Chapter 2

Tess

I love driving past middle-aged men on the highway and watching their jaws drop as they see who’s driving the vintage mustang under my ass. It’s even better when I stop at a red light, and they try to flirt. I rev my engine and speed past them, letting the wind whip through my hair and a smile spread over my face as I do.

I put the top up so I can call my brother, Lucas. He’s probably getting off work right now as I head to The Castle for my hostess shift, plus I have several training clients booked for the night. I can’t do the nine to five life. I’d die of boredom within the first week. The nightlife is where I’m at, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lucas answers the phone on the second ring.

“Hey Tess! Headed to work?”

“Yep! How was your day at the salt mines?”

“Ha ha very funny. I work in an office, far from any sort of mine.”

“You sit in front of a computer in a cubicle all day. I have no idea how people like you survive that!”

“People like me? You mean Mom, Dad, Jordan, millions of other people in the population who live the corporate life pretty contentedly?”

“Contentedly? Really?”

“Well, I have a 401k and paid time off so yeah.”

“I get paid time off.”

“When?”

“Okay fine I never use it, but I have it. Excuse me for loving my job.”

“You’re a hostess at a sex club. I don’t know how you do it every day.”

“With whips, chains, and a lot of leather.”

“Fuck, Tess! I don’t want to hear that about my sister!”

I break out into laughter so hard it almost affects my steering. It’s so easy to make my family members cringe by telling them simple details about my daily life.

“You know what’s really funny, Lucas?”

“What?” I can hear the wariness in his tone.

“Most of the people coming into the club are corporate drones looking for a little excitement. People like the coworkers you sit next to every day.”

He mimics gagging and I start laughing again. A moment later, we’re both quiet. I speak first.

“No really, though, how was your day?”

“Same old, same old, which is something I enjoy. I like for my day to be predictable. It’s comforting.”

“Are you seeing that woman again?”

“Oh Kendra? Yeah, I’m taking her out tonight?”

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“Cal’s on the Water.”

“Faaaaancy. Someone’s lookin to score.”

“Shut up, Tess,” Lucas scolds.

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“It’s our fifth date.”

“And you still haven’t tapped that yet?” I tease with a laugh.

“Seriously? Do you really have to put it that way?”

“Fine. Have you invited the fair maiden back to your studio apartment where you might pour her a glass of spirits and kiss her tenderly by candlelight?”

“No,” he sounds like he’s talking through his teeth.

“Come on, bro, loosen up. Have some fun. The workday is over, and you have a long time before you need to tuck yourself in to get ready for your next predictable morning.”

“Fine, you’re right. I want to fuck her,” he finally admits.

“Was that so hard to say?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me more about her. If this is your fifth date, that means you’ve been going out, what, a month?”

“About that, yeah.”

“So you like her then. What do you like?” I’m still trying to get him to open up to me.

“I don’t know, she’s… really nice.”

“How passionate.”

“What about you? Any guys get you all hot at that sex club?” He counters to shift the conversation away from himself.

“Sometimes, but I’m not looking to date any of them.”

“What’s the point, then?”

“Of playing with men who wish to be dominated and helping people unwind and explore their tastes?”

“Well?”

“The point is to have fun. To show people that they don’t have to accept that everything is the same predictable routine and to do it in an environment that’s safe and discreet.”

“When you put it that way…”

“I better never see you at The Castle, Lucas. That’s too gross.”

My car sputters and shoots forward a bit when I hit the clutch and shift into third, stepping up my speed on the highway. I need to get to work on time today. My heart skips a beat when I hear the noise but then everything seems to run smoothly.

“What was that?” Lucas asks.

“It was nothing, a little hiccup but it’s all fine now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s fine, I swear.”

The car sputters again and I shift back to second, slowing down and moving over to the side of the road.

“Come on, Tess, I heard that.”

“It’s nothing.”

Another sputter makes my heart skip again and I have to pull over to see what’s up. The sputtering continues as I shift down to park and turn off the engine.

“Are you okay?” My Bluetooth switches over from the newly installed car stereo and speakers to my earpiece.

“No, fuck! I’m gonna be late. I can’t be late.”

This fucking sucks. I love this car, and I really need to get to work on time. I open my phone and send a text off to my boss that I’m having car trouble and then I drop a pin to show where I am. That way she’ll know how long it may take me to get there.

“Stay calm and just breathe. You’re going to get through this.”

“Fuck, Lucas, i don’t need your zen bullshit right now. I need to get to work. It’s the beginning of the weekend and I have a ton of bookings. I can’t miss this, it’s when I make the most money.”

“I’m sorry. I was trying to help.”

“No, stop, it’s not your fault.”

“Do you want me to send you a mechanic?”

“Not yet. Let me see what’s going on and I’ll make a decision. I really can’t afford a mechanic right now.”

“Okay, talk to you later.”

“Hey, Lucas?”

“Yeah?”

“Have fun on your daaaate.” I sing the last word.

“Fuck off, Tess. I hope you get stranded.”

“Mean!”

“Really, text me if you need a mechanic.”

“I will.”

I get out and squint against the sun making its way down to the horizon. It’s hot as balls out here and it’s fucking October. I pop the latch on the hood by the steering wheel and head over to the front of the car. When I open it, white smoke billows out. I cough and wave it away, stepping back away from the cloud.

The smoke keeps coming and I smell something burning. Shit! I should've paid more attention to the coolant levels! It’s a vintage car, I should know better. Ugh, my older brother Jordan is going to completely bust my chops when he hears about this. He’s always ragging on me about basic maintenance.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” I yell into the sky at no one.

I don’t see any other cars coming past and I’m at least twenty minutes away from civilization. I snap a photo and send it to Lucas.

Me: Jordan is going to have a field day with this.

Lucas: lol okay I’m calling a mechanic.

Me: It’s fine. I’ll figure it out.

Lucas: I’m calling.

Me: I can’t afford it.

Lucas: What are you going to do, walk to work?

Me: I’ll call my boss, and she’ll send someone.

Lucas: And what about your car.

Me: Idk!

Lucas: Don’t yell at me.

Me: Just go have dinner. I got this.

Lucas: Are you sure?

Me: Yes. I’m serious. Go. Have fun.

Lucas: Keep me posted

Me: I will

I run my hands through my hair, gripping the ends and pulling slightly. I’m already late and now I have no idea what to do with this. I’m really hoping this isn’t going to cause lasting damage. I love my mustang, and I don’t want to deal with buying a new car.

Then the worst happens. My service suddenly goes out. This happens around here sometimes and it’s just my luck. I’m in my work shoes, which are thigh high patent leather platform boots, a pixie skirt that barely covers my ass, and a floral lace shirt with one of my fancier corsets laced over it.

I don’t have a choice, though. I’m not sure if Lucas actually called a mechanic after I insisted he go have fun and I don’t know if my boss is going to send someone to get me. Even if they do, they’ll probably find me walking along this road. Might as well head back home where I have a landline and clothes that are better suited for the dropping temperature.

Tits up, Tess, I tell myself, let’s get moving.