Dark Room (Society X #1) Read online

  It’s been a long day of classes and I’m beat. Making my way up to the front of the gym, I throw the towels I picked up from around the weight machines into the bin and sit at the receptionist desk. I’d promised my brother earlier in the day to stay behind and lock up so he could get to a party with some of our old friends.

  I watch as the last two men pack up their stuff and leave. Our closing time is nine o’clock and they’re out just in time. Locking up the doors, I head out back to my car. All I can think about is getting home and having a glass of wine. That idea is squashed when I see a familiar red sports car parked beside my Acura—the only two cars left in the lot.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I grumble. Thinking about turning around and heading back into the gym, he spots me and it’s too late.

  “What’s up, babe?” Zac leans against his driver’s side door. His button down shirt is unbuttoned, showing off his perfectly chiseled abs and chest. There's no doubt he's sexy, but that shit isn’t going to work with me anymore.

  “Get the hell out of my way.”

  Body tense, his smile fades. “How long are you going to stay pissed at me?”

  “Forever, dipshit.” He reaches for me, but I jerk away. “Don’t touch me.”

  He steps back and sighs. “I said I was sorry. What else can I do? I miss you, Mia. Nothing’s the same without you.”

  “You’re damn right, it’s not. I’m much happier with you gone. So why don’t you go back to Big Tits and forget about me. Because this,” I point between us, “isn’t going to happen again. It’s over. Now get out of my way before I call the police. You’re trespassing.”

  “Actually, your brother banned me from being inside the gym, and to top it off, it’s all verbal and there's really no proof he ever said anything to me. I could easily walk inside and not have any legal ramifications.”

  Nodding, I reach into my purse and grab my phone. “True, but it wouldn’t take much to file a complaint. You may be a big time lawyer, but I could get a stalking charge brought up on you in a heartbeat.”

  His jaw clenches. “Fine, I’ll go. But just so you know, I want you back and I’ll do everything I can to show you I’ve changed.”

  He moves out of my way and I open my door, slamming it into his side. “You’re wasting your time. You’re not the only one who’s changed.” I get in my car and speed out of the parking lot, tires squealing. My phone rings and I growl. It better not be him.

  I look at my phone and it’s Rachel. Thank God. “Rachel, what’s up?”

  “Damn girl, you sound pissed.”

  I huff. “Just saw Zac. He showed up at the gym. He must have been waiting there for a while too, because I don’t usually close.”

  “What the hell? When is he going to give up?”

  “I don’t know, but I think he’s going to be a problem.” If Zac is anything, he's persistent. When he wants something, he gets it. I just don’t know how far he’ll go to get me back.

  “You think you might need to get a restraining order?” she suggests.

  “Like I could do that. He knows how to work the system. Everyone loves him and thinks he can do no wrong.”

  “Yeah, but he can’t keep stalking you like this. He never hit you did he?”

  I laugh. “Hell no. I might’ve let him walk all over me at times, but he’d never hit me. I was just stupid to put up with his shit for as long as I did.”

  “Love can make you do crazy things.”

  I was proof of that. “So, what’s up? Anything new going on? It’s been almost a week since we went to Society X. I guess our applications weren’t approved.”

  She clears her throat. “Um, about that. They sent me a text earlier tonight saying I was approved. I was actually calling to see if you got it as well.”

  Jealousy burns my gut. “I didn’t get a text,” I say flatly.

  “Oh, Mia, I’m so sorry. I thought for sure you’d get in. Are you pissed?”

  Taking a deep breath, I focus on the road. Why did I care if I got in anyway? “Not at you. It’s just been a bad night.”

  “I’m on my way to your house. We’ll have a girls’ night and watch a movie. Sound good?”

  I can’t help but smile. She always makes me feel better. “Thanks, Rach. I’ll see you in a minute.”

  We hang up and by the time I get home, she’s already there, ice cream in hand. When we get inside, I can tell she’s walking on eggshells around me. “You don’t need to worry about me,” I say to her.

