Play Room: A Society X Novel Read online

  Wiping the morning dew off the swing, I sit down. My feet stay planted to the ground while I sway back and forth. Every project that I have worked on has meant something, but this one … for some reason this means more. It’s not a high-rise or some conglomerate building that will house Fortune 500 companies. This place will become someone’s home, their place to hang their hat and build memories. If it weren’t for Parker Ward, none of this would be feasible.

  If it weren’t for Parker, I wouldn’t be here right now. I wouldn’t be in love with Alex or thinking about our future together. We talk about marriage. We both know we want to get married, but with her starting a business, which was fairly successful when she took it over and now has tripled in volume, and my dedication to this project, we haven’t made any definite plans. Not that plans need to be made. I just have to get down on bended knee and ask her. I’ve already asked Larry, or I should say that Larry has given me permission too many times to count. Alex says it’s because he loves me. I tease her it’s because he wants to get rid of her.

  The slamming of doors breaks my reverie. I’m assuming it’s the news crews that are here, along with the community members who are coming to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony. I wasn’t going to do one, but Alex was insistent. She said that it’s like reaching the top of a mountain that you’ve been climbing for years and that when you get to the peak, everyone is there, waiting for you. I had set one up for her and Dani when they took over Let’s Get Baked, but did so for the publicity. One of the things they changed was opening a shop. Not only do they cater, but they sell baked goods as well. I learned early on in our relationship that I have to pick and choose the arguments I want to pursue. Alex is evil and will withhold sex … and by sex I mean food. My girl can cook, and if weren’t for my gym membership and the fact that she loves sex I’d be buying bigger pants.

  By the time I reach the main parking lot, hordes of people are gathering around. When I arrived first thing this morning I roped off the entrance with a massive ribbon, preventing people from entering. The renters have seen their places, but no one else. Parker and I didn’t feel it was right.

  Larry greets me with a smile as we come into view of each other. He’s been a Godsend with all the projects and worked tirelessly to raise funds for extras. Instead of shaking hands, we hug. He pats me on the back.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” he says when he pulls away. There are unshed tears in his eyes, causing me to choke up as well.

  “I didn’t do anything,” I tell him. “It was all you and Parker.” I’m always quick to point out that this project wasn’t my doing. I only designed the concept and saw the implantation of it.

  “You did a lot, Kai. More than you give yourself credit for.”

  I take his compliment to heart, wondering if some of it pertains to Alex as well. He often comments that she’s changed since we’ve been together, and I like to think it’s been for the better. I know she’s made me a better man. In fact, I think she’s perfect, and each night when I lie next to her I thank everything for her. I almost lost her, which now seems like the most trivial thing ever. But, man, I’m happy that she’s given me her all, including the one thing that nearly destroyed us.

  “There’s a lot of people here,” Larry points out. I look out over the crowd in time to see Alex and Dani’s food truck pull up, except Alex isn’t in it because she’s walking toward me, dressed like she’s about to go church.

  “Hey, babe,” I say, pulling her to me so I can kiss her cheek. I like to keep things chaste in front of her parents. She whispers, “Good morning,” in my ear before turning to face her dad.

  “Morning, Dad. Dani has quiches in the truck if you’re hungry. Is Mom coming?”

  “Yes, she’ll be here,” he says. Larry kisses Alex on the cheek and rushes over to the truck.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to steal my thunder.” I nod toward the truck as Alex shakes her head.

  Stepping closer, she straightens my tie. “I missed you this morning.”

  “Sorry. I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  I shrug. “It’s not nerves, but I don’t know what it is. More excitement I think because people get to start moving in today.”

  “Everyone is going to love it,” she tells me.

  I kiss her quickly and take her hand in mine to lead her to the other side of the ribbon. Parker and his wife, Mia, are making their way through the crowd, as well as Bryant and his wife. Yes, she’s the one he met at the club and started dating. There was a time when he started questioning his relationship, mostly because of how they met, and I thought about telling him about Alex and I but didn’t. Bryant can be a little rough around the edges and I didn’t want it getting back to Alex or Bryant saying something that would embarrass her.

  Parker and Mia approach with a large pair of scissors in her hand. She’s excited as she greets Alex. “Well done, Kai. I suppose now isn’t the time to ask you to sign another contract?” Parker asks as he shakes my hand.

  When I first started, I thought I’d move on after this project, but once I met Alex Portland quickly became my home. “Considering I’m thinking of purchasing a house here, I better sign quickly.” I laugh, hoping that he catches my drift.

  He shakes his head. “Let’s forget about a contract and make you a full-time employee at Ward Enterprises. I think Director of the Community Development Division with a full staff at your disposal might do the trick?”

  “With a raise,” Mia yells out at her husband.

  Parker laughs. “After I’ve seen what you’ve done here, I’ll pay you anything to stay on.”

  “Deal,” I tell him as we shake hands.

  “Great, now let’s get this ribbon cut so people can move in,” he says. Parker’s presence is commanding. The second he shouts that we’re about to start everyone moves into position. Mia hands the scissors to me, and while I’d love to be the one to cut the ribbon, it’s not for me to do. I seek out Larry and beckon him forward.

