Barely Legal

Elite San Antonio

“Thank you so much for visiting Elite San Antonio, and I hope your experience with us was pleasurable. Good night Mr. and Mrs. Porter,” Arianna said with a tight smile on her face.

She had worked a double that day, and her dogs were barking, courtesy of her Chanel patent leather pumps. Normally, Arianna wouldn’t have dreamed of purchasing something so expensive, but a coworker put her on a luxury consignment website with reasonable prices on luxury name-brand clothing and shoes. The plus side was that Arianna could pay in monthly installments, saving her from pinching pennies at the end of the month.

Elite San Antonio was a state-of-the-art country club new to the city, and everyone fortunate enough to be a member had deep pockets, power, and an ego the size of the state of Texas. Coincidentally, the owner expected the staff to look the part as well.

“Thank you, Arianna. As usual, your service was wonderful,” Mr. Porter grinned, offering his hand.

“You’re very welcome. Will I see you and Mrs. Porter next week, same time?” Arianna asked, accepting his hand.

“Of course, dear, at our usual time. Take care, Arianna.”

“Good night, Mrs. Porter. Please don’t forget about yoga tomorrow at 9:00 AM with Mrs. Hendricks and Mrs. Murphy,” Arianna reminded her.

“Thank you so much for the reminder. I’ll be here!”

Arianna finished saying her polite farewells and collapsed in her chair as soon as the couple exited through the rustically crafted arched double doors. Arianna looked into the palm of her hand and was thrilled at the sight of the crisp but folded $50.00 bill that Mr. Porter blessed

her with. Her nose wrinkled in disgust when she noticed he also left a little note inside the folded bill to call him.

Fielding the ongoing advances of their members was the only downfall of Arianna’s job as a receptionist. She was also sometimes expected to act as a personal concierge even though it wasn’t in her job description. Arianna was hit on from the time she arrived in the morning until she called it a day and was safely in her vehicle. There was only one case where a member went too far. He was drunk, overly vulgar, and groped her before being escorted out. A part of Arianna felt disgusted and violated by his behavior, but he apologized the next day and gave her a check for $5,000.00 to show he was “sincere.”

Arianna was quick to accept the check and informed him all was forgiven. Arianna didn’t mind accepting his payoff as long as her lights remained on and she still had a place to rest her head at night. The money also made an excellent contribution to her college fund. If Arianna was candid, she hoped it would happen again so that she could get another check. Arianna wasn’t a whore, but she also wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Arianna wished she could say it was only the men in love with the cocoa, but she was approached by many women who wanted to engage in a dalliance or desired to have a threesome with her and their husbands. Arianna, of course, turned them down; however, she couldn’t turn

down Mrs. Klein, who requested a massage. That massage came with a $1,000.00 tip, and Arianna wasn’t required to scissor or eat her pussy. That was a win in her book.

Arianna recently graduated from high school and had plans to attend college. She relied on the college fund her deceased grandparents left to get her through the next four years. She was accepted to a decent school and was assigned a roommate. Arianna purchased a new laptop and

other supplies and couldn’t wait until she started the next chapter of her life.

It wasn’t until the week before school started that her parents called her into the living room and confessed they spent her entire college fund on trips to Louisiana for expensive gambling excursions. There were no words to express how betrayed Arianna felt by the two people that were supposed to love and care for her. If she couldn’t trust her own parents to have her back, then who could she trust?

Arianna cried that night as she logged into the school’s website, dropped all her classes, and unenrolled herself. She emailed her roommate to let her know that something had come up and she wouldn’t be joining her for the year. Arianna was at least grateful she had decided to hold off on purchasing her textbooks just in case she found them in the school’s library. One less thing she had to worry about.

Arianna was disgusted by her parents’ selfishness and refused to stay under their roof another day. The next day, she scraped up the last bit of her funds she had saved from a part-time job and found a lovely studio apartment to rent at a reasonable price, all bills included. The only issue was that her part-time job at the local bookstore wouldn’t pay the rent. Arianna had a month to find a job, or she would be out on her ass.

It didn’t take Arianna long to stumble upon the online ad for the receptionist position at Elite SA. Arianna immediately beefed up her resume and submitted the application. She was surprised to receive a call back that very day requesting she come in for a job interview the following day.

Arianna accepted and then gasped in horror once she realized she didn’t know what to wear for her interview. Arianna had never been to a country club before, but she’d heard enough to know that something sleek, stylish, and professional would be preferred.

Arianna dressed in a black sheath dress with long mesh sleeves that cuffed at the wrist for her interview. She paired her outfit with a pair of black pumps and diamond studs. Arianna arrived for her interview twenty minutes early and was floored by the rows of expensive luxury cars parked in the compound.

Arianna’s parents were bastards for spending her college fund, but at least she had a decent car. Her 2017 Honda Civic was still a hoopty compared to the Bentley she parked by, but it could’ve been worse.

***

“Good morning, ma’am. First time here?” the doorman asked.

“How could you tell?”

“I know almost everyone,” he bragged. “My name is Jesse, and you are?”

“Arianna. I’m here for the receptionist interview.”

Jesse’s eyes widened in recognition. “Well, if that’s the case, let me escort you to the office.”

“Don’t you have to watch the door?”

“Eh, fuck ’em. They have two hands. They can open their own doors.”

“Don’t come crying to me when you lose your job.”

“Never,” Jesse chuckled. “The boss and I are tight.”

“How tight?”

“He’s my grandfather.”

