Epilogue

EPILOGUE

LUNA

T he air in the locker room of Secrets was thick with anticipation, and the faint scent of lavender lingered as I nervously took a seat on the wooden bench. I could hardly believe that I was actually in a sex club. Of course I’d heard of them, but never in a million years could I have imagined of visiting one.

My heart raced with equal parts excitement and fear while my fingers fumbled to unbutton my blouse.

"Hey there," a cheerful voice called out to me. “Are you okay?” I glanced up to find a beautiful woman with wavy chestnut hair and piercing green eyes smiling at me. "I'm Jess. I haven't seen you here before. Have you been a member long?"

“I’m Luna. Is it that noticeable?” My cheeks flushed, and I shook my head. "No, actually. I'm just here for my babymoon." I gestured toward my very pregnant belly, feeling a gentle nudge from within. “I’m scared as hell.”

"Your babymoon?" Jess asked, her eyes widening with curiosity. “I don’t know much about babies, but I was just like you when I first came. Don’t worry, it’s going to be an amazing night. Babymoon, huh?”

"Uh-huh," I nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious about admitting it. "It's when you do something special to celebrate your pregnancy. This is wildly outside of my everyday life. Obviously, I've never done anything like this before, so I thought, why not?"

"Wow, that's really cool!" Jess exclaimed, her face lighting up. "I love that you just jumped in with both feet. And, I'm pretty new here myself. I guess we're both exploring our desires, huh?"

I smiled at her sincerity, struck by her warm and compassionate nature. I don’t know what I had expected the clientele to be like, but I liked the beautiful woman who had seen my discomfort and reached out in kindness. We exchanged smiles, and in that moment, an instant friendship sparked between us.

"Isn't it funny how life works sometimes?" I mused out loud, my mind wandering back to all the twists and turns that had led me to this point.

"Tell me about it," Jess agreed, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Me neither," I replied, feeling a surge of gratitude wash over me. There was power in vulnerability, and the trust we'd already established made me feel like I truly belonged.

“It will be just a minute while your partner finishes up his training,” one of the staff alerted me as we walked back onto the floor. Suddenly I felt afraid and didn’t want to be alone.

Jess seemed the notice my alarm. “Just a second. Let me just send a quick message that I’m waiting with you until your partner arrives.”

The hushed hum of conversation filled the air as Jess and I settled into a plush, velvet booth tucked away in a dimly lit corner of the club. Soft candlelight flickered across our faces, casting shadows that seemed to dance in tune with the sultry music playing in the background.

"Wow," Jess said, taking in our surroundings. "I never thought I'd find myself in a place like this. But it’s been a real blessing, as nutty as that sounds. I have really been exploring age regression. It’s helped me to connect to my inner child.”

"That’s incredible," I admitted, feeling both intrigued and slightly out of my comfort zone. "I would love to hear more about it.”

Jess went into the different parts of the club and described the Nursery, where many of the age-play couples hung out. It was so natural to her that she put me at ease. A few moments later, she asked, “So… What exactly is a babymoon?"

"A babymoon is like a little getaway before the baby arrives," I explained, my hand instinctively resting on my swollen belly. "It's a chance to relax, enjoy some alone time with your partner, and make memories before becoming parents."

Jess smiled warmly. "That sounds lovely. Your partner must be thrilled about the new addition to your family."

"Partners, actually," I corrected gently, hesitating for a moment before offering up a timid smile. "I have three – Rafe, Marcel, and Jude Eliasson."

"Three?" Jess's eyes widened in surprise, but there was no judgment in her voice, only curiosity. "How does that work?"

"Complicated at times," I admitted, "but it works for us. We're all committed to one another, and they've been extremely supportive throughout my pregnancy."

"Good for you," she replied, her voice tinged with admiration. "It's not easy to go against the grain, especially when it comes to relationships. I'm dating two brothers, Logan and Colby Turner, and people around town haven't been shy about sharing their opinions."

As tears threatened to spill from Jess's eyes, I reached across the table to give her hand a comforting squeeze. "I'm so sorry you've been going through that. It's hard enough navigating non-traditional relationships without the added pressure of judgment from others."

"Thank you," she whispered, visibly touched by my empathy.

"Can I be honest with you?" I asked, feeling an urge to share more of my story with her. Jess nodded, and I continued, "I didn't have the easiest upbringing. I was bounced around from one foster home to another until I was eleven. That's when I was sent to Finder's Keep, Tennessee, to live with my great aunt Ruby."

Jess listened intently as I recounted the challenges I faced growing up and how the love and support of my partners had helped me heal from past traumas. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for both of us. Our hearts lay bare as we found solace in shared experiences.

As our conversation drew to a close, I pulled her into a hug. “You’ve been my favorite part of this babymoon so far, Jess. Let’s exchange numbers and keep in touch.”

"I would love that! Thank you for sharing your story with me, Luna," Jess said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It means more than you know."

"Likewise," I replied, feeling a deep sense of connection to this newfound friend. In an unexpected place, at an unexpected time, we'd discovered the power of trust and belonging – and the strength it gave us to face whatever challenges life had in store.

Thank you for reading Tangled in Taboo. I hope you enjoyed Luna’s story. To read more about Jess and her men, check out Tangled up in her Tennessee Daddies coming December 2024.