Page 15 of Gilded Lies

They ignite something new in me and I feel it wherever their skin touches mine. It starts small but the longer I stay in their arms the stronger the connection feels. Is it fate speaking to me?

“Stay with us and let us show you what it means to belong to the Sinn family.”

“Family.” My heart squeezes. I don’t want them to see me cry so I force the sudden tears burning my eyes into retreat.

I savor the word on my lips. They can’t possibly know the value I hold to that one word. It means the whole world to me. Having a family is myone-day fantasy.

It scares me, but instead of running for the door I spread my legs and let Rune pull me to my knees.

“Show me again how much you want me.”

And they do until the sun comes up over the Seattle skyline.

Is instant love a real thing? Could I be falling for men I just met? I don’t know. But I want to find out. Maybe I can stop running now.

I can only hope they are not playing with my heart.

Three

Magnolia

Winter is only a couple of weeks away and so is Christmas. Cold has set in and the rainy season for Seattle might mean snow is on the way.

It’s been three weeks since I’ve seen the inside of my apartment. I need to get back to my life. My house plants. I haven’t picked up fresh milk since the night of the Autumn ball. My fridge must smell terrible by now.

But they don’t let me go for longer than my shift at the Golden Key Society and now I am two thousand miles away from home, wearing a dress that I didn’t own twenty-four hours ago and walking into New Orleans’ the Golden Key Society.

It’s safe to say they had no problem learning I am part of the staff back home. It made Oliver nearly break a rib laughing at Danika for picking the one woman they shouldn’t touch, and Rune is forever trying to get me to spill secrets about the key bearers and key masters. When I refuse to fork over information to the mafia man, he spanks my ass and makes me say dirty things. I’m not sure if he is punishing me for not giving him secrets orrewarding me for holding my ground. I don’t ask. And then we have a two-way or four-way over the kitchen counter, bed, or couch. Even the wall isn’t safe from these three.

However, the club owners were not happy about me breaking the rules. I don’t know how I didn’t get fired, but I think the three men swarming me from all sides are the reason, but they won’t confess their sins to me.

“You’re beautiful. Stop biting your lip already or we won’t make it inside. I’ll ravish you right here on the front steps and then what would you do?”

“Let you,” I quip ruefully with an arrogant smirk. I brace for impact and Rune doesn’t leave me wanting.

He takes my chin and claims my lips in a hot kiss before ushering me along.

Sweet, sensual hints of Jasmine wrap around us. Oliver and Danika lead the way along the brick path. To my left is a wrought-iron gate with a team of security standing watch.

To our right are pristine gardens, sensual sculptures, and endless amounts of moonlight. Willow trees sway in the late autumn night. Back in Seattle the chilly nights would have frost on the grass on either side of the walk, but it’s warm enough here that I only have a light wrap covering my bare shoulders. I clutch at the side of my shawl and use Rune’s hand on my elbow for balance.

Through the moving branches I can see a beautiful white mansion with willow trees swaying in the wind as if waving to us to join the debauchery happening on the other side of the main door we step through.

Once inside, Danika greets the security with a nod. He knows the protocol, so he slips from his jacket and rolls back his sleeve.

“Evenin’, gentlemen and lovely lady,” an aged voice welcomes us from the darkness before a secondary door is eased open and golden lights color the night around us. “Key bearer or key master, sir?”

“Master. Danika Sinn. We have a reservation for the exclusive Belle Constantine show.”

Oh. A show.

The older gentleman with a sun aged-face and kind eyes holds up a black light to verify Danika’s position within the Society.

“Very well.”

The gentleman checks the list and, as I suspect, he looks back to the group of men around me with little interest outside of making sure membership is in place. If this establishment is like the one I manage, this man is not judging anyone who steps inside. He’s just doing his job.

“Welcome, Mr. Sinn.” Warm eyes turn to me. “Ma’am, should you need anything all you need to do is ask.”