“When I’m not working I can do as I please,” I say, biting my lip. Honestly, I’m not sure if that’s even true. I know engaging with members while I’m working is not allowed, but nobody has said anything about when I’m not working…
“Let’s go then.”
I jump as he takes my hand and leads me back downstairs.
“So, how did you come to work here?” he asks, cocking his head.
“A friend back home knows one of the owners and was able to score me an interview.”
“There aren’t many female security staff here,” he comments. “How do you handle the ones who need removing?”
“I’m not a security guard as such,” I explain. “My job is to go unnoticed, sort of like an undercover cop. I report anything suspicious to security. Besides,” I shrug, “it’s very rare that we have to kick someone out. The exclusivity of the club means most people who are here know how to behave.” I wave my hands around. “There’s nothing else like this place, you know?”
He grins as we reach the bottom stair and head over toward the main bar.
“Your turn: how did you find this place?” I ask, glad for the attention to be off me.
“I came with a colleague a few months ago. Actually, it was my boss.”
“Your boss?” I laugh. “Was that kind of awkward, coming to a place like this with him?”
“It was in the beginning,” he admits, laughing, “but once I got past all that I was just thankful to him for showing me this world.” He pauses, throwing me a glance. “So, are you strictly only here for work?”
My face heats at what he’s asking me. How am I supposed to answer that?
“I’ve…participated once when I was very drunk, after a lot of encouragement from a co-worker,” I say. I can’t believe I just admitted that.
“You have to give me more than that,” he groans. “Which room? What happened?”
“I’m not divulging any details,” I giggle. “And honestly, nothing really happened. It was barely anything.”
I take a seat on one of the barstools as he does the same. From downstairs, you’d have no idea of the world that exists upstairs. Just a normal club with plenty of dancing and drinking, the bar does well in its own right.
“What can I get you?” asks Conrad.
“A beer, thanks,” I reply. I don’t drink much, but when I do, beer is one of the only things I can handle. “So, you never did tell me why you’re here.”
“Yeah, I thought I did pretty well to avoid that question.” He winces and I laugh.
I’m shocked at how relaxed I am around him. I feel like we’ve known each other longer than a day—and that we met under different circumstances.
“What can I say? I’m a guy with a hearty sexual appetite.”
I love his honesty, and he has this rawness about him that is so damn attractive. I listen to him talk about his life, not even caring that he changed the subject on me again.
“So what about you?”
“Pardon?” I stutter, embarrassed that I wasn’t listening closely enough.
“Am I that boring?” he jokes.
“No, I was just thinking how nice it is to meet a guy I feel at ease around,” I say. As soon as the words are out there I want to grab them back. I sound like a lunatic. The guy is going to run a mile. I settle down slightly when he laughs.
“I said I could really go something to eat.”
“Ah, burn up a bit of an appetite?” I quip and he laughs again.
“Something like that. So, you know any decent eateries open at,” he glances at his watch, “three in the morning?”
“Sure, there’s this awesome place just down the road that do an awesome burger.”
He nods and drinks down the last of his drink. “I’m keen if you are. I’m parked underneath.”
“Oh, I have my car with me too. Maybe I should follow you?” I suggest.
He shrugs. “Or I can drop you back here when we’re done.”
“Okay,” I agree, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach. “Sounds good.”
**
“This is your idea of a fine eatery?” he laughs, as I direct him into the parking lot of McDonald’s.
“It’s about the only place open at this time. Besides, I promised you a decent hamburger,” I defend myself. I can hear him chuckling as we get out of his car. I follow him inside, loving how safe I feel with this tall, attractive man at my side. I’ve lost count of how many times this place has served me a very late-night dinner from the drive-thru because I was too scared to get out of my car and venture inside.
I ask for a cheeseburger while Conrad orders nearly everything on the menu. I giggle, trying to push a five-dollar bill into his hand, which he refuses to take.
“My treat. Call it our first date.”
Date? A shiver races through me, but I force myself to calm down by thinking of all the reasons why relationships don’t work for me. God. He made a joke about a date and I’m preempting our wedding.
“I’ll get us a table.” I grin.
I pick a booth near the back of the diner and slide in. I take the moment I have alone to check him out from a distance. He’s so sexy that I can’t help but think naughty thoughts when I’m around him, and his personality is infectious. I’d forgotten how nice having company could be.
I glance outside and shiver. It’s still dark and I can barely make out Conrad’s car parked in the lot. Is he out there watching me? Probably. What if seeing me with Conrad makes him break?
“Here we go.”
I smile at the tray overflowing with food and reach for my lonely little cheeseburger.
“Get eating,” I laugh.
He doesn’t need any encouragement as he piles fries into his mouth.
“So, tell me more about who you are. How long have you been a detective?”
“Three years,” he replies. “I was a cop before that. It’s the only thing I’ve ever really wanted to do. My dad was a cop, and so was my grandfather. It was kind of expected of me.”
“Are you’re parents around here?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No, back home in LA. I’ve moved around a bit for work, but I like where I am now.” His eyes sparkle as they lock with mine. “What about you? Are you close with your family?”
