by Jen Talty
Sweet Temptation
A Club Temptation Novella
Jen Talty
Contents
SWEET TEMPTATION
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
The Club Temptation Novella Collection
Also by Jen Talty
About Jen Talty
SWEET TEMPTATION
A Club Temptation Novella
JEN TALTY
SWEET TEMPTATION
A CLUB TEMPTATION NOVELLA
JEN TALTY
Copyright © 2020 by JEN TALTY
All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Design: Kari March Designs
Published by: Lady Boss Press, Inc.
Thanks to the Building D Divas for ‘creating the dew’! You sisters rock!
And for Chelle, for always being my light in the darkness.
Chapter 1
Dixie Gaynor closed her eyes and inhaled sharply, the rich scent of chocolate and vanilla assaulted her nose. “Oh, my God, Nic. I almost don’t want to take a bite.”
Nic Montgomery laughed. “You’ve got a full box, so don’t be shy.”
With her pinky stuck up into the air as if she were a total snob, Dixie took what her mother would call a lady-like nibble. Which meant she barely allowed the frosting into her mouth, let alone the tasty treat.
“Seriously? I have half a mind to stuff that cupcake right in your face.”
And that right there was why Dixie loved Nic so much. Of all her friends, Nic never made her feel like the twenty or thirty extra pounds she carried were anything to be ashamed of—or that they defined her as a person or a woman. As a matter of fact, Nic had never said a single word to her about her weight unless Dixie brought it up. Not once.
Not something Dixie could say about most of her friends, and certainly not her family.
Especially her size-four mother—the plastic surgeon specializing in making women look and feel beautiful.
As if a nip and a tuck could cure life’s problems.
A group of young ladies strolled by, wearing tight leggings that showed off their toned legs. And, of course, form-fitting tops that left nothing to the imagination. None of them had a single roll.
Even their boobs were nice, tight, and lifted toward the sky.
Probably fake, but not the point.
“If I eat more than half of this now, I’ll be on my third by dinner.” She wiped her fingers with a napkin and set the decadent treat back inside the box. She’d ordered the cupcakes to share with her clients, something she did a couple of times a month. And she always treated herself to a few.
It wasn’t as if she ate like this regularly. But she did like her food, and she made no apologies for having an appetite. She loved her body, and she loved herself.
Until someone told her not to.
Or she spent any time with her mother.
She’d come to embrace being plus-sized five years ago after hating herself for spending a year on a yo-yo diet, going between a size four and a size ten. She’d landed on the other side of the sofa as a patient after making herself so anxious that she couldn’t even eat food in front of people.
Of course, she’d spent more time puking up what she put into her mouth than she did working on taking care of herself.
But those days were behind her. Why then did she sometimes feel so alone?
Because her mother repeatedly told her she needed a man, and Dixie had let her get under her skin.
She raised the paper coffee mug to her lips and tasted the bitter caffeine rush. She stared out toward Puget Sound, watching the ferry leave the port. “I don’t know if you read my blog or not, but I post about being a plus-sized woman.”
“I do.” Nic inched closer on the park bench and looped her arm around Dixie’s shoulders. “The pictures are amazing. You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Dixie fiddled with the cup and let out a long breath. “Did you read the comments?”
“Don’t even go there,” Nic said, giving her a good shake. “People are idiots.”
Dixie shifted her gaze, staring her longtime friend in the eyes. “The pictures were filtered. I’m a fraud.” She shouldn’t have let her mother or her sister see those images.
“What are you talking about? You are the most genuine person I know. And you’ve always said that haters are part of the blogging business. You’re out there, helping women. I think it’s amazing.”
“I’m telling women to be comfortable in their own skin and not to let men—or anyone else for that matter—control their perceptions of themselves, and yet I’m doing it.” She shook her head, letting out a long breath. “I knew putting anything but a photo from the neck up would bring out the crazies who think women bigger than a size two don’t have an active sex life, much less a good one. But then I went and put the photograph through a filter, smoothing out my hips and stomach.”
“Come on, we all do that.”
Dixie couldn’t argue that point. “Perhaps, but I’m single. And how many men are knocking down my door to date me? Besides, I’m still anonymous. My blog isn’t under my real name, and it’s not connected to my work as a relationship therapist.”
“You could easily change your identity and out yourself.”
Dixie knew Nic was right, but she wasn’t ready. Not while her breakup was still so fresh in her heart.
Nic tilted her head. “And you don’t make it easy for guys to want to become romantically involved with you.”
If Dixie could count on anyone to be honest with her, it was Nic. However, she hadn’t anticipated Nic diving in so deep, so fast. “What does that mean?” Dixie asked, though she pretty much already knew the answer.
