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I smiled when Evelyn chuckled. “I agree. He's a great businessman but he does need someone to keep him in hand or he gets carried away, working for hours on end.”
A warm ember burned in the pit of my stomach. Joe had praised me instead of claiming an ego boost. That showed integrity greater than most men I'd come across in the interview process six months ago.
“You design nurseries?” Evelyn said, ignoring Joe as he fiddled with the cuff on his jacket. “How sweet. I bet you had a gorgeous one to inspire you when you were a baby.”
My smile froze as I nodded my head, unable to think of the words to reply. How did I tell Mrs Lovely Sunshine that I was left outside a hospital in a box? And passed from foster home to foster home, without ever having my own bedroom, let alone a nursery? The simple assumption made my chest tight, but I stayed poised and ready to lift my wall high above my head. Should I lie?
“Actually,” Joe interrupted, “I hope you don't mind me saying…” He waited for me to nod, “…But Lola had a horrendous childhood, which has pushed her to become excellent at her job. I'm hoping with some guidance, she'll be in one of the offices near yours in time to come.”
The thundering rush of blood in my ears almost drowned out his reply. He thought I was excellent at my job? Or was it that he wanted to flatter me in front of his work colleagues?
“Wait,” I murmured, “are you Evelyn Hughes?”
My stupid brain was slow to catch up as the lady in front of me laughed. “Yes. Why? Has Joe told you horrid things about me?”
Shaking my head, I gripped her hand and drew her closer. “No, not at all. I studied your pool designs as an add-on when I did my degree. I was always so inspired by you, but I couldn't emulate anything as beautiful. Then I saw your paintings online, too. The technique in your brush strokes when painting water is incredible.”
Her mouth formed a small o as she blinked and stared. Joe tried to hide the amused quirk of his lip, but a small chuckle still managed to escape.
“Thank you,” Evelyn stuttered, “it's very rare to meet someone who appreciates my work before they've collaborated with me. I like you.”
Releasing her hand, I stepped back. “Sorry, I know I'm fan-girling. I've always wished I could paint, but I've never had the skill.”
Her cheeks turned pink as she stood straight and glanced at Joe. “Maybe you could teach her? And maybe,” she said, turning to me, “we could get together for coffee one lunchtime. Just knock on my door when you're settled.”
With that, she bid farewell and left us, glancing over her shoulder as she made her way to a corridor just right of the elevators. The people around us went on with their day, not paying attention to us.
“That's where the cafeteria is,” Joe said, drawing my attention away from my boss's other employees.
Licking my lips, I turned to him. “You paint?” I asked, narrowing my gaze on him.
Puffing his cheeks, he shook his head. “Not for a very long time. Come, let's go.”
His expensive leather loafers were moving before I could press him further. I had to jog to catch up with him as he whizzed through the automatic door. I liked the classic building with its swirling entrance. It would take time getting used to working in a new office.
“Where to...?” I asked, jogging to his car and climbing in beside him.
He glanced at me sideways, a heat crossing his eyes. “I'd quite like to finish what we just started. Shall we go to my place?”
An image of his club office came into my mindand a sizzle of excitement made my nipples hard and dared me to be brave.
“While you’re in the process of showing me you,” I said, “why don’t you introduce me to the sex club?”
His eyes bulged, just slightly, before a cheeky grin crossed his lips and he fired up the engine. “Very well, my love,” he murmured, his jaw tensing slightly. “I shall show you the sex club and in return, you can surrender to me.”
Chapter Twenty Three
Sometimes, you had to see somewhere, or someone, through different eyes to understand what made it so fascinating. I’d only been to the club as a customer a handful of times, and on each occasion, I’d had a strange feeling that something was… I dunno, up. Like, the energy of the place was vibrant and buzzing, there was no doubt about that. But an undercurrent of unspoken energy had always put me on edge. Now I knew why.
“Would you expect me to become part of the society?” I asked as Joseph locked the club entrance door.
He sniffed as he turned to me, a frown forming two lines between his eyebrows. “Historically, the men can bring their partners to the club, but they’re never allowed to become part of the society.”
“Why not?” I pushed, following him to the main club hall and waiting for him to lead me across the dancefloor to the secret panel.
Looking over his shoulder, he gave me a frustrated stare. “Because, my inquisitive one,” he began, “as archaic as it is, it’s for men only.”
Of course it was. Why wasn't I surprised?
