Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(73)

“I love how the brides are so easily interchangeable,” Camryn adds with a roll of her eyes.

“Fingers crossed, Olivia doesn’t fly halfway across the world and get rejected.”

“Nope! She’ll get her happily ever after … just you wait and see.” Camryn smirks. “Right, well, I’ve got shit to do, and that means getting back to New York. So, I’m loving and leaving you both.” She gets up from the table, and I do as well, then we hug each other tightly.

I’ll get to see Camryn again in a month at The Paradise Club Resort’s official opening.

“Love you and … he’s a keeper,” my sister whispers in my ear. “Alex, great to see you again. I guess we’ll get together again soon,” Camryn states, shaking his hand before turning on her heel and walking out of the pub.

“And now there are two.” Alex smiles as he sits back down on the seat Camryn vacated and places his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. “What do you want to do?” His voice dips low, letting me know exactly what he wants to do.

“I want to go home,” I reply.

“Then home it is. I’ll get the jet ready.”





27





ALEX





“I have a present for you,” I say to Ivy, sliding the black velvet case across the restaurant table to her. Ivy stares down at the velvet box with a frown.

“What is it?” she asks with a nervous wave in her voice.

“Open it and see.”

Ivy opens the black box and pulls out a gold card the same size as a credit card. Ivy stares at the nondescript card trying to work out what it could mean. Her name is engraved on the card and there’s a number, but that’s all.

“You are now the newest member of The Paradise Club.”

Those green eyes widen as she looks up, then down to the card again.

“How?”

“I know the owner.” I chuckle.

“I … I don’t know what to say.” Ivy still appears shocked as she turns the card over in her fingers.

“I was thinking we might check it out … for dessert. If that’s something you might be interested in?” I ask nervously because she doesn’t seem as thrilled as I thought she would be over getting the membership.

“Sounds like fun,” she replies, giving me a fake smile.

What the hell? She’s never done that before.

“Ivy, if you’re not comfortable going, we don’t have to,” I tell her while shaking my head, hoping to take whatever pressure she thinks is on her completely off.

“No, I do want to go …”

“You don’t sound enthusiastic about it.”

“I don’t want to share. That’s all,” she says quickly and rather angrily.

Oh, she thinks that I want to share her or have her share me.

She’s jealous.

Fuck that feels good having a woman not wanting to share me.

“Ivy, I told you months ago, when we left the island that was it. I was never sharing you, ever again, and that applies to me as well. I want you and only you, okay?” I reach out and link our hands together.

As the words begin to sink in, the tension in her shoulders starts to subside, and her face relaxes, then a genuine smile falls across her face.

“Okay, now I’m excited.”

I pay the check and grab Ivy’s hand as we leave the restaurant and head toward the limousine. The driver holds open the door for us as we both slide in. I press the button for the privacy screen to roll up after giving him directions to the club.

“What kind of things are there?” Ivy asks, turning in her seat to face me.

“Whatever you want. We can watch people in the cube, or we can watch people in the rooms. We can let people watch us. There are themed rooms for play … like there’s a medical room and all the toys are doctor-themed. Then there’s a dungeon theme with heaps of whips and chains to torture you with,” I say as my hand tickles Ivy’s ribs which makes her giggle. “And many more. We can have a look at what’s available when we get there and work out what you feel comfortable with.”

Ivy nods while biting her bottom lip.

“We can do whatever you like. Is there anything you’d like to try?”

“I’m not sure. My brain has gone blank with excitement. Once I’m there, I’m sure I will be able to work out what I’d like to try. My brain isn’t adventurous enough to be able to even think of the possibilities,” she states excitedly.

“I’m down for whatever as long as it’s with you.” I wrap my arm around her body and pull her to me.

It’s not long until we’re pulling into a dark alley. The driver stops the car, and we get out. Ivy’s eyes widen as we stand before a nondescript building in the middle of the city. It looks like any dark back alley in a large city. To be honest, it looks creepy and unsafe, the kind of alleyway where you’d totally get rolled, but this one has state-of-the-art security, so it’s perfectly safe. I swipe my card across the hidden panel, which is illuminated by a red light, that light turns green, and we step into the reception area.

“Welcome to The Paradise Club, Mr. Lewis, and Miss Starr,” Ruby, the receptionist, greets us. “And Miss Starr, we are pleased to have you join us at the club.” She smiles at Ivy. “Here are your bracelets for the night,” Ruby says, handing us the colored bracelets. “I’m sure, Mr. Lewis, you understand how the club works? Or would you prefer that I explain it to Miss Starr?”