"So, let me get this straight. We have to go to a party and then Solomons will work with us?" Michael asked, confused as we got into the car. "Pretty much, yeah. But these parties, Michael, they are like nothing you have ever experienced before." I told him as he started up the car and I gave him directions to the hotel. "These parties are notorious for drugs and sex." I told him, watching his reaction. "You'll have to sign a contract before you go in, saying that whatever happens in the party stays in the party. No matter what, you can't tell anyone else who was there or what happened. You don't have to involve yourself in anything you don't want to." I continued, as he nodded slowly. "It usually starts at 5 so we will aim to get there around 6. Gives us about two hours to get to the hotel and get ready." I finished. "Sounds like you've been to one before." He said, looking at the road. "I've been to a few with Ada, yes." I confirmed as he kept his expression neutral.
We were at the hotel only ten minutes later. We dropped off the car with the valet and then checked ourselves into our separate rooms. I let myself into my room and removed my coat and kicked off my shoes. I found a black velvet box on the bed with a small white envelope on top. I narrowed my eyes at the package before picking up the envelope and pulling out the card inside. 'I'm so glad you are joining us tonight, I hope it fits! RS' I rolled my eyes at Ruth's antics before discarding the card and opening the box. All I could see was black lace and silk. Of course.
I pulled out a makeup bag, shoes and stockings and I rummaged in the box for the familiar three ribbons but couldn't find them. Perhaps they gave them out here now. I went over to the dressing table and sat down with the makeup bag. Opening it, I smiled at how much Ruth knew me. There was mascara, eye kohl, a dark red lipstick and a few hair pins. I quickly applied the makeup and pinned some of my curls back, messily.
I was admiring my work in the mirror when there was a knock at the door. I stood up, crossing the large room and opening the door to reveal Michael. "Hey." I smiled, allowing him entry into the room. "Nice suit." I commented as I closed the door. "Thanks, it was just in my room with a note from a JS." he told me. "Yeah, that would be Jacob Solomons." I laughed, making my way over to the bed and pointing at the box on it. "I had one from Ruth." I told him.
"There was also these." Michael said and I turned to see he was holding up three ribbons, a black one, a green one and a red one. "You got the ribbons?" I said, confused before it clicked. "Alfie." I laughed. "What are the ribbons for?" he asked as I crossed the room to stand in front of him. "Before, when I've gone with Ada, we've chosen what ribbons to wear but I guess they want you to choose." I started, looking up at him. "The green one means you are available and people can proposition you. The red means that you are not available but the other person isn't with you. Most of the people there take this as a challenge. Finally, the black one means you are not available and the person you are staying faithful to is with you. People will either leave me alone or proposition both of us." I explained, watching his reaction.
"So if you are wearing green or red, people basically see you as fair game?" Michael questioned and I nodded. "Black, I want you to wear the black one." he told me, watching me intensely. I smiled up at him. "Happily." I replied, winding my arms around his neck and pulling him down to me so I could press my lips to his. His arms went around my waist, pulling my body into his as we kissed.
We walked down the street arm in arm. "No last names or telling people where you work. Even if you recognise people, you don't know them in here." I told him, briefing him as the place came into sight. "Alfie thinks that something is going on between us and will quiz Ruth and Jacob on it tomorrow. Be flirty and touchy but do not let on that this is an ongoing thing. Be a bit hesitant, this is new to us. Don't drink too much but make out like you are, we can get away with more if they think we are drunk." I added, making sure he was nodding along. "Eves, relax. We've got this." he told me before kissing my hair.
"Evelyn Shelby and Michael Gray." I told the man on the door who quickly let us through. We entered into the small reception room. "Evie, how lovely to see you again." the girl on reception smiled. "Hey, this is Michael, he needs a form." I told her, smiling. "Of course!" she said, picking up a form and pen and handing it to Michael. "Can I take your coats?" she asked, coming around the desk. I undid the buttons and slid off my coat revealing the outfit below. I was wearing a black lace and satin cami top that stop halfway down my bum, showing the matching tiny shorts that were clipped onto some black stockings. The outfit was rather flattering and was the exact right size. I had hidden my outfit from him before but Michael's eyes flickered across it. I raised my eyebrows at him as his eyes met mine once more. He gave me a cheeky grin before going back to the paperwork in front of him.
The receptionist took my coat out the back and came back with a glass of rum. "Thanks." I smiled at her as she handed me the glass and took the form from Michael. "Thanks, Michael. I can take your coat now." she told him, looking briefly at the form as he removed his coat and handed it to her. She disappeared again before coming back with a whiskey and handing it to Michael. "Enjoy." she smiled, gesturing to a nearby door. I smiled at her as Michael wrapped his arm around my waist and we walked through the double doors together.
