Betting on Bailey

“I don’t think so,” I reply, crossing my fingers under the table. “I mean, it definitely has an expiration date, how could it not? But hey, as long as they still want to do it, I’m game. They are so hot.”

“That’s awesome, Bails.” Gabby seems genuinely happy for me. I wonder if she realizes she’s not entirely over her own threesome. Even now, two months after the fact, there’s a certain wistfulness in her eyes when she talks about Carter and Dominic. She’s been hurt by men before, and she’s wary for a reason, but because I care about my friend’s happiness, I wish she’d try to find them. They were good to her, and she needs to date more men like that.

* * *

I’ve never been excited about going to play a game of pool, but I’m almost giddy with anticipation by the time Wednesday evening comes around. Per Daniel’s instructions, I get to the Maxwell Club early, which I can assure you almost never happens, but when I arrive, both men are already there waiting for me.

Thankfully, Juliette is nowhere to be seen. I haven’t told Sebastian about my encounter with her in the bathroom last week. I’m not really catty, and I’m convinced that complaining about her will only make me sound petty and childish.

The guys smirk when they see me. “You’re planning something,” I accuse them with a grin as I walk up. “I can tell.”

“Yup.” Sebastian grins widely. “Come with me,” he says, gesturing for me to follow him. “Daniel would like us to stay relatively inconspicuous,” he mocks. “So he’ll allow us a head start.”

Daniel makes a rude gesture at Sebastian, and I stifle a giggle. Sebastian is unfazed. “Coming, Bailey?” he asks me.

After Gabby’s revelation about Daniel attracting more than his share of tabloid attention, I’ve forgiven him for that stupid ‘keep this out of the press’ comment. However, teasing him is fair game. “Of course,” I tell Sebastian meekly. “You know me, I’m always obedient.”

Daniel snorts. “We’ll find out soon enough how obedient you are,” he promises, sending a shiver of heat through me. I’m dying of curiosity, but I’m not going to give in and ask them what they are going to do. Biting my tongue, I follow Sebastian.

“Fascinating place, the Maxwell Club,” he says conversationally, as we walk toward the restrooms. Are we going to do it there? I wonder. I’m not opposed to washroom sex on principle, though I’d prefer somewhere less germ-filled.

Before we get there, we stop in front of a door marked Staff. Sebastian waves a keycard at the lock, and the door opens. Another long corridor stretches in front of us. Sebastian seems to know where he’s going. He takes my hand in his, and leads me forward.

“How do you know where to go?”

He chuckles. “Daniel told me. He has a signature line, as I’m sure you’ll find out. It’s my business to know.”

“Is it his business to know?” I grin. “I can’t imagine how the back corridors of a private club in Manhattan concern Daniel.”

“That’s because you aren’t using enough imagination,” a smooth voice says from behind us. I jump and pivot around, but it’s just Daniel, his brown eyes gleaming as he struggles not to laugh at me.

“You scared me,” I accuse him. “Why do you know about the back rooms here?”

He links his arm in mine. “A few months ago, a reporter for the New York Times did a feature about this place on its hundredth anniversary. At that time, the club president offered a few of us tours of the back, including the closed off sections.”

“Let me guess, it’s really a sex club.”

“Would you like it to be, Bailey?” he asks, his voice rich with amusement. “Do you want to go to one?” His eyes gleam.

“Do you fantasize about being on display in front of everyone, Bailey?” Sebastian prompts. “Is that it? You have a secret exhibitionist streak in you?”

“Is there a real sex club here?” There’s a tremor in my voice and my footsteps slow down. I’m not sure I’m ready for that. Not just yet. Even though each word they utter causes the coils of lust in my core to tighten painfully, and even though my nipples are hard pebbles, poking out through my t-shirt.