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And only as she leans in to kiss me does it occur to me: maybe there’s no putting this fire out.
Maybe it will burn forever.
* * *
Later, when my body is exhausted but my desire is still hot, I decide we need a change of scenery. “Back to the Ruby,” I tell her, where she’s dozing on my shoulder. “I do need to check in,” I add. “Being the owner, and all.”
“Mm,” she grunts, but she gets up with a sigh.
We shower, and I want to watch her come again, but she winces when I put my fingers on her, too over-sensitive even for one last bout of pleasure.
“Next time we’ll stay in bed,” I sigh. “I won’t give you the chance to wind down before you’re coming again.”
She laughs.
And she doesn’t say no.
Back at the Ruby, I feel like everything has changed. I stroll through with her on my arm, enjoying the glances that follow, the murmurs and speculation, the soft humming of conversations filling the lounge. I catch glimpses of familiar faces—politicians, celebrities, ladies who lunch sipping martinis and laughing together.
I’ve never felt such satisfaction in myself as I do tonight.
“Well, my darling, it seems I’ve managed to thoroughly corrupt you so far,” I tease Natalie, giving her a playful nudge. “But I have a few more surprises in store.”
A rosy blush colors Natalie’s cheeks but she grins. “Oh, yes?”
As close as Natalie and I have become, there are still mysteries I long to reveal, layers of myself yet undiscovered by her—and layers of the Ruby, too.
“Come on. I’ll show you.” I take her hand and lead her to the library, the dark oak shelves and Persian rugs radiating old world refinement. I bring her to the back corner, where a row of books guards an unassuming keypad. After scanning my fingerprint, a subtle click grants us access.
Natalie’s brows knit together. “A fingerprint scanner? You sure take your literature seriously.”
“Can’t have just anyone stumbling upon my favorite section now, can I?” With theatrical flair, I push on the bookshelf so that it sweeps inward, revealing a narrow staircase illuminated by strands of Edison bulbs. Natalie hesitates.
Pulls back.
I reach out to her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think…I don’t think I should go down there.”
“But it’s fine, darling. Trust me.”
She shifts her weight. “I’m...not great with enclosed spaces.”
It sounds like an excuse, but perhaps she’s simply telling the truth. I take her hand. “Don’t worry, it opens up down below. I promise.” As we descend, I explain, “Back during Prohibition, this was a speakeasy. Had to keep the good stuff hidden from prying eyes.” I run my fingers along the cool, rough-hewn walls. “Now we utilize it for modern forms of forbidden pleasure.”
I pause before the final door, turning to meet Natalie’s gaze, her eyes widening when I open it with a flourish.
“Welcome, darling, to the Ruby Realm’s best-kept secret: the most exclusive games we have to offer.”
The dimness of the passage gives way to the hypnotic lights and sounds of slot machines, the raucous energy of craps and roulette, the blur of cards being shuffled and chips clinking. Natalie takes it all in, mouth agape.
“This is…”
“One damn good time,” I chuckle. “I told you it opens up. What do you think?”
But to my surprise, when Natalie looks at me, all I see in her face is despair.
CHAPTER21
