Indulgence (Taking Chances #1) (5 page)

When we finally stopped laughing, I tilted my head to the side and smiled.  “You know I’ve already forgiven him, right?”  My stomach muscles hurt from all of the laughter, but the pain was nothing in comparison to the relief I felt.

“Yep.” She smacked her lips.  “You forgave him the moment it happened, but it was nice to see the real Addison come out to play.”  

I chucked her chin and smiled.  “That really did feel good.”

“Oh, I bet, but can I ask you something that’s really been bugging me?”

“Didn’t you just ask me something?” I countered.

“Fuck off, Bitch,” she laughed. “But seriously.  I know what you were probably thinking tonight, but what I really want to know is, are you still in love with Jacoby?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but she continued, cutting me off. “I don’t mean love him.  I know you love him.  You’ll always love him.  There’s a bond between you that no one can deny. But are you really in love with him?  Like toe curling, heart shattering, breathtaking in love with him?  I just don’t see how, after this past year, you could be.”

Her question took me by surprise.  I had to stop and think about what she said.  I knew I’d accepted Jacoby for who he was, but I’d never considered my true feelings for him to be anything other than being
in
love.  We’d been together for so long, it was hard to conceive feeling differently for him.  However, Amber had a point.  I loved him—I always would—but if I were truly honest with myself, I wasn’t in love with him.  And it was quite possible that I’d never been
in
love with him.  We were
us
, and
us
was all I knew.

She patted my thigh and sat up.  My silence was answer enough for her.  “That’s what I thought.”  She gave me a quick wink and bounced up off the bed.  “Now, let’s get you ready.  You have a date with destiny tonight.”

I sat up, chuckling. “I don’t think getting laid classifies as destiny.”

“Stranger things have happened.  You’ll never know unless you take a chance.”

Stalling, I added, “I never pegged you as a romantic.”

Amber gave me a playful wink.  “I’m not, but I’ll say just about anything to talk you into going with me.  C’mon.  Take a chance.  It’ll be fun.”

The idea was still a bit unnerving to me, but I was warming up to it.  How many people could say they’d done something like this?  While I was intrigued by the whole notion of a night of illicit sex without consequences, that good girl in me was nudging me to say thanks but no thanks.

“Trust me,” Amber beseeched me.  “I would never let anything bad happen to you.  We’ll go, have some fun, and make a night of memories you’ll never want your children or grandchildren to know about.”  Rolling my eyes, I laughed.  Only Amber could make light of something like this. She extended her hand out to me.  “It’s New Years Eve.  A night to take chances.”

I stared at her open hand, considering the facts.  I was young, single, and it was New Years.  I had nothing to lose.  

Amber wiggled her fingers in a reminder that I was leaving her hanging.  “To taking chances,” she offered.

With a soft chuckle, I clasped my hand in hers and gave it a good squeeze.  Inhaling deeply, I smiled and nodded.  “Okay.  To taking chances.”

“You look nervous,” Amber teased.

“Do I?”  

Of course I was nervous!  Who wouldn’t be?  I was about to spend the next ten hours, completely nude, with strangers who were all congregated for the sole purpose of promiscuous sex. One might think that fact alone had me nervous, but the truth of the matter was, I was just as concerned about the constant nudity as I was having sex with complete strangers.  So what if our faces were covered?  People I didn’t know from Adam were about to see me in my birthday suit.  How the hell did I get myself caught up in this again?  

“You don’t need to be,” she mused.

“That’s easy for you to say.”

The cold evening air caused goose bumps to form over my flesh.  The silk wrap that Amber had given me to match my dress did nothing to keep the elements at bay.  We walked toward the entrance of the most magnificent house I’d ever seen, and I’d seen my fair share of mansions.  Working with pompous businessmen who enjoy the finer things of life, one gets used to seeing commodities that look as though they belong to royalty.  But this house made my bosses’ homes look like shacks in comparison.  

Large white pillars, similar to the ones seen in Grecian temples, beckoned guests to the burgundy-stained double front doors.  The dim dusk light danced across the white brick of the luxury estate, enhancing its grandeur.  There were too many windows to count, but each one looked like perfect crystal sparkling in the dying sun.  However, I found it odd that there were no decorations on the outside of the house.  You’d think since it was New Year’s Eve, there would be something decorative indicating as such.  These people were spending their final hours of the year fucking like wild rabbits in his house; the least he could do is make it look festive.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but observe the people who were attending.  Everyone was dressed for a black tie affair, which I found to be silly since the attendees would shed their clothing upon entering the building.  What a waste!  Yet, even stranger was how this crowd was nothing like I’d anticipated.  All their faces were covered with masks, but that didn’t change their physical appearance.  Everyone ranged in age, shape, race, and size.  Not everyone was the Barbie and Ken mockup I’d expected.  Sure, we had the perfect people with their tight bodies and broad chests, but there were also those who were just common, everyday people.  

