Title: Dark Room: A Society X Novel
Series: Society X
Authors: Heidi McLaughlin and L.P. Dover
Genre: Contemporary Romance

The rules of Society X are simple . . . break them and you’re out.

Rule #1 – No names
It doesn’t matter if you want to know, it’s forbidden.

Rule #2 – No exchanging numbers
It doesn’t matter if you want to call, it’s forbidden.

Rule #3 – Everything is to remain strictly anonymous
It doesn’t matter if you want to tell, it’s forbidden.

The Dark Room is the only place you can live out your fantasies and no one will ever know it’s you.

For Parker, what started out as a business transaction has turned into an addiction.

For Mia, it’s been a chance to discover who she truly is.

What happens in the dark will have you begging for more . . .

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“What’s the dark room?” I ask, trying not to sound intrigued. Although, deep down, a small part of me is jealous.

Before she can answer, Stacey hollers her name. “We’ll talk later,” she explains quickly, before rushing to her sister’s side.

“Do you think we should go out into the club so the escorts see us?” Rachel asks, craning her head to see through the entryway.

“Are you serious? You actually want to be a part of this?”

Her eyes go wide. “Hell yeah. I’m not ready to settle down and have kids. I want to live life while I’m still young. Once you get married, you’re stuck with the same dick for the rest of your life. Talk about boring.”

She wouldn’t say that if she found someone she was in love with. Taking a look around the room, there was a lot going on out in the club. “Okay, fine. Come on, Rach, let’s take a look around. If we’re not allowed to, we can say we’re going to the bathroom.”

Shrieking in excitement, she jumps to her feet. “Thank you, thank you! Let’s go.”

We wave at the other ladies in our party and head into the club. On the other side of the door, the music is playing and the dancers on stage are pumping along with it. They give everyone sneak peeks of their junk and I can’t help but catch my breath.

“I wonder if the owner has to see everyone’s giblets before they get hired. I’ve never seen so many huge cocks in one place at one time,” I murmur in her ear.

“I know, right? It’s heaven. Why can’t I find a guy who’s gifted like that?”

“Join the club and I’m sure you can have all you want.”

Her eyes widen. “Do you think we have a chance? We’re both sexy as hell. And you’re a trainer for Christ’s sake. You look better than me.”

“You’re more outgoing than I am.”

She shrugs. “So? As long as you have what they want, I don’t think it’ll matter.” We walk around the club and every so often I see some of the escorts studying individual people. However, I never see any of them looking at me.

Meredith catches up to us and grabs our shoulders. “Girls, the night’s almost over. I think Stacey’s worn a hole in her panties from all the grinding.”

We all laugh and follow her back to the VIP room. Stacey’s leaning on her elbow, about to fall asleep. “Thank goodness her wedding isn’t tomorrow.” I giggle.

“She has three more weeks to back out if she wants to.” Stacey hears Meredith and flips her off. “Just kidding, sis.” She turns to us and smiles. “She hates it when I say that. Are you two staying a little longer? Stacey is riding back with Alex.”

“I’d like to.” Rachel pouts her lips and turns to me. “Just a few more minutes?”

“Fine,” I grumble. Saying our goodbyes to Stacey, some of the other girls help her out of the room. Once they’re gone, Meredith joins Rachel and me back in the VIP room. It’s just us, which is perfect because we have full view of the stage.

“So, tell us about this dark room,” Rachel prods.

Smiling wide, she leans forward but then stops when her gaze meets something at the door. “I think you’re about to find out for yourselves.”

“Good evening, ladies,” a voice calls out. Rachel gasps and my heart thunders out of control. It couldn’t be true, could it? Turning, I focus my attention on the tall, dark and handsome escort. He smirks and nods toward the door. “I was wondering if you ladies would be interested in exploring all of the possibilities the club has to offer.”

“Yes,” Meredith answers before we can. “They would love to.”

He winks at her and laughs. “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Chambers. Do you want to come with them?”

“Of course.”

She and Rachel get up and follow him out the door, leaving me to stew in my seat. “Mia, come on!” Rachel demands when she notices I’m not following them.

“I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”

Sighing, she walks up to me and takes my hand. “You can do this. Don’t you owe it to yourself to live your life? When you’re old and gray, you can look back and say, ‘I did this and I wasn’t afraid.’”

“I don’t think fucking strangers is an accomplishment.”

She shakes her head. “No, but living out your true fantasies is. Not many people get the chance to do that. Now let’s go!”

Taking a deep breath, I follow them down a side hallway to a closed door. The escort types in a code and it opens up to another hallway. Once the door shuts, he turns to face us. “You two have been selected to be a part of Society X’s elite. I’ll tell you more about it, but first, is this something you think you’re interested in? If not, I’ll be happy to escort you back to the main room.” He stares at me, but I stand firm and nod once. “Good, let’s get started.”

We walk down the hall to another room, where he picks up a couple of documents and hands them to us. “These are your applications. Fill them out, and later on in the week we’ll let you know if you passed all the requirements. More information will be given to you then, but for now, just know that we’ll take care of your needs—meet your every desire.”

“So you can get a horse in here?” I giggle, my nerves getting the best of me.

Meredith snorts, but the guy stares at me and doesn’t laugh. He must think I’m serious. Great. Rachel’s eyes about fall out of her face and she smacks me in the arm. “Mia! Knock it off, would you?” She turns to our escort. “Please continue, and do your best to ignore my friend.”

He nods and takes us on a tour, showing us the viewing room, the bondage room, and lastly, the dark room. “In the dark room, your partner will not be able to see you. You’ll rely on your other four senses to guide you. This room is purely confidential and anonymous, since you won’t be able to talk with or see your partner. But rest assured, all of our clients are top notch. We’re very particular about who we pick.”

“So basically, you’re saying you’re not going to invite smelly-ass men with beer guts?” I ask. Rachel snickers and Meredith tries to hide her smile.

He shakes his head. “No. The only reason we would find someone of that stature is if a client requested it, but so far that hasn’t been the case.” I didn’t think so. “Does any of this sound appealing to you?” he asks.

Rachel and Meredith both stare at me with hopeful eyes. Sighing in defeat, I hold out my hand. “I’m going to need a pen.”

Heidi McLaughlin

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from Portland, Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup, and their newest addition of a Highland Westie/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she’s writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting courtside during either daughter’s basketball games.

L.P. Dover