  She grabs two spoons and follows me into the living room. “I can tell you’re angry, and not just about Zac.”

  Releasing a heavy sigh, I grab one of the spoons and dip into my cookie dough ice cream. “I don’t know, Rach. I guess I’m a little pissed I didn’t get in. I’m sick of feeling like I don’t belong.”

  “Are you kidding? Do you not remember high school? You were homecoming queen and had one of the highest GPA’s in school. Zac was the one who made you feel inferior. It’s time you stepped back up a notch.”

  She steals a bite out of my pint and we laugh. “You know, you’re right. I think I’m going to make some changes in my life.”

  “Starting with pursuing your designing dream?” she asks excitedly.

  Smiling, I take another bite of ice cream. “You’re damn right I am. It’s time I thought about myself for a change.” We start the movie and the second I get comfortable on the couch, my phone alerts me of an incoming text. “Is it bad I don’t want to get up and get it?”

  Rachel nudges me with her elbow. “Just get it. If it’s Zac, I’ll tell him to fuck off.”

  Trudging into the kitchen, I’m dreading having to read the text. It’s always the same old bullshit from Zac. When I look at the screen, I see the text and my eyes go wide. “Oh my God.”

  Rachel jerks her head around. “What is it?”

  I hold up my phone, butterflies swimming in my stomach. “Guess who I just got a text from?” It’s from Society X . . . and they’ve accepted my application.

  It’s a Friday afternoon and way before opening time. I park in the back of Society X, so if anyone were to drive by they wouldn’t see my car. Not that anyone would know it’s me, but I feel exposed. What the hell am I doing here? Oh yeah, living my life, as Rachel put it.

  I walk up to the door and the same guy who invited me to join the club opens it wide. “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Hudson.” His dark hair is gelled in messy spikes and he has on the usual tux everyone seems to wear. Only now I can see his eyes in the sunlight; they’re a bright blue.

  “Same to you,” I say, walking inside. “But I don’t think I know you’re name.”

  He shuts the door and locks it. “It’s Jared. I’ll be your contact here at Society X.”

  “Is that because you picked me?” I ask.

  Nodding, he punches a code in a key pad on the wall and holds the door for me. “Yes. I’ll be the one responsible for keeping up with your file and matching you with potential partners.”

  We walk to an office, where he takes a seat behind the desk and motions for me to sit across from him. As I’m getting settled, he passes me a black card with Society X written across it in purple lettering, along with my name; it’s thicker than a credit card.

  “Today I’m going to brief you on the process and the rules. That card,” he nods at the one in my hand, “will get you into the club. So, no more waiting in line. Just walk up to the front and you’ll be escorted through, as you were for the party last weekend. You already know you get one free fuck, but after that, you’ll have monthly membership fees.” He passes me a set of papers.

  “All you have to do is fill these out and the money will be automatically withdrawn from your account on the first of each month. This won’t happen until you sign all of the documents.”

  I look at the papers and almost gasp at the membership fee. Was it really worth all of that? I guess I’ll find out. “So I don’t have to fill these out yet?”
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br />   He shakes his head. “No, but I’m pretty sure you will after your first night here.”

  “Do most people sign?”

  A sly smirk spreads across his lips. “We have a ninety-nine percent return rate, Ms. Hudson. You’ll see what I mean. Do you have an idea of which room you’d like to try?”

  Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, recalling the way every single room felt. The viewing room didn’t do much for me and neither did the bondage room. I nod and open my eyes. “The dark room.”

  He types away on the computer and smiles. “Let’s see, we have an opening tomorrow night. You interested?”

  I blow out a nervous breath and hold my head high. “Sounds great.”

  He finishes up on the computer and gets to his feet. “You’re all booked. But you’ll need to know what to do when you get here tomorrow. Let’s go to the room and I’ll tell you everything.” We leave the office and walk down the hallway to another coded door. Once we’re inside, he takes me to the door marked number one. “After you’ve checked in, you can get prepared in the women’s dressing room. A robe will be made available. I’ll be out here, waiting to escort you to the room.”

