by S. Valentine
“Now, get out of here,” she joked. “Some of us actually have work to do.”
“Like ensuring the strippers are dancing sexily enough isn’t a job?” he teased.
Gabi pushed him playfully. Careful not to get her blonde locks wet, she leant under the water, allowing it to pour down her skin. She breathed in the scent of vanilla soap, luxuriating in the warmth of the steamed room.
“Am I seeing you tonight?” Darion asked, exiting the shower and patting himself dry with a towel.
“Sure.”
“You fancy having a drink at the club?”
Gabi stilled. Would Eva be there? She wasn’t sure whether she could face her yet—face the person who had destroyed Darion’s trust in women, the person who had introduced him to a dark world of sexual exploration—the very thing that would make or break their relationship.
“Maybe some other time.”
Darion looked up, his eyes boring into hers. “Are you gonna avoid the club now?” He secured the towel around his waist.
“What do you mean?” She feigned ignorance.
“Just because Eva’s back, it doesn’t mean that anything needs to change between us, Gabi. You know that, right?”
She nodded.
When Darion left the bathroom, she rested her head in her hands with an exasperated sigh. She didn’t know anything of the sort. A small part of her suspected he still loved the bitch.
Chapter Three
It was 9:10 a.m. when Gabi discreetly slipped into the office. Luckily no one caught on that she was late. Her colleagues were either in the kitchen, fighting over the kettle, needing an instant caffeine fix for the long day ahead, or they were at their desks gossiping about their weekend antics.
Gabi had worked as an editor at Miller & Co. Publishers for a while. She liked to lose herself in a story, discovering journeys and lives that were different from her own. At one point, she’d experienced feelings of jealousy at some of the characters. They’d appeared to be having more fun than she was in her once miserable, lonely relationship with Lawrence. At least that was a thing of the past.
“Hey, sweetie.” Her friend and colleague Mallory walked into her office, gently kicking the door shut behind her. “Bought you a coffee.” She placed two cups on the table.
“Thanks, Mal.” Gabi smiled. “How are you?”
“Great. How are you?” She dropped onto the chair at the opposite side of her desk. “I haven’t had a chance to properly catch up with you lately. My workload is crazy at the moment.”
“I know the feeling.” Gabi waved a hand to the pile of papers on her desk.
“So, what’s new with you?”
Gabi blew out air. “I told you about Eva, right?”
“What? Who?”
“Darion’s ex-wife.” Gabi reached for the coffee and took a long swig. “She’s back in town. For good.”
“Seriously?” Mallory stared at her incredulously. “Why is she back?”
“Apparently she wants to ensure Darion sells the club.” Gabi set her cup down. “Either that or she still wants in on the club, and to get Darion back.”
“Shit. What are you going to do, Gab?”
Gabi shrugged, exhaustion suddenly overcoming her. “What can I do, Mal? I’m afraid to lose him.”
Mallory’s features softened with sympathy. “It’s one test after the other with Darion.” She pursed her lips. “You’ve both been through so much. How are things on the trust front?”
“I think Darion will probably always have trust issues with women.” How could he move on from his past when it was back to haunt him?
“All you can do is be there for him, Gab.”
“I wouldn’t mind, but I’ve got my own issues to deal with.” Gabi slouched in her chair. “Every time he goes to the club, I worry that he’ll hook up with one of the dancers again.” He did have quite a history with them. “Or worse, reconcile with Eva.”
“I don’t think he would,” Mallory soothed.
“I hope he wouldn’t.”
Mallory rested her hand on Gabi’s supportively. “How are things at The Black Door? Has he, erm…you know…asked you to do any freaky shit lately?”
“No.” Gabi omitted their most recent experience in the playrooms.
