Page 57 of Riptide

“Name is Maddox. Stone Maddox. And the lovely Paris Cornell.” He brushed a kiss to the top of her wig.

“Ah, right here, sir. A guest of Chase Abbott is indeed a guest of ours.” A pudgy man in a bright yellow satin jumpsuit waved over a hostess, who wore a matching neon green tutu with starred pasties. “This is Cassie. She’ll take you to your table.”

“Thank you.” Seth gave a gentle squeeze to Kaimana’s hand as they weaved through a sea of glowing bodies.

The pounding beat of eighties rock music pumped throughout the club. Black light shone down onto patrons dressed in all shades of neon colors. Dancers wore glowing necklaces and waved luminescent tubes in the air.

“This is your pod. The curtain can be opened or closed at your pleasure.” Cassie tugged on the glass beaded fringe and slid it open, revealing a small velvet sofa along with a round silver table. “The button on the arms controls the screen allowing you as much or as little privacy as you prefer. This is one of the best booths in the club. You can really see almost everything from here. The dancefloor. The bar. There are several playrooms in the back. Jungle. BDSM. Group play. We have fully functional swing sets as well as a hot tub on the lower-level deck area. Condoms and fresh sheets at every play area. Bathrooms are fully stocked with toiletries. Please use the shower before going in the mineral pools. We have a full buffet in the back so people can incorporate food play at any time. Chocolate fountain is to die for. Please. Make yourselves comfortable.”

Seth gestured to Kaimana who shimmied into the booth and took a seat on the semicircular sofa. As he slid next to her, he smiled at the waitress. “Busy tonight?”

“We’re always busy.” She tapped at her tablet. “I see here that Mr. Abbott has requested we send over a bottle of our finest champagne. But of course you are welcome to order whatever you like.”

“Champagne is perfect.” Seth gave a smug nod, attempting to play his role.

“Dom Pérignon?”

“Lovely,” Seth responded.

The hostess stepped aside as a waiter appeared nearly out of nowhere and began to uncork a bottle. Within seconds, he’d popped the cork and begun pouring it into flutes.

“Would you care for charcuterie? I could bring a menu.”

“No food,” Seth responded without hesitation.

“Thank you,” Kaimana replied as the waiter handed her a flute.

“Is there anything special you’re looking for tonight?” The server inquired. “We have a special concierge that helps pair couples with specific services.”

“No, we prefer to scout ourselves,” Seth told him. “We are looking for a third.” Kaimana shot Seth a sexy smile. “A woman.”

“We do have singles. Keep an eye out in the bar area. If you require any other assistance, please ring us. Again the button is on the wall. Thank you, sir.”

“Thank you. We’ll just relax now.” Seth reached for the button and depressed it, closing the curtain.

“Do you really go to clubs like this?” Kaimana asked.

Seth laughed. “I’m open to all kinds of experiences.”

“Not judging.” She held up a hand. “It’s just pretty wild.”

“I enjoy pushing limits. My own. Yours.” His lips curled into a sexy smile.

“What happened at that party…I, well…I don’t know. That was…that was…” She stumbled over her words.

“Hot. Very hot.” Seth’s voice rumbled with low sensuality.

“It was hot,” she conceded. “But I’ve got to tell you. In the far chance that you and I,” her finger wagged, pointing at him and then her own chest, “you know, maybe date or something, this,” she nodded toward the dance floor, “I like to have fun but I’m not into sharing.”

“I’m not sharing either. I mean it’s not that I haven’t had my fun, but once I find the one,” his lips formed a sheepish grin, “no fucking way I’m sharing her.”

“Okay then.” Kaimana nodded.

“Club Altura gets a little wild now and then, and yeah, sure, people are more open. Things happen. But aside from dating a few people over the years, there’s no one I’ve been serious with. Definitely not Luna.”

“And before Club Altura?”

“I fell for my college sweetheart. My southern belle, Miss Lacey. She broke my heart and married a guy she met at the grocery store. And of course I did the work romance thing.” He shrugged with a laugh. “Classic, huh? Chelsey Mannon. Sadly she was not impressed with my big wave surfing. Yeah, that wasn’t working for her.” He shrugged. “It wasn’t a time for love anyway. I was into my work. Built my company. Clean Waves. The ocean has many answers to life’s problems. We focus on environmentally sound surfing products, as well as some other projects. You know…like for Emerson. Can’t say more about that. How ‘bout you? You get bit by the love bug?”