Chapter 2

"I'm so glad you're coming home with me, B," Serena squealed, flicking her golden hair over her shoulder.

Blair smiled back at her roommate. When she had transferred to Yale from NYU in the fall, getting to know her peers was the furthest thing from her mind. She had spent the last year getting over the humiliation of being cheated on by a so-called prince, avoiding paparazzi for months after their separation, and feeling a mixture of guilt and intrigue over her one-night stand with the Dark Knight. She entered Yale as a twenty-three year old senior thanks to the gap year that she had taken to play princess-to-be. When she looked back over the sham that was her relationship with Louis, she couldn't help the inevitable bout of embarrassment – how could she have been so stupid? The sparkly tiara and canary diamond engagement ring must've blinded her because his infatuation with his childhood friend, Estee, was obvious to everyone but her.

Somehow, over the course of the year, she had developed a true bond with Serena, and, now, it felt like they had been friends their entire lives. Honestly, she probably wouldn't have made it through the year without Serena by her side, constantly acting as her most loyal cheerleader. She had experienced the loneliest time of her life until she enrolled at Yale and met Serena and her childhood friend, Nate.

Nate didn't attend Yale; he was a senior at Columbia, but he still came up to visit Serena in New Haven pretty regularly. When Serena first introduced her to Nate, Blair made the natural assumption that they were dating; however, Serena quickly denied that misconception. She explained that they had dated briefly as juniors in high school but that they were better off as friends. After a few months, Serena had the sneaking suspicion that Blair liked Nate, so through a few strategic moves, she set the two of them up to spend some time alone together. Slowly, they became more than friends and developed genuine feelings for each other.

Blair was happy for the first time in years. She loved Serena, and she enjoyed her time with Nate. She didn't experience the same spark of electricity as she had with the Dark Knight, but it was a nice and simple relationship. She trusted him, and the fact that she could spend time with both her best friend and her boyfriend at the same time was an added bonus. By spring time, the three of them had become inseparable, and Blair finally felt like the pieces of her life were falling into place.

After graduation in May, Blair's mother informed her that she and her new husband, Cyrus, would be spending the summer in Paris. Blair missed New York, and she didn't really get the impression that she was welcome to tag along to France – it seemed to be a honeymoon of sorts for the older couple, and that was something that she was not apt to subject herself to. The idea of returning to her empty penthouse wasn't entirely appealing either, so when Serena suggested that they spend the summer together, she was thrilled. They planned to settle into the van der Woodsen penthouse for the weekend before leaving Monday morning for the Hamptons.

"It's going to be the best summer ever," Blair grinned as Serena hugged her.

Serena's phone chirped from the bedside table, and she pulled back from Blair to check her messages. A grimace crossed her features as she read the text from her mom. "Well," she sighed, tossing the phone onto the bed. "It looks like my step-brother will be joining us in the Hamptons next week."

"And that's a bad thing because…?" Blair asked, wondering why she'd never heard Serena mention her brother before.

"Eh," Serena shrugged. "He's good friends with Nate, so it's not terrible. They can keep each other occupied while we shop and tan, but Chuck's…well, he's a lot – and I mean that in the worst way imaginable."

Blair nodded, unsure of what Serena meant by 'a lot,' but she decided to let it go. "Oh, well, I'm sure that he will find more entertaining ways to occupy his time than bother us."

"That's just it, Blair," Serena placed her hands on her friend's shoulders. "You can't give in to him; you can't give him the satisfaction of thinking he gets to you."

Blair snorted at Serena's warning. "I think I can handle myself."

"Listen, he's my brother - for better or worse, but he's also the world's worst human being. Just stay as far away from him as you can."

"Don't worry," Blair laughed, "I will be spending the summer relaxing and enjoying my time with you and Nate before it's time to head back to the city and start my career. I have no intentions of going head-to-head with your brother."

XOXO

"This place is beautiful," Blair complimented politely as they entered the van der Woodsen penthouse. "I can't believe that we lived this close to each other and never crossed paths before Yale."

"It's actually not too surprising," Serena tossed her purse on the counter. "Before my mom married Bart, my brother, Eric, and I didn't have much stability. We moved around a lot, and we didn't settle back into New York until the last few years."

"So you have two brothers?"

"Oh, yeah, Eric is my biological brother; he's two years younger than me." She offered Blair a glass of wine, pouring herself a generous serving before settling onto a stool at the counter. "Chuck is the menace I told you about earlier; he's Bart's son."

