambled to catch up with her. “What? Julie, you didn’t tell me this was a sex club! No way I’m going in there. I can’t believe you!”
Julie huffed. “You’re such a prude sometimes. C’mon, we’re just going to check it out. Jessica told me all about it. Seriously, you don’t have to do anything there that you don’t want.”
My voice was screeching in my panic, “I’m not going in there, Jules!”
Julie stopped and turned to me. “After I drive all the way out here, you’re gonna chicken-shit out on me now?”
I felt bad that she had driven so far, but she should have told me sooner. I took a deep breath. “I’m stone cold sober now, Jules. My buzz has totally worn off. And this place looks creepy. Please, let’s just go home.”
Julie turned and headed toward the door. “You don’t have to go in. But, I’m gonna go check it out.”
I stood staring at her stupidly as she walked to the door and knocked. I suddenly realized that she had the car keys; I couldn’t even wait for her in the car. There was no way I was going to stand out in the dark lot all by myself.
The door opened and I ran to catch up with her.
A big beefy bouncer dressed in a three-piece suit ushered us inside. “Hello, ladies. Welcome to Sanctuary. Do you have a reservation?”
I was hoping we’d get turned back when Julie stammered nervously to the man that we didn’t have a reservation.
Instead the man just smiled. “Is this your first time here, then?”
Impossible (to Resist) Boss: Billionaire Romance Page 21
