She paused, considering, her gaze lifting to meet mine. In that moment, the weight of our weeks of shared effort and unspoken tensions drew us closer, an unacknowledged longing threading through the practicalities of our conversation.
“You’re right,” she conceded with a soft smile, the tension easing from her shoulders. “It’s about exploration, isn’t it? Creating a space where people can discover new aspects of themselves, safely and joyfully.”
Her words echoed the underlying principle that had brought us together in this project, yet now they seemed to resonate on a more personal level. The way she bit her lip in thought, the glow of the dim lights reflecting in her eyes, the warmth of her presence—it all beckoned with an intimacy that went beyond our professional collaboration.
“Exactly,” I replied, moving a step closer, drawn by the warmth in her voice and the openness in her stance. “And it’s not just the guests who are exploring new territories, is it?”
The question hung between us, a veiled reference to the undefined space we were navigating together. Isabella’s laugh was a mix of acknowledgment and nervousness, a sound that seemed to fill the room and bridge the gap between us. “Yeah, I guess we’re all a little bit in uncharted waters here, aren’t we?” she mused, a hint of playfulness creeping into her voice.
The mood shifted, the professional veneer fading to reveal the underlying current of attraction and curiosity that had been building between us. It was a delicate dance, one we’d been unconsciously rehearsing since our paths first crossed, now finding its rhythm in the quiet aftermath of our collective efforts.
Our eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, the world beyond the Mirage Guild faded, leaving the two of us suspended in a moment of realization and unspoken questions. It was a crossroads, a choice between stepping back into our roles or daring to explore what lay beyond them.
“Which room would you choose first?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Isabella chewed on her bottom lip.
“I would love to see you in the mirrored room,” I said, letting my eyes dip down over her mouth. “It would be fun to see you from every angle.”
She huffed a laugh. “I don’t know about that,” she replied. “That would be a lot to take in.”
“Then perhaps on stage, tied up in those bands.” I traced my fingertips over her shoulder and down her arm, leaving goosebumps in my wake. “I’d spread your legs out wide so I could see all of you and show you off to everyone that wanted to watch.”
I smiled at the flush of red that splashed over her cheeks. I closed the distance between us and placed my fingers under her chin, tilting her head up toward me. Her lips parted and her eyes gleamed with excitement. I smiled, leaned down, and whispered in her ear. “Will you get up on the stage for me, Isabella? There’s no one here. It’s just you and me and right now, I really want to spread you out wide and taste you.”
NINETEEN
ISABELLA
My feet felt cool as I slipped off my shoes and walked over the smooth hardwood floor to the stage. My heart was pounding in my chest, but the warmth spreading deep in my belly urged me forward.
I felt safe with Max. No matter what we were doing, he seemed to always have my safety and happiness in mind. I’d seen it that night when he helped me relax by taking charge, and I’d recognized it countless times since then. Like when he brought my slippers to the club or how he always made sure I had water and something to eat.
I could get in my head. I could get laser-focused on everything else, so much so that I wasn’t my own priority. It was nice having someone look out for me like that. And when we played like this, it could feel like I was losing myself completely. It helped shut off the noise of my overthinking. Of the little voice in my head that reminded me of everything I hadn’t quite figured out yet.
I glanced back over at Max, who was now walking around from the back of the bar, as I took the three steps leading up to the top of the stage. I waited for further instructions.
“Take off your dress,” Max said. He was at the stage now, ascending the steps. He slowly unbuttoned his cuffs and methodically rolled up his sleeves, making sure the fabric folded evenly at the edges. My eyes flickered at the way his forearm flexed as he moved. “Now.” His voice reminded me of my directions.
My eyes flicked back up to his face at his demand. His voice was firm, but his eyes were soft. I took a deep breath and unzipped my dress at the back. I let the fabric fall from my shoulders. I slid my hands over my hips to push the rest of the dress down and let it fall to the floor.
Max froze as I stood before him. My skin seemed to glow in the dim light of the lounge. The black lace of my matching bra and panties was dark against my skin. He took a step closer and walked in a slow circle around me, eyes scanning over my body.
“You’re so beautiful, Isabella,” he said. “I don’t think you know what you do to me.”
I spun around, his comments giving me a boost of confidence, and shimmied my hips.
He responded with a low chuckle. “I’m going to help you get in the silk straps. You’re going to lay back in them, and I’m going to taste you.”
I sucked in a breath at his promise.
“And then,” he continued, “I’m going to slide my fingers inside you, and you’re going to come on my face.” He stopped circling me. With his eyes locked on mine, he asked, “Do you think you can do that for me, Isabella?”
“Yes.” My voice betrayed my lust, but I didn’t care.
I took a deep breath, hooked my fingers into the band of my lace thong, and slid them down. I stepped one foot out and then the other, never taking my eyes off Max.
He stared at me for a while, his gaze lingering in between my thighs before saying, “I’m going to help you in the straps now.”
