Consumed (The Breathless Series, #1)

by Toppen, Melissa

  He nods and returns my wave as I pass the reception area and step outside. The warm air swallows me almost instantly. I still have yet to adapt to the Nevada heat. It's not hot by any means but compared to Vermont weather in March it's very warm.

  I make my way to the left, past several more buildings very similar to Strike Tower, to the parking garage where R.L. Advertising and several other businesses employees park. I scored a parking spot two rows down from the exit this morning and quickly spot my white KIA Sorento that I named Moesha the day I bought her. She was the first car I ever purchased for myself and while it's nothing too fancy, I am very proud of her.

  I hop in, roll the windows down, and make my way out of the garage and on to the busy street. Traffic is much lighter than I am used to and it takes me less than twenty minutes to reach my apartment building a few miles across town. Our home is just fifteen minutes from the action of Las Vegas and in all the months I have been here I have yet to venture there.

  I park Moesha on the curb and grab my things before making my way inside. The apartment is quiet. I can't help but hope that Kristina gets stuck at work late and changes her mind about going out this evening. Just as my tension starts to ease, my cell phone signals and new text message. It's from Dana.

  I'm coming over early to help you get ready. Be there in ten.

  My stomach instantly knots. This means only one thing. She plans on getting me all dolled up and trying to send me home with the first suitable bachelor she can find. I hate to burst her bubble but that most certainly is not going to happen.

  I hurry to my room and grab my robe before heading to the bathroom to take a quick shower. By the time I am finished Dana has already arrived and is waiting patiently on the brown wrap around couch that takes up a third of the living room space.

  She jumps up as soon as she spots me, picking up several bags from the floor. “Um... What's all this?” I ask as she carries the bags into my bedroom and flops them down on the bed.

  “Wardrobe selections for tonight.” She sings, smiling widely.

  “I have plenty of my own clothes, thanks. I'm sure I can find something to wear.” I say turning away from her and walking into my small walk in closet. It takes me all of two minutes to admit defeat and realize that I really don't have anything I want to wear. As much as I don't want to take the time and energy to get all done up, I can't deny that dressing up and having a night on the town with the girls will be just what I need.

  “I knew you would see reason.” Dana teases as I re-enter my room with no clothes in hand. “I have the perfect outfit for you!” She squeals, turning her attention to the clothes now draped across my bed.

  She holds up a little red number with a low neck line. I immediately shake my head no. It's so short I would be worried my ass was hanging out all night. Dana laughs, clearly catching the reason I was so quick to turn the outfit down and picks up another. This time she presents me with a gorgeous black cocktail dress. I grab it from her hands without saying a word and go back into the closet to try it on.

  I slip right into the dress. It fits perfectly and I turn to examine myself in the floor length mirror hanging on the back of my closet door. As much as I hate to admit it, the dress looks killer. Sleeveless with two inch straps, it hugs tight around the bust area and then flares out to just above my knees. I twirl around loving how the dress swishes with me as I move.

  I step back into my room. Dana instantly shoots up from my bed. “That's it! Oh my god Addie you are going to look so hot!”

  “What are you wearing?” I try to distract her from focusing on me. I don't like being the center of attention and right now I have a feeling that is going to be the tone of the night.

  “Well since you passed on this one.” She says holding up the way too short red dress. “I think I'm gonna go for sexy siren tonight.” She winks and then bursts into laughter. I can't help but join her. She has one of those infectious laughs that just takes over you and you can't help but laugh with her.

  Two hours later, Kristina has finally made it home and we are all ready to leave. I take one last look at my finished product in the bathroom mirror. My blue eyes are intensified with a smoky eyeshadow and dark mascara. My face looks practically airbrushed after Kristina got a hold of me, and my shoulder length dark hair is so full of product I wonder how many times I will have to wash it to get it all out. I can't complain too much, it's laying just right and my makeup looks amazing.

