Chapter 10

March 2nd

Today I got my acceptance to The Red Door. I had to upload a photo of me in a bra and panties, send in my medical history, and fill out an incredibly long form of my sexual preferences. Then I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement and several other legal forms. After I sent all of that in, I waited. Today I was approved for a one-time admission for the Ides of March ball. I didn't want to be too much of a nerd and point out that it's being held a week early, but apparently it lines up with some big fashion show. So, yay, me and a bunch of naked models. I'll really stand a chance.

Leah, Amelia, and Eli also got accepted. Eli has to wear a tuxedo and the black mask they provide. Leah, Amelia, and I are to wear black undergarments and a sheer white dress they will provide along with a black or white mask that they also provide. We were instructed if you open the dress, it means you're open to sex. If you keep the dress closed, it means you're an observer.

You should see the list of rules we had to promise to follow. We can't ask anyone their names or what they do. We can't talk about politics, religion, or money. We can only enter certain parts of the club. Other areas are reserved for VIPs. I wonder how they'll know the VIPs when we're all masked up? I guess I'll find out soon.

Paige looked around the sex store and cringed. This was not her comfort zone at all. She was not a dominatrix. She was most definitely more of a submissive. Leah, on the other hand, was rocking the thigh high latex boots.

"Aren't you going to try anything on?" Leah asked as she stood in front of the mirror to check out the leather outfit she had on.

Amelia looked just as uncomfortable.

"I don't think this is me," Paige admitted. "You look fantastic though."

"What else will you wear if not leather and latex?" Leah asked worriedly as if they were going to ruin the plan to get in.

"It said any kind of black undergarments as long as they showed the required percentage of skin. I was thinking more of a bra and panty set." Paige might have several already picked out.

"Yes, that sounds much more me," Amelia said as she held a whip. "Although . . ." she snapped it and smiled. "That was fun."

"Our secret domme!" Leah said with excitement.

"Oh no. I was thinking for protection. In case anyone got handsy with me."

"Go for it," Leah said, turning back to the mirror. "This is a night we can be anyone and anything we want with no repercussions. I plan on taking full advantage of it."

"There's a lingerie boutique a block down that I want to go to. Do you all want to meet me there?" Paige asked. "It closes soon, so I have to leave now if I want to see it."

"Sure. Text us the name," Leah said with a wave. "Let me get Amelia into a leather corset then we'll be right down."

Paige didn't mind the time alone to shop. Especially when the store was mostly empty and getting ready to close up. There was no embarrassment in pulling out some of the more risqué matching sets.

"Is there something specific you're looking for?" the saleslady asked.

"Oh," Paige swallowed hard. "I want a black set that is really sexy but also very sophisticated." She'd decided to go more for untouched goddess instead of desperate virgin. She hoped that look would entice the sort of man who appreciated the fine things over a quick deflowering.

"I have just the thing."

Paige followed the sales lady to the back of the shop. The bras and panties were so pretty. Paige was thankful for the raise she got at work because this was going to cost her a pretty penny. More like some pretty Benjamins.

"This is the set I was thinking of." The lady reached for a bra that wasn't quite a corset, more like a quarter corset. Scalloped lace would tickle the top of her stomach, right under her breasts, but the structure of the bra allowed for it to be strapless. The same scalloped lace formed the deep sweetheart cups. "You have the perfect breasts for this style. They're full and pert, and will sit up fully in the cups. Then the panties come in the same scalloped lace as either a thong or cheekies."

"Um, I think cheekies."

The woman handed her a pair and nodded. "I think so too. It'll finish the sophisticated tease look you're going for."

Paige went into the dressing room and tried them on. She looked at herself in the mirror and stared. This couldn't be her because this was not plain Paige staring back at her. Instead, a confident, sexy, woman stood looking out at her. Paige looked at the tag and gulped. Three hundred dollars for the set. Then she looked back in the mirror. She was standing straighter, taller—chin up, shoulders back. It was strange. How did gorgeous underwear give you confidence you didn't even know you had?

"How does it fit?" the woman asked from outside the door.

"Perfectly. I'll take it."

Paige walked into her new area at the office and smiled at Amanda. The poor girl was run ragged by Mr. Griffin's continuous demands. This morning Paige set an extra latte down on Amanda's desk. "Thought you could use this. Happy Friday."

"You're an angel." Amanda grabbed the coffee and sighed. "He's in one of his moods today. And you got a phone call. They asked for Mr. Griffin, but I knew it was for you."

Amanda held out a slip of paper with Mimi Golden's agent's name on it. "Timothy West called Mr. Griffin again? Does he not understand I'm negotiating this deal?"