  He turns on the light to the dark room and the only thing I can focus on is the bed; it’s huge. “Once inside, you’ll either sit in that chair or lay on the bed. That way your partner will know where to find you, as he won’t be able to see anything. The purpose of this whole experience is to let your senses guide you.”

  “What about protection? Will the guy be wearing a condom?”

  “That’s up to you. We highly recommend it, but I know some people prefer not to use them. However, we do require an STD screening each month for those who choose to go that route. I can put a note in your file so that whoever you get paired with will wear one.”

  Why did all of this make me feel dirty? It was a good dirty though, exhilarating almost. “How will we see to get out?”

  He points to two buttons, one on each side of the wall. “These will be lit up with dull red and blue lights. The red is for you and the blue is for your partner. Once you press it, the door will unlock and you can leave.”

  “What else do I need to know?” My heart is racing. Tomorrow night I’m going to be on those red silk sheets, having sex with a man I don’t know.

  Jared comes up and stands beside me. “This room is different from the others. Everything is anonymous in here. There’s no talking allowed. Like I said, the whole point of this fantasy is to let your senses guide you, to be whoever you want to be.

  “Once everything is done, we’ll text a survey to you about your partner. It will be a rating scale. If you enjoyed your partner, rate him well; if you didn’t like him, rate him poorly. This gives us an idea as to who we want to keep around.”

  “So the guy will rate me too? What if he rates me badly?”

  He bites his lip. “Then we probably won’t ask you to come back. You can still be a member, but you won’t be able to participate in the sex rooms.”

  Talk about pressure.

  My car idles in the parking lot as I sit like a voyeur, watching scantily clad women wait in line. It amazes me how many people are waiting to get into Society X, me being one of them. The only benefit for me is that I can enter through the back. Perks of being an investor. These women, with a few men mixed in, are waiting for the strip club to open. They wait in line, rain or shine, for prime table placement—all for the cheap thrill of watching men and women take their clothes off and the occasional lap dance.

  I shut my car off and exit, slamming the door and clicking the lock button on my key fob before pocketing my keys. I’d finally pulled the trigger a day ago and told Bryce I wanted to sample the product I’d be investing in, so when I get to the solid metal door, I have a code to use. The code will only work for this door and I must wait in the hall until my escort comes to get me.

  It doesn’t take long until a blonde with a high ponytail, who’s dressed in the female version of a tuxedo, is greeting me with an extended hand. “I’m Christy,” she says as she shakes my hand. “How are you tonight?”

  “Good, you?”

  “Very well, thank you. Anytime you’re here, I’ll be your contact. If Bryce is indisposed, you can come to me with any questions you might have. Here’s my card.” She hands it to me and I slip it in my pocket. “Shall we?” she asks, tilting her head down the hall.

  I fall into step behind her, and she continues her spiel. “Whenever you’re scheduled for a room, I’ll be here to meet you. You’re not allowed to move freely in the center of the club without an escort. It’s just our rules. Understand?” I nod in agreement. “All right, here we are,” she says as we arrive at my room of choice.

  “Tonight, you’ll be in a bed,” she says, stepping into the room. When the overhead light comes on, there’s a massive four-poster bed in the middle of the room. “As neither you nor your partner had a preference, we automatically set you up with a bed. For future reference though, there’s an option of using a chair.

  “When it’s your time, you’ll come in through this door and your partner will be lying in bed when you enter the room. The woman always enters first, unless otherwise requested. Do you have any questions?”

  I look around the room. Part of me wants to know what this woman will look like, while the other part is excited for the chance to be able to fuck someone any way I want, letting my senses take control. I’ve always had my eyes to help lead the way. Tonight, it will be all about listening to her body and letting her reactions guide me.

