Free Manwhore 2: The Ferro Family by H.M. Ward Page A

there are cracks in the façade revealing his thoughts, allowing all this emotion to flow out like shafts of light piercing the darkness.
    My jaw hangs open, frozen. The moment is too intense, and panic is clawing at my insides, wanting to rise and take over. I shove it down and swallow hard. “If my boss finds out I was in your car, I'll be fired. But this—if he saw this—if he knew you were here, and I was here…”
    Sean looks me over and calmly explains, “Mr. Cunning—that’s a laughable name by the way—doesn’t appear to be the sort to frequent Club Noir, and, if he were, he’d already have known about your darker pursuits. What would possibly make him venture here, now?”
    My heart is slapping against my ribs, making it hard to breathe. My palms are sweaty, and the remnants of my composure wash away. “I don’t know! Why are you here now? Why is anyone here now?”
    He doesn’t answer.
    I wring my hands in my lap and glance out the window. My panic is real now, not imagined. I need Club Noir, but not when it means Sean Ferro comes with it.
    Lips trembling, I mutter, “I lost my thoughtful spot.”
    Sean nearly chokes as he tries to swallow a laugh. “I’m sorry, you’re thoughtful—”
    I wave my index finger in his face and cut him off. “Stop coming here!”
    “I could ask the same of you.” Those calm blue eyes are hypnotic. They’re like the ocean, vibrant, ever-changing, and with depths beyond comprehension. “But I won’t.”
    My eyes cut to Sean and then back to the Club. I make a strangled sound in the back of my throat. “I knew exactly what I was going to do tonight until you hit me with the door.”
    “Then do it, find someone who shares your preferences.” His eyes bore into me as the silence builds between us. He’s still so close, his scent filling my head, making me crazy.
    “Don’t follow me.” I reach for the car door again, and this time Sean doesn’t stop me.
    I push the door shut and walk around to the curb, hellbent on finding a partner in Club Noir.
----
    E VERY INCH of my skin hums, demanding to be touched, while my mind blurs with memories I’d rather forget.
    I march through the glass doors, past the black bar, and down the golden hallway. I pass the women and men proceeding with caution and lacking my determination. Is that what this is? It’s almost like I have to prove to myself that I can still do this. Where did that come from?
    I make it to the elevator bank and pull out my collar for the guard. He’s an older guy with a big nose and gruff voice. “Put it on if you want to go up. You know the rules.” He’s wearing a black suit with a name tag that says GABE.
    I lift my hair and tighten the collar around my neck. “I know.”
    He pushes the button and calls the elevator. As he stands there, a timid couple walks up behind me. The woman has a white collar on with no stones. The man is giddy and a bit younger than her. She smiles at me nervously. I wonder which of them wanted to come here.
    When the elevator arrives and the door chimes, I walk through. Gabe swipes a key card allowing me to select any floor. When the couple tries to enter, Gabe stops them. “Sorry, novices aren’t allowed upstairs without an upper-level.”
    The woman smiles nervously and watches me. My finger is hovering over a button, but I’ve not pressed it yet. She sees my black collar, as does the guy she’s with. I act on a whim, reaching out for her hand and pulling her forward. “She’s with me.”
    Gabe nods and steps back. “She’s your responsibility for the evening.”
    “I know.” I press the button, and before her man can follow us into the elevator, Gabe blocks him.
    “Sorry, but you know the rules. You need a guarantor.”
    “But, we’re together.” The man points at the woman in the white collar, very excited and very annoyed that he’s going to miss out.
    Gabe shakes his head and scolds the man as the elevator doors close. I quickly press every button