"Welcome to publishing," Amanda said with a roll of her eyes.

Paige sat in her chair and dialed Timothy West's phone number. She'd walked out of the boutique with more than one set of lingerie and bet little Timmy would cry if he saw her in the little red set she had on under her conservative black wrap dress today. She felt powerful as the phone rang and she told his assistant she was returning his call.

"Mr. Griffin," Timothy said, knowing full well it was Paige.

"Hey, Timmy. It's Ms. Turner from Griffin Publishing. I'm returning your call." Paige could practically hear Timothy's teeth grind over the phone as Amanda sprayed her latte from her lips in surprise.

"I had asked for Mr. Griffin to return my call."

"And I have told you, repeatedly, that I am the person you deal with here. The only reason Mr. Griffin has agreed to offer your client a contract is because of me. So, if you want to lose this contract by being so insistent that Mr. Griffin respond to every little question, by all means, I'll put you through to him."

When Timothy ground his teeth more, Paige continued on. "Now, if you're interested in your client becoming the first ever romance novelist to publish for Griffin Publishing's main line, why don't you tell me why you called today?"

"Fine, my client wants to know what plans you have for film rights and what percentage she gets if it goes to film."

Paige rattled off the numbers. Numbers clearly listed in the contract she'd sent him over a week ago when he indicated Mimi Golden was interested in signing with Griffin Publishing. However, Timothy West had called every single day to ask a question that could simply be answered by reading the contract.

"Further, please tell Ms. Golden that with the addition of streaming services, authors are able to negotiate for producer roles as well so she can maintain more creative control over the script. Tell her, as a diehard bookworm, I will make sure if she wants said control, I will do everything I can to get it for her."

"Fine. Mimi will be in New York this weekend. I'll discuss it and let's set a meeting for Monday."

"I'll make lunch reservations now and email you the details."

This jerk was three blocks away. It would only take her a minute to run over to his office and smack some sense into him. Yet, she'd smile and nod and be sweet as maple syrup to this idiot just to get this contract signed. Not because of her job, but because she believed in this book and in this author.

"Very nice, Miss Turner." Paige's head shot up to find Jack leaning against his door watching her. "My office. Now."

Paige jumped up as Amanda wiped the coffee from her desk. "I'll make your lunch reservations now."

"Who is the angel now?" Paige smiled at her before heading into Mr. Griffin's office.

"Close the door."

Paige closed it and then took a seat in the chair opposite his large desk. "Did you just call the biggest literary agent in New York, Timmy?"

Paige cleared her throat and sat up straighter. "I did."

Jack's lips quirked in amusement. "You've certainly found your voice in this new role."

"Yes, sir. I thank you for the chance to show you what I'm made of."

"About that." Jack looked at her and she noticed his eyes dropped to her chest before slowly caressing her neck and finally making it back up to her eyes. Holy shit. That was hot. "Do you have plans tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow night?" Paige's mind went blank.

"There's a party I thought you might want to attend with me. If you don't have any other plans that is."

"A party?" Why couldn't Paige process the words he was saying? Probably because it sounded like "a date."

"I don't date, Miss Turner."

Oh shit. Had she said that out loud?

"It's an exclusive party with the most influential people in New York in attendance. I thought it would be the perfect place to track down Lenora Hamilton."

"The actress?"

"Yes, the very one. The one whose love life makes the world go round. You like romance, Miss Turner. Here's a celebrity who could give you the story of a real-life romance that would make your clothes melt off. I thought she would be the perfect client for you."

"Oh, um, I do have plans already for Saturday. I'm sorry. Can I call her and set up an appointment?" Her friends would disown her if she didn't show up to The Red Door.

"Very well. See if you can. I'll try to get her to return your call when I see her tomorrow at the party. I'm sure your boyfriend wouldn't approve of it anyway, since this party will be risqué."

"What boyfriend?" Paige asked before the rest of his sentence hit her. Oh. My. God. Her boss was going to be at The Red Door tomorrow and so was Lenora Hamilton.

Jack didn't respond to the question. Instead, he shifted in his seat and looked at her as if trying to get a read on her. "If you change your mind. Here's the address of the party. It has a very specific dress code, so call ahead and tell them you're with me and they'll tell you what to wear. If you decide you can make it, and if you're brave enough to take the chance."

Paige took the card and her stomach dropped. It was the same address as she received from The Red Door. Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod.

"Thank you."

Paige got up and had the feeling her boss had noticed her. Noticed her enough to take her to a sex club. What would HR say about that?