  It's funny how a little more makeup than usual, some hairspray, and a gorgeous dress can make a girl feel like a whole new person. I exit the bathroom to find two stunning girls standing in the living room. Dana went with the red dress and I am so glad she did. Partnered with red heels and a black clutch, she looks like she's out to kill tonight. Her long blonde hair is tied off in a fancy pony and her silver drop earrings with matching necklace complete the look.

  To her left is Kristina. Decked out in a royal cobalt halter dress and silver heels. Her short blonde bob is fluffed and her make up light. She looks typical Kristina, elegant and beautiful.

  I slip on my black four inch heels, happy that for at least right now I am not the shortest girl in the room. Standing only at 5'2”, it's very rare to find people much shorter than me. Dana isn't much taller than I am but Kristina is one of those girls with legs to die for and she stands at least six inches taller than me.

  “You ready?” Kristina asks practically jumping out of her skin. She hands me my black wrist-let purse and ushers me out the door before I have a chance to protest.

  “Don't worry girl, as hot as you look tonight the last thing you are going to find yourself worrying about is that ass of an ex. Guys are going to be lining up to talk to you.” She winks, opening the door to her small black sports car. I climb into the back and settle in, doing my best to keep my nerves in check.

  I don't know why I am so nervous. Well that's not entirely true. I have never been out to a girls night like this. For the first time in my life I can do whatever I want with whomever I want and no one around to tell me otherwise. The thought both excites me and scares the shit out me.

  Chapter Three

  Within seconds of pulling into the Bella Vita Resort and Casino I was ready to turn around and head back home. By the time we enter the lush establishment my anxiety has reached a breaking point and my knees are all but crashing together. I don't know why I let the girls talk me into this.

  We enter through the main entrance and after having our I.D.'s checked we are ushered through a line of people and finally enter the main floor of the casino. It's unlike anything I have ever seen. Lights and sounds coming from every direction make it difficult for my mind to catch up with the scenery taking place around me.

  On either side of us are rows upon rows of slot machines varying in denomination. Down the center strip of the floor there are several card tables all crowded with a sea of people. Dana grabs my hand and steers me to the walk way on the left, leading me through a row of slot machines to a set of escalators that are set in the middle surrounded by a barrier of glass.

  I keep my mouth shut and my eyes forward as I take in my surroundings. Just above us there is a huge chandelier with what looks like crystal hanging from it in various lengths. The red carpet gives off a Hollywood appeal and the silver and gold trim give it just enough elegance.

  When we reach the bottom of the escalator Kristina leans over and gives my arm a squeeze. “We will hit up some slots later, but first we're going to get drunk and dance like fools... Come on!” She squeals grabbing my forearm and practically dragging me off to the side wall where a club scene has just unfolded before my eyes. There are dozens of people all dressed to the nines and lined up at the door of what appears to be a bar. A bright red sign above the entrance guarded by four bouncers reads Serendipity.

  Kristina approaches a bouncer directly to our right. His arms are as big around as my waist and he looks seven feet tall. His bald head and tattoo on his neck only intensify his
intimidating demeanor. She leans over and whispers something in his ear that I can't hear. He smiles and unclasps the red rope separating the lower level of the casino from the club and signals for us to go on in.

  “What did you say to him?” I ask as we step inside.

  “That's Jake, an old friend of mine. I was just saying hello.” She says winking and leading the way through the busy entrance of the bar. I want to push for more but as I am led into the main circuit of the bar all my thoughts are drowned out by loud pulsating music that seems to have manifested from no where at all.

  In front of me is the largest club I have ever seen. There are high top tables and chairs strategically placed throughout the carpeted area. All occupied by slutty looking girls and guys who look like they are looking for only one thing. The girls lead me through the tables where the floor opens up to a humongous dance floor, a stage directly in the center on the back wall where a disc jockey is already set up and doing his thing. Ceiling high speakers line both sides of the stage which lead up to a balcony that wraps the entire length of the club. Several people have already crowded the area and are chatting wildly and dancing around.

