“I just worry about you guys.”
“I know.” Noah looks thoughtful. “Changing the subject slightly, how are things with you and Eli?”
“I don’t know. He says he just wants to be friends.” I shrug. What else is there to say?
“Give him time. We can all see that he wants you, he just has his own issues to deal with.”
“Yeah, that’s what Mason said too. Okay, enough serious talk. I want to have some fun. Any suggestions? By the way, where are the other guys?”
“They’ve gone to the gym, which means I get you all to myself for a couple of hours.”
I smile up at him brightly. I love this relaxed, playful side of him.
“I’m going to make a couple of quick phone calls to see if I can set something up for tonight.”
“Do you want to watch a movie and make out a little?”
“Make out?” I can see the laughter in his eyes, but he manages to keep it down.
“Yeah, Mason and I were making out in my big old bed this morning and I find I’m quite partial to it.”
This time his eyes flash with lust.
“Well, how can I refuse an offer like that? You pick what movie you want and I’ll be as quick as I can.” He tugs me inside then leaves to sort out his mysterious plans for later.
With over a thousand channels I’m sure I could find a movie for us to watch but instead, I pick one of my favourites from their extensive DVD collection I found earlier in the week. I head up to my room, set it up and crawl back into bed to warm up my freezing feet. I have really got to start wearing more when I sit outside or I’ll end up with frostbite. Ten minutes later, Noah pops his head around the corner and smiles when he sees me all snuggled up like a human burrito.
“When you suggested a movie, I thought you meant in the living room. Your idea is so much better.”
“Get over here, I’m freezing.”
He slips off his jeans and T-shirt leaving him in a pair of black skin-tight boxers. Wow, that’s better than any movie on the screen. He climbs in and wraps his arms around me, tugging me into the position he wants with my head on his chest and my leg hitched up over his.
“Now, what are we watching?”
“My favourite Christmas movie of all time.”
“In November? Isn’t that a bit early to be watching Christmas movies?”
I poke him in the ribs with my finger. “You take that back, mister. It is never too early for Die Hard.”
He snorts in laughter. “Die Hard? Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.”
“Of course it is. It takes place on Christmas Eve and it has Christmas decorations in it, ergo it qualifies as a Christmas movie, so shut your piehole. Stop laughing at me.”
If anything, he laughs harder, but damn, does it feel good to just cut loose. I can’t help but start laughing myself now as I climb on top of him, straddling his legs and trying to tickle him. Our laughter dies out as our position starts having a positive effect on a certain part of his body. He slides his hands up my thighs to my hips to still my movements, watching as my breath starts to speed up and leaving behind a trail of goosebumps.
“Eden…” he warns as his own breath begins to escalate but I ignore his warning and rock against him.
He grips my hips tighter, pulling me harder against him. I gasp, biting my lip to stop myself from shouting out. My movements speed up and I can feel my face flush with arousal and desire. I dip my head and place a barely-there kiss behind his ear before trailing the tip of my tongue down the column of his neck, nipping his chest until I reach a nipple. Circling it with my tongue, I flick over the hardened nub before blowing against it. I can feel his stomach muscles clench beneath me as he grinds up against me. I can feel how damp his shorts and my panties are becoming against my skin from my arousal and his pre-cum which only seems to spur us on. I snag handfuls of the sheet in each hand, gripping them hard enough to rip them as he fights the urge to take control. A part of me wants nothing more than for him to slide my panties to the side and surge up inside me. The other part loves the power I feel rushing through my veins from merely doing what teenagers would call dry humping. He looks like he’s ready to lose his shit and—I’ll be honest—knowing that makes me feel both sexy and confident.
I sit up tall and throw my head back, moaning long and loud. My movements falter as I struggle to get myself off. I’m relieved when he pulls my hips towards him, bumping against my clit then gliding me away. I rock my body while Noah uses his hands to guide my movements, exaggerating every pull and push until I’m a sweaty mess and my legs start to shake. He tips me forward, pulling me down toward him which changes the angle, putting constant pressure on my clit. It’s all too much, making me go off like a firework. I feel like a goddess and it’s all because of the god who has just found his own release underneath me. He wraps his arms tightly around me and sits up with me in his lap. I wrap my legs around his waist in a vice-like grip and kiss him hard, pouring every ounce of gratitude I feel into it. We pull apart, both of us breathless and sated, as gunfire peppers the air from the screen behind us.
“Well, that was unexpected. What do you have to say for yourself?” he asks, quirking an eyebrow at me as he grins that grin that makes me want to get on my knees before him. I throw my hands up in the air like a lunatic.
“Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker.”
“Best Christmas movie ever.” He laughs.
I readily agree.
I slip the dress over my head, knowing I’m asking for trouble wearing it but I can’t wait to see their reactions. Floor-length with long sleeves and round neck, it’s similar to a lot of the casual dresses I wear, except this one is black lace over a nude underlayer, giving the impression I have nothing on underneath. The dress is skin-tight until it reaches the top of my thighs then it flows around my legs to the floor. If that isn’t enough to give them a heart attack, the front of the skirt is split from floor to thigh over each leg up to where the material tightens showing a generous amount of leg when I walk. High silver strappy sandals laced up my calf and an abundance of silver bangles on my wrists finish off the look. It’s like a rocked-out version of my usual casual boho style. I’ve straightened my bob and smoothed some serum over it to keep it sleek and shiny, added a layer of mascara and applied a slick of my favourite purple MAC lipstick in a shade aptly named Heroine. I feel like a girl from one of my books tonight.