“My parents died when I was fifteen,” I explain.
His face falls and I immediately feel bad.
“No, it’s fine. It was so long ago that I’m fine talking about it. We were close, but since they died my only real family is my aunt. And I don’t speak to her as much as I should,” I admit with a grin.
“I’m guilty of that too,” he says, rubbing his jaw. “Mom is always yelling at me for not calling more. I think that’s a guy thing, though.”
“Maybe,” I giggle. “You have any brothers or sisters?”
“Nope. Only child. Another reason why my parents hound me so much.”
We continue talking until we realize we’ve been sitting there for nearly two hours. I can’t believe how easy he is to talk to, and secretly I’m disappointed our little date is over. He drives me back to the parking lot, getting out to open the door for me. I smile at his chivalry.
“I had fun,” I admit, leaning against my car.
“Me too,” he grins. “We should go out for burgers after running into each other in a sex club more often.”
I laugh. When he puts it like that…
He leans in and presses his lips against mine, catching me off guard. My heart pounds as I lift my hand to his face, my fingers brushing over the soft stubble lining his jaw. I fall deeper into the kiss as his hands creep around my waist. It’s been so long since I kissed anyone, but it feels so right with him.
“Wow,” he mutters, pulling away. He looks dazed, and I can’t help but giggle. The fact that he looks as affected by that kiss as I was makes me feel less insecure. “I hope to be doing that again sometime soon.”
“Maybe. If you play your cards right. Will you
call me?”
He steps forward and presses his lips against mine again as his fingers caress my neck. “I’ll definitely be calling you.”
**
Parking my car, I exit the garage and start the few blocks back home. The sun is just starting to rise, but it’s still dark enough outside for me to spook myself at every tree rustling in the wind. I’m halfway to my complex when I see him. Just out of the corner of my eye, I see him duck behind a Dumpster on the other side of the street. He keeps himself hidden in the shadows, but I know he’s there.
I break into a run, my heart racing. My only focus right now is getting myself back inside my apartment where I can appropriately freak the fuck out. Trying to run in heels proves difficult, so I kick them off, discarding them on the footpath as I sprint inside my building.
“Miss, are you all right?”
The doorman appears, scaring the fuck out of me. After I retrieve my heart from the floor, I nod and force a smile onto my face.
“Uh, yes, just a little early morning jog,” I mumble.
He glances at my bare feet and smiles.
“Please do not let anyone up without talking to me first.” I slink away before he replies, only letting my guard down once I’m safely inside the elevator.
I make it inside my apartment, but I feel no calmer because I can’t get it out of my head that he’s been inside my place. What’s to stop him from doing it again? The first was just his way of showing me I have no control over him—and he’s right. He holds all the cards and I have nothing.
Digging my phone out of my bag, I locate the card Conrad left me and punch his number into the keypad. I’m not worried about waking him, considering I only left him less than an hour ago. He answers right away.
“I was expecting to hear from you again, but not this fast,” he jokes.
“I think he was following me,” I say breathlessly. I sit down and cradle my head in my hand, trying not to cry. Most of the time I’m strong enough to at least pretend he doesn’t get to me, but for some reason tonight I feel fragile.
“Where? Are you back home?” he asks.
“Yes. I’m sorry for calling you—”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll come over, okay?”
“Thanks,” I whisper. I hang up the phone and stand up. After checking all the windows are locked, I turn on all the lights and make myself a coffee. It’s nearly five in the morning and the sun is beginning to rise, but there is no way I’m getting to sleep anytime soon.
A few minutes later there is a knock on the door. I’m surprised at how quickly he arrived and annoyed the doorman doesn’t appear to be taking my requests very seriously. How many other people does he let up? My hand on the door, I’m about to open it when I freeze. What if it’s not Conrad? The thought of coming face to face with my stalker makes me dizzy.
“Raven?”
Conrad. I sigh with relief and swing open the door, practically throwing myself into his arms.
He wraps his strong arms around me and helps me over to the sofa. “Shh, you’re okay.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I mutter, rubbing my head.
“Fear and anxiety can do crazy things to a person,” he murmurs, handing me my coffee. “Are you sure caffeine is a good idea?” I shoot him a look and he chuckles. “Just saying.”
“I don’t know what else to do,” I mumble. “This is driving me crazy. Why won’t he just leave me the hell alone?”
“We’ll get him, I promise you that. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure this all stops, okay?”
I sigh as his strong arms wrap around me. He pulls me closer to him and I snuggle into his embrace. I’ve only known him a short while, but I feel blessed that I have him to turn to. How much of what I’m feeling centers around my stalker? If I was just a normal girl with a normal life, would I be feeling this drawn to a total stranger?
But that’s the thing: nothing about my life is normal.
Chapter Five
By Sunday I’m feeling much better, and my day improves when I spy Conrad at work. I try to keep my expression stoic, knowing full well I’m not supposed to engage with the members of the club.
He spots me and his face lights up. I roll my eyes as he walks toward me, a smirk on his face. I force myself not to swoon over the way his pants hug his frame, or how sexy he looks in a simple charcoal shirt, the first button open.