"Wait…those names sound familiar…" She knit her eyebrows together in concentration. "Your mother's married to Bart Bass?"

"Yes," Serena confirmed. "Do you know him?"

"No, not at all, but he has the most recognizable name in New York real estate." Blair sipped from her wine glass and added, "And his son is infamous."

"Exactly why I told you to stay away from him."

"All you needed to do was say the name 'Chuck Bass' and I'd be headed in the opposite direction."

"I know he has a reputation, but I didn't realize it was that widespread. You're sure you've never met him?"

Blair grimaced. "Please every respectable girl on the Upper East Side knows exactly what kind of reputation Chuck Bass has. I don't have to meet him to know that he's nothing but trouble."

"Good point." Serena guided Blair upstairs to two bedrooms joined together by a large bathroom. She directed Blair to the room on the right. "You'll stay in here. That one is my room."

Blair sat down on the bed and took in her surroundings. The room was slightly smaller than her own at the Waldorf residence, but it was warm and inviting with tasteful decor and a breathtaking view. She knew that, if she ever got homesick, she was only a short commute from her penthouse, but, for now, she was happy to spend the summer with her friend.

"There's a rooftop garden if you need to get some fresh air. It was one of the main selling points." Serena explained as her maid, Angelique, carefully hung Blair's clothes in the oversized closet.

"That sounds lovely," Blair smiled. "Do we have plans for tonight?"

Serena waited for the maid to shuffle out of the room before turning excitedly toward Blair. "Okay," she clapped her hands together. "You're gonna have to trust me here."

Blair felt apprehension wash through her at Serena's tone. "Not instilling much confidence in me, S."

Serena waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing like that, B. My friend Carter invited us to this really exclusive club tonight, that's all."

"What's so sinister about that?"

"Nothing," Serena shrugged, arranging potential outfit options on the bed. "He just said that a lot of celebrities are members, so we have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and we can't take our cell phones. He said that last week, he saw Patrick Roberts and Olivia Burke there."

"I don't know," Blair dithered, scrunching her nose as she surveyed the variety of scandalous dresses Serena had picked out.

"C'mon," Serena whined, "We'll have a blast. If you aren't enjoying yourself after an hour, I promise we'll leave."

XOXO

Blair's heart pounded as she stared up at the unmarked building in front of her, a series of memories flashing inside her mind: the gasps, the touch, the thrill. She saw a pair of brown eyes hidden behind a dark mask boring into her as her body convulsed in pleasure.

Shaking her head of the naughty images, she glanced over at Serena with an unsure expression on her face. "Um, S, are you sure this is the right place?"

Serena nodded, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "Remember that it's based on secrecy to protect its elite clients." She reached into her oversized bag and pulled out two glittery masks. She handed the light pink mask to Blair after situating the blue one around her blonde waves. "Guests wear masks to protect their identities."

Blair accepted the mask, knowing good and well what the rules were for, but she figured that Serena didn't need to know about her history with the hedonistic club. Instead, she maintained an air of uncertainty to hide her growing curiosity. For the past year, her Dark Knight had plagued her mind - and her dreams - and her heart thumped wickedly at the thought of actually laying eyes on him again.

Serena knocked three times on the back door and a masculine voice carried through the intercom mounted beside the door. "Please enter your code into the keypad."

She entered a series of numbers that Carter had texted her earlier that day, and the door opened to reveal a tall man in a tuxedo standing behind a desk in the lavishly decorated lobby. "Good evening, ladies," he greeted politely. "I see that this is your first visit to Decadence. Please proceed to Room #2 down the hall, and someone will be in to assist you shortly."

A few minutes later, a light knock sounded at the door, and a woman in her early thirties in a three-piece suit and sky high stilettos stepped inside. "Hello," she said cordially, closing the door behind her. "I'm Justine, and I'm here to acquaint you with the rules and procedures of the club."

When Blair came to Decadence last summer, she'd managed to side-step the preliminary introductions and regulations thanks to her chance meeting with a call-girl outside of the club. Now, the woman in front of her with the long satin ponytail was equally impressive and formidable. Something in her inspired Blair to sit up straight, listen attentively, and heed each of the woman's warnings.

Justine was the type to get straight to business, and she didn't sugarcoat the taboo nature of her speech. "Here at Decadence," she spoke firmly. "Our clients' safety and privacy are our top priority, so each of our guests are required to submit to a routine physical, including blood work and a pelvic exam performed by our on-site doctor, before entering the club. After the initial exam, you will only be required to see the doctor bimonthly so long as you keep your membership current."

