Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
However, even if no one was having sex, it didn’t mean there weren’t plans for it. The center of the room contained a black glossy stage with a simple ladder-back chair. Beside it was a table with various ropes and a wooden box. The unknown contents of the box called to me more than anything else.
“Come,” Lucian ordered. “I want you to meet some friends.”
I blinked away from the stage.
Friends? Why was he introducing me to friends?
That seemed...personal.
Before I could dwell on it too long, we arrived at a couch along the back corner of the room. On it sat a couple that looked like they should be on the cover of a magazine.
“Lucian. It’s good to see you.” The man smiled up with oceanic eyes.
“Good to see you too. This is my guest for the night. Aspen,” Lucian introduced.
“It’s nice to meet you, Aspen,” the woman greeted, her eyes almost as blue as the man’s. “I’m Rose and this is my partner, Corbin.”
The man glared at the woman before directing his attention toward me. “Her fiancé,” he corrected. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Fiancé?” Lucian asked.
“Yup. I finally got Miss Berkshire to say yes.”
“As long as I don’t have to change my last name.” Rose directed her own glare toward Corbin, hinting at the sensitive topic.
“Berkshire?” I asked. “As in the owner?”
“The one and only,” she confessed, sitting tall.
“Oh, wow. This place is amazing,” I said, instead of what I really wanted to say. Like holy shit. How old are you? You seem way too young to have such a successful business.
I cringed, hearing the words in my father’s voice. Part of me wanted to say it and record Rose’s response so I could show my father that young women could run a successful business.
Not that he thought I couldn’t.
Ugh.
I squeezed my fist, attempting to get control of my thoughts. I didn’t want to think about any of it right then. I wanted to let it all go and be present for the night.
“Sit down. Join us, please,” Rose offered.
For the first time all night, Lucian’s hand dropped from my back, and I hated to admit how much I missed the comfort. I wanted it now more than ever with the pressure of others—his friends—watching me. Not that I seriously thought they would judge me, but that inner voice always sounding in my head reminded me to be on my best behavior. Be professional and polite. Be aloof, calm, and in control. Don’t give them anything to use against you.
While he collapsed into the cushions, relaxed as ever, I held myself on the edge, forcing an attempt to scoot back and release an ounce of tension coiling around my spine.
It didn’t work.
“So, how do you all know each other?” I asked. “Did you meet here at the club?”
“Actually, Lucian and I move in the same business circles,” Corbin explained.
Rose groaned and rolled her eyes. “Booooring.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her dramatics, sinking a little deeper into ease at her honest reaction. Maybe I didn’t have to hold myself so carefully in at The Berkshire. Even with his friends. “What do you do?” I asked Corbin.
“He’s in shipping,” Rose answered for him in a flat voice.
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Corbin defended.
“Except that it’s boring.”
He glared, and I pinched my lips to bite back another laugh.
Rose Berkshire was my kind of girl.
I glanced back to Lucian and found him watching the couple with a lazy smile, leading me to believe that their bickering was part of who they were together. It was kind of cute.
“Hence why I converted The Berkshire to what it is today,” Rose explained.
“What was it before?” I asked.
“It used to be my father’s escort business,” she announced, as if she weren’t sharing such a shocking fact about her dad.
“Oh...”
“I get that a lot. It’s a weird family business.” Rose laughed, waving away my wide eyes. “He had a lot of other businesses too, but this one was definitely the most exciting for me to cultivate. The rest I merged with Corbin’s business, and he takes care of all the boring day-to-day management while I reap the benefits.” She sat back with her head held high and sipped from her glass of red wine.
I’d just met her, but with how quickly she put me at ease, I think I loved this woman. She emanated strength and confidence and... happiness. The weight of her business sat on her shoulders like a diamond necklace—like it belonged there and didn’t make her eager to find release because of its heft.
“Is that how you two met?” I asked, choking back my envy.
Corbin and Rose laughed, sharing a private look. I looked back to Lucian to see if I overstepped, but he was laughing too. I turned back, eager to be let in on the joke.