“And if you’d prefer to discuss any issues with a female member of staff,” Brute continued, “let me know and I’ll arrange it.”

She inclined her head and broke eye contact, unable to hold his lethal stare. “Thank you.”

He moved to the side, allowing her stomach to drop to the tips of her toes as she started forward into the darkness. A cement staircase came into view, the couple before her barely visible as they reached the bottom landing and turned left.

She focused on the path before her, trying not to let past experience taint this moment. T.J. would never align himself with sleaziness. She had to trust her memory of him. She had to trust the Vault of Sin. It was a mantra. A comforting acknowledgement she had to repeat over and over again to keep her feet progressing to the start of the stairs.

“Oh, boy.” Dizzying nerves, stiletto heels and a rapid descent. Not a great combination.

The sound of sex, chatter and clinking glassware entered her ears as she progressed at a snail’s pace, not allowing nausea to creep in.

“You’ll be fine,” a female voice spoke over her shoulder.

Cassie reached out a hand to grip the wall. She glanced behind her to the smile almost covered by the green feathers bordering the blonde’s mask, the color almost perfectly matching her eyes.

“Don’t panic.” The woman’s gaze lowered, her lips curving sweetly when she spied the red band adorning Cassie’s wrist. “The first time is always the worst. Just stay away from the bukkake ritual.”

Holy shit. Was she serious?

“I’m joking. I’m joking.” The woman chuckled and grabbed the crook of Cassie’s elbow. “I should know better than to tease.”

“It’s okay,” Cassie croaked. Sure it was. She just couldn’t get the image of a group of men poised over her kneeling body as they prepared to spray her face with their release. Shudder. “I’m a little nervous, that’s all.” And apprehensive. And nauseous. And scared.

“You came alone?”

They began to descend together, the woman’s gentle touch still resting on Cassie’s arm. “Yeah. Stupid, right?”

“Not at all. My first Vault experience was on my own.”

Cassie’s concern began to ebb under the woman’s comforting voice. There was no sexual inclination to her touch. Cassie’s intuition told her to trust this woman. To believe her friendship was genuine. Then again, her intuition had been nowhere in sight for the last twelve months, so what the hell did she know?

They reached the bottom step and the calming grip on her arm disappeared. The sound of sex and excited conversation had grown. Loud enough to ring in her ears. With trepidation, she turned on the tips of her sexy shoes and came face-to-face with her first glimpse of the Vault of Sin.

“Holy smokes.” Her words were a whispered breath.

She could only see the corner of what she assumed was a large room. And in that corner was a sex swing. An occupied sex swing. The woman was reclined on her back, her torso encased in black straps, her legs wrapped around a Greek god as he sank into her. Over and over again. Her dark hair hung in the air behind her, the glossy strands swaying with each thrust.

It was glorious. Stupefying in its perfection. They paid no attention to her fascination, or the other people within view who were also watching. It was as if they were alone. Immersed in their own bubble of pleasure.

“Are swings your thing?” The woman beside her asked.

Cassie shook her head, still unable to drag her focus away from the live porn before her. “I’ve never tried one.”

“Tonight might be your lucky night.”

Cassie coughed to smother a laugh. “No. Not tonight.”

There would be no sex for her, even though the tingle of arousal was already pulsing between her thighs. This was about getting to know T.J. again. Finding out where he was at. What he was thinking. Maybe she would reveal herself to him, maybe she wouldn’t. But sex wasn’t in the equation as far as she was concerned.

“You never know.” The woman chuckled. “I’m Zoe by the way.”

“Cas—” Shit! Cassie snapped her attention from the fornicating couple and pasted on a fake smile. “I’m Tanya.”

Zoe’s smile faltered, suspicion growing heavy in the narrowing of her framed eyes. “Come on, Tanya. I’ll escort you to the change rooms.”

Cassie wasn’t sure if her slip up had been a close call or the other woman had no curiosity to pry. Either way, she released a silent sigh of relief. Zoe strode from the darkened hall, her shoulders back, her head high with grace and dignity. Cassie tried to mimic the confidence, failing miserably with the awe assailing her as the full room came into view.

A crowd of people mingled along a long stretch of bar. They were all in different stages of undress. Some women were in corsets, others in bras and panties. A few were topless. The men on the other hand were in boxer briefs—Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani, Tommy John.

The area screamed with invigorating debauchery. There were chaises, a bed, maybe more than one. She couldn’t see much over the people constricting her view. Two doors were open to her left, with the shadows of people inside. And an archway was to the far end of the room.

It was different from what she’d experienced in the only other club she’d been to. The ambiance, although dripping with seduction, was classy. Everything was red and black—sheets, lamp shades, furniture.

The people surrounding her were young, fit and attractive. Complete contrasts to the old, overweight men who’d lined the walls of the previous club she’d run from. She turned in a circle, amazed and more than a little proud at the perfection of the atmosphere.

“It’s this way.” Zoe raised her voice and didn’t acknowledge the loud cry of, “Oh yes, oh yes, fuck me harder,” from the woman in the sex swing.

“I’m right behind you.” She was following, no matter how stunted her steps.

Curiosity had her enthralled, but there was something that began to concern her. She’d memorized every inch of the main room, taken a glimpse into the two private areas, and not once had she caught sight of her husband.

* * * * *

“Are you coming down to the party?”

T.J. squeezed his eyes shut and massaged his lids, ignoring the question for as long as he could. Shay wouldn’t leave him alone. She hovered. Everywhere. All the time. No matter where he went, she was in his tracks with a friendly smile and a comforting pat on his back. He loathed it. The old Shay, the one who’d talked smack and given him hell, was the woman he needed. Not this highly attuned, feminine ball of emotional support that kept him on edge.

“I’ll get down there when I’m ready.” The growl of his voice echoed through the empty Shot of Sin dance club. He liked the peace and quiet. And he deserved the loneliness.

“Did you think about what I said in the restaurant yesterday?”

He couldn’t forget. Shay’s idea of getting over his wife was to move on. Hop on the bike again, so to speak. Take a new woman for a test drive. Brute concurred, ever the heartless bastard.

The thought made him sick.

“Why don’t we talk about you for a change?” He dropped his hand from his face and straightened at the sight of her. She was adorned in a see-through black dress, her shiny red bra and panties visible beneath to match her glossy high heels. She wore a swatch of black lace over her eyes. Simple yet elegant. Beautiful.

“How are things with you and Leo?” He spoke to hide his discomfort. Seeing Shay like this wasn’t something he could get used to overnight. She’d been his friend for a long time. His employee even longer. Now he’d have to watch as she strutted her gorgeous body around the Vault on her nights off.

She rolled her pretty brown eyes. “You know, you could just tell me you don’t want to talk.”

Perfect. “I don’t want to talk about it, Shayna.” His glare was far harsher than his tone. He couldn’t help it. He was tired—his heart, his body and his mind. Enough was enough.