That was another of her worries. Darion was extremely sexually adventurous, and more experienced than she was. He liked to push boundaries. She wasn’t sure whether she could keep up with him, or whether she wanted to. She knew he liked to constantly seek sexual thrills. It wasn’t as if by being in a relationship he could all of a sudden turn his back on his fantasies and settle for ordinary ‘vanilla’ sex. A man definitely couldn’t change overnight. Gabi knew that much. Even being cheated on by his ex-wife in the playrooms didn’t deter the enjoyment he got from participating in them. He wanted someone he could trust, who would enjoy the club as much as he did.
She prayed that once she eventually got closer to him, got him to open up, that he’d leave his dark desires and fantasies behind, and commit to a solid, ordinary relationship. Failing which, he’d strip Gabi’s identity, and any innocence she had left. Did she want to go down that route?
“Darion sure leads a colourful life,” Mallory said, pulling her back to reality.
“Too colourful.”
“Yeah, but c’mon, Gab.” Mallory grinned devilishly. “He’s hot as hell, and it sure beats a predictable lifestyle.”
“I’m not so sure anymore, Mal.”
“Just relax, have fun. Surely Darion would never pressure you into anything you’re not comfortable doing.”
A comfortable silence descended upon them as they paused to sip their drinks.
Gabi cradled the warm cup in her hands. “Anyway, how’s Steve?” she asked, eager for a change of subject.
“He’s good.” Mallory beamed.
“You get up to much over the weekend?’ Gabi touched the spacebar on her keyboard, causing the computer screen to light up—thirty unread emails. She groaned inwardly. She was in for a busy day.
“We went to Sasha’s for a couple of hours. It was fun.”
“I miss that place.”
Sasha’s was a bar that she, Lawrence, Mallory, Steve, Suzie, Marcus, and some of her other friends used to go to on Friday or Saturday nights.
“You should come one night. Maybe even bring Darion.”
“No way.” Gabi shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to run into Lawrence.”
“I haven’t seen him there in a long time.” Mallory drained the last of her drink, and rose to her feet. “Anyway, I better get some work done.” She made her way to the door, pausing to soothe Gabi’s worries. “Darion loves you. Have faith that it will all work out.”
Gabi smiled tightly. When the door closed after Mallory, she attempted to give a manuscript her full attention. She hoped that if she kept her mind busy, it would keep her niggling thoughts at bay. Twenty pages in, she was already feeling restless.
Pushing her chair back, she rose in her black Louboutin platforms and ventured toward the window. She took in the street below, the bustling crowds, and beyond that, trees and high-rise buildings underneath a sky which would have been perfect if not spoilt by the grey clouds.
She stared at the view in a trance-like state, suddenly wishing she was anywhere but cooped up in her stuffy office. She returned to her desk and kicked off her heels. Picking up the papers, she forced herself to concentrate on the words before her. She knew she needed to separate her personal life from her professional life. After a page, she tucked her legs underneath her and became engrossed in the story. It was gripping. Feeling optimistic, she smiled to herself, knowing that the passion she had for literature would never cease.
A few hours later, her iPhone vibrated in her handbag. Placing the manuscript on the desk, she fished it out and glanced at the clock on the screen. The afternoon had flown by. With a perfectly manicured finger, she clicked into her messages. Darion’s name appeared. A hint of a smile played on her lips.
Darion: Hey, baby. I’ve got a surprise for you.
The giddy rush slipped away as Gabi’s heart twisted in her chest. She stuffed the mobile back into her bag and sat back with a long, heartfelt sigh. She wondered what he had in store. Darion’s surprises were never ordinary.
***
Darion
Darion switched off the laptop and reluctantly pulled himself off the sofa. Internet shopping. He always got carried away with it, teased with side-bar and pop-up advertisements that made him buy things he didn’t need: electrical gadgets, iPhone accessories, stuff for his motorbike, and cars. Taking in his modern, lavish apartment which consisted of a humungous wall-mounted television, computer consoles, CDs, DVDs, top of the range kitchen appliances, expensive aftershaves, clothes, and watches, Darion knew he had a spending problem. He never liked to go without. Ever. However, now he was spending money faster than he earned it. He forced the thoughts out of his mind. He had bigger fish to fry.