Jacob and Ruth spotted us almost immediately once we had walked through the door. The first room was usually quite empty and tonight was no different. "Evie!" Ruth squealed, coming over to us and pulling me from Michael's arm. "Hey, Ruth." I laughed, wrapping my spare arm around her. Once she pulled away from me, I could see how amazing she looked in a deep green lace bra and shorts. "You look incredible." I smiled as Jacob joined us. "And so do you, Evie." he grinned, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. "Michael, this is Ruth and Jacob." I introduced, stepping back to stand by his side once more. "Pleasure to meet you, Michael. I am glad the suit fit." Jacob said, holding his hand out for Michael to shake. "Yeah, thanks." Michael replied, shaking his hand.
"You went for the black ribbon tonight then." Ruth smiled, looking between Michael and I knowingly. "We didn't want to complicate matters." I smiled, glancing up at Michael. "Sebastian is here tonight. He's going to be disappointed." she told me, suggestively. "When it comes to me, Sebastian is always disappointed, Ruth." I replied, hopefully showing Michael that I wasn't just sleeping with everyone. "Well, we are monopolising you. There are many people that will be happy to see your face. We will let you show Michael around." Jacob smiled before leading his wife away.
I threaded my arm through Michael's as I started leading him across the room. "She was wearing a green ribbon." Michael commented once we were out of earshot. "She was. Her and Jacob are very liberal." I told him, taking a sip from my glass. "Have you ever come here with John?" Michael asked me as he glanced around the next room, couples and groups were dotted around the large living room. Some talking, some kissing and some having sex. I let out a small laugh. "No, I haven't. Do you think any man that glanced in my direction would live to see the next morning?" I replied, looking up at him. He let out a dry chuckle.
"You thought it would be safe to bring me here." he laughed. "Not safe, Michael, no. You're still a Blinder but are more appreciative of what you have. You see other men looking at me as an accomplishment rather than a threat. I am here with you, with a black ribbon around my wrist and you know you have me, my full attention." I told him, looking up at him through my eyelashes. He looked down at me, searching my face with a hint of a smile. "Your full attention?" he asked, leaning down towards me as I bit my lip slightly.
"Evie!" a voice called, breaking us away from each other. I turned to see Sebastian coming towards us. He was not a very tall man, standing the same height as me in my heels. He had broad shoulders and salt and pepper hair. His brown eyes always had a hint of mischief. He was considered attractive within this sordid circle but I still wasn't sure if that was because of the way he looked or the face that he oozed money. "Sebastian." I smiled, embracing him, kissing his cheek as he kissed mine. "I've heard a little rumour that your husband has joined us this evening." he said as we broke apart. "Sebastian, this is Michael." I introduced, smiling. "Pleasure." Sebastian said, holding his hand out to Michael. Michael smiled politely at him and shook his hand, placing his other around my waist. I smiled to myself as Sebastian noticed the gesture. "How are you, Sebastian? Behaving yourself?" I asked, leaning into Michael slightly as I took a sip of my drink. "You know me, Evie! I never behave." Sebastian laughed, before looking behind me. "Oh, Scarlett is here! Best be off!" he exclaimed, not giving either of us a chance to respond before he kissed my cheek and walk away.
The night continued in much the same way until, around three hours later, we eventually managed to find a quiet corner. We were sat on a plush sofa, my legs over Michael's as we relaxed. We were on our fifth drink but we hadn't been drinking them, taking a sip or two before discarding it on a nearby table. "What would Henry Johnson have said if I told him this was going to be what he was doing in three years time?" I asked, looking at Michael. He laughed, thinking about it for a moment. "He'd have probably said 'Why three years? Why not now?'" he replied, laughing. I chuckled along with him for a moment before our eyes connected.
"You're driving me crazy, do ya know that?" he told me, running his hand up my thigh. "I might have guessed." I replied, coyly before biting my lip slightly. He scoffed lightly before leaning into me, the hand on my thigh tightening as he pulled me into him. Our lips connected very softly at first before returning to each other, hungry. His other hand went to the side of my head, knotting in my curls as mine went to his jacket, pulling him into me. I bit his lip slightly, asking for entrance that he quickly granted, entangling our tongues together.
We kissed like this for a few moments, neither of us wanting to pull away from each other but we knew we were being watched. I pulled away first, resting my forehead on his and looking at him through my eyelashes. His lust filled eyes mirrored mine as we gazed at each other, both trying to control our urges. "Do you think we are giving them a good show?" he asked, not breaking his eyes from mine. "Oh, yes." I grinned.
A/N I was really looking forward to this chapter then I thought it came out a bit meh... let me know what you think.