SEVER Jane, Melissa (management books to read .TXT) 📖

to be careful of.” I feel him smile and I know it’s due to my discomfort. “They show no mercy, especially with a woman as exquisite as you.”

Joseph pulls away and I exhale heavily, shoulders tense from the unwanted interaction. I came here for a reason. There’s no need for me to stick my nose where it’s not wanted, especially if it involves men who cannot control their urges. That doesn’t stop his ‘words of wisdom’ from running rampant in my already hyperactive mind.

Bidding.

Propriety.

Illicit.

Urges.

While the room I’m standing in is relatively tame, clearly what lies beyond the guarded red door is not.

Downing the rest of my champagne, I exchange my glass with another and numbly study the room. Reminded of my objective, I look for a long-haired blonde with a similar appearance to mine. No one meets the criteria but one familiar face does stand out. I see him through the crowds, so I move into a better position until I can pinpoint where I know him from. I watch while he interacts with a woman in a deep blue dress, much younger than he.

And then it hits me.

That same situation I first saw him in when he was talking to Sam at Othello. The silver fox who she’d smiled and flirted with. The silver fox who had his hands indecently on her body given he’d only met her moments before. The silver fox she’d handed a business card to. A business card that most likely had the name Tempest gold-leafed on it.

Does my sister recruit men to attend these parties? Men with money and taboo sexual urges.

“Fresh blood has quite a scent to it.”

For goodness sake.

I sigh.

Rule Two: Respect.

“Old or new, blood is always pungent,” I say, opting not to be removed from the premises so soon. I turn to the man who’s sniffed me out. Handsome and with eyes who want only one thing.

“I’m a man who likes it raw.” His lips twitch and I feel an overwhelming urge to punch his smug face.

“Are you still talking about blood?”

His gaze travels the length of my body, his air of privilege nothing but revolting. “Both,” he says, thinking the sly wink he gives is enough to make me wet.

“I don’t appreciate raw meat and only like to be fucked raw by whom I choose and that will never be you.”

I’m aware I’m fast-tracking my exit, but his mere gaze on me is ruining my night. Turning away to prove my disinterest, I finally find what I’ve been looking for. The blonde hair shines under the warm glow of the lights, her laughter heard above the music and gentle chatter.

My heart pounds, and I’m once again torn with emotions.

Do I forgive and forget everything she’s done?

Can I still love her as a sister when she’s broken my heart?

“Ah, I see,” the man said, still imposing on my space. “I now see your preference. She’s a beauty, isn’t she? So ripe and ready. It’s a damn shame she’s not part of the act?”

It seems the pervert might have some use after all.

“The act?”

Pervert frowns at my naiveté. “The act is what goes on behind the big ol’ red door your pretty eyes have been glued to. Your crush is who I have to thank for introducing me to this place. She’s opened my eyes to a whole new world. A new world you’ll surely learn about.”

What the hell has Sam gotten herself into?

“Has she recruited most people here?”

“The men, yes.” He smirks, and I feel sick. “Let’s just say she has a rather convincing nature about herself.”

“And the women?”

He shrugs his shoulders indifferently. “Through invitation only by the men they know. I’m not sure about the ones through the door.”

“There’s more women through there?”

His smile dims as he backs away, suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation. “You have a good night, beautiful,” he says, feeling the need to distance himself. “Don’t bother about staying out of trouble because trouble will definitely find you.”

Pervert disappears, and I turn to see Joseph watching from the other side of the room. He seems cautious of me, suspicious as to why I’m here on my own. Had I known it would be an issue, I would have arranged to come with Amanda’s contact. But that would be relinquishing his name to me, and he’s clearly a man with a career or life to protect.

I meet his scrutinous stare and slip behind a couple while maintaining distance between myself and Sam. She seems too caught up in the attention of others to notice me, but I watch and observe her every move. She’s animated when she talks, flirtatious with her eyes, and generous with her touch. Both men and women seem caught up in her presence, and I wonder if that’s how she’s captivated my husband.

To the right, I see Joseph exit the way I came in through the curtain, and to the left I watch a server take a hidden pathway that would curve around a wall of the forbidden room. I’m only scratching the surface as to why Sam is here, and decide throwing caution to the wind is my only chance for answers, so I follow the server while Joseph is temporarily elsewhere.

Satisfied that the fresh blood attention has faded, I slip by groups sharing saucy stories, and couples too caught up in false sexual promises to notice me make my way down what could be a service entry. I follow the hall which is more dimly lit than the main room, perhaps to keep it as non-intrusive as possible. There’s nothing exceptional about it, and when I see a fluorescent light in a room to the right, I suspect it to be the kitchen. I run, fearing someone rounding the corner,