  “If you’ll follow me back to the dressing room.” Christy doesn’t wait for my answer before she steps through the door. As soon as I follow, the door shuts behind me. “Please undress and stand by the door. When it’s five past the hour, you may enter your room. And remember . . . no talking.”

  Christy leaves me to contemplate what I’m doing here. Questions filter through my mind as I start taking my clothes off. It’s meticulous: first my shoes, then my socks, shirt, pants, and finally my boxers. By my door is a bowl full of condoms. I don’t know how many to take in with me, so I grab three to be safe. My dick is already twitching at the thought. The lights turn off and the digital clock above the door flashes at me, a silent indicator my door is about to open. I stand there, poised and ready, even though I know she won’t be able to see me.

  The intake of breath is the first thing I hear when my door opens. I know she’s there, lying on the pillow, naked and waiting. I take a step in and the door slides shut behind me. My heart pounds in my chest, pure exhilaration taking control.

  For the first time in my adult life, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I set two of the condoms near my light so I know where to find them if I need more. Fuck, I hope I need more.

  Making my way over to the bed with slow, unsure steps, I lie down next to her. I rest on my side, hoping we’re head to head and I’m not about to caress her toes or something equally as embarrassing. I can hear her breathe deeply, and pray she’s not about to panic. Of course, my heart is beating so loud it’s thrumming in my ears.

  Placing my hand on her skin, I immediately recognize the soft, toned curve of her stomach. My fingers dip into her belly button as I slide my hand up, making my way to her breast, her nipple puckering at the slightest of touches. My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her. Leaning forward, I squeeze her breast and pull the taut bud between my teeth, my tongue moistening her skin.

  Her fingers press into my back and she slides a bit closer. I curse the fact I only have one hand free since the condom is burning a hole in my other. That doesn’t stop me from moving my lips to her other breast and giving it the same treatment. I’d give anything to be able to hear her moan out my name.

  Sliding my leg between hers, she rocks her hips, rubbing her lust all over my leg. She’s so fucking wet. With just a few minutes in the room, I’m already addicted. It’s by far the hottest thing I’ve ever done in my life. She pulls at my hair, arching her bac
k as I kiss all over her chest. Each breast receives more attention before I move to her torso, pulling her forward as I rest my feet on the floor.

  Feeling for the bedpost, I use it as a guide and set the condom on the floor. I want to be able to use both hands to make her come all over my face. I want to taste her, to have her scent embedded in my mind.

  Parting her knees, I hold her legs up and place them over my shoulders. My nose parts her lips as I blow hot air across her opening. She jumps slightly and emits the faintest of sounds. I want to hear her scream, to hear pleas for me to fuck her. This no talking rule sucks ass. I stroke my cock, giving it a little attention, but I’m past ready to play.

  Driving my finger into her tight pussy, I suck on her clit. She squirms and I take that as encouragement. Pushing two fingers inside, she rocks against my face, almost driving me over the edge with her mewls. Adding another finger, I twist them around, massaging her G-spot. My cock drips with pre-cum, desperate for his moment inside her tight walls.

  She pants and groans as her legs tighten around my head. Moving my tongue quickly over her bud, she quivers and arches her back. She’s ready. Pulling my fingers out of her tight pussy, I sit back and suck them off before I pick the condom up and rip the packet open with my teeth.

  Pushing into her, it takes three tries before I’m balls deep. I let out a rattling moan. Fuck me. Her pussy is perfect for my dick, fitting like a glove. I must’ve stilled because she starts rocking her hips, creating the friction both of us need. I grab her knees and use them to move her over my cock, pushing her back and forth on the silk sheets. Our skin slaps against each other and the sweet smell of sex fills the room.

  Her hands pull on my arms, bringing me forward. Before I can continue, she scrambles up the bed. Fuck yeah. She wants to feel me on top of her. My dick guides me to where I need to be. Rubbing the head of my cock against her clit, I thrust in, and this time, she pulls me down, chest to chest. She searches for my mouth and I give it to her, shoving my tongue inside.