by Meghan Quinn
***
“I’m not going to lie, I’m fucking nervous,” Goldie whispered into my ear as we rode up an elevator to the top floor where the party was taking place.
“Don’t be nervous, I won’t leave your side,” I said into her ear, trying to still her shaking hand.
“I just have to stand tall, remember not to fucking swear and make sure to keep my chin even.”
“Don’t overthink it, little one. You’ll be just fine.” I kissed the top of her head, kind of liking the whole affection thing. “Just be yourself.”
She looked at me and gave me that “You’re kidding me” look. I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I like you the way you are.”
“Yeah, well, you have a special taste for trash…”
What the fuck?!
Blood boiled through my veins as I spun around and pinned her against the wall of the elevator. I held her hands at her sides and got right in her face.
I spoke through my teeth as I tried to contain the anger that was spilling out of me.
“I will not repeat myself, if you ever call yourself trash again or degrade yourself in front me ever again, I promise you this, you won’t like the consequences. Do you understand me?”
She gulped and nodded her head.
“I’ve been one hundred percent honest with you since you’ve been with me and I’m telling you this, you are the most beautiful, exquisite woman I have ever met. You do something to me, Goldie, that no one has been able to do. You make me open up, you make me feel and for you to call yourself trash is a direct insult to me. Are you trying to tell me I have no taste?”
I was mere centimeters away from her face, studying her eyes intently. I wanted to get it through her thick skull that even though she came from a rough background she was perfect. She was so much better than the people she was about to meet and she could give them a run for their money any day.
“That’s not what I’m saying, I just—”
“Good.” I cut her off. “Now, you’re going to use the training Miss Mary gave you not to change who you are but to give you more confidence. You’re so much better than these people, so I want you to show me how you are. Got it?”
She nodded again as her eyes welled up with tears. Fuck. I didn’t need her crying.
I leaned in and kissed her earlobe as I spoke gently into her ear, “Steady your breathing, little one. I wouldn’t want anyone else on my arm tonight, okay?” She nodded again as I ran my lips along her jawline and found her luscious lips. Knowing we were closing in on our floor, I was going to have to pull away and straighten myself out but I just needed one last taste so I pressed my body against hers and lifted her hands above her head so she was completely at my surrender. With one quick lick of her lips, I plunged forward and tasted her sweetness. She was so damn sweet.
A moan escaped the back of her throat as her hips grinded into mine. Waves of pleasure rolled through me as I reciprocated the motion. She was driving me crazy and I knew I had to put a stop to it but I couldn’t, for the life of me, I couldn’t stop taking everything from her.
“Ahem.” Someone from behind us cleared their throat.
Like a bullet out of a gun, I stood up straight and fixed our clothing. We both wiped our mouths and I tried to hold back the smile that was trying to cross my face from the panic-stricken look Goldie was giving me.
With confidence, I turned around and faced the person who was interrupting our little make-out session in the elevator. There was a bell hop holding open the elevator door for us and right past him was the entire party, standing still and staring at us.
Fuck.
Not the way I wanted to enter the room but I owned it because that was what a pompous and full of himself man did. I learned that from my dad. Goldie on the other hand was shaking so I held out my arm and clasped her hand when she threaded her arm into my side.
I leaned into her ear and said, “Chin straight, little one.”
She looked up at me, smiled and walked next to me with confidence.
As we entered the party, the room of attendees parted and watched as we glided across the floor. I led Goldie straight to the bar because she was going to need a little bit of liquid encouragement.
“Jett, I wasn’t expecting you to show up with such a gorgeous treasure on your arm tonight,” Bernie said as he flanked my side. Putting on my best smile, I turned to him and held out my hand.
“Bernie, what a pleasure to see you tonight.” I brought Goldie forward and said, “This is Goldie. Goldie, this is Bernie Butler. He is the vice president over at Citi Bank.”
With precision, Goldie held out her hand with just the right bend in her wrist and allowed Bernie to take her hand in his and place a kiss on it. She shied away slightly, working it and then leaned back into me once he was done making her acquaintance. The girl was a fucking pro.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Butler.”
“Pleasure is all mine, sweetheart.” Bernie looked up at me and said, “Jett, where did you find such a delectable creature?”
I focused on not rolling my eyes from his comment and said, “She found me, Bernie,” as I looked down affectionately at Goldie.
“I can see that. That was quite an entrance you two had. If I didn’t know any better, I would say you two were pretty close.”
A fake laugh escaped my throat as I patted Bernie on the shoulder. “You’re very observant, Bernie.” I looked around the room and said, “Where is Mrs. Butler?”
“Oh, she’s in the powder room, she said her face was getting shiny.” Bernie leaned forward and said, “I really think she just goes to the bathroom to go gossip like a hen. You know women.” He eyed Goldie and said, “Present company excluded.”
Goldie smiled politely but seemed a little uncomfortable, like maybe she actually did have to go to the bathroom.
