Page 53 of Illicit Education
“Rylan got a job at White Rabbit.”
“The lingerie store?” Eloise frowned. “That’s not the same thing as a sex club.” She eyed Marisa wearily. “You know that, right?”
Laughing, Marisa explained, “It is when the lingerie store leads to the Rabbit Hole.”
“What do you mean,‘the rabbit hole’?”
“The Rabbit Hole is the most exclusive kink sanctuary on the entire East Coast,” Hector explained.
“How do you know about it?” Marcus cocked one eyebrow as he turned in his seat to face his boyfriend more fully.
“I know people.” Hector shrugged. “Hold up.” He raised his hand. “I’m still completely floored that any ofyouknow about the Hole.”
Marisa rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t everyone know about the Rabbit Hole?”
“I didn’t,” Eloise admitted.
“Same,” I added.
“Well, Christ in a Chrysler, Marisa Meadows, have you beeninsideit?” Hector leaned over his place setting, his eyes wide. “Tell meeverything.”
“No, okay, I haven’t been inside. I just…” Marisa shrugged again. “Hear things.”
Hector’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”
“Oh my God, you guys, I almost forgot!” Marisa motioned toward me, turning the focus back onto me like a pro. “Reed is an absolute stalker who watches her on the security cameras.”
The others gasped in unison, turning toward me.
“No way.” Hector scoffed. “Total stage five.”
Marcus nodded his agreement. “How do you know?”
“She came to see me after he sent her away with that manuscript this morning, and he literallycalled my deskto tell her to go down to the lobby and get to work.”
“No,” Eloise gasped.
Marcus shook his head, reaching to run his hand over Hector's shoulder. “That man is a nuisance.”
“He’s a genius, though,” Marisa added. “Nothing has ever passed his desk andnothit the Times bestseller list.”
I knew all too well what kind of eyes Cabot Reed had for bestsellers. I’d studied Reed Publishing in depth to prepare for the internship. His mother had been impressive beyond measure. The keen way she could sniff out a bestseller from even the most unknown authors was something that had really set this publishing house apart from all the others. And Cabot had stepped into her shoes with ease, continuing her legacy and bringing Reed Publishing—specifically Reed Romance—to the top of every chart.
I wish that part didn’t make me like him even more.
Hector’s eyes narrowed, pondering something while he stared at me.
“What?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“I think Reed likes you.”
I nearly choked on air. “What?”
Hector smiled slowly, glanced around at the others, then crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his seat. A smug look of satisfaction accompanied his curt, “Yep.”
I looked at Marisa for help, but the girl only smiled.
“No,” I stated firmly. “Absolutely not. He barely even talks to me.”