  On each side of the dance floor sits a bar manned by half a dozen employees each. Each one running around like crazy trying to keep up with the demanding customers.

  “Isn't this place amazing!” Kristina yells over the music nodding her head in approval.

  “Yeah, amazing.” I say at normal volume knowing full well she can't hear me or pick up on my sarcasm.

  “Come on ladies, this kitten needs a shot.” Dana shouts leading us to the bar to our right. Dana shoves her way through a sea of people and returns just seconds later with three shots in hand. I start to protest but give up almost immediately as a shot is shoved into my hand.

  “What is this?” I yell over the roaring noise of the music.

  “Patron.... Tequila.” She elaborates, realizing quickly that I have no idea what Patron is. I examine the clear liquid for a total of five seconds before throwing all caution to the wind and pouring the liquid down my throat. It's not as bad as I expected and only leaves me with a minor burn after effect.

  Before I have time to react Kristina hands me a pink drink in a martini glass. “Cheers.” She says clinking her matching drink with mine. I sip it tentatively and then take a huge gulp once the sweet candy taste hits my tongue.

  “Wow this is good, what is it?” I ask

  “Cotton Candy Martini.” She replies with a wink. I take another long gulp emptying the contents of the glass. I turn to sit the empty glass on the bar and turn back to the girls.

  “Let's dance!” I shout, feeling a little more adventurous and knowing full well it has everything to do with the fact that I had a shot and a drink in the matter of two minutes and for someone that doesn't drink much, that's a lot.

  I get a scream from Dana and a whoop from Kristina as all three of us make our way to the crowded dance floor. With my two best friends by my side I feel myself starting to relax and my body falls in rhythm with the music. It's a catchy tune, something pop genre that I don't recall hearing before.

  Before I know it I am presented with another shot of Patron. I hadn't even noticed Dana leaving to get more drinks. We all clink our shot glasses together and empty the contents. Dana disappears to drop the empty glasses at the bar and returns just as the next song starts to blare out of the speakers. This one is a song that I know and I instinctively start singing at the top of my lungs. Both girls join in and soon we have attracted quite a crowd with our singing and dancing around like fools.

  We carry on like this for what seems like forever. My legs have begun to ache and I feel like a sweaty mess. I look up at Kristina just in time to catch her wide eyed and then I feel arms slip around my waist and pull me in. I catch scent of an overwhelming cologne and spin around to see who is touching me.

  A tall business type man with dark slicked back hair and wire rim glasses stands facing me, his hands resting lazily on my hips. “Let me buy you a drink.” He almost growls in my ear causing every hair on my body to stand up.

  “Thanks but no thanks.” I say back, leaning in close enough so that he can hear me without me having to yell. I remove his hands from my waist and turn back to Kristina, giving her a 'what the fuck' kind of look. She bursts out in laughter and I instantly follow realizing this is the first time I have ever been hit on by a sleazy guy at a club. This is fun, I mean really fun. I turn back around to see the man already preying on his next victim not ten feet from me. This makes me laugh even harder until I find myself doubled over having trouble catching my breath and feeling like I am going to pee myself.

  “Ladies.” I mouth to Dana. She nods and points to the right of the stage. I excuse myself through the hundreds of dancing people and finally enter the bathroom. The noise instantly dies out as soon as the door closes and I am thankful for the quiet for a moment. The bathroom is deserted with the exception of a skinny blonde touching up her lipstick on the far side of the room. She doesn’t acknowledge me and I quickly slip into a stall and take care of business.

  After washing my hands I exit the ladies room and decide that it's my turn to buy the drinks. I weave in and out of the crowd until I finally reach the edge of the bar. A petite woman with red hair is standing behind the bar mixing some drinks but doesn't look my way. I turn back to watch all the people on the dance floor. “Can I get you something?” I hear a man's voice ask.