I leaned down into her ear and said, “Do you have to go to the powder room?” She nodded and I responded, “Do you want me to take you?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” She kissed the side of my cheek and then walked off toward the bathrooms. This was the perfect time to discuss business without Goldie hearing me. That was one thing I was nervous about. I didn’t want her to get involved with my business deals, especially when my dad was involved in them. He was an evil bastard and I didn’t want Goldie anywhere near him.
Goldie walked away and I turned to Bernie who was watching her hips sway. He had two seconds to pull his eyes off her ass before I clocked the old man in the nuts.
With a perverted smile, Bernie averted his eyes and said, “What a fine woman. Well done, Colby.”
This was the part of my life that I hated. When I had to act like what people were saying was okay, that these creepy old men were not perverts and that we were all part of this boys club that got away with murder.
Changing the subject, I said, “So how is the loan business going? I heard there are some changes in the city that are going to be made soon, ones that need a significant amount of money.”
A sly grin spread across the evil bastard’s face as he brought a toothpick up to his mouth and started chewing on it.
“You’re a smart man, Jett.” He looked me up and down and then continued. “You want to know if your dad has come to me for money, don’t you?”
The bartender handed me my bourbon and I took a sip before answering Bernie. I leaned on the edge of the bar and said, “I don’t know how much you could really tell me that I don’t already know.” I bluffed. I had to make it seem like I knew my shit.
Bernie’s eyebrow rose as he looked at me. “Then why bring it up?”
“I just want to make sure you know that I know.” I leaned in closer, taking in his musk scent that was straight up revolting. No wonder Mrs. Butler was in the powder room. Fucking hell. “I want you to know that I know what’s going on and I’m not afraid to bring it to the city’s attention. Illegal deals with my father where he pays you under the table will not go unnoticed.”
I took a guess as to what was going on with Bernie and my dad and my guess was right because Bernie’s face blanched as he sputtered to cover up his shock.
“I…I, uh, don’t know what you’re talking about, Colby.”
I nodded my head and looked out into the room. “Let’s keep it that way, Bernie. I don’t play a dirty game and I never will. If someone fucks me over, they’re going to pay for it.”
I turned back around, looked Bernie in the eyes as I held out my hand. “Always a pleasure.”
“As usual,” Bernie replied as he limply shook my hand.
It looked like I got my point across from the defeated look on Bernie’s face. He was a powerful man but he knew I could take him out in seconds. I had the proof of it. Don’t fuck with me because I had video of every powerful man in this city gracing the booths of my club. I could destroy them in the matter of seconds.
Call me the devil but fuck with me or fuck with my girls and I would take you out before you could zip your pants back up.
Chapter Thirteen
“Jealous”
Lo
As I walked to the bathroom, I recognized that I actually didn’t have to go to the bathroom but in fact, I needed to calm my raging heart from Jett’s attack in the elevator. When he said he owned me, he meant it. It was like a light switch went off in him and once he claimed me, he was mine whole heartedly. I wasn’t going to lie, I kind of loved it even though our entrance was a little much, especially since I was trying to come across as a dignified woman, not some floozy for the night.
Of course Jett handled the situation with his classic poise which I tried to feed off of but it was hard when my legs were clenching together, begging for more and my body was shaking uncontrollably. That is what he did to me, he turned me into a puddle of mush with just his voice and his glare. He was dangerous but I loved walking on the side of danger¸ that was why we worked so well together.
The ballroom was grand, I didn’t expect anything less. It was on the top floor of a swanky hotel I forgot the name of because I was so wrapped up in Jett’s arms in the car. The room was covered in white, floor to ceiling, everything was white. Party goers graced the floor, dancing, laughing and mingling. The whole scene looked like it came from a movie as servers passed through the throngs of people passing out hors d’oeuvres and busying themselves with cleaning while the rich and privileged made back-handed business deals and put on their best showing. Jett was right, this was so not my scene and they were not even close to being my people.
I found the bathroom, after asking two different servers and walked in. There was a seating area in the first room with plush couches and pillows spread across the walls. I walked past the group of ladies who were all huddled together, talking and ignoring anyone who walked in and went straight for a stall that was big enough to fit ten people all together. I carefully lined the toilet with toilet paper even though the seat was probably cleaner then my belly button, lifted my dress and sat down. There was no need for underwear tonight, which Jett would find out later, something to look forward to. After he left, I took them off for…easier access. What can I say, I can be a floozy at times.
I wished I had my phone with me because I would be texting the girls about the party right now but I left it back at the club. I didn’t think it was necessary to have especially since I wasn’t carrying a clutch which was also a mistake. What if I was turning glossy like Mrs. Butler, I didn’t have anything to pat myself down with.
I tried to look at my reflection in the toilet dispenser but couldn’t get the right angle while sitting on the john. So not wanting to take my chances, I grabbed a wad of toilet paper and lightly padded my face to remove any excess “gloss.” Luckily, the toilet paper felt like it was quilted by nuns because the damn stuff was as soft as a kitten’s ass.
With my dress hiked up to my tits and my face being patted down, I thought about how Miss Mary would so disapprove but at the moment, I didn’t care. No one could see me.
