“I really appreciate you keeping an old man company, taking all these trips with me,” he said once he’d collected himself.
I smiled. “There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
Dad laughed and shook his head. “Well, that’s a problem! You’re still young—you should be out living life and having fun.”
“But I like traveling the world with you. It is fun.”
“I mean fun with people your own age, Natalie. What are you doing tonight?”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Natalie—that’s precisely what I mean.”
I sighed, knowing he had a point. I hated to admit it, but I spent so much time trailing behind him that I had practically given up on maintaining the kind of social life normal for a woman my age. And if I was honest with myself, it definitely took a toll on me. Sometimes, I desperately wished for a chance to unwind with some careless fun, but I hardly ever allowed myself to get away like that. It just wasn’t the way things were for me right now.
“Why don’t you call Senator Kurt’s daughter?” Dad suggested. “She’s out this way too, you know. Maybe the two of you could catch a movie or something.”
I nodded, thinking it actually sounded like a good idea, although I was pretty sure we could find something better to do than catch a movie. “You know what? I just might do that.”
“Good,” Dad said, settling back into his seat and closing his eyes. We had a long ride ahead and once we made it back to the hotel, he would be bombarded with phone calls, emails, and meetings.
I pulled my cell from my purse and scrolled through it to find Eden Kurt’s number. I shot off a text message reading: U busy tonight?
She responded instantly: Nope. What’s up?
How about we go out? Dancing and drinks?
Sounds good! Count me in!
I returned my phone to my purse and then leaned back in my seat as well, deciding that maybe a pregame nap would be good for me too.
* * *
By the time I got back to my hotel room, Eden had already done some research and found a club in the area that was supposedly the place to be for anyone looking for a good time. I should have known that would be the case though. My father and Senator Kurt had been friends for decades and thus, Eden and I grew up knowing each other. In her college years, Eden had been infamously known as a party-girl, much to her father’s chagrin. He had spent too much time answering and confronting reporters about his daughter’s wild antics. Since graduating, however, Eden had calmed down quite a bit, becoming the more responsible and respectable kind of daughter better suited for the public eye. Still, she knew how to let her hair down, and tonight would be one of those nights.
Thank God. Because Dad was right, I needed it.
After styling my hair and applying holding-spray to my curls, I put on my makeup and slid into my dress—a slinky black number that hugged my figure in all the right ways, and even helped give the illusion that I had longer legs. When I was younger, I had often resented my short height, sometimes it made people think I was younger. As I grew into my late teens and twenties though, I developed enviable curves that made quite a few representative’s sons look at me differently at political gatherings.
Satisfied with my dress and hair, I stepped into a pair of black sparkly open-toed heels and then studied myself in the mirror, trying to determine what else I needed to complete my look. I decided on a pair of sparkly earrings and a bracelet rather than my usual watch; I didn’t want to bother with keeping track of time tonight.
By eight o’clock, I headed out the door, ready for some fun and mischief after the long and tiring hours I’d spent keeping my father company on his business meetings.
CHAPTER 2
Natalie
After Eden texted me the address of the club, I took a cab to get there. When the driver pulled into the parking lot, I could already tell the place had a large crowd for the night. I glanced around apprehensively, hoping there were no hidden newscaster trying to catch a couple of politicians’ daughters in compromising positions. But then I reminded myself that this visit to Turkey hadn’t been widely publicized, which was why Eden had agreed to go out in the first place. We should have been in the clear.
“Thanks,” I said, paying the taxi driver.
He pocketed the money. “Have a good night.”
Before I even stepped completely out of the cab, someone whistled at me. I grinned, shutting the cab door and turning around to see none other than Eden Kurt coming my way. She wore a wide smile, a short red dress that complemented her auburn hair, and heels so high that I would have fallen flat on my face if I wore them.
“Hello, gorgeous,” she said, skipping over to me. She stooped down to give me a hug, having to bend more than normal since her heels made her tower over me even more than usual.
I hugged her back. “Hey yourself, beautiful. Looks like you’re ready for some fun.”
“And you know it!”
We looped our arms together and headed into the club, ready to drink and dance the night away.
* * *
By the time we were on our third drink, we had been on the dance floor for at least forty minutes straight with various guys who couldn’t seem to take their eyes off us. They offered drinks and pretty promises that we laughed off, perfectly happy to tease them without getting too serious.
“Damn, sexy. Let me get you a drink—or something better, if you know what I mean.”
I turned around on the dance floor, instantly feeling repulsed by the guy standing behind me. He wasn’t bad-looking, but there was something predatory about his appearance that immediately revolted me. He stared at me hungrily, biting his bottom lip.
“No, thank you,” I said, trying to be polite nonetheless. Even if the guy hadn’t been such a creep, I knew that I was reaching my limit and didn’t need another drink right now, or else I risked ending the night passed out in the bathroom.