Blair's eyes darted back to Serena, whose cool demeanor seemed to be winding tighter and tighter with anxiety with each word that Justine uttered. If she hadn't already known what to expect, Blair, too, would've been shocked by the bluntness with which the older woman spoke. "Do you have any questions regarding the medical evaluation?" They shook their heads slightly, and she continued, "To protect the anonymity provided by our club, clients must sign non-disclosure agreements each time they come." She placed the forms in front of them, indicating the signature line. "You are welcome to read through it, but the gist is that you are sworn to secrecy about the club's existence and location and any identifying information about the club's owner, employees, and patrons. Under no circumstances should you reveal your true identity to anyone inside the club, but, should you find yourself with knowledge about anyone else, you are legally obligated to protect that information."

She offered them both pens, allowing them a few moments to scan the agreement. Blair had spent enough time with her father and step-father to know that this contract was iron-clad, and, for some reason, she found comfort in the club's strict policies. Everything seemed to be organized, professional, and purposeful. After skimming the final page, she lifted the pen and signed her name in smooth strokes of black ink. Serena seemed to relax at the realization that Blair was comfortable signing the form, so she added her own sloppy signature to the page in front of her.

"Now that we've squared that away," Justine placed their forms in file folders along with a copy of their identification. "Let's go over the club's policies. First, you will be provided with a changing room, should you need it, and a locker for your personal belongings. You will not be permitted to bring any of them into the club with you. Cell phones and any other recording devices are strictly prohibited." Justine powered on a monitor on her desk and turned it to face Blair and Serena. "This is the main floor." She pointed to the large room where Blair had met the Dark Knight for the first time. "This is the area where people mingle and decide if they would like to take things further. If you don't want to engage intimately with another patron, this area is a safe zone that acts as a dance club. Heavy petting and touching is permissible, but no other sexual activity is permitted within this area. Through each of these doors, public displays of intimacy are permitted. This is the section most utilized by our clients who enjoy exhibition. Each of these booths along the dance floor are equipped with monitors so that patrons can watch the activity happening inside the public rooms. This closet directly underneath the stairs is stocked with condoms, lubricants, and towels. You are welcome to take what you need."

Serena bit her bottom lip, watching Blair out of the corner of her eyes. Carter had informed her that the club he invited her to "pushes the boundaries of public decency," but she had no idea that this was what he meant. She was waiting for Blair to get up and run, but, surprisingly, her brunette friend seemed intrigued, hanging on each of Justine's words as she continued to describe the layout and amenities the club offered. As she showcased each of the private rooms upstairs that catered to various kinks and fantasies, Blair leaned forward, a glint of excitement in her dark eyes.

"Finally," Justine continued. "Consent is non-negotiable. If you want to touch someone, you must ask for explicit permission, and, likewise, anyone else must ask for your permission to touch you. If for any reason, you feel that someone has broken these rules or harassed you, immediately report it to any of our staff members, and the situation will be dealt with swiftly and firmly. Anyone found out of compliance with our policies will be permanently banned from the club, and we will file charges should they break any laws."

After the doctor confirmed their medical clearance, Justine directed them to their private quarters where they could freshen up and drop off their personal belongings. When they were finally alone, Serena turned to Blair, "Do you want to leave?"

Blair laughed, pulling a tube of Dior lip gloss from her clutch. "Why would I want to leave after giving blood to get into a club?"

"I swear I didn't know that -"

"That you were bringing me to a sex club?" Blair's eyes narrowed and a smirk played on her lips. Since meeting Serena last year, she'd never seen the blonde stunned to silence.

"We can leave right now."

"I'm curious," Blair entered a code into the locker, placing her clutch inside. "I want to see what all of this is about. Besides, maybe we'll see Patrick and Olivia, remember?"

Serena groaned at the line she had used to lure Blair to join her at the club, knowing full well that Blair wasn't one to be star-struck by actors. She was more likely to seek out the company of society's most elite: royalty, noblemen, anyone with a title and an accent…well, that was before Louis humiliated her at her own wedding. Serena sighed, "What about Nate?"

"You're the one who brought me here, Serena," Blair exclaimed in frustration. "I'm not going to cheat on Nate. I'll stay in the safe zone, but I did not just experience a full-blown pelvic exam to leave before I even get inside."

