Prologue

"Let's go, man, why aren't you dressed yet?" my buddy Eli asks as he strolls through the elevator door. Note to self: take away his keycard privileges. Now that he has a spot just a few blocks over, there's no need for him to have full access to my place.

"You told me nine o'clock," I say, peering up at him from my book, completely unphased by his annoyance.

"Uber will be here in fifteen minutes. I don't want to be late."

I casually slide a bookmark between the pages and place it on the coffee table.

"Be ready in ten. Beers are in the fridge," I say and make my way down the hall.

Honestly, I could probably be ready in five, but I want him to sweat it out a little. He's desperately hoping to see Quinn tonight, and I"m hoping for the distractions only opening night at an exclusive club can offer.

Eli's sister is the proud owner of New York's newest exclusive club, Masqued. Where its members have access to endless possibilities, most of which are of the…more risqué nature.

It's been a long week of countless meetings and dealing with people's bullshit. I could certainly use some distractions tonight, particularly one with long legs, a nice ass, and a gorgeous face.

A pounding fist on my bedroom door sounds as I"m finishing up the last few buttons on my signature black collared shirt. Grabbing my belt off the end of my bed, I stroll to the impatient Eli.

"Alright, you ready?" Eli asks with a huff.

I respond with a grin as I lace my belt through the loops of my black pants, fastening the blacked-out buckle.

Eli eyes my all-black outfit. "Have you ever considered adding some color to your wardrobe? Might make you more approachable."

"I"m good. Thanks, though." Smirking, I grab my wallet from the table in my entryway. Being approachable is the last thing I want to be.

I've already lostEli within a minute after the quick tour the Masqued hostess gave us. She pointed out the different areas within the club, and what to expect on each floor and down each hallway. To say my interest is piqued would be an understatement. I"m ready for anything and everything tonight might have in store for me.

With my black mask securely in place, I make my way to the bar and take in my surroundings in finer detail. I"m quite impressed by the design and finishes. Which is saying a lot coming from me, considering I eat, sleep, and breathe this shit. Unique lighting fixtures adorn the space, blanketing the main room in sensually dim light. Deep red velvet curtains line tall walls leading up to the two open upper, the color matching the bar seating and surrounding booths. The fixtures throughout are a blend of metal and wood, which only accentuate the overall vibe this place gives off. It"s dark, seductive, and intriguing.

I"m greeted by a warm smile when I step up to the long bar top. The lace mask covering half of her face surrounds big brown eyes. "What can I get you?" she asks while placing down a cocktail napkin in preparation.

"Johnnie Walker Blue neat, please."

"Sure thing, be right back."

Turning around, I lean on the counter to see if I can spot Eli or anyone else I might know, for that matter. Eli and Wes tower over the crowd, and I spot them easily from across the room. Once I pay for my drink, I head their way.

Sloan is nestled in their little circle, and I lean in to kiss her cheek. Her velvet burgundy mask emphasizes her sparkling bright blue eyes.

"Place looks amazing, Lo. You did a great job."

"Thank you so much. I can"t take all the credit. I had a vision, and Ava ran with it," she gushes.

"Ahh, yes. I should have assumed it was Ava behind this."

"Yes, you should've…" She smiles as her eyebrow quirks above her mask, but before she can continue, a male employee wearing a tailored suit pulls her attention. I must admit, the employees are all impeccably dressed and good-looking. Their uniforms match the feel of this place perfectly—the men in their suits and women in sheer backless dresses that exude sex appeal and exclusivity.

"How's it going, Wes?" I turn to him.

"Hey, man. Going great. Thanks for coming out tonight."

"You think I'd miss this?" I say with a smirk and raise my glass.

He chuckles and clinks his glass to mine. I look to Eli, who adds his already empty cup to our cheers.

My eyes dart back to Wes, who subtly shakes his head. Well, shit. I guess Quinn is not here like he had hoped.

"Enjoy yourselves, boys. The night is young," he says before walking away.

"You alright?" I ask Eli, knowing the answer I'll receive will be half-assed.

"Yeah, she already left… I"m going to get another drink."

While watching his retreating form stride across the room, a leggy blonde catches my eye. She's standing off to the side, entertaining quite a large group of people. She's stunning in a skin-tight, black, knee-length dress, showcasing her sculpted legs in high heels.

I continue sipping my whiskey as I watch her, gauging whether she's here with anyone. There's a break in their group conversation, and her eyes scan the room, eventually landing on me, who is blatantly staring. She raises her champagne glass in my direction, and I reciprocate from where I stand.

Eli rejoins me a second later, pulling my focus. He seems absolutely miserable, and I know him well enough to sense he's not sticking around for long.

Spotting an open circular booth that allows for a perfect view of my conquest, I nod in that direction. "Want to sit for a bit?" I ask him.

"Yeah, sure."

