Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
My eyes keep darting around me as I walk to the nearest subway station. Unless it’s for work, I seldom leave the safety of my apartment.
It’s uncanny how one person’s actions can change your entire perspective about people. I never had trust issues until I met Todd. Now I live in constant fear that everyone is out to hurt me.
“Just don’t overdo it,” Mom says. I hear sizzling in the background before she asks, “Have you met anyone new?”
Wanting to set her mind at ease, I lie, “Yes. I’m actually on my way to a date.”
“Oh, really? I’m so glad to hear that. What’s he like?”
Shit.
“I don’t know him so well yet.” Needing to get off the topic of my love life, I say, “I’m also going to the movies on Saturday with Jenny.”
I met Jenny in the admin department. She just kept trying until I gave up and accepted her friendship. It took a while to get used to her bubbly personality, but eight months later, she’s my best friend.
“I thought she was on vacation with her boyfriend?”
“She got back today.”
There’s a moment’s silence, then Mom asks, “We’re still seeing you for your Dad’s birthday party, right?”
“Yes, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Unless Mr. Vitale cancels the vacation time I requested before getting the promotion.
I’ll have to ask him about it tomorrow.
“Thanks for the call, Mom, but I have to go.”
“Sure. I’ll talk to you next week.”
Tucking my phone into my handbag, I take the subway to the heart of Manhattan, and as I near the club, my stomach begins to spin with nerves.
Chill. You’re just going to have a conversation with a man.
The club assured me there are security measures to ensure every member's safety.
My steps slow down as I near the entrance to the club. The words Paradiso are in large gold letters across the wall, and a red carpet leads up to the door where a bouncer is standing guard.
A Rolls Royce stops in front of the entrance, and I watch as a woman who seems to be in her fifties gets out of the expensive vehicle.
There’s an air of wealth surrounding her as she walks into the club.
If she can do it, so can you. If you feel uncomfortable, you can leave at any time.
Lifting my chin, I suck in a deep breath before I walk toward the bouncer. The man’s eyes settle on me, and it makes me feel a hundred times more nervous.
His tone makes him sound like a butler when he says, “Evening, Ma’am. Just a moment.”
I glance around us while I wait, then the bouncer says, “Welcome, Miss Blakely. Seeing it’s your first time visiting Paradiso, just follow the hallway to where you’ll be met by one of the staff members.”
My eyebrow darts up. “How did you know who I am?”
Giving me a smile, he gestures to a camera above the doorway. “The security team notified me.”
Wow. Fancy.
Nodding at him, I enter the building. My hands clutch the strap of my handbag as I take in the gray walls and black tiles. Soft yellow light shines from the ceiling, and I see someone dressed in black waiting for me up ahead.
My gaze locks on the black ski mask with a skeleton face the person is wearing, and I consider making a U-turn.
That’s not intimidating at all.
I understand the masks are to protect their identities, but damn, they could’ve gone with something more subtle.
“Evening, Miss Blakely,” the woman says. “Would you like to take a seat with me, so we can discuss any questions you might have?”
An awkward smile brushes over my lips. “Please.”
“This way,” she murmurs.
I follow her to an area that looks comfortable. There are couches and tables where people are seated together and enjoying drinks.
I love the ferns situated between the tables. It gives the couples some privacy.
A bar counter lines the one wall, and servers move between the tables and couches.
The atmosphere feels professional, and it helps ease my apprehensiveness a little.
“Please take a seat,” the woman assigned to welcome me says.
Turning my attention to her, I sit down on a black leather couch and place my handbag on my lap.
My eyes lock on her brown ones, and not knowing what to say, I wait for her to talk first.
“Welcome to Paradiso.”
I can’t tell if she’s smiling.
“Thank you.”
“We want to assure you that your privacy comes first. Whatever you choose to do will remain between you and your partner or partners.”
Partners. Hell has a better chance of freezing over.
“You’ve requested to have a conversation with a man. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t give any requirements for age, personality, or looks.”
“None of that matters.” Feeling uncomfortable, I grip my handbag tighter. “I just want a man I can talk to.”
“Whatever you want.” She gestures for a server to come closer. “Would you like something to drink?”