Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
“Very interesting,” rumbles John, while handing me a glass of water. “Sorry, we don’t have anything else. Maybe some juice that we use as mixers but that shit is rancid. Water is better.”
I take a grateful sip of the cool liquid, already feeling overheated.
“No, it’s fine,” I murmur. “I’ve just never been an alcohol person, that’s all. Even when my friends were getting drunk in college, I abstained because I didn’t like seeing them lose control like that, and I definitely didn’t want to go down that route myself.”
Nicky nods, his blue eyes thoughtful.
“Well, some folks drink in order to loosen up and lose control. But it sounds like it’s different with you. Are you sure this isn’t a religious thing, or a family thing, or anything like that?”
“No, not at all,” I confirm. “It’s just a personal preference, and I’m comfortable with it. But yeah, being dry sometimes makes other people uncomfortable because there’s a subset of folks who don’t trust people who don’t drink. Are you guys part of that group?”
Arthur lets out a startled grunt before morphing it into a laugh.
“No, of course not,” he says in an amused tone. “Although maybe you’d like to try it with us? Just one beer?”
“Oh no, I couldn’t,” I say in a quick voice. “I mean, I could, but I don’t want to. It’s just not my thing, unless … is this part of the initiation?” I ask in a slow tone. “Because if it is, then I’m probably not the right girl for the club.”
The men share a look.
“It’s definitely not part of the initiation,” John soothes, blue eyes calm. “Alcohol has nothing to do with us, or with this, or with your experience here.”
“Oh good,” I say with a smile as my shoulders sag with relief. “Because I’m looking forward to becoming a member of the club. I know we’re not done with the initiation rites yet, but I can’t wait to join, in case you can’t tell.”
That’s when all five men go silent, sharing a look.
“What is it?” I ask, my heart palpitating. “Did I say something wrong?”
The men share another look, and finally, Arthur speaks.
“Well, who said you were going to become a member, honey?” he drawls. “Where did you get that idea?”
I start on the couch, my eyes going wide.
“I mean, from nowhere,” I stammer. “But isn’t that what I’m doing? This initiation is to become a member, right?”
The men laugh then, a chorus of deep male chuckles rising in the air.
“No, not exactly,” says Sam. “In fact, I’d say you’re approaching this from the wrong direction. You’re here to become a train honey, Xenia. You’re going to pull a train for us.”
I blink.
“Yes, of course. That’s what I meant.”
Sam cocks his blonde head at me.
“Yeah, but train honeys aren’t members of the club, Xenia.”
I stare at him, confused.
“Then what are they? Groupies? Support staff?”
He shrugs, looking unconcerned.
“No, not exactly. That would be overstating things.”
I shake my head.
“Overstating? I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.”
Sam shrugs again, his expression nonchalant and yet I can feel that every man is listening closely.
“Train honeys are considered property of the club,” he states in a calm voice. “You would be our property.”
Those words ring in the silence, making me go still.
“Yes, but what does that mean? After all, property basically means that you’re a member of the club, right?”
John interjects then, his blue eyes bright.
“No, not even close. When you’re property, it means that you have no rights, Xenia. Property has no opinions, no word at the table, nor any say in what happens to her. You exist for our pleasure only, and all members may use your body as they see fit. In any way they choose,” he emphasizes by way of clarification.
I’d expected something like this, but hearing it spelled out in plain English makes my pulse start pounding in my ears.
“I see,” I murmur, looking down at my hands. “Hmm.”
“Why, is that a problem for you?” drawls Nicky, his blue eyes inquisitive. “If it is, then I’m not sure this is the right fit,” he says while sharing another look with his brothers.
I take a deep breath but then look up, my gaze steady.
“No, it’s fine. It’s what I expected,” I state in a low tone. “But being property would only apply while I’m on club premises, right? I mean, I have a job and all that so I can’t go to work wearing a collar or anything.”
The men nod.
“We wouldn’t expect you to behave inappropriately while in the outside world,” John growls in a low voice, his gaze piercing. “We’re not out to humiliate you, at least not in front of other people. But this is actually the perfect segue into the next phase of the initiation because we’d like you to stay here at the clubhouse for two weeks, as our property. To see if you’re fit for the lifestyle.”