“And you’re opening doors? Sounds like he doesn’t love you that much.”

“He despises nepotism.”

“In that case, he sounds like a fair and honorable man.”

“He’s all that and then some,” Jesse replied, offering Arianna his arm.

Arianna looped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her through the main building. “Elite” perfectly described the club. The cream-colored marble floors were clean enough that you could eat off of them.

The multiple Swarovski crystal chandeliers were almost blinding in the sunlight. The hand-painted oil paintings that donned the walls were most likely originals by some famous Renaissance painters Arianna knew she couldn’t pronounce the names of.

Everyone they passed had smiles on their faces, and as far as Arianna could tell, the smiles were all genuine.

“Everyone looks so happy,” Arianna commented as Jesse continued to drag her deeper through the building.

“Elite SA is like Disney World for the rich. There are a host of activities to participate in. There’s golf, tennis, yoga, you can get a massage, and there’s a casino where we host slot, poker, and Blackjack tournaments. What else? There’s a movie theater, a basketball and racquetball court, cricket, horses, an indoor Olympic swimming pool, and a tropical-style swimming pool and hot tub outside. There is a world-class Michelin star chef on staff, and he’ll make anything your little heart desires. If we don’t have it, then we’ll fly it in. You want oysters, sweetheart? Not a problem. We’ll fly you in some fresh from the Delta de l’Ebre.”

“Sounds fancy...and expensive.”

“Yes, to both, but you pay for quality. What else do we have? A full salon where our female guests love to get their nails and toes done as well as get their assholes waxed and bleached.”

“I could’ve gone without that,” Arianna giggled.

“My bad. I just wanted to make you laugh.”

“Mission accomplished.”

“Well, we’re here. My lunch break is coming up soon, so you can celebrate your employment with me in the dining room if you want. What are you feeling?”

“Hmmmmmm. I think I’m feeling oysters.”

“If I didn’t know any better, Arianna, I would think you’re trying to get me into bed,” Jesse said with a sly grin on his face.

“You couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re nice and all, but I’m looking for someone a little bit on the older side. What are you, 21 or 22?”

“21, and how old are you?”

“18.”

“Well, how old are we talking here?” Jesse inquisitively asked.

“Older than 21, I can tell you that.”

“I feel like you just friend-zoned me.”

“You have great intuition,” Arianna teased.

“You say that now, but I bet I could have you changing your mind.”

“I doubt it, but I’ll find you after my interview, yeah?”

“Sure thing, Ari.”

“Only my closest friends call me Ari.”

“Wonderful. I’m glad we see eye-to-eye. Good luck, but I don’t think you’ll need it for some reason.”

Arianna watched Jesse as he walked down the hallway. He was nice enough, but Arianna wasn’t one for playing games, and she didn’t want to mess around and fall for fuck boy.

Arianna only had one boyfriend in her life, and that relationship was very short-lived. She was ten days in when she found out he had another girlfriend at a rival high school. Arianna quickly ended what they had and swore off boys until she was out of school. As a result, Arianna was still a virgin and was happy to remain one until she felt ready. Now that Arianna no longer had anything to focus on, she was legal and open to the idea of being sexually and romantically involved with someone, preferably someone older. Arianna wanted her first time to be with someone who had some experience under his belt.

Perhaps someone at the club will catch her eye? It is teeming with older gentlemen.

Three months later, Arianna quickly realized the club offered slim pickings to suit her needs and tastes. All of the men were married or in a relationship, and hardly any of them cared. Arianna had completely given up when she found out from Jesse that some of the members had a running bet to see who could bed her first.

“You did great today, as usual, Miss Carter,” her boss, Mr. Bruce, complimented, laying it on a little too thick. Arianna rolled her eyes, knowing if Mr. Bruce was paying her a compliment that he wanted something. Mr. Bruce wasn’t a bad boss or cruel by any means, but he could be strict, and genuine compliments were challenging to come by. Arianna noticed that his tone became lighter than usual whenever he wanted a favor. Not to mention he never smiled except when he wanted something.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Mr. Bruce. Tomorrow is my day off, but you’re going to ask me to come in, aren’t you?”

“Wow, you know me so well, Miss Carter. We have a couple of last-minute tours that need to be given, and unfortunately, we’re going to be short-staffed tomorrow. Would you be willing to give the tours? Remember, if they become members, you’ll get a sign-on bonus of $1,000.00.”

“How many tours?”

“Three.”

“Do you have their profiles?” Arianna sighed.

“Here you are,” Mr. Bruce beamed, shoving three portfolio books toward her. “Sorry, there aren’t any photos. Like I said, last minute.”

“No worries. When is the first tour?”

“10:00 AM.”

“That’s not bad. I’ll be here. Make sure you have my $3,000.00 check waiting for me at the end of the day.”

“Miss Carter, you are so cheeky and quite full of yourself, aren’t you?”

“It’s a gift,” she sighed, grabbing her purse out of the locked bottom drawer of her desk. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night, Mr. Bruce.”

“Good night, Miss Carter.”

***

Arianna arrived home ten minutes later and was immediately bombarded by her munchkin cat. “How’s it going, Legs? Did you miss Mama?” she cooed as he tangled himself between her feet.

Arianna brushed Legs aside with her heel because the last thing she wanted was to impale her furry friend with her spiked heel.

She tossed the profiles onto her bed and fed Legs before he meowed the apartment down.

Another positive thing about working at the club was that she barely had to purchase groceries because breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served at the club and were an employee perk, along with free use of all of the facilities, including the gym.

