Page 11 of Goner


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Warning sirens blared, finally breaking through the rush of adrenaline. With a deep breath, I pulled my shoulders back. This man would not control me—he wouldnotwin.

Trying to pull off an aloofness I was beyond feeling, I shrugged, avoiding Daniel’s all-too-knowing look. “I’m good. Just some guy probably checking out if he wanted me to perform for him tonight.”

“That so?” he asked with a subtle smile. “You know, you could always be a member tonight and not an employee.”

“No, thanks.”

Daniel owned Voyeur, the high-end club you came to create and watch your most detailed sexual fantasies come to life.

“We both know you don’t need the money,” he said.

“Yeah, with your fancy pants business job,” Charlotte chimed in.

“And we both know you could use a steady guy in your life.”

I scrunched my nose. “Ew. No, thank you.”

He laughed, letting it go.

Daniel was my boss but had become my friend more than anything else. Which was why he kept trying to push me to find someone, claiming I was too young to give up on a relationship. Ever since he got married, he went from the forever bachelor who rolled his eyes to the matchmaker of the club.

“You know I don’t have time to date.”

“You might have more time if you didn’t work here,” he countered.

“Yeah, but then I’d have to take the time to get to know them and see if we’re compatible. And don’t even get me started on trying to find out if he knows what foreplay is. No, thank you.”

“Ugh, remember that one guy you saw?” Charlotte said. “So hot with that deceiving smirk that made more promises than he could keep.”

I shuddered. “Clammy hands man.”

“Such a disappointment.” Charlotte shook her head as if mourning the greatest loss of all time.

Daniel grimaced but looked ready to put up another fight.

He knew why I enjoyed working at Voyeur part-time even though I had a corporate job as a sales manager at a biotechnological company. He knew how much I craved the outlet of sex—of stepping outside my box in the kinkiest way—to save me from the stress of work.

“You know I’m happy where I’m at. While you may be in blissful heaven, I’m good being single. No letdown, no heartache, no waste of time.”

As soon as I signed the NDA for Voyeur, I made the decision to not bother with anyone I found attractive, promising to shut them out with the same control I used to get as far in life as I had.

It’d worked—untilhim.

“Also, performers and members aren’t allowed to be intimate,” I reminded Daniel as if he hadn’t created the rule himself. Really, I needed to remind myself to combat the instant connection that had me questioning my control.

“Which is why you could be off tonight,” he suggested.

“Yeah, right. There’s no way I’m missing your version of a charity gala,” I scoffed, gesturing behind me. “Where else am I going to see a woman wrapped in five golden rings or that guy with a strategically placed drum? It’s like Halloween in December.”

He nodded, taking it all in. “It did turn out pretty good, didn’t it?”

“Yup. And according to Jackson, the donations are still rolling in for Haven.”

Daniel’s wife, Hanna, ran a rehabilitation center for people rescued from sex trafficking, and Daniel did everything he could to support the woman he loved.

“Still—”

I held up my hand. “Besides, I have a special job tonight.”

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