Although he’d pretended to Gabi that Eva being back in town to stay wouldn’t change things, he’d been lying. He feared Eva would destroy his world for the second time. Darion hadn’t seen her in years―since she’d cheated on him, betrayed him. When she’d left town for good, although he’d been distraught, heartbroken, drinking whatever he could get his hands on, gambling away his hard-earned cash, and sleeping with almost every woman that came his way, a part of him had been a little relieved. He’d hoped it’d help him forget her.
How wrong he’d been.
How could he have forgotten someone that sexy, outrageous, adventurous? She was the female version of him. Together they’d been a dangerous match. Trouble. Their relationship had been intense, the sex filthy, and the games they played to test one other, exciting.
The only woman that had come close to what they had was Gina, one of the dancers at his club. Although it had only been a brief fling with Gina, she had fulfilled Darion sexually.
Then Gabi came along. He smiled just thinking about her. Gabi fulfilled him in other ways. Yeah, she was great in bed, and he was gradually getting her to open up, lose her inhibitions, and explore her kinky side. She also had a hold of his heart. He strongly believed he’d be a real mess without her. He’d met her just at the right time, when he’d been close to self-destruction. He hoped he didn’t go down that road again.
What the hell was he meant to do with Eva back on the scene? He ran his hands over his face, feeling his spine stiffen. He’d spoken to Eva briefly a couple of nights ago, at the club. He’d been in a very awkward position with Gabi in the playrooms at The Black Door, to say the least, when she’d appeared out of nowhere. It was just like Eva to make an entrance. She’d screamed abuse at him, about why he was being uncooperative with her lawyers about the sale of the club. She wanted The Black Door sold, Darion didn’t. All of his hard work, sweat, blood and tears had gone into that business.
One thing was for certain—Darion wasn’t going down without a fight.
He yanked on some black jeans, and teamed them with a matching shirt. He rolled up the sleeves, ensuring three buttons at the collar were loose. His semi-casual-smart look was complete when he slicked his hair back with gel and spritzed on some aftershave.
Grabbing his keys, he decided to take the Audi to work, to arrive in style. Besides, it drove like a dream. He hoped the smooth journey, the comfort of the leather heated seats, and the sound of the vocal rock CD in the stereo would calm his raging hormones.
It was time to face Eva.
Chapter Four
The car came to a halt, the tyres crunching against the pebbly tarmac. Darion switched off the engine and climbed out. Locking the door with his key, he inhaled a deep breath. He rubbed the tense muscles in his neck as he made his way toward the club. Rolling his shoulders back, he straightened his posture, feigning confidence. With any luck, Eva wouldn’t be there.
The club was situated in the town centre of Westhaven, where he also lived. Ever since Darion had been a boy and his dad had taken him to several bars and gentlemen’s clubs, he’d dreamt of owning one. He’d worked hard to make it what it was—glamorous, provocative, compelling―complete with lavish interior and stunning exotic dancers. That included the upstairs too. Behind the actual black door was another matter entirely…a dark world that either intensified your relationship or destroyed it. A lifestyle that he’d introduced to Gabi not so long ago. The impact it’d have on his relationship with Gabi was unknown. There was only one way to find out.
Sauntering toward his establishment, he stilled once he was near. He retrieved a box of cigarettes from his pocket. Popping one in his mouth and lighting it, he took in the building. There were only windows upstairs, which were blacked out, except for one. Even in the daylight, you could see the red glow that cast on the street below. The large overhead sign that read ‘The Black Door’ was lit up, flickering on and off. As Darion blew out smoke, he took in the fluorescent sign of a woman dancing.
He’d put his all into the club’s reputation, building an impressive membership list, marketing it online and in public, promoting it via leaflets and matches, complete with the club’s logo. He was proud of his business. The parties that had taken place between those walls were enough to shame even the craziest of rock stars.