“We’ve had this conversation a million times. You can come off incredibly intimidating when people first meet you. But when you get to the one-on-one with a man, you put up a wall a mile high, and you make it impossible for them to climb it. And while I know you’re comfortable with who you are, we both know you still have your mother’s voice in the back of your head, and it comes out at the worst times.”
Dixie’s biggest problem was that she allowed other people’s perceptions of her size to bother her to the point where she took those projections on as part of who she was. And that was a recipe for disaster. “I know. You’re right.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“If I’m going to keep Create the Dew alive, I need to start living what I’m blogging, and in order to do that, I need to put myself out there and get serious about dating.”
Nic gave her a little jab with her elbow in the gut. “Good for you. It’s about time you start living your life.”
“Yeah, but dating apps suck.” Dixie held up her phone. “I joined two this morning, and check out what I’ve gotten so far.”
Nic grabbed the phone. “Oh, God. These men are so not your type.�
�� She swiped her finger across the screen. “Boring.” She jerked her head back. “Oh. This guy is so not right for you.”
“I know. But what’s a girl to do?”
Nic set the phone down and took Dixie’s hands. “I’ve got an idea. However, it requires you to be open-minded. Can you do that?”
“I can try.” At this point, Dixie was willing to do anything. And not just for her blog. After reading the comments and putting herself out there to be criticized, she realized she was ready for a relationship.
She wanted what Nic and her husband Matt had.
Dixie craved intimacy and romance. When she was recovering from her anorexia and bulimia, she’d told herself that she’d stay away from men and relationships until she came to terms with how she’d ended up hating herself so much. She’d done that a while ago, and even though triggers—like her mother—brought back the kind of thinking that sabotaged Dixie’s hard work, she always managed to get herself right back on track.
Except for when it came to men and dating.
In her day job as a relationship therapist, she dealt with couples struggling with things like sex, communication, and issues relating to betrayal. She didn’t feel as though she needed to experience a long-term, committed partnership to help people navigate their predicaments because it came down to individual needs and desires being satisfied. Everyone dealt with interpersonal relationships differently.
But to write content on her blog about women taking charge of their sexuality, Dixie needed to at least have some clue about her own. And considering that she hadn’t had sex in nearly eight months, her source material was sorely lacking.
“Have you ever heard of Club Temptation?” Nic asked.
Dixie’s eyes grew wide. “I have.”
“Well, Matt and I have a little experience with the club and some fetish festivals.”
“Seriously?” Dixie lowered her chin and raised a brow. “I can’t believe you’ve never told me about this. Do dish.”
Nic laughed. “I’m not going to get into the nitty-gritty, but I will get you in the club. I think it might be just what you’re looking for. Just be careful what you write about, and don’t mention the club in your blog. That wouldn’t be cool.”
“Got it,” Dixie said with her heart thumping in her throat. “Can’t say I thought I’d be going to a sex club.”
“Club Temptation is a lot more than that, and it’s not what you think.” Nic picked up Dixie’s phone and tapped at the screen. “It’s going to change your world, trust me. But you’re going to do some soul-searching into your deepest, darkest sexual fantasies.”
“Such as?” Dixie asked.
“Like do you prefer submission? Or do you want to be a dominatrix? Are you into bondage? Are you—?”
“I get it,” Dixie said, not wanting to dive too deep with Nic, mostly because Dixie realized that her sex life could only be described as boring, like the flavor of ice. “Sort of. I mean, I don’t know that I’m into any of that. I’m not really into kinky stuff.”
Nic laughed. “I’ve been reading your blog since you started it. You have your own set of fetishes. You just haven’t acted on them. Most likely because you haven’t found the right person—a safe person—to explore that side of you.”
“Spoken like someone who has.”
“You have no idea,” Nic said with a wicked grin and a wink. “But we’re not talking about me.” She handed Dixie her phone back. “Check out the club. You don’t have to partake in anything or hook up with anyone, but I think it might be just what you need.”
Dixie stared at the contact information Nic had entered for a man named Zane. Her pulse picked up a notch. “I should be shocked you and Matt have been there, but I guess I’m not.”
Nic waggled her brows and gave Dixie a devilish smile. “Aren’t you the one who said every couple has to find their sexual groove and that no man or woman should be shy about their wants, needs, and desires?”
“Unless they’re criminal.”
Nic cocked her head. “Why must you do that?”
“Because I hate it when you toss my words back at me.”
“Oh, Dixie.” Nic gave her a good squeeze. “It’s time you got back in the game. I know Jeff did a number on you, but it’s been like eight months since you dumped his sorry ass.”
