With all this on my mind, I didn’t go to the grocery store or call Bistro Vendôme. I also didn’t go for a drink at a nice bar.

I went to the closet in my bedroom and direct to the wall safe installed there. I opened it and grabbed one of the four burner phones I kept in it.

I engaged the phone, went to contacts, scrolled down to B. Ross and hit her number.

I put the phone to my ear.

“Ms. Lincoln,” a woman answered. “It’s been some time.”

Now even Ross was telling me something I knew.

“Yes,” I agreed. “I know it’s late notice but do you have any openings tonight?” I asked.

“In the private salons, I’m afraid not.”

I drew breath in my nose.

That was disappointing.

“However, we’ve had no one book in the social viewing chamber,” she went on. “And it’s late in the day and quite rare for anyone to call at this time. Although if another booking comes in, I must accept, at this moment, you would have the social chamber to yourself.”

I looked to my watch. It was well after six. Normally when I went to the club I would call days in advance to be certain to have a private salon.

But what did it matter? I’d go. I’d enjoy a drink. I’d enjoy the performances, perhaps in the company of someone else, but who cared?

After that, I’d come home and take care of myself, making myself come hard. And maybe I’d sleep without everything weighing down on me, making that sleep restless and inadequate, which meant I’d wake up exhausted with puffy eyes and no motivation to take on the day. But rather, I’d sleep well and get up with some infinitesimal motivation to take on the day.

“I’ll book the social chamber,” I told her.

“We’ll see to that,” she replied. “When can we have your drink waiting for you?”

“I’ll be arriving at ten thirty.”

“We’ll see you then, Ms. Lincoln.”

“Thank you, Ms. Ross.”

“My pleasure,” she said then disconnected.

I took the phone from my ear, called Harry and set him up to pick me up to take me to the club.

That settled, I moved to my fridge in order to make a salad.

* * * * *

Alias B. Ross

B. Ross put the phone down on Ms. Lincoln and moved to her purse in the back room. She took out her personal cell and scrolled down the contacts. She found his name and engaged.

She felt her heart beating hard. Since she first saw him, he’d always made her heart beat hard. He also made her pussy get wet. Not to mention a variety of other things.

“In the middle of something, babe,” he said as greeting, sounding distracted.