Page 101 of Lorenzo

I’m careful to pull it out slowly. When I do, the entire wall swings open on a hinge.

A blast of chill air hits us.

“Oh my God,” she says, pressing both hands together. “An old-fashioned secret passageway! I love it.”

“It’s a birthday treat for you. I’ve heard you love literature set in the Gilded Age. I found this hotel for that reason. It was owned by a famous industrialist back in the day.”

Then I lead Em into the cavern-like passageway.

My phone’s flashlight cuts a second beam ahead of us.

Cobwebs drape across the narrow corridor like forgotten curtains, reflecting the light.

The concierge said it would be pitch black in here.

But it’s not.

Flickering candles set in shallow alcoves cast ribbons of light across the darkness.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Em asks. The candlelight catches her uncertain yet excited expression.

“I’m spooked,” she admits, her laugh coming out unsteady. “Can we go back?”

“Not before we initiate this place properly.”

“Initiate?”

“Yes. The industrialist who built this mansion wanted a playground of sorts to bring his consorts.”

“Playground? Consorts? But this is the middle of nowhere?”

“Yes. That’s why he built it here. Quite the salacious story, but we have better things to do right now.”

I step toward her until she edges backward against the rough cavern wall. “You remember your ‘safe word’, don’t you?”

Emily’s eyes flash when she realizes from my tone this escapade is not a Nancy Drew moment.

And that what’s to happen will never make it to Masterpiece Theatre.

With new understanding, her lips part as she meets my eyes.

“Of course I remember the words,” she whispers. The way her tone drips with playful defiance makes my cock throb. “Will I need them?”

As if to give truth to her words, the tips of her erect nipples burst through the thin fabric of her T-shirt.

Then her fingers work at my belt, nimble and teasing.

But I’m not in the mood for games. Not tonight.

I seize her shoulders, pushing her down until her knees hit the cold stone.

Em’s lips part in anticipation. I feel her breath warm against the denim stretched taut over my cock.

“I command you to suck me as if your life depends on it.”

Em nods, black lashes fluttering against her cheeks as she obeys.

I watch with satisfaction as Em’s eager fingers peel down my zipper. Its metallic rasp fills the silence between us.