“Ah, come on. Don’t be like that,” he said, trying to touch me. I quickly dodged his grasp.
“Back off,” I said, turning away from him. He muttered, calling me some ridiculous name before moving along in search of his next target.
I shuddered and glanced around, in search of Eden. Yet, as my eyes roamed the club, something else entirely caught my attention. I froze on the spot, sensing a penetrating stare coming from the bar area. My breath hitched in my throat for a second, and a quiver went through my body. A handsome stranger lifted his head just slightly, acknowledging me from afar.
My heart pounding, I averted my gaze in search of Eden again. I spotted her a short distance away, her arms wrapped around some guy’s neck as she twirled her hips to the beat of the music playing, keeping the guy completely riveted.
I headed their way. Thanks to my short stature, I dipped under their arms and squeezed myself between them. The guy looked down at me, startled at first, and then amused. A grin spread across his face as if he had just hit the jackpot, likely under the impression he was getting a two-for-one special.
“What’s going on?” Eden asked.
“Do you see that guy over there at the bar? Hey, don’t look! I mean, you can look, just don’t be obvious about it. You know—sneak a look.”
Eden continued dancing, swirling around to disguise the direction of her gaze until she managed to glance toward the bar. She swirled around again, wrapping an arm around me and forgetting about the guy she’d been dancing with.
“Are you referring to that super-hot guy standing at the bar, scoping you out?”
“Yes. Oh…my…god. He is gorgeous.”
“Well, why are you over here with me? Go over there to him!”
I shook my head, my stomach knotting nervously just at the thought. “No, I can’t…”
“So what are you going to do, Natalie? Just stare at him all night?”
“Yes. I think that’s about all I can handle.”
“Well that’s just not acceptable and you know it.” To my horr
or, before I could protest, Eden grabbed my arm. Under the pretenses of leading me through some sort of line-dance, she began pulling me toward the bar. Towards him.
She gave a fake cough. “I think I need to make a trip to the lady’s room. Be back…eventually.” She winked and wiggled her eyebrows, and then disappeared around the corner, leaving me mere feet away from the handsome stranger, who was even more good-looking up close.
I stood there, not knowing whether I wanted to kill Eden or thank her; I supposed I would have to see how the rest of the night went before I could decide.
My heart pounding, I slowly approached the bar, coming to a stop at the guy’s side, all the while trying to pretend he wasn’t the reason I was there in the first place. Yet, I could feel the flush coming over my face as I felt him watching me.
Lord knows I didn’t need another drink, but now that I was at the bar, I felt I had no choice but to order one. I decided I would order something light to slowly sip.
The bartender was busy with other customers though, so I had a bit of a wait before me.
In my periphery, I saw the handsome stranger gradually sliding closer to me. Unable to resist, I glanced sideways at him. My knees almost buckled.
Tall with broad shoulders, he had the body of a god. His hair was short and black, creating a stunning contrast to his bright blue eyes. A tattoo peeked from under the sleeve of his shirt.
“Hello,” he said, his voice smooth as butter.
“Hi…”
A slow smirk spread across his face and in that instant, I knew he was the finest man I had ever seen. The cockiness lurking under his expression made me suspect he knew precisely the kind of effect he was having on me.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Natalie.”
He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Natalie. I’m Colt. Can I buy you a drink?”
I stretched out my hand, letting him take it in his. He raised it to his lips and kissed it with incredibly soft lips.
“Sure,” I said, somewhat breathless already.
CHAPTER 3
Colt
I’d expected the night to be a dull and uneventful, but I knew that was about to change the very moment I laid eyes on her.
The week had been long and tiring, and even though clubbing wasn’t really my thing, I needed a distraction. I figured a few drinks and a couple of women would be enough to alleviate some stress before I went home, but after spotting her, I knew that she alone was what I needed for the night.
I was pleased to see she didn’t have a man with her; she had come to the club with a friend—a hot and feisty redhead. I saw them both when they first walked through the door, and although they both were attractive, she was the one I immediately wanted. Her flowing raven-black hair and those deep brown eyes, giving her an exotic look that I just couldn’t turn away from.
I was surprised she hadn’t sensed me staring sooner, but on the other hand, I guess that was a good thing. I didn’t want her thinking I was some kind of creep. Especially because I saw the way she shut down that other guy. I was glad she did. Because otherwise I would have had to intervene, and I didn’t want to get blood on my hands tonight. I did that enough in my day job.
When she finally did notice me though, I could tell the attraction was mutual.
As she stood beside me at the bar, trying to play nonchalant, I knew it was time to make my move. I offered to buy her a drink, and after a brief pause, she accepted my offer.
“So—are you from around here?” I asked as she sipped her strawberry daiquiri from a straw. Her lips curved into a flirtatious smile when she caught me staring at them. Damn, those lips wrapped around my cock would be better than that straw, for both of us.