Dixie knew Nic was right. Ever since she’d realized that Jeff would never leave his wife, and that she was still allowing herself to be someone’s second choice because she didn’t believe she was good enough, smart enough, and sadly, pretty or sexy enough, she’d been slowly eating her way to ten extra pounds.
Because that’s what food did when she used it for anything but fuel. It didn’t hear and support her. It only helped suppress and hide what was really going on. It was time she took her life back.
Again.
“So, who is this Zane guy, and how do you know him?” Dixie asked.
“He’s a manager at the club. He’s not a member or a Dom or anything like that. Give him a call and tell him I sent you. He’ll show you around and answer any questions. He’ll be your safety net the first few times you go until you figure out if you want to give it a try. Remember, there will be lots of couples like Matt and me there. It’s not some free-for-all sex orgy. A lot of committed partners who might be looking for a consensual threesome. Or those looking to bring someone into their marriage in a more permanent way.”
“I don’t play well with others when it comes to my men—as we’ve learned.”
Nic laughed. “That is true. But something tells me that asshole ex-boyfriend of yours kept you to bland sex, and you’re ready to spread your wings.”
Dixie burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you said that, and I’m so using that in my blog.” She hugged her friend. “And for the record. Yes. Jeff was boring as fuck in bed. Despite my lack of trying to get him to step out of his comfort zone. Hell, his idea of being kinky was doing it with me bent over the dresser in the hotel room so he could look at us in the mirror.”
“Doesn’t every couple do that?”
“That’s what I said. But he didn’t even like it when I talked to him while we were having sex. Or, God forbid, asked him to try sexting.” If Dixie were completely honest with herself, Jeff had been the kind of man she told women to stay away from. Not only because he was cheating on his wife but also because he’d brought the ideals of being a man and the power that provided into the relationship. “He flipped when I randomly sent him a picture of the girls one day. He thought that was over the top.”
“I’m glad you’re not with him anymore and not just because of the vanilla sex, but he wanted a little woman to be at the door to greet him with a smile and a beverage. That is not you.”
“You can say that again, sister.” There was no equality in whatever she’d had with Jeff, and even though she occasionally wanted to be dominated in bed, she didn’t want that in her life.
Not even close.
“So, I’m just supposed to call this dude and say, ‘Hey, show me around the sex club?’”
“Pretty much,” Nic said, glancing at her watch. “Shit, I didn’t realize the time. I’ve got to get going. Let me know how it turns out.”
Dixie sat on the bench, clutching her cell, watching the ferry dock at the port. Her heart hammered in her chest. If she didn’t contact this Zane guy now, she’d keep putting it off until it was too late. She needed to get out of this funk before it became something deeper.
And darker.
She inhaled sharply, holding the cool Seattle salty air in her lungs for a count of ten before letting it out slowly.
She tapped the contact information and almost immediately got Zane’s sexy, sultry voice message.
“Hey. It’s Zane Pierce. Can’t take your call right now, but leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” He sounded like a cross between Keanu Reeves and Christian Slater.
Talk about dreamy.
His voice rolled over her
senses like hot fudge melting on ice cream.
“Um. Hi. I got your number from my friend Nic Montgomery about checking out Club Temptation to see if it’s something I might be interested in. Anyway, she said I should call you to set up a time to check things out. You can reach me at 861-556-9326. Call or text, but texting will be best since I’ll be with patients all day.” With a trembling finger, she tapped the red button. “Holy shit. I can’t believe I just did that.”
Her phone vibrated in her hands.
She jumped, and the cell flipped out of her hands like a fish out of water, flopping on land. A rollerblader had to make a quick move not to run it over—or her fingers—as she reached for it. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
Thankfully, the screen hadn’t cracked since she’d neglected to put her case on…per usual.
Zane: Hi Dixie. This is Zane. Got your message. Crazy morning. Let me know if you’re free tonight. I can put you on the list as my guest. How does 8 sound? Just text to confirm and I’ll send the information on how to get in and all the protocols.
“No way.” All the air in Dixie’s lungs flew out like a bird diving into the water on a mission to find its favorite meal. She hadn’t expected him to get back to her in a matter of minutes.
Or to get an invite to an exclusive sex club so quickly.
But she’d be damned if she backed out now.
Dixie: That’s perfect. Thank you.
If nothing else, she would give the readers of Create the Dew something to get a little hot and bothered over.
Chapter 2
Part of Zane’s job at Club Temptation with new membership was to ensure that the privacy of those in attendance was respected. However, he hated doing deep-dives on people’s social media accounts.