Arianna leisurely showered and thoroughly moisturized her skin with her body oil. She threw on an oversized t-shirt and didn’t bother with panties because she knew she would touch herself before falling asleep.

“Let’s see who we got here, Legs,” Arianna sighed, bouncing onto the bed. “Mr. London, Mr. Jameson, and Mr. White. Hopefully, they’re more impressive than their names.”

Enough is Enough

“I can’t take this anymore. You are truly pathetic!” Pierce’s best friend Patrick exclaimed.

Patrick flung open the curtains to allow sunlight to penetrate the dark and morose atmosphere. Patrick visited Pierce to get him out of the house but had no such luck.

Pierce turned into an absolute recluse after his divorce and retirement three months ago. Pierce would hardly ever answer his phone, and when he did answer it, it was only to immediately turn down all invitations to social outings. Patrick was aware Pierce was always a homebody, and it was his ex-wife Stella who would force him out of the house against his will. The problem was that she would consistently parade Pierce around like a show pony in their social circles.

Stella never treated Pierce like he was her beloved husband, more like he was her precious object. She was always obsessed with wealth and status, and Pierce had almost run himself into the ground to meet Stella’s covetous demands. And how did Stella repay him for his years of

devotion, patience, and love? She cheated on Pierce with his boss, who could provide her with bigger and better. Stella always had to have the newest, the biggest, and most of all, the most expensive things that money could buy. Still, it was never good enough to satiate her greedy appetite for the finer things in life.

Patrick recalled a dinner he attended at the White household six months ago and grimaced at the memory of him ducking out early due to Stella’s spoiled brat behavior. They were having a polite conversation at the dinner table when Patrick shared he was going to the dealership the following day to pick up his brand new custom-made 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Unknowingly, Patrick brought up a tender subject in the White household. The next scene was absolutely appalling to Patrick. Stella threw a tantrum about how everyone they knew was driving 2021s while she was stuck “slumming” it through the city in her 2020 Bentley Continental GT.

Patrick stared at Pierce, waiting for him to put Stella in her place; however, Pierce’s expression remained stoic while he humbly ate his roasted lamb chop as if Stella didn’t even exist.

It was then that Patrick realized his best friend had thoroughly checked out of his marriage and was familiar with Stella’s verbal and emotional abuse. Stella continued to rant and rave about how Pierce wasn’t good enough for her and what one man wouldn’t do, then another one would. Patrick wasn’t one to promote violence against women, but he wouldn’t have minded if Pierce had hauled off and slapped the taste out of Stella’s mouth. Stella didn’t deserve Pierce, and she sure as shit didn’t deserve the life Pierce provided her.

Pierce never asked much of Stella. He wanted a child, just one, but she was too selfish to give him that. She complained that a child would ruin her perfect figure and would be too much of a hassle. Patrick scoffed at that statement..he’d seen better bodies, and Stella knew Pierce would pay good money to get her a tummy tuck or a breast lift if she wanted it. Hell, Pierce already did several years ago for her birthday, and she had been hinting at wanting to get some work done to her face this year.

Patrick threw his napkin down on the table and excused himself. He couldn’t stomach the abuse any longer and had lost his appetite at the sight of the dead-eyed look that graced his friend’s face. Stella robbed Pierce of the man he used to be, and it was clear to Patrick that Pierce was sinking into a pit of despair that he may never be able to climb his way out of.

Patrick was elated when he received a call from Pierce a couple of months later, informing him of their impending divorce due to Stella’s infidelity. The shitty part was that Stella was the one who initiated the divorce. She attempted to hire Charlotte Scott, the best divorce attorney in Texas, to represent her. Mrs. Scott took one look at the case and vehemently declined. Being the best meant Charlotte could be selective about the cases she handled, and she didn’t have to compromise her morals to do it. In fact, Mrs. Scott reached out to Pierce and asked if he had representation and offered her services.

Like the cold-hearted bitch she was, Stella gunned for spousal support and half of everything; however, the prenup she signed was airtight, and Mrs. Scott made sure Stella didn’t get a single dime. Patrick was now making it his personal mission to integrate Pierce back into society before it was too late.

“You know...those were the same words Stella said to me before she served me with divorce papers,” Pierce drawled, taking a sip from his coffee.

“My bad,” Patrick mumbled. “Seriously, you need to leave the house. I’m afraid you’ll die alone in this house one day, and I won’t find out about it until several weeks later. It would be best if you had contact with the outside world. Our friends miss you.”

“Those people were never my friends,” Pierce spat. “They were Stella’s friends. I don’t claim them. Especially since none of them have bothered speaking to me since the divorce.”

“Okay, I agree with you there. Most of the people in our circle are stuck-up assholes, but there are some good ones.”

“I doubt it. Plus, I don’t want to be at a social gathering and run into Stella. Since she removed herself, my life has improved exponentially, and I’m afraid seeing her wouldn’t be good for my mental health. I was with the woman for 25 years, and it was a complete waste. I can’t get those 25 years back, so I should at least be able to live out the remaining 25 years that I have left on this Earth Stella-free.”

“You make a very valid point; however, as your nosy, overbearing best friend, I decided to take matters into my own hands.”

“What did you do? Did you sign me up for speed dating or something like that? If you did, you might as well cancel because the last thing I’m looking for is a relationship. I’m perfectly content with dying alone.”

“That’s extremely morbid, but I’m not surprised. Have you heard of Elite San Antonio?”