Taking a final pull on his cigarette, he tossed it to the ground and entered the premises. The main room, consisting of a bar, red velvet sofas overlooking a main stage, and private booths on either side, was empty. It was too early for customers. In an hour or so, the regulars that fancied a beer, a game of cards, or a private dance would be flooding in. Rock music vibrated from the speakers, although the volume was low enough to allow conversation. At night time, it was turned up a notch, and the party really started.
“Hey, boss,” Lexi greeted him from behind the bar, flashing him a grin. “I didn’t think you’d be in today.”
“Why would you think that?” He slid onto a stool.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the wicked witch back?”
“Word spreads fast.”
“It’s all anybody can talk about. Might there be a reconciliation in the cards?”
Darion stiffened. “You of all people know what she put me through, Lex.” He shook his head. “Besides, I’m with Gabi now.”
“Well.” She leant over and squeezed his hand supportively. “You know I’m here for you.”
“I’m sure I can handle Eva.” Darion intended his voice to come out confident―instead it was shaky with emotion.
He rose to his feet and strolled behind the bar. Grabbing a glass, he dropped two ice cubes into it and reached for a bottle of whisky. Darion didn’t care that it was a little early in the day. As far as he was concerned, there shouldn’t be a time restriction on enjoyment, and a glass of liquor certainly made him feel good. Filling the glass halfway, he held it to his mouth, the rich scent filling his nostrils. He downed it in one, wincing as it tore through his throat and chest like hot flames. He remained rooted to the spot for a moment before setting the glass and bottle down.
“What’s up with Gina?” he asked, noticing her sitting at the far end of the bar, staring into space.
Lexi pursed her lips. “She’s not been herself lately, Daz. I don’t know whether it’s because she’s still got feelings for you, or whether it’s Eva being back, or what.” She shrugged.
Although Gina had given Darion her blessing over Gabi, he knew she had always hoped that they would one day be an item. Darion groaned inwardly, wishing he wasn’t the reason for her mood. “I better talk to her.”
He casually sauntered toward Gina, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. As he approached, he scanned the room. It was immaculate as always. The bar surface was gleaming; the glasses on the shelves glinting under the spotlights, and the vodka, spirits, and liquor on show were of a large variety. As always, everything seemed under control.
“Hey, G.” He came to a standstill before her.
She blinked a
couple of times, as if just coming back to reality. “Hey, Daz.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” She nodded with a smile, although he wasn’t convinced.
He leant back slightly, evaluating her. Her eyes were glazed. He felt his chest tighten as he became riddled with guilt. He realised he hadn’t been paying attention to the girls or the club for a while. He had been so wrapped up in his own life and problems that he had failed to ensure everyone else was fine.
Gina had been his rock for so long. He especially owed it to her to be there in return. He reached out and stroked a blonde strand away from her face. She looked up at him from beneath her long lashes. With his thumb, he slowly traced down her cheek. He noticed a flicker of gratitude cross her face.
“You know I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Daz.”
“What’s with the dress?” he teased, trying to lighten the mood. The black dress she wore, although short, was a far cry from the corsets and miniscule skirts she was usually seen in. “You look like you’re about to go to a funeral, not twirl around a pole.”
She pushed him gently on the shoulder. “If you hadn’t been so wrapped up in Gabi you’d have noticed that I haven’t danced in months.”
He chuckled, pleased to see that she hadn’t lost her fiery attitude.
“I’ve been behind the bar.”
Really? He curled his hands together. “Any particular reason?”
“Unless he’s with me, Johnny’s possessive,” she confessed.
“You want me to have a word with him?”
She shook her head with a soft laugh. “It’s easier behind the bar. Besides, I kinda like him.”
“As long as he treats you right.” Darion was protective over the girls. He’d never let anything happen to them. The only reason he had never taken it beyond friendship with Gina was because he didn’t trust himself not to unintentionally hurt her. She was fragile. They’d be dangerous together. Also, besides sex, they didn’t have much else in common.