“If you want out of it, it’s a $100 cancellation fee.”
“Trust me. I don’t want out of it.” Bree batted her eyelashes, knowing damn well that it wouldn’t do any good. “More like I was hoping you could help a girl out by playing cupid.”
An exaggerated sigh accompanied the slight groan croaking out of Donna’s throat. “You filled out the survey when you signed-up. Don’t worry, we all know you’re gay. We wouldn’t…”
“It’s not that. I was hoping you could make sure I get with a certain someone.”
“That completely defeats the purpose of a key party,” Donna muttered. “It’s about the expectation. The surprise.” She paused. “You don’t know who you’re going to be matched with. It’s not our fault if you don’t have any chemistry. If you have a problem, every room comes equipped with a few board games. Play Monopoly for a couple of hours.”
Bree didn’t know if she should laugh or roll her eyes at Donna’s intent of missing the point. “I didn’t come here to play Monopoly tonight.” She searched for Amelia among the gathering crowd, but with so many people – let alone the black suits, dresses, and masks – it was harder to find a small woman by herself. “Her name is Amelia. You’d be doing us both a huge favor if you…”
“We don’t do that, Bree. You know that.”
Bree had a feeling it would come to this. That’s why she wasn’t afraid to open her wallet and wave her small wad of cash in front of Donna’s face. “I know you can, though. Don’t tell me you don’t have the power to recalibrate your matches based on personal preference.”
“If you two are so interested in each other, I’m sure you can work something out.” Donna didn’t take her eyes off the money, but she wasn’t grabbing it, either. “Oh, but she doesn’t know who you are, I’m sure. Might be good for her, really. You have such a reputation in the club. Is there a woman here who hasn’t seen you naked?” Donna’s smug attitude was about to engulf Bree. “Or any man, for that matter?”
“Aw, Donna, sweetie, you make it sound like that bothers me at all.” Besides, most of the men who saw her naked ass in the club didn’t give two-shits about her. Her stocky body and short hair were barely on their radars. Now, the women she was usually with? They were another story. Men loved them, and Bree loved to show them off. I bet Amelia likes a bit of exhibitionism. I get that feeling from her. Could’ve been why she looked like a lost little lamb in her corner of the club. Why hadn’t she hopped on one of those poles by now? I think I would have a heart attack. Bree was already dangerously close to building up an image in her head that simply didn’t exist. “Come on. Don’t tell me you have some moral quandary about rearranging the plans. You’re providing a service. I’m sure the lady I’m scheduled to see wouldn’t mind seeing whoever Amelia is seeing.”
“What if your lady is gay, and Amelia’s seeing a man?”
Say it ain’t so, Donna. “Consider it broadening someone’s horizons,” Bree said through clenched teeth.
Donna gently shoved Bree’s hand away. “No, thank you. I only take bribes for VIP spots. Miss Amelia’s pussy doesn’t count.”
“You’re breaking my heart, Donna.”
“How about you put some good vibes out into the universe?” Donna called over her shoulder as she walked away. “Maybe the cosmos will respond in turn. Help you out. Play cupid.” She grinned. “Make dreams come true!”
Bree was left with her cash in her hand. After snorting up her pride, she pocketed her money and closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. Positive thoughts, huh? How about thoughts infested with a woman cute enough to fell Bree’s sanity? The more she thought about Amelia, the more she wanted her. Lust at first sight. The one image she caught of Amelia walking away was enough to sate her for an hour. Her cute little butt cheeks hanging out of her lingerie. Jesus. Come claim my soul. Bree wanted that ass in her hands by the end of the hour. Knowing that Amelia was no stranger to the BDSM world only allowed Bree’s imagination to run wilder. I could tie her up and have my way with her. Spank that ass and listen to her moan. When was the last time Bree blindfolded a woman and went for a long, hard ride from behind?
Damnit, she was setting herself up for failure.
No matter how much she searched for Amelia over the next half hour, however, she couldn’t find her. Not to introduce herself. Not to flirt. Not to – God willing – get a number. Bree wasn’t going to force anything now. A nice conversation, maybe buy her a drink, and tell her that there was a lovely woman looking for some company if Amelia were interested. The more you tell me she had a husband, the more I like my odds. Bree was good at getting recent divorcees into bed. She was a fun companion who knew how to keep things light, even when the orgasms were crushing. Besides, Amelia would be far from the first woman to try her hand at a woman’s body after a divorce. They didn’t always come back for a second round, but they didn’t have to. Bree had usually moved on by then.
Eventually, the woman who had taken her membership and information approached her. Bree had disengaged from idle chitchat with an old acquaintance who was there with a new girlfriend recently flown in from Vegas. Bree couldn’t think of anything better than having her heart broken twice in a row.
“Your key, ma’am.” A card with the Hellfire branding slipped into Bree’s hand. “Room 307. Your mystery woman is already waiting for you.” A coy smile was meant to put Bree in the right mood, but she was too nervous to appreciate the gesture. Instead, she simply took the card with a bit of thanks and decided to get a drink to take with her.
Kyle was still at the bar, although he was doubtlessly about to go on break. Had Bree been lucky, or was she about to get another earful when she ordered one last drink from the only person in this whole club who kinda had her back?
“Extra watered down for you,” Kyle said with a smirk while presenting Bree with her drink. “I figure you want to keep the buzz going without actually getting drunk.”
“Yet you’re going to charge me the same price for it.”
“Saying you can’t afford it?”
She slipped him his tip. “Nope.” Half of the drink was down her throat before Kyle had the chance to pocket his tip. “Tried talking to Donna. No luck. She doesn’t want to help a girl.”
“It’s okay. Even if you don’t get to hook up with your dream woman tonight, there’s always next time.” Kyle waited until Bree was about to slink away when he finally said, “May I suggest you order a lemon drop?”
“Excuse me?” Bree was more than incredulous. “Why would I order a lemon drop? You know I’m not into lemon.” It’s why she had him totally trained to leave lemon wedges off her drinks. Nothing made her face pucker in all the wrong ways like a lemon drink.
Kyle shrugged. “Call it a hunch. I’ve got a feeling you’ll really woo your match tonight if you bring her a lemon drop.”
That made Bree double-back to her stool. “What’s in a lemon drop, again? Vodka?”
“Yes, indeed.”