I was about to get more toilet paper when I heard some voices travel over the practically blacked out bathroom stalls.
“Did you see that girl? Another flavor of the month must be.”
“Yes, but he seemed to actually care for this one. I’ve never seen him act like that toward another woman, have you?”
“No, but he could be putting on an act.”
I tried to tell myself they weren’t talking about Jett and me but I had a suspicion that wasn’t the case.
“There are a lot of men here tonight that could influence the Lot, he needs to make a good showing. He’s probably just dragging that girl around so he can boost his appeal.”
“Does he really think he’s going to get Lot 17?”
The girl laughed. “He’s Jett Colby, he thinks he can get anything.”
Just what I suspected, they were talking about Jett. Now if I only knew what they were talking about. What the hell was Lot 17? Was that another club I didn’t know about? I thought about the name and liked the way it rolled off my tongue. I would totally rock it out at Lot 17 if that was a club name.
I distracted myself with the possible club name too much as I heard the girls walk away but not before I heard one of them say, “I’m not too worried. Jett and I have a bit of a history. I will be in his club in no time.”
What?!
My ears perked up and I quickly stood up and pressed my head against the door of my stall, dress still up around my tits and gloss pad in my hand. Did I just hear her right? She was going to try to get into the club? Was she talking about the Lafayette Club or this Lot 17? Was Lot 17 even a club?
Fuck, I was so confused. I sat back on the toilet and put my head in my hands as I tried to think about what was going on and how to approach it. Did I risk it and straight up ask Jett? We were supposed to be honest with each other but I felt like our new found…relationship was too fresh, I didn’t want to push it too far. I needed to take my time and not go full Goldie on him, that would only scare the fuck out of him and I didn’t want that.
Realizing I’d been sitting on the toilet for too long, I took care of business, adjusted my dress and exited the stall. Luckily no one was waiting on me and the bathroom was clear. I didn’t feel like dealing with bathroom bitches, they were the worst.
Once I was all set, I walked back into the main ballroom and started toward the bar where I left Jett. It was funny walking by everyone because the different fragrances intermingling were quite hilarious. It was like a perfume convention and the person who wore the most was going to win a prize at the end of the night.
I spotted Jett and smiled to myself as I started to walk toward him. It was hard to miss him. He was tall, gorgeous and the most handsome and confident man in the room. He had one hand in his pocket and one hand holding his ever present bourbon. As I walked toward him, I was too busy to notice the raven-haired woman standing in front of him, talking to him and touching him…a little too much.
I shook out of my Jett trance and stopped in my tracks as I saw Jett engage with her. Never touching her but he was listening to her intently and that bothered me. Any other woman near him bothered me.
He smiled gently at her for a moment and then looked up. That was when he made eye contact with me. His polite smile turned into a full on grin as his eyes met mine. With his glass held up, he beckoned me with his finger. The power he had in that index finger of his was unbelievable.
The minute I reached Jett, he pulled his hand out of his pocket and grabbed mine. He brought our connection up to his lips and smiled down at me.
“There you are. Goldie, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Keylee Zinc. Keylee, this is Goldie.”
I pried my eyes off the delectable man and looked at the woman with the long black hair. As I took her in, I tried to hide the cringe in my face from the announcement of her name. What the fuck kind of name was Keylee? More like kiwi. I hid the giggle as I took her in and that’s when I started to sweat. Kiwi was a fucking bombs
hell. I gulped as I took her hand in mine and shook it.
“So nice to meet you, Goldie.”
Where did I hear that voice before? It was so familiar.
“Jett has not stopped talking about you since I came up to say hi.”
Bathroom bitch! Bathroom bitch!
I wanted to shout and point and let everyone know that kiwi was trying to move in on my man but instead, I pulled a number out of Miss Mary’s trainings, smiled a gracious smile, hid the devil that was trying to pour out of me and said, “Well, I hope it was all good.”
Jett leaned down into my ear and said, “It always is, little one.” He gripped my side tighter, making me flush.
Kiwi eyed us up and down and I could see the inner workings of her brain trying to figure out what was transpiring between Jett and me. I fingered my necklace, trying to give her a clue and she took the bait.
“What a beautiful necklace, Goldie.” She eyed the damn thing with her laser beam eyes. If I didn’t know any better, I would have sworn she was trying to blast it off my neck.
I looked up at Jett with adoration and said, “It was a gift from Jett.”
I glanced quickly at the fuzzy fruit and saw a slight glimpse of jealousy pass over her features. I needed to find out about this hooker when I got home. I was going to do a little Goggle magic and the first two searches were going to be Keylee “bathroom bitch” Zinc and Lot 17, possible club/play room for Goldie. Who knew what the hell it was.
Kiwi cleared her throat and said, “Well, Jett, it was nice catching up with you. Maybe we can have lunch one day…to discuss things.” She leaned forward, pressed her hand against his chest and kissed the side of his cheek. I stiffened as Jett didn’t move. He didn’t lean in but he didn’t lean away either. I wanted to chastise him but then again, he couldn’t cause a scene by denying her a “friendly” goodbye.