  I turn to find myself facing a man that literally takes my breath away. For a minute I lose my ability to speak. He is gorgeous. Not just gorgeous, god like. He's tall, lean, with broad shoulders, and short dark brown hair that is lightly messed. He has a light line of sweat across his forehead and he looks slightly amused. Instantly my brain starts working again and I realize that I am gawking at him like a school girl.

  “I... I... I'm sorry. Can I have three shots of Patron, two cotton candy martinis, and a glass of Andre Spumanti?” I manage to get out but only just barely.

  “Coming right up.” He smiles and I go weak in the knees. He turns and starts busying himself with my order as I stand rooted to the spot unable to rip my eyes away from him. When he picks up the drink mixer and gives it a shake I literally feel my insides seize up at the sight of his muscles flexing and then relaxing with each shake. His black fitted v-neck shirt clings to his abdomen just right and his worn jeans fit him in a way that causes me to stare knowing that at any moment he could turn around and catch me drinking him in.

  He is unlike any man I have ever seen. The absolute definition of perfection. He seems casual enough but something about him doesn't fit the bill of your typical bartender. There's something different about him, something I can't quite put my finger on.

  He returns with my drinks and sits them on the bar in front of me. “Will that be all?” He asks not losing his grin. I must seem like a blubbering idiot to him right now. I look up to meet his eyes and I melt. They are the brightest hazel. The kind of eyes a girl could get lost in. I shake my head trying to regain some sense of sanity.

  “Yes, how much do I owe you?” I ask, managing to sound a little more confident.

  “It's on the house.” He says and with that he quickly walks away without glancing back. I stand there utterly confused and not sure if I can actually leave since I haven’t paid for the drinks. After what seems like an eternity my numb state begins to some what wear off and I pick up the drinks and head back to the girls. I find both of them in the middle of the dance floor, each one entangled with a strange man and doing dance moves that should be outlawed.

  I manage to get Kristina’s attention and she abandons her partner mid grind to relieve me of some of the glasses, clearly seeing that I was struggling to carry all of them without spilling them all over myself or the floor. She smacks Dana's shoulder to get her attention. She smiles brightly when she sees the drinks in my hand and takes a couple steps forward to retrieve hers.

  “You okay? You look kinda flushed.�
� She says before pouring her shot into her mouth.

  “Just warm in here.” I lie, knowing full well that I am flushed due to the amazingly sexy man that just threw me for a loop by his very presence. She nods not questioning my excuse and takes a long gulp of her champagne.

  “Let's take a break.” She yells and turns on her heel, walking quickly off the dance floor and snagging an empty bar table in the carpeted area.

  “Seriously Addie, you look funny. What's up?” She asks just as the music turns from loud and pulsating to slow and seductive.

  “I just met the hottest guy I think I have ever seen in my life!” I blurt not really giving myself time to think it through.

  “Shut up! Where?” Kristina asks, immediately standing from her stool and surveying the area.

  “He's one of the bartenders. He was over there just a few minutes ago. Gave me our drinks for free. Said it was on the house.” I say, blushing when Dana gives me the 'You go girl' nod.

  “Which one?” Kristina asks climbing up on her stool to get a better look. I look up and down the length of the bar but don't see any sign of him.

  “Not sure where he went.” I shrug trying to ignore the disappointment in the pit of my stomach.

  “Probably on break.” She says before climbing down and downing the rest of her drink. “Alright ladies enough lolly gagging, let's dance!”

  “Go on without me, I want to finish my drink first.” I lie. Truth is I just need a minute away from the crazy and I am perfectly content to sit here on my stool for a while.

  Dana gives me an 'are you sure' look and I nod my head and gesture for them to go. “Don't be long!” She calls as they both make their way back to the dance floor.

  Just as I am settling into people watching mode and starting to come down from my interaction with a god, a man approaches my table and sits down. He eyes me up and down and gives me a piercing smile. A smile I am sure he reserves for his prize of the night.