Library

3. Lily

CHAPTER 3

LILY

Ohmygosh.

It’s him. The man I totally made a fool of myself in front of earlier. He’s the owner here? That’s just my luck. So much for getting this job. What am I going to do?

I can’t breathe. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m nervous or he’s so hot, but either way, I’m going to pass out soon if I don’t get it together. Gosh, how is he so good-looking?

His gaze roams over me, and I shrink back slightly. I’ve never felt more lacking in my life. He clenches his jaw, and my heart sinks. He doesn’t like what he sees. Not that I blame him. I’m not much to look at.

“Why don’t I show you around the club and we can talk about the position as we go.”

Oh! Well, that’s probably a good sign. I think.

“Sure, okay. Here’s my application.”

Drake takes the sheet of paper from me but doesn’t look at it. Weird. Maybe he’ll go over it later.

When he stands, I follow his lead and do the same. He’s tall. Really tall. My doctor said I’m shorter than average height, and I’m pretty sure he must be taller than average. I’d probably have to jump just to give him a high-five. He’s also broad. He’s wearing a dark gray button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his corded forearms. I don’t know much about working out, but I’d say he lifts some heavy weights.

“I’m assuming you researched the club and know a little about us?” he asks, holding a door open for me.

Shoot. Why didn’t I think to research the place?

Probably because you don’t know how to use the internet, stupid.

I step over the threshold and pause to take everything in. The space is enormous. A long, gleaming bar runs the entire length of one side, lined with high-backed, purple velvet stools with gold bases. In front of the bar, there are clusters of high-top tables along with a dance floor. In each corner of the club, elevated birdcage-looking things are suspended from the high ceiling. They are big enough to fit several people inside. Not sure what those are all about, but they’re interesting. Then, on the other side of the dance floor, there’s a raised stage with a purple neon sign that says Edge. It’s so beautiful. Luxurious.

“This is the main part of the club. We have three membership tiers, and the first tier is limited to this first floor. There’s an upscale restaurant area back to the left where people can sit and have a five-star meal. We have locker rooms off to the right with showers.”

Why would they need locker rooms and showers at a club? I guess people get sweaty from partying all night.

Drake stands beside me, his clean scent wafting around us, and I have to restrain myself from leaning over to sniff him. Whatever cologne he wears, it’s intoxicating.

“We’re open Wednesday through Saturday from eight to two. We have the bar down here and a smaller one on the second floor. We have at least six bartenders working and a dozen cocktail servers on this floor alone.”

I’m not sure if I’m supposed to say anything, so I nod and smile, waiting for him to keep talking.

“Members can be topless down here, but they have to have bottoms on. We don’t allow sex activities on this floor. Members who want to participate in sexual acts must have the second membership tier so they can go upstairs to the play area.”

My eyes bulge, and my head snaps back to look up at him, my mouth hanging open. Did he just say what I think he said? Drake notices my shock and furrows his eyebrows.

“Lily, did you research Edge before you came here?”

Shoot .

I’m definitely not getting the job. Surely, it’s frowned upon to come to an interview unprepared. And I’m definitely unprepared.

“Um, no. I didn’t,” I say quietly.

Crap. I really need this job. The pay alone is huge for me but medical benefits and tips are the cherry on top.

Giving him a wide smile, I straighten my shoulders. “But I can handle any job as a cocktail waitress, no matter what kind of club this is.”

He studies me for a long moment, and the silence between us is painful. I shuffle my feet slightly, trying to release some of my awkward energy.

“Lily, Edge is a BDSM club. People openly have sex on the second and third floors. You would be around it on a regular basis.”

A shiver runs down my spine. BDSM? I’m not sure what that is exactly, but I’m certainly not going to ask Drake. He already looks like he’s ready to walk me back to the reception area and push me out the door.

People openly having sex in front of strangers? Is that normal? I’m not sure.

The only experience I have with sex is with one man, and that wasn’t by choice. It was in the dark, in one position, and each time, it lasted for less than thirty seconds. I always went to the bathroom and cried afterward. Thankfully, he didn’t want it very often.

Since I moved to Seattle, Hannah has shared some things with me about her intimate life, and now I know that sex is meant to be pleasurable, but I still have a hard time grasping that. It’s always been painful for me.

I really need Hannah to show me how to use the internet because I have a feeling I won’t be able to find much information about BDSM in the local library.

Keeping my smile big and wide, I bob my head up and down. “That’s no problem.”

I’m not sure if it’s actually no problem , but I’m going to say whatever is needed to get this job.

Drake eyes me suspiciously before he strides forward. I practically have to jog to keep up with him. Sheesh, he has long legs.

“It’s extremely important to be discreet here. You’ll be required to sign an NDA upon hire. We have members who pay five thousand dollars a month to belong to this club because they like to keep this part of their lives private.”

I trip when he says that, but thankfully, I catch myself before I fall. Did he say five thousand dollars? That’s more than I made in my entire time working at Al’s Diner. Who can afford that?

“Lily, I don’t mean to sound rude, but this is the third time you’ve nearly fallen over since we met. How am I supposed to trust that you can serve drinks without spilling them on someone?”

My shoulders slump, and my tummy clenches. He’s not wrong. But I’m not normally this clumsy. There’s something about Drake that throws me off guard.

“This isn’t usual for me. I swear. I’m nervous. You can test me. Give me a tray full of drinks. I won’t spill a drop.” My words come out rushed and jumbled as panic vibrates in my chest.

Crap. This isn’t good. He thinks I’m a clumsy mess.

“Please. I need this job.”

I sound pathetic and desperate, and I guess I am. At the moment, I have no pride. I need the medical insurance.

Drake takes a step toward me, his broad shoulders blocking everything else in the room out. He studies me for several beats, his dark eyes pinning me in place.

“You’re going to need to wear something a bit sexier if you want to make any tips. We don’t have a strict dress code for staff here, but you won’t make any money dressed like that. The cocktail servers usually wear dresses or skirts.”

Glancing down at my clothes, I wince. Right. Sexier. Except I have nothing that would be considered remotely sexy. Hannah can help me. She dresses cute, and her husband calls her sexy all the time.

“Um, I, sure. I can do that.” I offer a soft smile, hoping it reassures him. I don’t think it does, though, because he frowns.

“What’s your story, Lily?”

I lower my gaze and swallow. Is he allowed to ask that? If I share everything with him, will he tell me to get lost?

“Lily.” His voice is deep and commanding. When he reaches out and hooks his finger under my chin, I startle from the touch. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset or frighten you,” he says, pulling his hand away.

Shaking my head, I let out a deep breath. “You didn’t frighten me. I’m just, I’m not used to being touched. Sorry.”

The air crackles around us. Maybe I should go.

“You’re not used to being touched?” His question stings; and the way he asks it—full of confusion and pity—hurts.

“I left my husband almost six months ago. I have been kept extremely sheltered throughout my life. More than you could probably imagine, so I don’t know how to do basic things like use the internet, which is why I didn’t research this place. I mean, I know what the internet is, but I don’t know how to use it. I can barely use my phone without needing help from my best friend.

“But I can do this job. Serving is the one thing I can do right because it was all that was expected of me in my old life. I’m a hard worker, and I mean it when I say I’ll work any shift. Also, I take medication that is really expensive out-of-pocket, and having health insurance would help immensely.”

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.