“That new country club? Yeah, I’ve heard something about it. Why?”

“I scheduled us a tour tomorrow.”

Pierce lowly groaned in frustration. He knew his best friend had nothing but the best intentions for him, but damn, he just wanted to be left alone.

“I know what you’re thinking, but you really need to get out and get some Vitamin D. You can’t go to the old country club because Stella is still a member there, and you’re guaranteed to run into her. Check out the brochure,” Patrick insisted, tossing the colorful pamphlet into Pierce’s lap.

“They have everything you could imagine and then some. Some have described it as the adult version of Disney World.”

“I don’t know, man,” Pierce sighed.

“I’m not asking for a lot. All I’m asking is that you get out of the house and take a stroll. If you don’t like it, then no harm, no foul. At least I could say I tried.”

Pierce mulled the idea in his head. It wouldn’t hurt to give his legs a good stretch and to feel the sun on his skin again. It wasn’t until after his retirement that he realized he didn’t have many hobbies that he took a particular interest in. He was sad to admit that everything he did was to fit in with his wife’s vapid friends or colleagues. At that moment, Pierce realized he was nothing more than a puppet. Why it took him so long to realize this was beyond him. All the signs were there.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” Patrick asked, impatiently snapping in front of Pierce’s face, jerking him out of his self-reflection. “Are you going willingly, or will I have to drag you out kicking and screaming?”

“What time is the tour tomorrow?”

“I scheduled us for 11:30 AM. We can catch lunch there as well.”

“I’ll be there.”

The Grand Tour

Pierce woke the following day with anxiety bubbling in the pit of his stomach. He tossed and turned throughout the night, wondering if the consequences of bailing on Patrick were worth it.

The thing that got Pierce out of bed was the idea that now that the “puppet master” was out of his life, he was free to reinvent himself however he saw fit.

Pierce dressed in a white polo, khaki pants, and loafers. It was only 10:00 in the morning when he heard his front door unlock and the alarm disengage. Pierce let out a heavy sigh and instantly regretted that Patrick had a key to his house. Patrick insisted the key would only be

utilized for emergencies, but there have been no emergencies in the past three months, yet Patrick has used his spare key a total of ten times.

“Pierce! Up and at ’em!” Patrick called, taking the stairs two at a time. Pierce didn’t bother answering and applied the finishing touches to his hair in the mirror. “Oh wow, I did not expect you to be out of bed.”

“Gotta keep you on your toes, Pat. What are you doing here so early? I told you I would meet you there.”

“I expected you to renege, so I decided I’ll be your escort today,” he explained.

“Oh ye of little faith,” Pierce drawled.

“Stop pretending you haven’t stood me up several times.”

“That was then, and this is now.”

“I hope you walk it like you talk it,” Patrick huffed.

“I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

**********

“Nice ride, Pat,” Pierce complimented once they left his estate.

“Thanks. It was worth every fucking penny. I can’t believe this is your first time riding in it. Maybe after today, you’ll go get your own.”

“Nah, I’m good. My car is paid off and fits my current and future needs. Plus, it’s too flashy for my tastes.”

“I guess I can’t argue with that.”

The two men made small talk during their short ten-minute drive to Elite SA and were not disappointed when they pulled up to the facility. “Oh wow, the pamphlet did not do this place justice,” Patrick gasped.

“No kidding. I can’t imagine how much the membership dues are,” Pierce agreed with a low whistle.

“Whatever they are, you definitely can afford it, so stop worrying about money.”

“I want to make sure I’m getting my bang for my buck. I don’t want to pay the yearly assessments and only come twice. That would be a dreadful waste of money.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something that will keep bringing you back daily.”

“I won’t hold my breath,” Pierce muttered underneath his breath.

They pulled into the large circular driveway and allowed the valet to park the car. “Good morning, gentlemen. Is this your first time joining us at Elite San Antonio?” the doorman inquired.

“Yes, it is. Thanks for noticing. We’re scheduled for a tour for 11:30,” Patrick replied.

“Ah, yes. Miss Carter just finished a tour not too long ago, and the prospective member is now in the process of establishing membership as we speak. Hopefully, we can say the same for the two of you. My name is Jesse Vanderbilt. It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” the young man beamed, offering an outstretched hand to the men. Pierce shook his hand politely but thought it was peculiar the doorman would be so knowledgeable about more than the comings and goings of the members.

“I know what you’re thinking. Why does this guy know so much, right?”

“Guilty,” Pierce agreed.

“My grandfather owns Elite SA, and one day, it will be mine. I’m just working my way from the bottom up.”

“That’s very admirable,” Pierce complimented.

“Thank you, Mr....”

“White, and this is my buddy Patrick Jameson.”

“Fantastic. Now that we know each other...shall we?” Jesse asked, opening the door for the men.

Pierce quickly scanned the foyer of the compound, taking in all of the luxurious features that screamed “imported.” They stopped in front of an unoccupied receptionist’s desk, giving Pierce more time to peruse his new surroundings.

“Miss Carter should be joining us soon. Just a warning, please be kind to Miss Carter. She may be Mrs. Vanderbilt in the future.”

“What have I told you about telling people that,” a voice scolded from behind Jesse.

“Sweetheart, it’s you that’s in denial. I need you to get with the program,” Jesse teased.

“And I need you to return to your post at the door.”