  “Without you, Sweet Briar would be one of those towns that people drive by,” I say him as I hand him the tool. “I think you should do the honors.”

  Larry’s smile beams as bright as the sun as he takes the scissors from me. He steps forward, but not before looking at Regina, Alex, me, and finally out to the people who have gathered. “Here goes everything,” he says as he snips the ribbon. There’s loud cheer and people surge forward to explore the grounds. Standing back, I watch as children run toward the playground, and one in particular hops onto the swing I sat in earlier.

  “You did good,” Alex whispers into my ear as she holds me from behind.

  I hold on her arms and shake my head. “I didn’t do anything, Alex. The people, they wanted this. I just gave them the guidance to succeed and Parker gave them the funds. Your dad …” I pause and spread my arms out. “He did this. He knew what Sweet Briar needed and made it happen.”

  Alex nestles into me as we watch our surroundings. Trucks are starting to arrive and the community is getting ready to help unload belongings. It’s going to be an all-day affair, and thanks to Let’s Get Baked, everyone will be well fed.

  “Follow me, there’s someplace I want to take you.” With Alex’s hand in mine, we walk toward downtown. It’s a couple-mile walk but the morning is beautiful and I honestly need this time to think. Alex must be enjoying the peace and quiet, too, because she hasn’t said much since we left.

  We finally make it to the beach where we trudge along in the sand until we’re almost in sight of what I want to show her.

  “Turn around and look.”

  She does. “What am I looking at?”

  “That house.” The house in question is in shambles.

  “Hmm, okay?”

  “The asking price is very low. It comes with two hundred feet of beach access. It would be a full gut job, but we could make it ours. It’s three bedrooms with an attic that we can turn into another room
or an office.”

  Alex turns and looks at me. “What are you saying, Kai?”

  “I’m saying … well, asking if you think we should buy that house? Do you want to invest with me and commit to remodeling our first home together? Take something and make it our own?” Turning, I face the ocean. “The master bedroom faces this view, Alex. We could wake up to this sound every day, and during the summer we could sleep with the doors open so we can hear the crashing of the waves.” I glance at her, wondering what she’s thinking. “What do you say, babe?”

  “One condition,” she says.

  “Anything.”

  “Marry me,” she blurts the words out. “I know I’m supposed to wait for you to ask, but that rule is dumb. I asked your mom—”

  “You asked my mom?”

  She nods. “I figured if you were going to ask me, you’d ask my dad, so I thought I should ask your mom.”

  Placing both hands on her cheeks, I pull her forward until our mouths crash together. “I love you, silly girl.” Once I release her, I drop down to my knee and fish the ring I bought for her a month ago out of my pocket, and hold it up. Her mouth drops open and she quickly covers it.

  “Kai?”

  “Alexandria, I have been in love with you since the moment I laid eyes on you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife, my partner, the one I fall asleep with every night and the one I wake to every morning?”

  Alex nods rapidly. “Yes, so many times yes.”

  I slip the ring on her finger before I drop it in the sand. I hadn’t really thought out my proposal, but as soon as she asked me, I had to ask her.

  “And yes, I asked your dad … sort of.”

  “What do you mean, sort of?”

  Kissing her ring, I stand and pull her into my arms. “Your dad has been hinting for a long time that he’d be way okay if I were his son-in-law. I kept telling him soon.”

  “That’s because he loves you.”

  I shake my head. “It’s because he loves you and he knows that I’ll never do anything to hurt you. I love you, Alex.”

  “I love you, Kai, but … you didn’t exactly answer my question.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “Yes, Alex. I’ll marry you. Just name the time and place, and I’ll be there … by the way, I know a really good caterer!”

  THE END

  DARK ROOM: A Society X Novel

  by Heidi McLaughlin & L.P. Dover

  Parker

  Never in a million years did I think I’d be pulling into the parking lot of Society X; the whole sex club scene just isn’t for me. I have far too much to lose if I’m caught with my pants around my ankles. And if it weren’t for my fraternity brother, Bryce Adams, I wouldn’t be here. But when a brother calls, you come running . . . even if it’s to a place where you could lose your life savings and A-list clientele.

  Bryce is offering me an investment deal. One he says will only come along once in a lifetime. In college, he’d had this harebrained scheme none of us thought would take off. The first thing the brilliant jackass did was Trademark his idea. Then, with a ferocity none of us knew he possessed, he not only chased after his dream, he accomplished it. However, considering the nature of the business, banks won’t touch him.

  That's where I come in.

  After my grandfather died, I inherited his company. Ward Enterprises is a Fortune 500 who buys or invests in companies in financial ruin, keeping them afloat until we decide to sell our stock back; or if the market is treating us well, we stay on and take profit.

  Society X doesn’t exactly meet any of the aforementioned situations, but that doesn’t mean Ward Enterprises isn’t interested—even dirty money is money.

