Ivy
I sat in a comfortable leather chair and exhaled a deep breath.
“Tell me something, Ivy. What brought you to Hidden Springs Cove today?”
My mind shuffled back to my handsome stranger.
“Tall, dark, and handsome. Mahogany skin, driving a Mercedes-Maybach luxury sedan.” I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes, and a tingle traveled down my belly.
“Maxwell.”
My eyes shot open. “Is that his name?”
She nodded. “If it’s who I think it is, yes.”
“What’s his last name?” I asked eagerly.
“Slow down.”
“There’s nothing slow about the way I want him.”
She laughed. “Where did you see Maxwell?”
“At an espresso shop.”
“Did he speak to you?”
“Not with his voice but with his eyes, yes.”
She nodded. “And you—”
“Followed him.” I pursed my lips and cocked my head to the side. “Because you know I’m about that life.”
More laughter sprinted from her. “You used to be, that’s for sure.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, well, I’ve been married, so moderation was at play, but still. It’s been twelve months, and I need…” I sighed. “I’m hungry, Daniella.”
“And you want Maxwell to feed you?”
“Damn right, I do.”
“Hmmmmm…”
“So, how do I find him?”
“The only way for you to possibly get your hands on Maxwell is to be a resident of Hidden Springs Cove.”
My brows dipped. “And why is that?”
“Because this neighborhood is an exclusive luxury playground for the residents. No outsiders are welcomed, and residents can only participate in sexual play with other neighbors.”
My eyes widened, and I reached out and shoved her shoulder. “Shut the fuck up. Are you serious?”
I stared at her in disbelief.
“Don’t be so shocked. I’m the owner. You know I don’t do ordinary things.”
I nodded. “That I do, but still…”
“Still what?”
“An entire neighborhood?”
“Well, yes.”
“How do you get the neighbors to agree to the conditions?”
“The same way you agree when you visit The Den. There are nondisclosure agreements in place, thorough background checks, STD checks are required every quarter, no kids are allowed.”
“So you have to be single and childless?”
“No. You have to be childless.”
My brows rose. “But not single?”
“Couples, whether married, dating, or life partners, are welcomed. Everyone agrees to the same terms. Individuals and couples create their limitations within the neighborhood. So, if you want to join a couple for whatever reason, the couple must agree, and from there, you can choose where to meet. Some couples freely lend their partners to others without them around. The residents are fully aware of what they’re getting into when they move into Hidden Springs Cove. And while the neighborhood’s appearance gives off any other suburban neighborhood, a deeper dive into the community will show you why this place is anything but ordinary.”
I was sizzling in my seat. The thought of what could come from being a resident excited me.
“So, a full-time, all-day Den, is what you’re telling me?”
She shook her head. “Hidden Springs Cove is so much more than The Den.”
“How so?”
“It’s a way of life. The Den is for a time; a short period of erotism to fulfill a need. Hidden Springs Cove is the fuel to your life’s fantasies and more. It’s camaraderie with people you will grow to adore and love. Safety here…” she tapped her chest, “…honesty, trust with one another. No masks, no secrets within the community. A home where you can relax, find friendship, and—”
“Love?”
She gave me a sentimental look. “Love, if that is what you require.”
I sighed. This sounded too much like a dream. Could it be real?
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“And why doesn’t that surprise me?”
She chuckled. “Honesty goes a long way here. All relationships are fair game. Unless you and your person set your limits.”
“I don’t have a person.”
“No one has a person unless they’ve said it.”
“Is this your way of telling me people are free to bone who they want, regardless of whether or not you get attached?”
“You know me well. This is why we’re as close as we are.”
I smirked. “Unless we set limitations.”
“And only then.”
I nodded. “So, I can bone whoever I want, whenever I want.”
“How many times are you going to say bone?” Her lips pushed into her nose like she smelled a foul odor.
Laughter shook through me. “You don’t have to look like that.”
“Ivy, where did you get this language?”
I wheezed and threw my head back, laughing my ass off. Tears clouded my eyes. It was the laugh I was long overdue.
I waved a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. I only bone people I love.” I reined in my laughter. “What I’m looking for is specific—a bone—but down my throat.”
She twisted her lips. “I get your point, but please stop saying bone.”
I giggled. “It’s too funny to my soul, and I don’t know if I can.”
“If you love me, you will.”
I chuckled deeply and sucked in my delight. “Okay. I’m done saying bone.” Her eyes widened, and I giggled again. “After that time.”
She glared at me, and I held back a laugh. “That is so not funny.”
I shrugged. “I disagree. But let’s move forward. How do I become a resident?”
She peered at me. “Only members of The Den can become residents.”
My eyes widened in dismay. “Why?”
“Because I know you’re trustworthy.” She said it as if it was common sense. “But I haven’t been to The Den in years. Do I still qualify?”
“No. And I never bend the rules for anyone for any reason.” She stared at me for a long moment. “But—”
I squealed and clapped my hands playfully. Daniella twisted her lips, a smirk forming as she watched me celebrate.
Once I’d finished clapping, I mellowed out in my seat, folded my arms, sat back, and crossed my legs.
“Are you done?”
“Maybe.” I held on to my smirk.
“Because I know you’re trustworthy, I’ll allow you to bypass a recent visit to The Den. You must understand, however, that the lease is eighteen months. You can’t shorten it for any reason.”
I nodded. “I’m cool with that. Besides, it’s not like my life is bursting with excitement.”
“How are you filling up your days?”
I cackled. “I’m using these days sulking mostly, trying to figure out where I fit in the world.”
“Have you considered putting that degree to use?”
I shrugged. “I have, but there’s no passion behind that decision, so I don’t.”
She nodded. “There are plenty of career choices here at Hidden Springs Cove.”
“Like what?”
“We have an opening for a pharmacist. If you want to get into a daily routine, Shelia would love to have you as an employee.”
I nodded. “Some normalcy might do me good.”
“I also have an opening for an aerial dancer at Velvet Underground.”
My ears tingled. “Velvet Underground?”
Her lips eased into a smile. “Yes. It’s one of our most visited nightclubs in the Hidden Springs Cove community.”
“Can I do both?”
“If you can handle it.”
“What about a part-time pharmacist and part-time aerial dancer?”
“Whatever your heart desires.”
I sucked in a breath. “King is so lucky.”
Her smile widened. “And so are you.”
“How? My man is gone. I don’t have a woman like you. At the end of the day, I’m alone.”
“You’re not alone. You still have me and you are about to find a new life here.” She frowned. “And since when are you into women?”
“I’m not.” I stared at her. “But I could get with the program if the woman was you.”
Her brows rose. “Really?”
“Depends. Are you thinking about it?”
Laughter crooned from her. “I can’t take you seriously.”
“You should. You’re the only one left that I love.”
“Awwww…,” She reached across and grabbed my arm, squeezing it lightly. “I love you too, Ivy. You’re going to be okay.”
“Do you promise?”
“I do.”
She rose to her feet. “Let’s take care of some paperwork, and then I’ll show you to your new place.”
“Do I get to see the apartment first?”
“Do you trust me?”
I sucked my teeth. “What a ridiculous question to ask.”
“Okay, then understand that I’ve always had your space picked out.”
My eyes widened. “Because you knew I would come begging with my tail tucked between my legs?”
“You better not have a tail tucked between those legs, or I never knew you.”
I howled with laughter, stood, and followed her inside.
– available for preorder –
Head Hunter will be released first here on my website on August 30, 2024.
Head Hunter releases everywhere else on September 6, 2024
Get the Special Edition Deluxe or the Discreet Paperback signed by me here.