Amber opened her small clutch and pulled out her invitation and driver’s license.  Hazel eyes peered at me from behind her silver mask, dancing with excitement.  

“You’re overthinking this.  We’re young.  We’re hot, and we have every right to allow ourselves to live a little.”

I shook my head, laughing.  Okay, so maybe she had a point.  I did look damn good in this dress, even if I had to say so myself.  Slender but curved in all the right places, my five-foot-five frame was accented quite nicely by the sleek design of the dress.  Even I had to admit it did wonders for my rack and ass.  I adjusted my mask along the bridge of my nose.  The strap at the back of head tugged gently on my hair.  Slipping my fingers beneath the ribbon, I released the strands caught within its grasp.

Someone walking along behind us moaned softly.  I glanced over my shoulder to catch the sight of a tall, broad shouldered man, dressed in a black tuxedo, eyeing us from behind a masculine black mask.  His jet-black hair, peppered with specks of gray, was styled with perfection.  His tongue darted out over his smooth lips as he formed a devilish smile.  “Please tell me that you two beautiful ladies will make an appearance in the Ménage à trois room tonight?”

I looked back at Amber.  “Ménage à trois?” I mouthed to her in disbelief.  

The corner of her mouth lifted as a mischievous twinkle brightened her eyes.  “Threesome,” she whispered.  

Well, duh.  As if I didn’t know that already.

My stomach clenched.  A couple of years back, Amber and I may have kissed once, but that was it.  We did it on a drunken dare made by Jacoby.  It was for a laugh, and after that it was forgotten.  It was bad enough that she’d suggested I be eaten out by a girl.  Nothing against the lesbian population.  There have been many women I thought were fucking hot, but I was the type of girl who wanted a rock hard body and a warm dick to ride.  Now this guy was suggesting that I fuck my best friend with him.  Yepper, it was time to run.

Amber slowed her step, allowing the man to join us.  “It’s a possibility,” she purred.

He smirked, brushing up beside her.  “Save me a space on your card then.”

Space on her card.  I damn near snorted.  What was this?  Jane Austen Gone Wild?

“Gladly,” she agreed, batting her long eyelashes.  “I’m Amber and this is Addison.”

“David,” he said; his voice smooth as silk.  His soft lips twitched as he extended his large hand toward Amber.  She accepted, only to be greeted by a delicate kiss to the back of her hand.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Yeah, this guy was smooth.

“That remains to be determined,” Amber flirted.

I groaned and rolled my eyes, wrapping my silk shawl tighter around me.  We were nearly to the door and I couldn’t get inside fast enough.  Not only because I was freezing—I was pretty much a popsicle—but also because I hoped we could lose Mr. Smooth Moves.

“Indeed.”  David glanced around Amber and extended his hand to me.  “Addison, yes?”

I reached out, to be greeted with a gentleman's kiss to the back of my own hand.  The warmth of his lips burned against my cold skin.  “That’s correct.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful lady,” he murmured.

Typically, I wasn’t a shy sort of woman, but for some reason this man made me feel that way.  He stared at Amber and me as if he already knew what we looked like naked.  “Thank you,” I breathed.

“Is this your first time?”

“Yeah.”  

He rubbed his thumb along the top of my hand, then released it just as we reached the front door.  

“There’s always something magical about virgins,” David declared, extending his hand out in front of us, allowing us to enter first.  “An innocence, if you will.”  

I stopped dead in my tracks, staring at the doors then back to David.  “No, wait! I’m not a virgin.  I’ve had sex.  Lots and lots of sex.”

Amber snickered.  David smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement.  “I was talking about an
Indulgence
virgin, but it’s good to know you’re so experienced.  That will make this evening all the more enjoyable.”

My mouth dropped.  I stepped right into that one.  This night was going to be the death of me.  

Amber and David laughed and started toward the door, neither realizing that I was still frozen in place.  This was it.  The moment of truth.  Could I indeed go through with tonight, or would I forever remain an
Indulgence
virgin?  Once inside, all bets were off.  No clothes to cover me.  Only a mask to protect me.  People vying to have sex with me.  

My head was spinning.  My anxiety level skyrocketed.  What was I thinking?  I had to get away.  It was stupid to think I could do something so open and so out of character for me.  I was the good girl.  I didn’t sleep around.  Hell, I usually made a guy wait until the third date before even letting him get to the second base.  This was ridiculous.  Me, at a sex party.  