  Before I can knock on the door marked Employees Only, it swings open and Bryce greets me with a hug. Stepping back, I take him in: holey jeans, black dress shoes, white button down, and a mop top full of blond locks. Not a single thing has changed about him since college, except for the fact he’s now a rich, horny motherfucker.

  “Man, look at you.” I shake my head at his attire and smile.

  “Fuck off, bro. You’re in a three-piece?”

  “That’s because I have to meet with fucknuts like you all day.”

  He barks out a laugh and holds the door open for me to enter. Coming here, I’d expected to walk into a dark hallway permeated with the stench of sex, so I’m pleasantly surprised to find a pristine entryway lined with Andy Warhol paintings.

  “I thought you fucked for a living?”

  “Nah, not me. But my employees do. Well, some of them do. Some don’t. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me show you.” The hallway opens up into a network of passages and we take a series of turns until he’s typing in a code and opening a door. When we step through, there’s an entryway with blacked out windows, a coatroom, and a pay station. “For you to get the full effect, we need to start at the beginning.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “All visitors—both men and women—filter through this door.” He points behind me and I nod. “They pay and check all personal items over there. There are absolutely no cell phones, cameras, or any recording devices allowed past this point. Most people who have been here before leave their shit in their cars.

  “When they’re done here, they have a choice of one of two doors: Men or Women. They pick their door and enter, waiting for an usher to meet them at the end of the walkway.”

  Bryce opens the door to women. Thank God. I’m not sure I can stomach watching men grind their banana hammocks all over women, at least not after the lunch I had. He waves to the man standing at the end of the short walkway, which is filled with pictures of the dancers and merchandise they have for sale.

  “This isn’t open seating. The earlier you arrive, the better your seats. We have ushers on each side who will seat you and your party. The last thing I need are crazy bitches starting fights in my club.”

  There’s a partition blocking the view from the walkway, so the only way to see who is in the club or on stage is by being escorted in. I guess it saves them from having peeping toms who are getting off in line.

  As soon as I step around the partition, the floor plan opens up. In the center of the room is the stage, complete with a pole and a half-naked chick hanging from it. At the back, there is a row of private, half-circle booths. Most of them seat four people, while some are put together for larger parties. Everything is decorated in white, making it appear pristine.

  “What’s with the mirrors?” I ask, curious as to why they would line the walls with floor to ceiling mirrors.

  “Lap dances are a bit more exciting when you can watch her grind on your cock from all angles. It’s a fetish thing.”

  “I see.” I say it, but I don’t really mean it, because this is definitely not my scene. I’ve never had to pay for sex or come looking for carnal entertainment.

  “The men’s side has an identical set up, but it’s the center I need to show you. Actually, it’s because of the center I can’t go to the bank and ask for a loan to expand. Follow me.”

  He has me intrigued. Following him down the hall, I notice there are both male and female restrooms. The thought hadn’t occurred to me that women probably come here too.

  Coming to yet another door, Bryce types in a code. From what I’m gathering, everything outside these walls is secured and with limited access, which is a huge selling point.

  “The hallways intersect and are designed for employees only.” We walk a few feet until we come to three doors marked 1, 2, and 3. “No one is allowed back here without an escort. Doors leading in and out of this area are monitored by camera and locked with a keypad. And only certain staff members are allowed access.

  “These rooms are for members who we’ve tagged as elite. They fill out an application, something they can only do one time. If chosen, they have access to a room with a reservation.”

  “What are these rooms?”

  “Sex rooms – all done consensually and without cost.” />
  “You let people have sex in here for free?” How would he make money if that’s the case? The cover charge is only fifteen dollars, with a one drink minimum per table requirement.

  “Membership fees. If you’re chosen to become a Society X member, you have to pay a monthly fee and are given either a necklace or a bracelet. It’s how you know who’s eligible for a little extra party. The process to become elite is strict, though. Women get one free fuck and it’s up to the partner to provide feedback on her abilities. If she’s a dud, her application is tossed aside, but if she lets her inhibitions go and rocks your fucking world, we want to keep her around.”

  “And what about the women, are they providing feedback on the men?”

  “Of course,” Bryce says with a shrug. “But if they’re getting their big O, most women won’t complain. They may, however, request that they not encounter that particular guy again.”

  “I see.” I’m trying to comprehend how all of this is legal and what the ramifications would be if I were to invest and the club gets raided. “You’re running a brothel.”

  Bryce shakes his head adamantly. “The sex is free. You’re paying a membership fee to the club, which includes private dances, house drinks, and the VIP section. If you choose to take a patron or dancer into a room for some one-on-one time – it’s completely legal. I wouldn’t ask you to do this if we’d run the risk of getting shut down by the Feds.”

  I’m still not convinced, but I’m also not one to give up on a business deal until I’ve had a chance to dot my I’s and cross my T’s. Each transaction is different and they need to be treated as such. “Let me see the rooms.”

  Bryce walks to door three and types in the code. Upon entering, I immediately want to leave, but hold my footing. The walls are painted a deep purple, almost black. There’s a padded table in the center of the room with chains dangling from the sides. Hanging from the wall are an assortment of whips, chains and other things such as candles, feathers and a saw-horse contraption.