XOXO

As soon as they entered the club, Blair's eyes scanned the room from corner to corner, searching for the Dark Knight. She knew that her curiosity was both dangerous and futile. The chances that he would frequent the club a year later the same night that she was there was certainly slim, and, even if he was there by some strange chance, she had no intentions of engaging with him. She was serious when she told Serena that she would remain faithful to Nate. Despite the warnings from the logical part of her brain, though, disappointment flooded her when she didn't see anyone who matched the memory of him seared into her mind.

"I see Ca-" Serena trailed off, remembering the stern rules she'd agreed to. "I see my friend over by the bar. Let's get a drink."

"Hi, beautiful," Carter smiled beneath his Zorro mask – the same one he'd worn every time he hit up Decadence. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss against Serena's cheek under the edge of her mask. When he pulled away, his eyes trailed slowly down her voluptuous form encased in a royal blue mini-dress. "No costume?"

She pressed her lips into a flirty pout and shook her head. "Not tonight, but I think we look pretty good all the same." She motioned to Blair and said, "This is my, um, friend." Giggling, she added, "It's so weird not being able to say names."

Carter reached out his hand to shake Blair's, but his eyes remained locked on Serena. "I've missed you. I almost didn't think you'd show."

"Well," Serena raised her martini to her lips, "If I'd known exactly what kind of club this was, I probably wouldn't have."

He scoffed, a knowing smirk crossing his lips. "We both know that isn't true."

Serena let out another bubbly laugh, and Blair couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes.

"Dance with me." Carter held out his hand to Serena, his eyebrows arching from beneath his mask.

Serena hesitated, glancing from Blair to Carter and back. "I don't want to leave my friend."

"Go on," Blair cut in. The tension was palpable between the two of them, and it was making her a little uncomfortable. Besides, she could use a few minutes alone. She loved Serena, but sometimes she could be suffocating. "I'm fine with people watching."

"You're sure?" Serena looked hopeful but uncertain.

"Yes!" Blair smiled, pushing her gently toward Carter. "Go have fun."

"Oh, trust me," Carter winked, "We're going to have a lot of fun."

XOXO

Chuck enlarged the video on the screen in front of him to focus on the girl at the bar in the pink slip dress. She slowly brushed her hand over her shoulder, sweeping her hair off of the back of her neck. He watched her cross and uncross her legs, her eyes skimming the room as she absently sipped from the drink in front of her. He couldn't be certain, but her mannerisms were familiar. The column of her throat so slender and shapely that his mind involuntarily replayed the moment his tongue slid against her soft skin, eliciting the most erotic mewls he'd ever heard.

It had to be her. He'd spent nearly every weekend of the past year in this office, watching footage night after night, hoping to catch just one more glance of his Princess Bride. He couldn't put into words the strange effect that their night together had had on him, but she'd invaded his mind to the point that he'd broken his own rules. He'd dug through the confidential guests' records in search of at least a name, knowing that it was a complete violation of her privacy, but he had to know who she was. To his frustration, however, she'd slipped through his carefully-crafted security system through a random encounter with one of the club's original call-girls.

He stood abruptly from his seat, raking his hands through his hair. His fascination with this woman had cost him more than a few nights' sleep, and now she was sitting by herself in the club he owned. The logical choice would be to approach her, to get his fix, but they had promised one night of anonymity. He reached for the drawer that contained the devil visage, but his hand faltered in mid-air, his mind still caught between indecision. With a sigh of frustration, he pushed the mask to the side, and grabbed a sheet of paper and pen instead, scribbling a message across it.

XOXO

"Miss," the bartender addressed Blair, sliding an envelope across the bar to her, "This is for you."

She furrowed her brow in confusion, cautiously opening the note to read the small penmanship: Hello, Princess. You look lonely. I'm in room 38 upstairs if you want some company. - Your Dark Knight.

Her heart thudded with a mixture of anticipation and excitement, and a swell of arousal grew in her belly at the thought of the sexy, mysterious stranger waiting for her. Her mind raced, and she quickly downed her drink, signaling for the bartender to bring her another one, as she tried to get her bearings about her. He was there, just two floors above her. It was exhilarating, but she knew that walking up those stairs was also incredibly irresponsible.

She threw back the second drink, closing her eyes and giving into the memories that haunted her every night. She could almost feel his hand trailing over her hips slowly up her sides to cup her breasts in his hands. He'd pushed inside of her so gently the second time, bringing her to the brink over and over again before finally letting her fall over the edge. Come for me, Princess. The commanding, husky tone of his voice when he whispered naughty words in her ear caused her body to quake around him. She'd never in her life experienced anything like that night.

