AllFreeNovel
Share Us
James
3 Months Later…
James walkedthrough the social lounge of Black Light toward the bar. Upbeat, sensual music pumped through the speakers, setting the tone for the club. The Roulette game was one of the most anticipated events of the year. After being a voyeur at last year’s event, he understood why.
The scenes had been intensely erotic. On top of that, spinning the roulette wheel took away the typical awkwardness of trying to find someone to play with for the night and then approaching them to ask. After the revolving door of submissives the last year had turned out to be, James was looking forward to letting the drop of a ball pick his last player.
“There you are. Was thinking you might chicken out.” Ted stepped up to the bar at the same time as James.
James rolled his eyes. “Right. Because I’m the one who bails on these types of things.”
Ted had been chosen to roll his chances with the wheel at last year’s event, but when it was game night, he’d choked, leaving them one Dom short. They replaced him in the lineup, but he’d already earned himself a reputation that shadowed him even a year later.
Ted scratched behind his ear. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
“With me? No.” James laughed. “But I’m sure no one around here even cares.”
“Well, I didn’t get chosen this year, you lucky bastard, so maybe they do.” He waved down the bartender.
“What can I get you guys?” A woman sporting a pixie cut and a seductive smile leaned toward them.
“A water for me.” As a participant of the games, James could have up to two drinks, but his personal rule was no drinking when playing—especially with someone he didn’t know.
“You got any of that awesome Wicked Ways Brown Ale?” Ted asked, waggling his eyebrows. James nudged him with his elbow. The brewery was doing damn good, having snagged a contract to be carried in a dozen stores throughout the county with a big chain sniffing around as well. But Ted, his longtime friend and marketing guru, was always looking for ways to spread the word.
“No. Sorry.” She frowned. “I’ve asked my boss to look into it, though. I get at least three requests a night for it.”
“Is that so?” Ted’s mouth curled into a grin as he shoved his elbow into James’ side.
“He’ll have any brown ale you have on tap.” James sighed, giving his friend a cutting stare. When it came to promoting the brewery, Ted was never ‘off,’ and James was determined not to talk shop tonight.
“I can do that.” She winked and slid down the bar.
“How can you not see an opportunity when it’s right in front of you?” Ted admonished.
“I’m not here to work. Feel free to reach out to Chase and Jaxson some other time. Tonight, I’m here to have some fun and enjoy my last trip.”
Ted shook his head. “You can’t mean that. Seriously, you’re crazy. Why would you give up your membership?”
“You’re dropping your membership?” The bartender returned with their drinks. Her manicured eyebrows shot up beneath the sharp trim of her bangs.
James sighed. This conversation was getting old.
“It’s not the club.” James dropped a few dollars on the bar. “The club is great. But…” He pursed his lips, glancing between the bartender, who stared back with a look of concern, and Ted, who was practically rolling his eyes.
“He’s just being stubborn,” Ted said, shooting her a knowing smile.
“Well, if there’s anything you need, I’m sure the owners would be happy to talk with you about it.”
James would not be having that conversation. Not even the powers of Jaxson and Chase, or their gorgeous wife and sub, Emma, could fix what was broken with him. His reputation had cemented itself. Without even trying, he’d become the Dom subs wanted to play with, but not stay with.
“It’s not the club. I promise.” James lifted his cup from the bar.
She gave him a weak smile, then hurried off to the next customer. Valentine Roulette had the club packed, and she’d be busy all night.
As James stepped away from the bar, water in hand, Ted pulled him to a stop. “Seriously, man, you can’t let Judy fuck with your head like this.”
James sighed.
