There’s a bar up ahead with more nearly naked bartenders. I spot Molly and Julian there, so we head over. People decked out in full leather attire are walking by us, a man on all fours, crawling with a leash, passes us, and several people are hooking up on some of the couches throughout the room. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever seen.

“This is… wow,” Cash sputters, absorbing everything. He looks over at me and a grin lights up his face as his eyes glimmer in the glow.

“I know.” I take a chance, slipping my hand into his and weaving our fingers together. He looks down at our joined hands, still smiling, before looking straight ahead again. Such a simple gesture has my heart hammering in my chest.

Molly spots us first and, of course, her eyes zero in on our hands before coming to my face. “Hey, baby bro. You actually came!” She gives me a hug before turning to Cash and hugging him too. “Cash! Hi. Glad you could make it.”

“Hi, Molly,” he replies, hugging her back, then tipping his chin at Julian. “Hey, Julian. This place is amazing.”

“It is, isn’t it?” His face lights up with pride as he looks around. He glances down at his watch. “We’re gonna walk around and say hi to everyone, but it’s an open bar tonight, so help yourself.”

Looking at Cash, I ask, “What’ll it be?”

“Uh, whatever they have for IPA,” he replies with a meek smile.

“Should’ve known,” I murmur, loud enough for only him to hear me, and another smirk tugs on his lips.

The bartender stops in front of us. “What can I get for you two?”

“Two of whatever IPA you’ve got, please.”

Cash slips his hand into mine again. Turning my head, I’m met with his big, dark eyes already watching me. A chill runs down my spine. I love being under his full attention. It’ll never get old. Our gazes remain locked, the whole room disappearing, as we speak without words. We get so lost in one another; we don’t even hear the bartender coming back until the beers clank onto the bar top.

“Thank you.” I tip my head, grabbing the ice-cold bottles and handing one to Cash. We both toss back a swig as we step away from the counter. Taking in the sights, people watching, we make our way through the space. In a lot of ways, it’s just like any other club. People are sitting around, mingling and drinking, and there’s dancing in the middle of the room to the beat pulsing through the speakers.

It’s warm in here, and the smell of sweat and sex lingers heavily in the air. People of all legal ages are here, and it’s incredible. People are free to be whoever they want here, do whatever they want, and there’s no judgment.