“She didn’t seem to have a problem with it this afternoon,” Dimitri joked.
Wynter’s cheeks heated and Logan laughed.
“No, my friend, she didn’t. And I must say that I very much like her that way.”
Wynter was about to protest and tell them both that it hadn’t been her idea to strip in the pool, when the maître d’ from earlier rushed over to Logan. He efficiently ushered their party out of the theater and into a different area of the club. Within minutes, they were seated. Their small circular table barely held enough room for their glasses but provided them with an excellent view of the room, including the bar and adjoining dance floor.
Scattered tables filled the lounge, leaving only a small area around the bar stools for standing room. Checkered stone floors and blackened walls adorned with gas lit lanterns reminded her yet again of the club’s dark nature. A long copper bar ran the length of a wall where men and woman waited for drinks. Several glass tubes filled with a dark red substance ran from the ceiling down into taps. Wine? Blood? She couldn’t tell without getting closer and there was no way in hell that was happening.
Sitting between Logan and Dimitri, she felt secure, but curious. “What’s with the tubes?” she whispered. “Please tell me it’s wine.”
Logan lowered his voice. “Blood. They serve it many ways. Live donors are usually preferred by the vamps, but this room is more of a waiting room so to speak. When donors are ready, they can go to private rooms. The disco also has semi-private areas. Feeding occurs everywhere here…even in public.”
Wynter’s eyes widened and her mouth tightened in surprise, and Dimitri jumped in to explain further.
“The people who come to these clubs…they enjoy it,” he told her.
“Enjoy being bitten? Here?” She’d heard it was true but had never really discussed it with anyone who could verify the rumors.
“It’s not like I’m into it, but hey, I don’t judge. Everybody’s looking for something. Humans, wolves, witches, vampires, they’re all here for a little kink. Public feeding. Public sex even. You’ve got voyeurs and exhibitionists and everyone in between,” Logan added. “I’m surprised you didn’t ever go to a club like this in New York. I mean, there’s no doubt this place is a little heavier than most clubs, but that’s only because the vampires run it.”
“Yeah, they don’t mind pushing the envelope of what’s unacceptable, which isn’t much. It’s kind of a free-for-all,” Dimitri pointed out. “I’m actually surprised Kade would come here. I didn’t think he was into all this, but what do I know?”
“I guess I was sheltered. But Jax, he’d never go somewhere like this.” Sure, she’d been sequestered from the nudity but never did she imagine that these clubs could be commonplace in Jax’s life or anyone else in his pack for that matter.
“Trust me, Wyn. Even the almighty Jax Chandler has been in a club like this. He’s the New York Alpha. He may not like to be bitten, but then again, you never know,” Logan sniffed. “But the sex? To see and be seen. Oh, he goes. And if you think he doesn’t…well then maybe you don’t know him as well as you think you do.”
Logan considered her reactions and comments about the club, and it occurred to him that even though she was an adult, she hadn’t been exposed to the supernatural culture at all. A whisper of innocence laced her words, and he couldn’t help but want to be the one to help her learn.
“Just because I live with Jax, that doesn’t mean he tells me everything.” Wynter played with her hands, reflecting on her ignorance. She knew she’d been kept in the dark. Her parents had insisted on it, and when they died, Jax continued the ruse. She felt like an idiot, living with an Alpha, yet inexperienced with the way of wolves. “He’s a wolf. I’m just a human. We’re both busy.”
“What do you mean, just a human?” Logan asked. It was going to be interesting when his little wolf shifted. It would finally be real to her.
Wynter was about to attempt to come up with a witty comeback to his question, but noticed both Logan and Dimitri go on alert, both putting their hands possessively on her thighs. As much as she wanted to reflect on how she felt about having two men touch her at once, and oddly, she really did, she was more curious about the spectacle across the room that had captivated the men’s interest. She squinted, attempting to see in the dimly lit room and wished whatever supernatural wolf powers she might be getting would apply to her eyes. It wasn’t too long before she saw a sight that very much held her attention.
A woman with long flowing black hair writhed on top of a man’s lap. His face was altogether buried in the woman’s neck and as she moved up and down, it became apparent that they were having sex. Her long flowing skirt covered any evidence of their coupling, but the telltale movement of her hips on his provided little question as to what they were doing. Surprisingly aroused by the sight, Wynter watched intently as the man and woman grunted in ecstasy. Blood ran down the woman’s neck, and the man slowly lifted his head. Wynter gasped as the vampire’s eyes snapped open and locked on hers.
Chapter Nine
The vampire had licked his bloodied lips and then smiled at her. And that was the exact moment she’d recognized him. Monsieur Devereoux, from New York City. One of the university’s most influential benefactors was a vampire? What was he doing here in this club? Oh my God.
Her mind raced, as she struggled to compose herself. How was she supposed to talk to Monsieur Devereoux right after she’d watched him have sex? Wynter had found it difficult to tear her eyes away. And oh dear Lord, he knew she’d been watching. Not only did he know, he liked it and smiled at her. Wynter’s heart beat frantically as Léopold confidently strode across the room. She tried to look away and could hardly believe this was happening. Logan would know and she’d be forced to tell him everything.
Dressed in a stylish all black suit and tie, Léopold Devereoux looked as debonair as she’d remembered. His perfectly coiffed hair accentuated his model good looks and lithe muscular body. As if he’d stepped out of an issue of GQ, the man was exceptionally handsome. Yet tonight, there was something different about him, an otherworldly, dangerous edge to his presence. All heads turned to watch him as he made his way toward their table, and she’d almost forgotten where she was until he stood before them offering his hand to her. Wynter heard him address her and swallowed the lump that had lodged in her throat. As she did so, she gave a brief nod to both Logan and Dimitri who stood protectively at her sides. Clearly angry at this development, their faces were set into hardened frowns, staring at him.
“How lovely to see you again, Dr. Ryan.” Léopold bowed his head slightly, never taking his eyes off hers. Wynter struggled to respond as the shock of hearing his familiar French accent brought forth the reality that he was who she’d thought he was. Time stopped as she gaped in disbelief. She’d just voyeuristically watched as he covertly yet openly, made love to that woman in his lap.
“Monsieur Devereoux. Why, hello. Very good to see you again,” she managed with a cough. What was she supposed to say? Thanks for letting me watch you have sex. And oh by the way, you’re a vampire? She dug deep to find appropriate diplomatic words that seemed to elude her. “I’m surprised to see you here. Are you wintering in New Orleans?”
Léopold took her hand gently into his before pressing his cool lips to her skin. Logan growled in response, and he quickly released her hand. He gave Wynter a puzzled look, sensing she’d changed. Wolf? Now how did that happen when she’d clearly been human? And where was the ever possessive Jax, letting his little human out to play with strange wolves? Very interesting indeed. Amused, he smiled at the trio and addressed Wynter.