Pierce didn’t pay any mind to their banter but instead focused his attention on the stunning young woman who stood before him. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her warm skin tone that reminded him of hazelnut. From what he could tell at first glance, it was blemish-free and appeared smooth to the touch. Her hair was in long braids that were pulled back, allowing a full view of her innocent face and youthful features. She was very petite, and if Pierce had to guess, she was just under five feet tall.

Pierce briefly imagined how weightless she would feel in his arms with her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck. Pierce would like to say his lewd thoughts died down once she finally made eye contact with him, but they only grew worse. She had expressive cocoa eyes that were surrounded by long black lashes.

She was innocent indeed, and something inside of him wanted to take that innocence for himself. Her plump lips that were painted a velvety red were calling out to him, and he could only pray for an opportunity to taste them. She wore a form-fitting white polo with the Elite SA emblem on the front. The shirt molded beautifully to her small but perky breasts. Her black slacks fit her nicely, and while her ass was small, it rounded out perfectly and was still something to hold onto.

“Get it together...you’re embarrassing me,” Patrick warned from beside Pierce in a low whisper.

“What are you talking about?”

“You are practically drooling over this little girl like she’s a piece of meat, and it’s obvious to everyone, including her. Plus, you don’t have a shot. She looks like she’s barely legal. By the time she was born, you had a mortgage and was cutting back on red meat and junk food.”

Pierce could feel himself awkwardly blush as the young woman smiled at him. He hadn’t felt this way since high school, and it was overwhelming.

“Good morning, Mr. White and Mr. Jameson. My name is Arianna Carter, and I’ll be your tour guide this morning,” she greeted, offering a hand to both men. Pierce was quick to snatch her hand up between the two of his. He pumped it slowly while he stared into her eyes, and an eyebrow quirked in amusement when he noticed how she bit her bottom lip.

“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Carter,” Pierce drawled in his heavy Texas twang.

“Please, Mr. White...call me Ari. All my good friends do.”

Lust at First Sight

Jesse loudly cleared his throat, interrupting the tender moment shared between Arianna and Pierce. “I’m sorry, sir, but if you hold onto her hand any longer, then I’m going to have to start charging you,” Jesse teased. Arianna kissed her teeth and quickly dropped Pierce’s hand.

“You have some nerve. I’m your future wife one minute, and the next, I’m a prostitute,” Arianna huffed.

“Don’t be like that, Ari. You know I’m just joking, but seriously, hands off the merchandise,” Jesse lowly warned Pierce.

“I got it, I got it. Look, but don’t touch. Ow!”

Pierce found himself rubbing the back of his head from the slap he had just received from Patrick.

“Seriously, Pierce?! You wait good until we get somewhere to start misbehaving. We won’t even be offered membership at the rate you’re going!”

“Jesus...looks like you have your hands full with these two, Ari. I need to get back to the door. I’ll see you tonight,” Jesse declared, giving Arianna a quick peck on the cheek. Arianna let out a huff of frustration because she knew Jesse was showing out like he always did when Arianna

received attention from the opposite sex. Jesse knew they would be nothing more than friends, but he couldn’t help but keep at it, hoping that he’d eventually wear her down.

“I apologize for the unprofessionalism. I promise you we’re usually not like this in front of guests,” Arianna apologized.

“It’s not a problem at all,” Patrick quickly said. “It should be us apologizing. Please forgive my friend. He doesn’t get out of the house much.”

Pierce rolled his eyes at Patrick’s theatrics. He behaved as if Pierce bent the girl over her desk and fucked her until she cried out her safe word.

“No worries,” Arianna beamed, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get started, shall we, gentlemen?”

“Absolutely. Lead the way,” Pierce agreed, knowing he would spend 80% of the tour starting at her backside.

“We’re going to start with a tour of the inside of the facility, and then we’ll head outside. Here you go. My gift to you,” Arianna said, offering the men two Cuban cigars. Pierce quirked his eyebrows in surprise.

“Do you offer all of your potential members Arturo Fuente cigars or only the incredibly handsome ones?”

“You’re so cheeky, Mr. White. You’re gonna find yourself in trouble one of these days,” Arianna teased, snapping her rose gold cigar cutter at him.

“Careful, Ari...you don’t want to hurt yourself with that.”

“I’m good, Mr. White. I’m not the one that should be worried about getting hurt.”

“Uhhhhhhh, excuse me. Let me borrow Mr. White for just one second,” Patrick requested, squeezing himself in between the couple. Patrick dragged Pierce just far enough so that Arianna couldn’t hear them. “What the hell is your problem?!” Patrick whispered.

“I don’t have a problem,” Pierce replied, looking around Patrick to get another good look at Arianna. Pierce sucked in a breath once she bent over to retrieve a piece of paper that had fallen on the floor.

“You have a serious problem. That girl is probably working a little summer job to save up money for her first car, and you are openly flirting with her.”

“I’m sure she’s not that young. She’s probably 18.”

“That’s still not okay. That means she was in high school just a few months ago. Hell, I’m scared.”

“What are you scared of?”

“I can feel it in my bones. She’s going to say she needs to get something from the back and to make ourselves comfortable, and then the next thing you know, Chris Hansen appears, and the cops are waiting for us outside!”

Pierce threw back his head and let out a raucous laugh. “I don’t find this funny, Pierce!”

“Well, I do, and I was due for a good laugh. Thank you.”

“Just...keep it together. I know you’ve just got out of a horrible marriage, and you might feel the need to fuck everything that moves but be smart about it. Plus, I don’t think her boyfriend likes your advances.”

“Boyfriend? Who? The doorman? Naw. He badly wants to be, but he’s not.”