I wonder what he looks like under those clothes?
My cheeks heat as I chastise my line of thought. The last thing I need in my life right now is more complications, but after that kiss I know I need more of this guy.
“Are you here to tell me I now have two stalkers?” I tease.
“What do you mean?” he asks, a twinkle in his eye.
“Well, I’ve been working here for nearly two months, and these past two nights are the only time I’ve ever seen you here,” I reply, narrowing my eyes. “I suppose it’s another coincidence you’re here tonight?”
“It’s a big place, Raven.”
Shivers run through me as my name leaves his lips.
“Maybe I’ve been hiding in the shadows and you haven’t noticed me?”
“Maybe,” I agree, “But unlikely. A good-looking guy like you stands out.” As soon as the words leave my lips I want to dive through the air and catch them.
His eyes light up as he chuckles. “You find me attractive? I’m not sure that’s appropriate. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of you in your delicate state.”
“Give me a break,” I scoff. “I’ve lived with this guy fucking with my life for two goddamn years. I’m hardly falling apart over it.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you were,” he says, his sincerity catching me off guard.
“So, what do you do here?” I ask, aptly changing the subject. “What kind of kink are you into?”
He bows his head as if he’s trying not to laugh and then raises his eyes to mine. “Come and I’ll show you.”
“What?” I laugh, taken aback by his comment. “I can’t. I’m working.”
“Sounds like an excuse to me,” he teases. “I’m not propositioning you. At least, not yet. I just wanted to show you something.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “Just to prove to you I’m not scared of you, I’ll bite.” I motion for him to lead the way. I glance around to make sure none of my managers are in sight.
“I hope you do,” he murmurs, wetting his lips. “Bite, that is.”
I can’t help but laugh as I tag along behind him through the small crowd of people. I notice how tonight there seems to be more women than men. That’s unusual, because more often than not it’s the other way around. As we weave through the crowd I see more than one woman take an interest in Conrad. My primal instincts kick in and I stake my claim on him by draping my arm around his neck.
He raises his eyebrows as if surprised by my action, but he doesn’t question it. He nods in the direction of a man discreetly fingering a woman who is sitting on his lap in the corner of the room.
“Having the confidence to do that in public is a huge turn-on, I think,” he says, his voice gravelly.
“So, is that what you like?” I ask. I can feel my face heating as the words tumble out. God, did I just ask him if he likes having sex in public?
He laughs. “I like many things.” He pauses for a moment, then turns to me with a twinkle in his eye. “You know the best way for me to show you what I like, don’t you?” He creeps his arm around my neck.
I stiffen, his touch electric against my skin. I whimper as his fingers gently caress my collarbone, inching down to my breasts.
“How?” I say, managing to find my voice. I swallow hard, my heart racing as I wait for his reply. At this point, anything he suggests I’m ready to submit to.
“By letting me fuck you.”
I groan as his mouth closes over my earlobe.
Oh God. My knees buckle as he whispers in my ear, the sound of his voice almost enough to make me orgas
m on the spot. I gasp, arching my back as he unzips the back of my corset, his fingers stroking my skin.
“This neck,” he murmurs, rolling his tongue along its length, “is fucking amazing. Almost as amazing as these.” I gasp as my corset falls to the ground, his hands finding my breasts. My nipples harden as he rolls them over his fingers. I can’t move. Hell, I can’t even speak. I’m completely under his spell.
My back presses against the wall as he locks my wrists above my head. I feel so vulnerable, but at the same time I don’t think I’ve ever felt so sexy. His lips connect with mine in a deep and sensual kiss.
“I want to taste these nipples,” he mumbles.
I groan as he kisses around my breast before taking my nipple in his mouth.
“I’ve got…” Words escape me as his tongue flicks my nipple. My back arches as I struggle not to lose my footing. “I’ve got to get back to work,” I finish, alarmed. Shit. I’d let this guy distract me. If my boss, Preston, realizes I’m gone, there goes my job.
He stares at me in disbelief, then laughs. “You really know how to kill the mood,” he comments.
“Sorry,” I wince, “but I can’t afford to lose this job.” I pull away from him, fixing my clothes in the process.
He leans against the wall behind him and laughs, his eyes shining. “Maybe we’ll need to continue this later? I’ll hang around until you finish.”
I grin and cock my head. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
The shift creeps along at a snail’s pace. Every now and then I catch a glimpse of Conrad, which sends my heart racing. Near the end of my shift I spy some blonde trying to chat him up. My hands clench into fists by my side. The irrational side of me wants to pound her head into the wall she’s leaning against. I study his face for a moment. He’s being polite and laughing, but his eyes catch mine and he winks. Immediately I relax and force myself to look away.
At the end of my shift I punch out and go in search of Conrad. I’m nervous as fuck because it’s been a while since I’ve been with a guy. Even though he claims this is all to annoy my stalker, I know he likes me and the feeling is mutual. This whole thing would probably be easier if I was one of those girls who could have sex with random guys—and girls—at the drop of a hat. But I’m not.
Hidden Obsession (The Club #2) Page 2