“Amber,” I hissed. “I can’t do this.”  I took a step backward, ready to run.  “I’ll pick you up in the morning.”

I hated myself for being this way.  I felt like such a candy ass.  My curiosity was piqued, but my morality had the better of me.  Damn me and my wholesome upbringing.

Amber grabbed my shoulders, shaking them as she spoke.  “Addison, listen to me.  You can do this.  You’re a smart, strong woman who has control of her body and her desires.  You’re not required to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“Yes, I know, but…”

“No
buts
.  I’ll make a deal with you, if after two hours you still feel this was a bad idea, we’ll leave.  No questions asked.  Okay?”

“No,” I persisted.  “You’ve been looking forward to this for months.  I’m not going to make you miss it because of me.  I’ll just leave now so you can enjoy your night.”  David crossed his arms over his chest, appearing amused by my child-like abandonment.  I tried to ignore his gaze and focus on Amber.  She was the only person I cared about.

“I’m not missing anything, but you will.  You deserve to see what is out there.  What’s fun and different.  New and exciting.  Don’t sell yourself short because you’re scared.  I beg you, don’t let this pass you by.  You’ll regret it if you do.  Trust me.”

“She’s right, you know,” David chimed in.  “This is an experience so many dream of but only few get to achieve.  It’d be a shame for you to leave without knowing what really awaits you inside.”

Amber nodded, squeezing my shoulders tighter.  “Please stay.”

Licking my lips, I sighed.  I was here and dressed to impress, even if only for a moment.  What did I have to lose?  Like Amber said, I didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want.  I spent my days taking chances, making big deals worth loads of money.  If I walked away from something like this, I would indeed regret it.  God, I really was being a candy ass.  I needed to grow a pair of lady balls and get my shit together.  To walk away now would prove me to be a pussy, and I couldn’t have that.  I resigned in myself that this was a New Year’s party, nothing more.  Walking around in my birthday suit was more metaphorical than literal, no matter how literal it really was.  I was being reborn.  Shedding my past and letting go of Jacoby.  I straightened my shoulders and nodded one strong nod.   “Okay, let’s do this thing.”

Amber pushed my hair away from my forehead and smiled.  “You look beautiful and I’m so proud of you.  Tonight is about freedom and pleasure.  You do what you want, when you want.  No one controls you,” she smirked,  “unless you want them to.”

I pursed my lips and wiggled my eyebrows.  “Spank me, baby.”

She smacked me across my ass, and that same moan that escaped David earlier rumbled through the air.  Amber feigned a girlish laugh.  Her chest jutted out as she gave David a flirtatious wink.

“Next,” a deep voice hailed.

Amber linked her fingers with mine, ensuring I couldn’t escape.  She led me to the front door, where two very muscular men stood wearing tailored black suits.  Both were holding electronic tablets in their sizable hands.  I had to force myself not to stare at the man in front of me.  His smooth chocolate skin and his plump lips were like candy begging to be tasted.  Muscles rippled through the contours of his suit and his stern demeanor sent quivers down my spine.  Maybe it had something to do with the knowledge of what was about to go on inside, but I could easily imagine riding this stallion until my body exploded in eternal bliss.

“Invitation and identification, please?” he requested.

I pulled the white card that had been attached to the acceptance letter and my driver’s license out of my clutch, handing them to the guard.  He glanced over each item, then ran my license through a scanner attached to his tablet.

“Welcome, Ms. George.  Mr. Hawk is pleased that you’ve accepted his invitation and wishes you a pleasant evening.”

“I, uh, thank you.”

He handed back my license and invitation, gracing me with a sweet smile. “If you’ll step inside, they’ll present you with your partner card.”  

The front doors opened and a burst of heat expanded from the house.  My freezing cold skin welcomed the warmth.  

People filed through the doors after being admitted into the house by the guards.  From where we stood, I could see into the grand foyer, lined with tables in front of several doors, which appeared to lead into the main edifice.  This was set up unlike any house I’d ever seen.  It felt more like a concert hall than a home.  Gray marble flooring and a crystal chandelier that looked as if it had come straight from the Paris Opera House in
The Phantom of Opera
, welcomed the excited guests of Mr. Sebastian Hawk.

“C’mon,” Amber persisted.  “Let’s get inside so we can warm up.”  

I could think of a dozen different meanings to the phrase warm-up.  Considering they all had to deal with sex, I figured I was in the right frame of mind for the evening.

Amber linked her arm in mine, still holding tight to my hand as she led me through the door to begin a night I was certain I would never forget.