She shook her head. “No. I guess you can say I’m here for business, sort of.”
“Oh yeah? What kind of business?”
The playful grin slipped off her face and she finished the rest of her drink.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Forget I asked. I’m here to escape work stress myself, so I know what that’s like.”
“What kind of stress?”
“Just business.” I wouldn’t bother her with details. “And how do you like Turkey so far?” I asked her, referring to the club.
Her smile was dazzling. “I love it. I’m having a great time, especially when I’m next to a gorgeous guy like you.”
Nice. This evening was becoming better and better. I let my hand roam over hers, watching the goosebumps on her skin that followed my touch, and leaned in to her ear to say, “Well, you’re not the first to say that. I can have that effect on women.” I winked at her, throwing my panty-dropping smile at her. “You’re hot yourself. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you from the moment I saw you.”
Her breathing increased, and it just made my blood boil. She smelled so sweet, and I couldn’t resist the urge to move her hair aside and put my lips on her neck, leaving an open-mouthed kiss right over her soft flesh.
“Colt,” she murmured and angled her head to the side, allowing me further access to her neck.
Damn. That was sexy.
Seeing that she was still gripping her empty glass, I took it from her, making sure our hands brushed against each other in the process. I leaned in toward her. “No more talk. Let’s dance,” I whispered in her ear.
She responded by giving me a sly grin. I slid my hand down her arm until our hands met, and then led her to the dance floor.
From the corner of my eye, I saw that her friend had managed to sneak back onto the dance floor unnoticed, likely at some point when we’d been talking at the bar. She winked in our direction.
When we’d found a spot to occupy, Natalie smiled, released my hand, and began swaying her hips to the beat. For a moment, all I could do was watch, memorized. That’s when it dawned on me that her shyness had been an act; this woman was an absolute tease, and she knew exactly what she was doing. I was a fucking winner.
She turned around, pressing her back against me. I gripped her hips, loving the way they felt moving to the music. The more her ass pressed against me, the more difficult it became to contain myself and I knew that at any moment, she would feel it. I kissed her neck, nibbling at the exposed skin. She was so delicious.
Just when I couldn’t take it anymore, she spun around to face me and wrapped her arms around my neck as best as she could due to our height difference. I slinked my arms around her waist as we continued dancing, falling into an easy sway as the next song started.
The playful grin returning to her face, she began to shimmy her shoulders and then leaned backwards, tightening her grip around me and she dipped. I wrapped my arms more securely around her and leaned over, unable to resist pressing my face into her neck and smelling her sweet perfume. A giggle rose from her throat and she lifted one leg, hitching it at my hip. I removed one hand from her waist and gripped the back of her knee, feeling the soft skin there as our hips moved in unison to the beat.
When we returned upright, her face was flushed and there was an unmistakable hunger in her eyes that rivaled what I felt.
“What are you doing after you leave here, Natalie?” I asked, stooping to whisper in her ear again.
She smiled. “I don’t know. Why? Do you have any plans for me?”
“Oh—I’m sure I can think of something…”
She stood on her tiptoes and brought her lips to my ear. “Why don’t you show me what you’re thinking of then?”
I groaned as she nipped at my earlobe. I wanted her so badly right then, I considered fucking her right there on the dance floor.
But I was also aware that she’d had several drinks…
I pulled back, wanting to get a good look at her face. “I can’t tell you how much I’d love that, but how do I know this is really you talking, and not the alcohol?”
She laughed. “I may be small, but I can hold my liquor.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice then,” I said. “Let’s get out of here and
go to my place.”
* * *
Within just a couple moments Natalie had alerted her friend that she was leaving with me. By the time we’d reached my apartment door, my body practically quaked in anticipation.
Natalie laughed behind me as I pulled my keys from my pocket to open the door.
“What?” I said, glancing back at her.
But the answer I received was not a verbal one. I wasn’t even sure how it happened, but I found myself slammed against the door, with my lips eagerly moving against hers.
Forgetting we were in the hallway, I hitched her dress up and she hopped onto me, wrapping her legs around me and unbuttoning my shirt.
With trembling hands, I finally managed to turn the lock of my door and we stumbled inside of my apartment, more than ready to finish what we had started.
“If you only knew how hard I’m for you right now,” I muttered into her skin, already imagining myself buried deep inside her soft wetness.
I kissed her slowly, intoxicated with her smell, and my own breathing increased. The little moans she produced as my lips slid over her neck to her ear were making me horny as hell, and my arm snaked around her small waist, pulling her closer to me.
Fuck slow. I grabbed her cheek with my other hand and pressed my lips against hers, impatient to get another taste of her. I plunged my tongue into her mouth and groaned when it entangled with hers, our mouths locking in a heated kiss.
King (Rogue Rebels MC) Page 24