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“No,” I smiled. “My brother does. But I live here too.” I quickly changed the subject. Discussing my family’s business with outsiders wasn’t an option. “So, how long have you been a stripper?”
“Exotic dancer,” he corrected with a smirk. I wasn’t sure what the difference was but he didn’t seem offended. “About three years. Since I came to Italy. It pays well and I get to meet lots of beautiful women, so what is not to love.” I nodded and sipped my wine. “But, I will be giving this up soon.”
“What? Why? You are so good at it!” My drunkenness made the thought of no other women getting to experience this man’s sexy skills a tragedy. He laughed at my reaction, his green eyes twinkling with a naughty glint.
“I am moving onto bigger and better things. Same industry, just more high-end, you might say,” he smiled. I shuffled forward in my chair, instantly intrigued.
“Oh? Like what?”
“Have you heard of La Casetta in Venice?” The Playhouse. I shook my head. “It is a new sex club. Just opened this week. I am going to be working there from now on. Once I sign my contract with them, I will be exclusively theirs so no more birthday dances,” he winked. “Unless you come to the club to see me of course.”
My eyes widened. A sex club? My curiosity got the better of me.
“What kind of sex club? Will you just be dancing or…”
He leaned back in his chair lazily, one large hand still wrapped around the stem of his glass.
“Yes. Serving drinks. Dancing. Pleasuring. Anything the clients desire.”
I gulped as my body came alive at his words. He was going to have sex with people as a job? I had no judgement, only intrigue. He seemed to be able to read my thoughts as he laughed again. Damn, mamma was right. I can never hide how I am feeling, my face is too expressive!
“I don’t have to do anything that makes me feel uncomfortable. It is a very exclusive, members only club. Most people protect their identities by wearing masks. All the staff and the members wear bands with their level of sexual preferences. There is something for everyone. Some just want to come and watch. Others might want to play. Some come as couples just to enjoy themselves in a different environment and some want more. That’s where I would come in.”
I gaped at him. That sounded… fascinating. My sexual experiences were pretty limited to vanilla sex with my boyfriends at university. Not because I wanted them to be, but because I had never had the chance to broaden them.
“It is not what you think when you envision a sleazy sex club. It is way more sophisticated than that. It is a safe space to have fun… and hot sex, if you choose. And there are zones for different levels of exploration so you never have to see anything you’re not comfortable with.”
I have heard about the growing popularity of sex clubs and had my reservations about them. Not because I’m against it. If two or more consenting adults want to get it on, then who am I to judge? I just never really knew what to expect. But the way Rico (which I was doubting now was even his real name) spoke about it as a liberating experience, I couldn’t help but envy him. His freedom to make these choices in his life. There was no way I would ever be allowed to set foot in a place like that even if it was something I wanted. Which I still wasn’t convinced I did. Could I have sex with a complete stranger? It had been nearly two years since I last had sex and it wasn’t anything to write home about. In fact, neither of my two past lovers had ever given me an orgasm before. As I stared into Rico’s green eyes, I had no doubt he would be able to if I gave him the opportunity. At that moment, I realised if we were alone right now, I probably would have let him try.
“It sounds pretty amazing, but I don’t think it’s for me,” I finished my glass of wine as he downed his, placing it back on the table. He stood up and dug his hand into his pocket, pulling out a business card and passing it to me. It was matte black with gold embossed italics, La Casetta. On the back was an address and a phone number. I stared up at him in surprise.
“In case you change your mind. You know where I am,” he winked. My stomach fluttered. “Happy Birthday…”
“Elle,” I smiled and he nodded with a grin before swinging his bag over his shoulder and striding out of the club. One of the soldiers followed him out while Finn made his way over to me, throwing himself down in the chair Rico had just been sitting in. I loved it when we were alone together because Finn always dropped his cold, intimidating presence and relaxed.
“Good birthday?” he smirked.
“One of the best,” I agreed, pouring us both a shot of vodka. He shook his head, holding one hand up in protest.
“My birthday, my rules,” I forced the shot glass into his hand and he sighed. We both knocked them back, followed by a bitter groan and chuckle.
“For tonight at least and who knows, maybe this year is going to be my year,” I added.
Finn sent me a stern look. His sharp brown eyes forced me to meet his gaze. “I know that look, Piccola! Whatever you are thinking or planning is going to make my life ten times harder, right?”
“Wrong! I make your life entertaining, Finn. You love my drama,” I smirked as he narrowed his eyes on me. “I just have a feeling that this year is going to be different, Finn. That’s all.”
“Okay, Piccola. Whatever you say,” he smiled, standing up to lead me out of the club. I looked down at the sex club card in my hand. I may never get to experience freedom like that, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t try.
Bridesmaid Duties
The wedding was nothing short of spectacular. Olivia looked like an angel in her designer dress that she had helped create in her own vision. It was a figure hugging style with a long train, an elegant, classic, low-back design with a heart-shaped bust. There were no frills or over-the-top detail because that wasn’t her. Her brown hair cascaded down her back in soft waves and the veil was stunning; extra long with a subtle diamond sparkle running through it. As one of her four bridesmaids, I had the privilege to walk down the aisle first and stand at the altar to watch Giovanni’s reaction when he first saw her.
Now I swear, I had never seen my fratello cry, but there definitely was a mist to his eyes as she made her way towards him with a beaming smile. He looked insanely beautiful himself in his simple black tux, and he reeked of pride as he waited to marry the love of his life. It had been touch and go for a minute between these two, but they had overcome every obstacle and were so perfect for each other. I blubbered my way through the ceremony, Maximus shoving his handkerchief at me halfway through with a roll of his eyes. Sani and Raya were the perfect page boy and flower girl, making everyone gush and coo as they led the very exclusive guests from the gardens into the wedding reception at one of my family’s grand hotels that we owned. The ballroom was stunning, following the simple, black, white and rose gold theme of the wedding.
I had made it my mission to ensure both Gio and Liv had the most stress-free, blissful day to remember. Which meant I was wound up tight like a spring. Nothing could go wrong. I wouldn’t let it. Raya had thrown up on her dress minutes before she walked down the aisle because all she had eaten for breakfast was sweets, causing a nice yellow streak of bile to add to the design of her lace dress. I had quickly cleaned her up with wipes and shoved a rose from my bouquet in the chiffon belt of her dress to hide the stain. No one had seemed to notice. I had made a deal with Sani that if he kept his bow tie on and didn’t tug at it throughout the ceremony, I would buy him the brand new video game he so badly wanted, but Olivia said was too inappropriate. I was on mamma duty 24/7 to check in on her. Although extremely emotional which was to be expected watching her first-born marry, she seemed to be holding it all together.
I leaned back against the bar, and reached my hand out for a glass of champagne from the waitress who was walking past. Only my second drink of the day. I thought it was safe for me to relax.