“Uh-huh...you keep telling yourself that.”

Pierce’s mood dampened a little bit once they walked back to Arianna. He knew his chances to catch the beautiful young woman’s eye were slim, but she appeared to enjoy his subtle advances. Hell, she was giving it to him as good as he gave it to her. Pierce felt their brief exchange was mutual, and he didn’t feel like he was coming off as a creepy old man. In fact, Arianna told him to call her Ari. Arianna didn’t offer that same courtesy to Patrick, and to Pierce, that meant something.

“Okay, you guys spent quite a bit of our time gossiping in the corner about me, and we’ve fallen slightly behind schedule. Let’s get to it. Make sure you keep up, and please, please, please ask questions as we go. I’ll cut your cigars when we either tour the outside, or we can stop at the smokeasy after the tour. What shall you decide?”

“Outside,” both men agreed.

“Perfect. So, to give you a little background, Elite San Antonio has been operational for less than a year, and we already have a membership of a little over 500. To some, that may not seem a lot. However, I think that only highlights the level of our exclusivity. The pricing of the memberships varies, of course, based on the level of services you utilize. We offer the Platinum, Gold, and Diamond packages, and they all come with their benefits, ranging from basic to supreme.”

“What comes in the supreme package?” Pierce interrupted.

“Whatever your heart desires,” Arianna purred, looking him dead in the eyes.

“So, you’re included in the Diamond package...good to know,” Pierce declared.

“I’m in a package that’s not offered to you yet.”

“When am I offered that package?” Pierce asked, subtly biting his bottom lip.

“When you’ve proven yourself worthy of it.”

Patrick cleared his throat before interrupting the banter between the two. The sexual tension between the two was so thick that he needed to turn on his high beams to navigate through it.

“Miss Carter, I would love to hear more about the Diamond package.”

“I agree,” Pierce piped up. “You know what they say...go big, or go home.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that. They also say, ‘walk it like you talk it.’” Patrick gave up. He felt if he continued clearing his throat, he would need a lozenge and some hot tea by the end of the tour.

“The best features of the Diamond Package, in my humble opinion, are the use of Elite SA’s private jet, our car service for special events, and a stay at one of our private villas located all over the world for a week.”

Patrick lowly whistled. He didn’t want to ask because you know what they say about asking. If you have to ask, then you can’t afford it.

“The fee is $500,000 a year for the Diamond Package.”

“That’s not a bad deal if you utilize the services. Take the jet a couple of times a year, and that vacation, the membership might actually pay for itself,” Patrick said with a smile.

“Absolutely, also keep in mind the jet may be shared between members, especially if you’re going to the same destination or somewhere nearby. Hopefully, you’ll get to know some of the other members here and build positive relationships. Socializing is one of the main factors for joining a country club. Am I right?”

“That, and then some,” Pierce answered, still hungrily eyeing Arianna.

“Right. We can discuss the packages later if you actually decide to sign up. Let’s get a move on.”

The men followed Arianna down the massive halls and listened intently as she spoke. Arianna had them hanging off of her every word. “To the left, we have the ballroom,” she explained, opening one of the massive double doors. “We hold weddings and galas, you name it. That’s also a feature of the Diamond Package as well. As a Diamond Package member, you will get first dibs on the ballroom for your special events. You won’t have to pay a rental fee unlike other members who choose a lesser package.

“Is catering included?” Patrick asked. Pierce rolled his eyes. He could care less. The only thing he wanted on the menu was Arianna.

“Good question. It does come with catering, but they are pre-planned meals. If you prefer something more extravagant than what is offered, you would have to pay an upcharge,” Arianna explained.

“That sounds fair. Do you, by chance, know what’s on a sample menu? I’m asking because my parents’ 50th anniversary is coming up, and I haven’t locked anything down yet.”

“You may choose from a variety of options, including the typical entrees you would find at a wedding: fish, chicken, pork, and steak. You can also choose the buffet option, which has a little bit of everything. From what I can tell, the guests really enjoy the buffet. All of that is included.

“That’s fair. How about desserts?”

“Desserts are included. The menu offers cheesecake, carrot cake, tiramisu, and my personal favorite, chocolate lava cake.”

“That’s my favorite, too,” Pierce interjected.

“Really?” Arianna skeptically asked.

“Really. Something about the cream and the chocolate together sends my tastebuds on a ride.”

“I have a feeling we’re no longer talking about baked goods, Mr. White.”

“And if we’re not?” Pierce playfully challenged.

“Then I would say I can guarantee that you’ve never had THAT type of chocolate before, and your tastebuds wouldn’t know what to do if they got ahold of it. We’re walking, gentlemen,” she said, whirling on her heels to lead them out of the ballroom.

“You really went there, didn’t you?” Patrick drawled. At that point, he wasn’t even surprised at the things coming out of Pierce’s mouth. Patrick decided he wouldn’t say anything else and would allow Pierce to make a complete fool of himself. What would an 18-year-old possibly want with a 50-year-old man? It wasn’t like they could spend a lifetime together. It would be rough, no doubt, for the pair if they decided to get serious, especially for little Miss Carter. Unfortunately, due to her age, skin color, and Pierce’s deep pockets, Arianna would automatically be labeled a gold digger. It wasn’t right, but that was the reality they lived in. On the other hand, it probably wouldn’t be so bad, considering that Pierce didn’t move in the same circles anymore now that he wasn’t with Stella. Patrick hoped his friend’s heart didn’t get broken again.