She exhaled slowly, standing from her seat. Her hands were shaking as she looked around in search of Serena. When she found her friend still on the dance floor, lips locked with Carter's, she smoothed her hands over her dress and made her way toward the stairs, feigning a confidence that she certainly didn't feel.

As she reached the third floor, she stumbled down the hallway, her heart plummeting into her stomach the closer she got to Room 38. When she finally stood in front of the door, she just stood there for several moments before knocking lightly.

The door opened almost immediately, and her breath hitched in her throat as she drank in the sight of the man in front of her. He donned the same mask from their first night together, but this time he wore a dark charcoal gray suit that fit his frame to perfection. She gulped, reminding herself to breathe. "Hi," she said quietly, a small, shy smile playing on her lips.

"Hi," he returned her smile, opening the door wider so that she could enter.

She stepped inside, instinctively closing the door behind her. "I shouldn't be here."

"Hm," he sighed, stepping closer to her until he was a mere few inches from her. He reached out to run his hand over the exposed length of her left arm, and she shivered under his touch. "I disagree. This is exactly where you should be."

Her chest heaved, and she had to close her eyes as he came even closer. She couldn't think in his presence. She longed to bury herself in his chest and inhale his uniquely masculine scent. "We agreed on one night," she whispered, leaning into his touch as his hand brushed over her shoulder, skimming the skin of her collar bone.

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that night." He leaned down, peppering kisses across her neck, his tongue peeking out to dip into the contours of her decolletage. He smiled when she whimpered beneath him. "I propose one more night to get it out of our systems. Same rules apply: no names, no strings, just mind-blowing sex."

She sighed, melting against the door when he reached her ear and pulled the lobe between his teeth. With every ounce of strength she had in her, she shook her head and firmly pushed him back, away from her. "I didn't come here for sex," she said meekly.

His brows furrowed under his mask. "What?"

"I came here…" She exhaled softly. "I don't know; it sounds stupid now, but I came here to let you know in person that it won't happen again. A lot has changed in a year. I have a boyfriend now."

Chuck let out a low mocking laugh. "You're serious?"

Blair crossed her arms over her chest, her arousal quickly replaced by anger. "Why's that so hard to believe?"

"It's not hard to believe," he huffed. "But it is a bit funny, don't you think?"

"What are you saying?" Blair snarled, embarrassment coursing through her at his unspoken accusation.

"This is a sex club. You have a boyfriend, yet you're here for one, and two, you could've ignored my note, you could've written back to decline my offer, but instead you came all the way up here just to tell me - a stranger you fucked a year ago - that you have a boyfriend."

"You're an ass, and I don't appreciate your implications." She raised her voice with each word, opening the door with too much force. "I came up here as a courtesy, but I see now that that was a mistake."

"Keep telling yourself that, Princess," Chuck snapped, adjusting his tie.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she seethed.

"You're here with me instead of in your boyfriend's bed on a Saturday night. You're a smart girl; fill in the blanks."

"Screw you!" She slammed the door in his face, a mixture of rage and humiliation coloring her cheeks.

"That's exactly why you're here, even if you won't admit it to yourself," he yelled back through the closed door, unsure why he felt like he had to have the last word.

Blair ignored him, rushing down the stairs, pushing past anyone who dared get in her way. She found Serena still on the dance floor and yelled over the music, "You have fun; I've got a headache, so I'm heading back to the penthouse."

Serena extracted herself from Carter and said, "I can come with you."

"No, it's fine. I just want to go to bed."

"If you're sure," Serena looked doubtful, but Carter pulled her back into his arms before she could change her mind.

When Blair finally entered the van der Woodsen penthouse, she threw herself onto the guest bed with a sigh, trying not to think about what a disaster tonight had been. The Dark Knight wasn't nearly as charming as she remembered, she lied to herself, but, even worse, she'd set herself up for humiliation by even going to the room. She should've backed out as soon as she realized where Serena had taken her.

She touched her throat where his lips had been, her body thrumming treacherously with excitement. She had been so close to letting it go too far; as soon as he had touched her, she had to make a conscious effort to remember her boyfriend. It had to be because she hadn't slept with Nate yet, she decided foolishly; that was the only possible explanation for her idiocy tonight. She tapped out a quick message before heading to the bathroom to shower before bed: Can't wait to see you in the Hamptons. My bed's going to be lonely for the next three nights, but you can make up for it Monday night. She added a series of heart emojis for good measure.

There, she thought smugly, soon enough she'd forget all about that arrogant prick in the devil's mask and drown herself in Nate. If she never saw the Dark Knight again, it would be too soon.