Going out, having fun like other girls my age, is a privilege for me and I am going to make the most of it. I slide on the last bangle and slip my bank card into my bra. I rarely take a bag out if I can help it as I’m so forgetful and always losing it. The guys are waiting in the kitchen for me. We’re going in Eli’s car as he has nominated himself designated driver after swearing never to drink again. But hey, isn’t that what we all say when we’re praying to the porcelain gods? I can hear them chatting quietly but as soon as I enter the kitchen, all talking stops and I find myself devoured by three sets of eyes. I ignore the look Eli is giving me and move to kiss both of my guys on the cheek, breaking them out of their stupor.
“No. No way.”
I sigh, trying valiantly to hold my smile in check. “I’m sorry, Noah, what seems to be the problem?”
“That dress is the problem. No way are you wearing that out to the club,” he growls as he adjusts himself.
I pretend to think on his words, touching the tip of my finger to my lips. I watch as his eyes zero in on my mouth. I lick my lips. “You’re right. I’ll just go and change.”
I watch a look of relief pass over his face as I turn and take a step towards the stairs.
“This is far too conservative. I don’t know what I was thinking. Now I just need to decide between the sheer one that shows my bra or the backless halterneck one. Decisions, decisions.”
He is on me before I can take another step. His hard lips are on mine as his hands mess up my hair and I don’t give one single fuck.
“Come on, let’s go before I cha
nge my mind and tie you to the bed.” He links his arm with mine as my stomach clenches at his words. The smug look he throws me tells me that he knows exactly the kind of effect he’s having on me.
Mason steps up and links my other arm through his before bending down and kissing my forehead. “You look breathtaking, Eden.”
“Thank you. You all look great too.” And they do. Each of them in trousers and shirts in greys and blacks looks sexy as fuck.
“All right, do you think we can get this show on the fucking road?” Eli throws his hands up in the air. The three of us take a step forward but Eli stops us with his hand out. He tugs me away from Mason and Noah and holds the door open, ushering me through. They both death stare him but he shows he doesn’t care by crossing his arms over his chest.
“Oh, don’t get all bent out of shape with me. How the fuck you thought you were all going to fit through the goddamn door like that is beyond me.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Eden, you can sit up front with me.” When the two in the back begin to protest, he tells them to shut the fuck up. “If I leave her in the back with you assholes, she’ll end up stripped fucking naked before I’ve even made it down the street. Chill the fuck out. Eden wanted a night out, so she’s going to get one. I’m sure you can control your dicks for one goddamn evening.” Eli’s forcefulness is turning me on—completely inappropriate, I know—but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t making me conjure images in my head of him bossing me around while wearing a lot less clothing.
“Fine.” Noah glares at him as he climbs into the back of the Mercedes.
“Fine.” Mason sighs in disappointment.
Eli takes my hand and helps me manoeuvre into the front seat and I don’t miss the way his eyes trail up my legs when the dress splits open as I sit.
The car ride is quiet, the guys in the back because Eli took away their favourite toy and Eli wishing he could play with it when he can’t. Men.
When we pull up to Dante’s, I’m momentarily distracted by the sheer size of it. The crowd of people queuing around the building is so long I can’t even see where the queue ends.
“It’s going to take forever to get in there.”
“Nah, they are expecting us,” Eli reassures me.
We park and make our way to the entrance, ignoring the disgruntled remarks from the people we pass. Eli leads the way with Mason and Noah flanking me. Despite being out in the open and surrounded by people, I feel safe and protected.
A large handsome man with a shaved head and a killer smile grins at us as we approach. He holds out his hand for Eli to shake and the others step forward so they can shake too.
“You must be Eden. Nice to meet you.” He takes my hand and kisses the back of it, making me blush and Mason growl.
Mason might be okay with Noah or even Eli touching me but some random guy? Nope, not going to happen. I place my hand on his chest and he calms down immediately.
“Relax, man. I have a woman of my own and as beautiful as you are, Eden, Gracie is the only woman for me.”
I smile at that. There is something incredibly sexy about a man who is completely devoted to the woman he loves.
“Well, head on in. Callum will be down in a second to collect you. Have fun. I’m sure I’ll see you later.”
We walk into a very white room. In the movies when someone dies or is dying and they’re in the ‘in between’ and everything is white and everyone is dressed in white, that’s what this place reminds me of. Except for the waitresses. They are far sexier than any angel I’ve seen in any of those movies. Dressed in skin-tight white catsuits with white wings that touch the floor when they walk, they wouldn’t look out of place at Midas. Hmm… I wonder if they would fancy a job at a burlesque bar?
“What are you thinking about so hard over there?”
“Honestly, I was wondering if those girls dressed as angels would consider working at a burlesque club.”
