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I didn’t know if it was an itch I needed to scratch and be done with, or if I wanted her in my company a little bit longer than just one night.

“Hunter.” Andi snapped her fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to earth. “I’ll ask you one more time. What brings you here tonight?”

“You.” The word crept up my throat and tumbled out before I could stop it. As much as I wanted to swallow my response and pretend I didn’t sound so eager, I straightened my shoulders and put on an act of confidence.

“Andi?” she whispered. “Or Scarlett Jade?”

I paused as I thought over the outcome of each answer.

“Scarlett Jade,” I lied, not able to admit I wanted to get to know her on a personal level.

This wasn’t the time or place for that.

Dating had never been my forte. I fucked my share of women over the years, but emotions and getting tangled up in the seriousness of everything a relationship entailed wasn’t something I ever wanted to go through again.

I’d been hurt enough to build up a fucking wall the size of the Hoover Dam. Going there again wasn’t an option, even if I was intrigued as hell by Andi.

“All right then. C’mon, Mr. Hotshot.” Andi ran her long forest green fingernail that matched the color of her eyes down the length of my tie. Tugging ever so slightly, she eventually dropped the silk around my neck, knowing I would follow her like a puppy waiting for their next meal.

Andi didn’t have to turn around to know I remained just a few feet from her heels. With her eyes trained forward on the club, mine stole every moment I could to drink in her deep red locks falling over her impressively toned back, and the tiny ensemble draped delicately over every curve.

When we met in Denver, she wore a sinfully sexy cocktail dress and high heels. The way it clung to her body, I knew she’d be a knockout. But seeing her in what she wore to work, it felt like I was cheating. Like I was stealing a look at her that didn’t belong to me. But fuck was I going to enjoy every minute of it.

“After you, handsome.” She held out her hand after unlocking a private room.

I hadn’t been to a back room yet since visiting The Royale. But based on how the majority of the club looked, I had high expectations for these little hidden rooms.

To my surprise, this was unlike any strip club or gentleman’s club I’d been in. Most VIP rooms were simple. Built for comfort. And while this one looked comfortable as hell with the plush velvet loveseats and chairs, it also looked like a whole lot more went down than just a private dance.

“Take a seat, get comfortable. I’ll top off your drink.” Andi’s hips swayed toward the small wet bar where she threw in a couple rocks and poured two fingers of gin.

At a loss for words, completely unaware of what was going to happen next, I took a seat on one of the couches and remained silent as she took the lead.

“There’s a price list on the end table.” She nodded toward the slim leather-bound book that stood just inches away from me. “Take as long as you want to look it over.”

Price list? More like a menu.

The private rooms at The Royale had a whole ass menu for just about anything you could possibly want or had a craving for. Each tier of a membership came with certain … perks. Ranging from the typical stuff like dances from the women to exploring different kinks. So, unlike a regular price list you’d see at a spa or a restaurant, this one broke down sexual acts and fantasies based on your tier. Or if you wanted to throw your wallet into the ring, upgrades were always an option, too.

The list started with the milder options at the top. More affordable in price for the average man, and down toward the bottom, the prices got higher. And with each word I read, a jolt of electricity went straight to my groin.

“Any of these off the table for you?” Finally finding my voice, the words came out strangled. I hadn’t planned to take advantage of the list, but fuck if I wasn’t curious.

My eyes lifted from the menu when I felt a sharp fingernail underneath my chin. The subtle touch took me back to the day where her nails glided along my shoulder, when she bravely walked up to me, introducing herself at that rowdy nightclub in Denver.

A woman who didn’t wait for a man to make a move—a woman as stunning as her—had a way of grabbing my attention, making it almost impossible to let go of.

Little did she know, before that happened, she already caught my attention.

“Depends on the person.” Her answer had me intrigued.

My Adam’s apple bobbed as I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. While my thoughts should be running wild with possibilities, I couldn’t ignore the twist in my gut as I thought about this list, and the other men she’d spent time entertaining for a living.

It was clear to me that when I answered who I wanted for the night, Andi was giving me a full-blown Scarlett Jade experience—for a price.

My insides continued to turn as I thought about what I would choose. But I couldn’t bring myself to take advantage—because that’s exactly what this felt like—even if she was giving me permission to pay for anything I could possibly want.

Andi dropped her hand from my chin, stepped back, and reached out to offer me my drink. Taking a sip of the clear liquid, I let the burn of the liquor give me the confidence to make my choice.