“I think your walls are plaster like ours, so ask the guy about anchors. Lath isn’t good at holding things up. Hit the hardware store on Emerson. They have great guys in there to help you and should have everything you need.”

“Sounds good. I’ll probably duck out of here in an hour.”

“Caroline is going to a neighborhood book club thing tonight, so I’ll be over around seven,” Jace said.

“Thanks, I appreciate the help.”

Michael hung up. Then he buzzed his administrative assistant. “Brandi, I’m taking off in about an hour.”

No answer.

That meant she wasn’t at her desk. She must still be up in the library.

After about a half hour, Michael was restless, so he gathered his things and headed out into the main part of the office, where most of the administrative assistants sat. Brandi still wasn’t at her desk. So he decided to go up and let her know he was taking off. Otherwise, she’d wonder why he’d gone home so early.

He pushed the elevator button, and when the doors opened, Beth was standing inside. She smiled widely at him. “Hi there.”

“Hello,” he said as he got on.

Beth was wearing a low-cut top that accentuated her chest. Now that he knew she was into the lifestyle, it was a wonder he hadn’t noticed her before. It must be her hairstyle. She wore it up in a conservative bun most of the time.

“Going up to the library?” she asked as the doors closed.

“Yep, I decided to head out early. I’m going to find Brandi and let her know.”

Beth nodded. As Michael glanced at her, he noticed she wasn’t wearing any makeup. He was curious why she kept such a low profile.

She cleared her throat as he stared at her. “Um, we’re having a party in a few weeks at the…place I told you about. If you’re interested, I can give you more details.”

“What kind of party?” he asked.

“It’s kind of an annual introduction thing where members invite in new people. It would be a great time for you and your wife to visit.”

“Visit, huh?” The doors pinged open. When he exited he wasn’t too surprised when Beth followed.

The doors shut behind them. There was no one else there.

“You can definitely just visit,” she said coyly. “But I promise you won’t want to.”

“It’s that hot, huh?” he asked quietly.

“Yes.”

“I’ll call you next week. I’m not sure if Piper will be into it or not, but I’ll let you know either way.” Michael didn’t want to freak out his wife by surprising her with an orgy, but seeing one in real life was up there on his list of things he wanted to experience.

“Call the number on the card, after business hours so I can chat,” Beth said. Then she surprised him by sliding one hand up to cup her breast.

Michael’s eyebrows hit his hairline as he glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby. They were alone in the vestibule, right in front of the door to the library. Beth’s fingers circled her erect nipple, poking through the fabric, before she brought her hand to her mouth and licked a single finger.

Michael had to clear his throat to get his next words out. “I’m sorry, Beth. If you’re hoping for some action with me, it’s not going to happen.” The only images racing through his mind right now were of Piper in the movie theater rocking on his cock. He’d give anything to be back there right now, experiencing it all over again.

“Oh, no. That’s not what I want,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “I want your wife.”

11

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“Holy sex crimes, Batman!” Caroline semishrieked on the other end of the phone when Piper got done unloading her story. “Thank goodness you did your stuff before this all blew up. You could’ve gone in there and been seen by a guard, or worse!”

Piper was sitting at a bar downtown, waiting for Gillian to show, but she hadn’t wanted to wait to tell Caroline about the masked intruder, so she’d ordered a drink and called her bestie. “If I’d seen a guard, I wouldn’t have gone through with it. That would’ve definitely put a damper on the evening. But can you believe what Larry said? An escort service? I’m dying!”

“I so wish I was meeting you guys for drinks instead of going to this neighborhood book club. How did I get roped into this again? I’m not a book-clubber at heart. I’m really not.”

“You’re too nice, that’s why,” Piper told her. “I warned you to stay away from Helen. She’ll drag you into anything. I did my time years ago. No more. Oh, I have to go, Gillian just walked in.”

“Have fun. Can’t wait to hear the details!” Caroline said.

“I’ll see you later.” Piper clicked off. “Hi there.” She got up to greet her friend. “It’s been a long time.”

They embraced for a quick hug. Gillian was taller than Piper by a good two inches.

“It’s been much too long, my friend,” Gillian said as she sat down, flicking her jet-black hair out of her eyes. Her hairstyle was a little longer than Piper had seen it before, but still short in back, longer on top. Gillian looked like a high-fashion model. She was tall and thin and had striking features, emphasized with black eyeliner and bold eye shadow. Gillian was a tattoo artist, and she fit the bill. Piper noticed she had new ink on her arm. Her tattoos were stylish, but never overdone. And they fit her personality to a T. “So how the fuck have you been?”

Piper laughed. Oh, yes, she’d missed Gillian.

Gillian plucked up a menu. They were at O’Gara’s, an Irish pub within walking distance of Piper’s office. “I’ve been great,” Piper said. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. You and Michael disappeared from the scene, so I had to come and find out what’s up. We’ve missed you guys. We don’t click with many folks.”

“Yeah, we did kind of drop out,” Piper said. “It wasn’t exactly a conscious decision. We sort of stopped setting up dates, so it stopped happening. But, honestly, it was time. We needed to figure out how to be happy on our own, and so far so good.”

Gillian nodded. “That happens to the best of us.” The waitress came up, and Gillian said, “I’ll have a Guinness.”

Once the waitress left, Piper asked, “So where’s Brad tonight?” Piper had texted Gillian to ask about all four of them meeting up, but Gillian had said Brad had prior plans.

She leaned over the table, grinning. “He’s at your house.”

“What?” That was the last thing Piper had expected to come out of her mouth. Michael hadn’t said a word about it! When she’d called him just before she’d left for the bar, he’d told her he’d made plans with “a couple of guys.” She figured they were from work. “My house? What in the world?”

“Yep.” Gillian snickered. “Seems your hubby needed help with a project of some sort. And if anything, my man is handy with a screw gun and a wrench. Actually, there’s not a tool he can’t wield.” She arched her brow. Piper could see the mark where she used to have a piercing above her left eye. “But he’s even more talented with a whip and crop, if I do say so myself.”

“Michael told me nothing, except that he’d found something to do,” Piper said. “Well, then, we can go back to my place together and meet up with the guys.”

“I can’t. I have other plans after this tonight.”

“Where are you going?” Piper asked.

“I’m actually checking out a new venue for the parties I’m starting to host.”

“What kind of parties?”

“The sex kind, of course.” Gillian laughed. It sounded like bells tinkling. Sweet on the outside, tough as nails on the inside. “But these get-togethers are a little more hard-core than you like, or I’d totally invite you.” The waitress set down Gillian’s beer. “Thanks.”

“Don’t count me out just yet.” Piper picked up her martini. “Michael and I are doing some rediscovering. We’ve made a sexy top-ten list.” She took a sip of her drink and set her glass down. “I actually put orgies on the list, if you can believe it. But I’ll likely chicken out.” She raised her eyebrows. “But if I don’t, I’m going to need some guidance. I have no idea how one finds orgies around here. You and Emma are my only connections.”