Mason shakes his head, laughing.
Noah groans. “Please don’t poach their staff on your first night here. They won’t let you come back.”
“Sorry.” I’m saved from saying anything else when a dark-haired guy walks toward us smiling. He is about the same size as Mason, but Mason has that air of menace to him whereas this guy just oozes class.
“Hey, guys,” he greets Noah and Eli. I hadn’t realised they had been here before, but I guess it makes sense if this is London’s premier hotspot. He holds his hand out for Mason and introduces himself as Callum.
I smile at him and he offers me a bright one in return.
“Well, guys, what are you in the mood for tonight? A little gambling, something to eat, some stripping?” he jokes but I feel strangely curious.
“Stripping, please.” They all look at me like I’ve fallen out of a tree and hit my head on every branch on the way down.
“It’s just the ladies on tonight,” he explains as if that would put me off.
“Awesome, let’s go.”
Mason just smiles at me knowing it’s easier to just to go with it. “You heard the lady, stripping it is.”
“She is trying to fucking kill me,” I hear Eli grumble behind us as Noah shrugs his shoulders and slips his hand into mine.
Stripping it is.
Chapter Eleven
ELI
How in the world did I ever think this was a good idea? The more time I spend with her, the more I want her and it’s only amplified by the fact that I know she wants me too. I think I’m going to have to start looking for somewhere else to live. I’ll stay until the creep stalking her is caught but after that, I think it’s time I made a move. If she stays—I’m still not convinced she will, but if she does—they’re going to want to play happy homes and I don’t fit in with that.
“You all right?”
I look to the big guy next to me and wonder how he can have such faith in things working out. “Yeah, Mase, I’m fine. Just thinking about this stalker guy. It pisses me right off that we can’t find anything out about him. The flowers were delivered anonymously. The chocolates have to have been hand-delivered as there was no delivery note and neither give us any clues as to who they are from.”
“I feel you. I feel like we’re just waiting for the next gift to arrive, hoping that it leads us back to him. But then I remember her face every time something else turns up and I’m worried how much more she can take.”
He holds the door open as we stroll into Lust, Dante’s very own strip club. Opulently decorated in purple and silver with expensive fabrics and top-shelf drinks being ordered at the bar, it’s a far cry from Midas. I glance at Eden and have to fight back a grin at the look of awe on her face. She has nearly forty million pounds in the bank but still manages to walk into a strip club and look at it like she is visiting the fucking Taj Mahal.
“Welcome to Lust.” Callum leads us to a table right in front of the stage. The room is packed so I’m surprised it’s free until I realise it has a reserved sign on it. I look up at him in question.
“I always keep this one reserved in case Gracie wants to come down or her friends come over for a visit. She’s on her way down to meet your girl so brace yourself.”
“She’s not my girl.”
He looks at me oddly. “Right.”
We all sit and a waitress comes and takes our drink orders. I’m seriously regretting being the designated driver now. After seeing Eden in that dress, I could do with a double whisky.
The show is finishing up and I watch Eden as she stares at the stage, transfixed.
“She looks like she misses it,” I observe to Mason. How or why is beyond me. Taking your clothes off and dancing in front of a room full of people is probably not most people’s dream job but then, Eden never seems to fit into the box I keep trying to stuff her down into.
“She gets some flack off you and Noah. I get that most of it’s in jest, but she can tell that you guys don’t like it so she won’t do it as much.”
�
��As much? I thought she wasn’t going to do it at all?”
“Maybe she won't, after all, the stress of running a burlesque club is going to keep her ridiculously busy, but this is Eden we’re talking about. Have you seen her dance?”
I nod, remembering that first night at Midas. She was mesmerising and the hush that had fallen over the previously rowdy crowd showed I hadn’t been the only one bewitched by her.
“Then you need to realise it’s just another side of her persona. When she climbs on that stage, she stops being Eden Myers, the young girl who lost her mother and ran away from a monster. She becomes Eve Temptation, the goddess who brings men to their knees and refuses to take crap from anyone. Some of those stunts she performs literally have my heart in my throat but she just thrives on it. She was a gymnast. Did you know that? There was talk of her training for the Olympics but, well, you know what happened next.”
“Hi.”
I look up and find two beautiful women talking to the table at large. I recognise the redhead from seeing her gambling in the casino with Carter a few months back.
“Hi, baby.” Callum kisses her cheek and offers the other woman a smile.
“Guys, this is my woman, Gracie,” he says, pointing at the redhead. “And this is Frankie,” he says, indicating the pretty petite girl with a mane of ebony hair.
“Hi, I’m Eden and these guys are Mason on the left there and Eli is the guy next to him and this is Noah,” Eden introduces us all.
“Nice to meet you all and to see you again, Eli. Mind if we join you? I promise not to cause any trouble tonight.”
“I’m not sure I believe you, but take a seat.” I laugh when she scowls playfully. But I remember the last time I met her she got into a verbal smackdown with another woman
“We have actually met before too, briefly,” I tell Frankie. I thought she looked familiar but when I heard her name, I realised who she is. “We work for Malcolm.”
The Promise of Tomorrow: An Inheritance Novel Page 11