We remain silent as we sit, taking in the club from this position. Looking upward, you can see two more floors with glass railings. Allowing the patrons roaming the upper levels a clear view of the center stage.

"I think the burlesque show is starting," I say, noting the stage now being illuminated by soft spotlights.

"I"m probably heading out in a few," Eli says into his glass.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. There's nothing here for me," he murmurs, then throws back the rest of his drink.

A cute cocktail waitress comes to the opening of our circular booth. "Good evening. I"m Maggie, and I'll be your waitress. Can I get you guys anything?"

Eli doesn't even respond, just stares blankly at his hands, holding the empty glass.

"I'll have another Johnnie Blue neat, please. And he'll have a water and a beer."

Once the waitress leaves, my eyes search the crowd for the blonde. I find her in deep conversation with Sloan and Wesley across the room in a booth of their own. Her smile is radiant, one I can't seem to stop stealing glances of. So much so, I"m having a hard time pulling my focus to the half-naked woman walking out onto the stage.

Our drinks are delivered, and another bout of silence fills our booth as we watch the burlesque dancer move about. Not even ten minutes later, I can tell Eli is ready to go. He's restless and has no interest in being here. His face is void of any emotion other than disappointment.

The lights dim, and the stagehand collects the discarded clothes before scurrying off. With that, Eli stands, as I predicted. "I"m going to head out. I'll catch up with you tomorrow."

There's no point in asking him to stay, so instead I tell him to get home safely. He escapes just before the next dancer comes onto the stage, but this time, there's a chair in the middle.

The show continues for about an hour, with each performer bringing something different to the stage. Overall, it's hot as hell, and I"m thankful I get to experience it all.

My leggy blonde has since relocated to a small area behind the booths, where she is swaying her hips to the heavy beats streaming through the speakers. As her tight body leans against a pole, she's certainly using it to her advantage. I can"t help but notice the small crowd forming around her, but there is no conversation involved—just pure lust. They're more interested in her than anything else in the room. Watching how she twists and glides her body teasingly. Well aware of the number of eyes she has on her. The way her pouty red lips curve into a small smirk when our eyes lock from across the space.

Without realizing, I have moved my position in my circular booth so I can have a better view of her and the show she's putting on. My dick aches, thinking about all the things I'd like to do to her. Picturing her long, toned thighs wrapped around my ears, the gasp I'd hear when I"m fully seated inside of her, the way that pretty mouth of hers would scream my name as I make her come all over my cock. Fuck, I"m rock hard now.

My concentration is broken when Wes's big fucking frame steps between me and my soon-to-be conquest.

I nod at him. "What's up, man?"

I clearly haven't been subtle in my admiration of the masked vixen across the way, because he glances over at her and then back at me. "You sure you know what you"re doing?"

"I"m more than sure," I smirk, knowing no dumber words have ever been spoken.

I don't actually know what the fuck I"m doing or about to get myself into. But I don't seem to care, because my sight is set on her and it has been since the moment I saw her.

Shaking his head, he disappears up the stairs to where Sloan is waiting. I raise my glass to where she peers out over the club, a proud grin on her face. Good, she should be proud; tonight has been a huge success, and there is nothing I enjoy more than cheering on my friends and their accomplishments.

Next thing I know, a keycard is being placed on my table. Maggie smiles at me while setting another drink beside it.

"A member asked me to deliver this to you. She said she'll be in Room 8." She points in the direction of the hallway.

"Thank you, Maggie," I say, reaching for the tumbler, but leaving the golden beacon of a keycard where it lies on the table.

I glance over at the now-empty dance area. It appears my girl has taken matters into her own hands—well, at least it better be her.

There's only one way to find out.

Sipping my drink, I buy myself some time before heading to the room. I want her squirming with anticipation by the time I arrive, questioning whether I will show up. Wondering if she made the right decision to have this card delivered to my table.

Of course, the answer is yes to both. If she didn't make the first move, I sure as hell was going to. But there is something so fucking sexy about a woman initiating such an intimate thing.

I throw back the last of my glass and signal for Maggie to drop off my check. Then, before I know it, I"m striding down the wide hallway shrouded with the same burgundy velvet curtains and frosted glass windows. Eli explained to me earlier that the room's occupants can adjust the privacy screen on their door, ranging from completely opaque to full-on voyeur, enabling clear. Judging by the small gatherings scattered around several of the rooms, their occupants are putting on quite the show.

As I approach Room 8, I take note that the glass is partially hazy. Interesting…my girl wants to put on a show but remain anonymous. I"m game, Legs, for any and all of it.

The door's keypad flashes green with a wave of my card, and I step inside.

"Took you long enough." Her sassy voice sounds from across the room. She's fucking gorgeous, standing there all flustered and sipping from her champagne flute.

I'm unable to stop my smirk as I take her in. "Well, hello to you too, Ava."