The Tour Continues

“Here is our dining room where you can catch breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and before you ask, the meals are included in all the packages. We also have brunch on Sundays. If we stick with our tour without minimal interruptions, then I might be able to get you back here for lunch. There are always a few choices for each meal. We like to be mindful of all of our members and guests and their dietary needs. We offer a vegan, diabetic, low-sodium meal and a non-restrictive option. Today, the options are a robust Mediterranean chickpea salad or Mediterranean grilled chicken with a side of couscous and grilled vegetables. One thing I do want to touch upon before we continue is our guest policy. You can bring a guest with you as part of your membership. A guest is considered as anyone who is not living in your residential home; however, they can only attend on "guest days" and special events.”

“That sounds alright. We get it. If you bring a guest daily, they might as well purchase a membership.”

“Spot on, Mr. White.”

“Please call me Pierce.”

“As you wish, Pierce. We’re moving again...do keep up,” Arianna teased.

“Ari, don’t let my age fool you. It’ll be you that can’t keep up with me.”

“So you say. Next on our agenda is the tea room, right next door. Our ladies and some of our gentlemen love to take their tea here in the afternoon. They especially enjoy the large windows that allow an abundance of natural sunlight to come in. There is a set of double doors you see right there leading out to the botanical garden. Some of our members and guests love to picnic out in the garden or the lawn. If that is something you would like to do, then let me know, and I’ll make the arrangements. Let’s move onto something a little more exciting. We’re on the main floor at the moment, but there is another level downstairs. I hate to call it a basement, but you get the idea.”

Arianna punched the elevator and patiently waited for it to descend from the third floor. “What’s in the basement?” Pierce curiously asked.

“That’s where our sex club is. Most of our members enjoy participating in light to intense bondage and other kinks.”

Pierce’s mouth dropped, and he almost tapped Patrick to have him scoop it off the ground for him.

“Oh my God, I’m just kidding!” Arianna exclaimed, doubling over from laughter.

Patrick began laughing along with her, but Pierce was still in la-la land, picturing Arianna in a black latex leather bodysuit with matching gloves. She’d be wearing fishnets and knee-high boots with spiked heels. “I’m sorry,” Pierce heard her apologize. “I can get carried away sometimes, and I apologize if I made either one of you uncomfortable.”

“Oh no! Your humor is quite refreshing, and I feel we’ll fit in here just fine,” Patrick replied.

“That's good to hear. Pierce, are you still with me? You look like you’ve gone into shock. Oh, that reminds me. We do have a medical bay down here with a physician on staff whenever we are open, including special events and the weekends. Do we need to make a trip for you, Pierce?” Arianna purred.

“Naw, I’m just fine, sweetheart.”

“Glad to hear it. Now, my favorite part,” Arianna announced, clapping her hands together. “Down here we have...how should I say it? Your guilty pleasures, if you will. There is a wine cellar, complete with a wine bar. The owner, Mr. Vanderbilt, owns a couple of vineyards and produces his own wines.”

“I know you’re a tour guide, but do you also serve wine in the bar?” Pierce slyly asked. It was the perfect way to find out her age without outright asking.

“Smooth,” Patrick whispered to him.

“I’m not the official tour guide. I’m the receptionist, but I do a little bit of everything when needed. I can’t serve at the bars yet because I’m not 21.”

“Oh, really?”

“That’s correct. I am 18. Legally, I can serve; however, Mr. Vanderbilt has his rules.”

“Sounds like you have a little ways to go. Don’t worry. It’ll fly by.”

“I’m not in a rush to grow up. Here, we have our smokeasy, where you’ll find cigars and tobacco products galore. Many of our members like to sit and smoke it up in here while they shoot the breeze or watch sports. I tend to avoid this area as much as possible, so I’ll stand outside the door if you guys want to take a quick peek.”

“Why is that?” Pierce curiously asked.

“The smoke can be overwhelming, and I don’t want my hair or clothes to smell like it afterward.”

“That’s understandable.”

Pierce and Patrick popped in and took a quick gander at the room. “So, what do you think so far?” Patrick asked.

“I like everything I’m seeing so far, and I feel like we’re barely scratching the surface," Pierce admitted.

“Uh-huh, I’m sure that Arianna has everything to do with that.”

“What can I say? She’s a great tour guide,” Pierce said with a smirk on his lips.

“You sound sooooo proud of yourself. I just hope this doesn’t all blow up in your face.”

“Chill out. You’re acting like I want to make her Mrs. White. I don’t see myself ever getting married again.”

“That’s a good reason why you shouldn’t pursue this girl. She has her whole life ahead of her, and she probably wants to settle down, get married, and have kids. It would be selfish of you to want a relationship with her and waste her time like that knowing you would never be willing to give her that.”

“Okay, calm down, Pat. I think you’re jumping the gun here. We’re just doing some shameless flirting. I’m very attracted to her, and from what I can tell, she’s equally attracted to me. One day at a time, right?”

“Whatever you say. Let’s go. I do want to make it for lunch.”

“Was everything to your liking, gentlemen?”

“Absolutely. What’s next?” Pierce asked enthusiastically.

Tan Lines

“This is our casino. We play with chips, but they are cashed out for prizes instead of cash.”

Arianna led them into the massive underground casino and the men couldn’t be more impressed. There were rows of slot machines, poker, craps, blackjack tables, and even a bingo section.

