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“How do you know that?”
“Because most people are like me. This is a side of themselves that some people on the outside wouldn’t appreciate, and we all understand that.”
“That makes sense.”
“So…as I said, exhibitionism is not a hard limit for me, but are you sure it’s something you want to try on your second time here?”
He makes a good point. No, I don’t want to have sex in front of other people here. At least not yet.
“Can we go to the room again? The room where people are playing without…toys?”
“Of course.”
“I’m not saying I want to do anything, but I’d like to see what they’re doing.”
“Absolutely.”
We walk through the club, and I glance here and there at the people out in the open. One couple is dancing completely naked, gazing into each other’s eyes. Another couple wears club clothing—the blond woman dressed in a tight blue miniskirt and a tube top, and the dark-haired man in jeans and a white button-down. Then, of course, many are dressed in leather attire. We pass through the dance floor and into the hallway where the exhibition and private rooms are.
“Here you go.” Phantom opens the door to the room I chose, waving to the security guard as we walk in.
Scenes take place before my eyes in all parts of the room. There are beds, armchairs, and tables, most of them occupied. One young man is masturbating as he watches.
Instinctively, I look away.
“He wants you to watch him,” Phantom says.
“But it’s very private.”
“This is an exhibition room.”
“Oh my God, so he’s an exhibitionist? I thought he was here to watch. A voyeur.”
“He’s clearly both. If he were simply a voyeur, he wouldn’t be masturbating here, where anyone can see him.”
I move my gaze toward the couple the man is watching.
The man’s back is to me as he thrusts his dick into a woman who’s bent over an armchair.
My gaze falls on the strawberry birthmark near his waistline. My God, it’s just like—
I gasp.
“Francesca?” Phantom says. “You can’t do that in here. It’s considered—”
“You don’t understand. That’s—” I walk toward the back of the man.
Yes, I was right.
It’s—
Phantom tugs on my arm, leads me out of the room, and back into the hallway.
“I’m sorry, but this was a mistake. You cannot act like that in here.”
I gulp, trying to swallow down the nausea. “You don’t understand.”
“Believe me, I do. Sometimes I see things here that make me want to gasp. But you must not be judgmental.”
“Judgmental? About what was going on in there? It was just sex.” I swallow down the puke that’s ready to erupt out of my throat. “But I recognize that guy. It’s Pendleton Berry, my ex-fiancé.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Phantom
Francesca’s eyes glisten.
Pendleton Berry.
I know the name. Everyone knows the Berrys. They’re old Manhattan money. Penn Berry is a newer member, but if he and Francesca only broke up a month or two ago…
He’s been coming here for over a year.
I don’t need to tell her that.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Just get me out of here, please.”
We whisk out of the club then, and after I blindfold her, I lead her back up to the bar, where I remove the silk from her eyes.
They’re still glistening, as if tears are going to emerge at any moment.
My heart sinks. I can’t bear to see her hurt, and I really can’t bear to see her hurt over another guy.
“I can’t believe it,” she says, sniffling. “He told me he was seeing someone, but I never imagined that…”
“That he was into the same things I’m into?” I can’t help the anger that laces my tone.
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Do you still have feelings for this man?”
“No.” She shakes her head adamantly. “That doesn’t mean I want to see him fucking someone else in a sex club.”
“Did you not consider the fact that you might see someone you know there?”
“Of course I considered it. I just didn’t think it would be him.”
“I once saw someone I knew,” I say. “In fact, that’s what led me to begin masking myself.”
“Who did you see?”
“Just someone from my work. Luckily, she didn’t see me.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
I stroke her cheek gently. “You know, I will tell you, Francesca.”
“I’m listening.”
“I can’t. Not yet. But the fact that I want to is strange indeed.”
“Why is it strange?”
“Because,” I tell her, “it’s the first time I’ve ever wanted to.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Frankie
My jaw drops.
“That surprises you.”
“Yes, it does.” I grab a tissue out of the box Alfred pushes toward me. “I’m also just… I never imagined Penn…”
“Perhaps you and I should wait,” Phantom says. “Postpone tomorrow evening’s date until you’re sure that your feelings for Penn are in the past.”
“Phantom, they are in the past.” I dab the tissue at my eyes. “They’ve been in the past for a long time. Even while I was planning the wedding. I just can’t believe what I saw. And if he was coming here while— I mean, who knows who he was fucking?” I squirm on the stool.