“The casino room is only operational after dinner. There are dealers for the card games and waitresses who serve drinks. We also hold tournaments every so often, and bingo is extremely popular. Now, for bingo, you do have to pay to play. The entry fees can be a little on the higher side, however, the prizes are worth it. Last week, a couple won a trip to Maui. The entry fees depend upon the prize. If memory serves me correctly, the entry fee for the Maui trip was $500.00 a card. We will also offer certain amenities as prizes that our non-Diamond package members love to participate in. For instance, a roundtrip flight in the jet, the use of the car service, and so on and so forth. The prizes have also ranged from shopping sprees at luxury designer clothing stores to brand new cars.”

“That sounds amazing,” Pierce said in awe.

“It’s really packed down here when we offer up a Diamond Package membership for the prize. It’s $1,000.00 per card.”

“So, if you have a full house of 500 members, and they each buy two cards, then you just made a million.”

“That’s right and that’s not even including if they brought a guest.”

“Wow.”

Arianna didn’t waste any time leading the gentlemen out of the casino and took them to the clinic. They climbed into the elevator and made it back to the original floor. “Here we have the sports court. The basketball doubles as a volleyball court as well. There are racquetball rooms as well as an area for fencing.”

Arianna led the men to the Olympic swimming pool and showed them where the sauna and the locker rooms were located. “Would you guys like to check out the yoga and dance studio?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Patrick piped up.

“Good, that will save us some time. Back in the elevator, we go. Our third floor is generally our quiet floor,” Arianna said once they exited the elevator. “There’s a movie theater. We play current and past movies. There is a full library where you can read, and then there are chess and checkerboards spread sporadically throughout the room. There’s a café in the corner and a business room as well. Say for instance you have a work emergency and you need access to a computer, printer, copier, or fax, it’s right in there. You may also reserve the rooms for business meetings, and before you ask, that’s included in all packages. The tour is almost over, gentlemen; let’s head outside.”

A few minutes later, the trio found themselves enjoying the September sun. “How about I cut your cigars, gentlemen?”

“That would be divine,” Pierce agreed with a lascivious smile.

“Fix your face, Pierce. You don’t want me to cut the wrong tip...now, do you?” Arianna challenged as she cut the tip of his cigar.

“I think we’d both be missing out if that were to happen, don’t you think?”

“I can’t miss something I’ve never had, now can I?”

“I suppose. Will you do me the honor of lighting me?” Pierce asked, holding the cigar to her lips. Patrick scoffed loudly at the couple and trained his attention elsewhere. His best friend wasn’t simply robbing the cradle; he was robbing the entire damn nursery.

Pierce wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he had a feeling that young Miss Carter was game for whatever he threw her way.

“Anything for you, Pierce,” she whispered, taking his cigar. Pierce watched Arianna expertly burn the end of the cigar, spinning as she lit it to ensure there was an even burn. The tip of the cigar held an orange glow. She placed the cigar between her plump lips and took short puffs, filling her mouth with smoke. She blew out, and it was the sexiest thing that Pierce had seen in his entire life. Arianna repeated the routine about four more times until the cigar was sufficiently lit. She handed it back to Pierce, and he didn’t hesitate to put the stogie between his own lips. He swore he could taste her on the cigar, and he wanted more.

“Anything else, Pierce?”

“I have a laundry list of things, but perhaps we’ll save it for another time. My friend here gets a little hangry when he doesn’t eat, and what I want can’t fit within our allotted time.”

“You better secure that membership then,” Arianna replied with an ever-so-subtle lick of her lips. “Let’s continue. We have the stables, pool and hot tubs, and cabanas. I didn’t mention it earlier when we were by the spa, but you can have a massage there, or we can schedule it out by the pool.”

“Question.”

“Answer.”

“Do you do the massages as well?” Pierce asked.

“I’ve been known to dabble in massages when requested.”

“Good to know.”

“Great to know, you mean.”

“Of course,” Pierce agreed with a smile.

“Last but not least, we have our garage and car maintenance area. We all love our cars and like to see them sparkle in the sunlight and smell like it just driven off the lot. You can have your car washed and detailed while you’re here. It’s included in your membership. We also do oil changes and minor maintenance, a complimentary service offered once a year. Gentlemen, this has concluded our tour. Do you have any questions?”

“I have one,” Pierce said with a raise of his hand.

“Yes, Pierce?”

“What’s your phone number?”

“You can reach my extension at 73109.”

“Sweetheart, you know damn well I wasn’t talking about your work extension.”

“I know exactly what you were talking about, but you won’t get it.”

“Why not? I thought we had something going on here.”

“And we did...until I saw the tan line on your finger a few minutes ago. I don’t believe in entertaining married men. Which is it? Did you forget your ring at home today, or is it at the jeweler’s getting cleaned?”

“Neither, I flushed it down the toilet. I’ve been divorced for three months.”

“Mhmmm.”

“Ask Patrick.”

“He’s telling the truth,” Patrick confirmed.

“I’d rather see it with my own eyes.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” Pierce drawled.

“Show me divorce papers, and you can get my number. Now, if you follow me, I’ll escort you back inside, and we’ll get you both signed on the dotted line.”

Both of the men watched Arianna walk away in awe. “For an 18-year-old woman, she is smart as a whip. She is not playing around, and I don’t know if you can handle her, Pierce. She would definitely keep you on your toes.”

“That little thing is a firecracker indeed, but you bet your ass I’m about to get this membership and go home and crack open that safe. Thank you, Patrick. I take back what I said earlier.”

“You said a lot. What are you taking back?”

“She’d make a perfect Mrs. White.”