I stopped at the red light on the freeway off-ramp, and we looked at each other across the seats. The streetlights almost couldn’t penetrate the tinting of the windows. What light did shine through bounced off the numerous yellow Ferrari brands that decorated the interior. For a brief second, I wondered if the manufacturers meant to be a bunch of narcissistic douchebags. “Hey assholes, in case you’re a complete fucking idiot and forgot you were driving a Ferrari, we put thirty-five yellow Ferrari logos all over the dash, seats, and steering wheel!” Actually, I probably wasn’t intended to appreciate all the branding. Hell, if I bought this car I would have wanted to be reminded every time I looked around that I owned it. I couldn’t even believe I was driving it.
“Give me a moment to think about it.” Aimee was starting to bring me over to her way of thinking. I thought about Kelly and Katherine. I know I had felt guilty, or had I? I didn’t want to hurt anybody, but at the time when I needed to make a decision, I decided for my own pleasure and potentially hurting Kelly instead of telling Katherine no. Refusing Katherine and Kim would have meant Kelly would never have the possibility of getting hurt. Trying to figure out if we were really committed to each other was just an excuse I was giving myself so I could justify my actions.
“So, even if Kelly and I had made a commitment, you think I would have still slept with Katherine?” I asked as the light turned green and I successfully accelerated the Ferrari onto Vineland Avenue, without breaking the sound barrier.
“Or you wouldn’t have, but then you would have been bitter. I’m sure you’ve seen all those couples who just aren’t happy with each other, but they stay together. That is how you would be.” Aimee seemed pleased that I had reached the conclusion she wanted me to. I guess arguing with Beth all the time made her pretty skilled at convincing people of her opinion.
We continued a few miles on the street. Everyone we drove by gawked at the car.
“I’m glad you and Jack are such good friends. He is a good guy, and I am happy dating him for now. But can you please just enjoy the time you spend with me? I want to enjoy every second I am with you. Jack is a big boy, and he can take care of himself.” Aimee’s hand rested on top of mine on the armrest.
I felt like she had out-maneuvered me. What could I say? “No, I’m not going to enjoy the time I spend with you?” But I feared agreeing with her would mean more than I wanted it to. Maybe, her and Jack’s relationship was not as it seemed, but I know Jack would be hurt if anything happened between Aimee and me. I sighed, trapped by my inability to tell this beautiful girl, no.
“Okay Aimee. I understand. Let’s just have fun tonight,” I said, hopeful she wouldn’t read that much into it.
We suddenly approached the bar. Actually, it looked like a massively popular club by the line that wrapped around the building and by the foot traffic.
“Whoa. I didn’t think it would be this busy. I guess these guys are good.” The people standing in line were staring at the Ferrari as I slowed down and drove past the place.
“This is going to be so fun! Oh look, a valet!” Aimee pointed to the front of the building. Several burgundy-vested guys were taking cars from patrons. This seemed like a really big production for North Hollywood. My guess was that this band was pretty close to making it. There must have been 300 people in line. I couldn’t believe how many people were here on a Tuesday night.
We pulled up to the valet spot, and I put the Ferrari in park. I felt a tinge of regret when I opened the door and realized I had to leave the plush seats. It wouldn’t be as bad as I would probably feel when I parked the car back at Aimee’s house and had to leave it forever.
The valet passed me a ticket.
“You mind if we park it in front?” he asked me as he eyed the car with hunger. I saw a small group of nicer cars parked off to the side of the curb. It was probably better off there than in whichever deserted lot they had to drive it to. I nodded to him and looked toward the entrance. It seemed like everyone in the line was looking at me and the car. I felt somewhat self-conscious.
Aimee’s door opened, and a spare valet scurried over to get the door. I walked around the front and gave her my hand so she could get out easier. She smiled at me sheepishly, swung both her legs together over the edge of the seat, took my hand, and pulled on it as she came up to her feet out of the car. I imagined it probably wasn’t an easy task to get out of a car that low in a skirt.
She wrapped her arm through mine as we walked toward the front door of the bar, which seemed to be more the size of a club as I looked at the building. We must have had 100 pairs of eyes on us. Actually, as I looked through the crowd, they were all on Aimee. Even the women looked at her with desire plain in their eyes. Women had way more power than men gave them credit for.
We had taken a few steps toward the entrance when I saw there were two ways in: a roped-off area to the left and the long line to the right. Where did you go if you had tickets at Will Call? As I was trying to figure out what to do, the massive bouncer at the front beckoned us over.
He had arms as big as my head and a mean-looking tattoo around his neck area. He looked at Aimee, checked her out in a completely nondescript way, and then looked at me.
“Come this way, sir.” He gestured to the roped-off area to the left. We followed him the fifteen feet to the other entrance, and he asked us to hold out our arms for wristbands. He put them on, pulled away the rope, and we were in.
“Jeez, that was easy,” I said, with relief when we walked into the dark building. I saw a large bar-cocktail area with about forty people sitting in it. The left side of the room had a hallway that I assumed went to rest rooms. The right side of the bar led to an opening that looked to be the concert room. I didn’t see anyone in the concert room, but I could only see the back quarter of it from where I was standing.
“Everything is easier with me!” she said with a charming smile. I smiled back at her nervously. I still had to make it through the show and then drive her home. The challenges weren’t over yet. “Want to get something to drink?” She pulled me toward the bar.
The bartender was a cute-looking girl who had a small upturned nose and various facial piercings. She looked at us inquisitively as we walked up. I wasn’t twenty-one, and neither was Aimee. I wondered if Aimee was going to order us a soda or something. Maybe, the wristbands meant we were old enough to drink? Perhaps the bouncer figured that someone who could afford the car I drove and the girl I was with was old enough.
“A Cosmo, a Crown and Seven, and three shots of Tequila,” Aimee said with a confident smile.
“What kind of Tequila?” the bartender asked, smiling back. Aimee was hard to resist.
“Whatever you like, cutie. The third one is for you!” The bartender laughed and walked away to get the drinks prepared. I shook my head in amazement. She looked back at me and winked discreetly.
After a few moments, the bartender came back with the two drinks and three shots. The three of us grabbed a lime, tossed back the drink, and then bit into the limes. It hit the back of my throat and burned a tiny bit.
“Thanks for the shot, that’s forty-seven dollars, Sweetie. You wanna open a tab?” she said as she looked at Aimee and then back to me.
“No, I’m taking care of you tonight, Eric.” Aimee stopped me as I reached for my wallet. She dug around in her purse and looked at the bartender. “He drove so I’m buying drinks for the night.” The bartender smiled and looked at me. “Keep it open please,” Aimee said as she handed the cute girl an American Express Black Card.
“You got it, Sweetie.” The bartender tried not to look shocked as she took the card and smiled back. Aimee passed me my drink and looked into my eyes.
“Cheers?” she said, holding up her glass.
“Yes. To fast cars and beautiful women,” I said as we clinked our glasses together. Hers was filled to the brim, so I didn’t tap it hard. She let out a sigh after she took her first sip. “Want to sit down?” I scanned the bar and saw an uno
ccupied booth in the corner. She nodded, and I led her over there.
“So you think I am beautiful?” Aimee said with a cute smirk on her face as we sat. The smirk was close to breaking into a grin. Shit. I had toasted fast cars and beautiful women. It was my theme for the night, so the words just came out.
“Ummm. Well, yeah. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. I’m sure you know how beautiful you are.” I needed to stop playing the defensive with Aimee. I was quick enough to direct the conversation where I wanted it to go.
“Yeah, but it is nice to hear you say it. Can you say it again?” Aimee couldn’t hide the smile now. Damn it. She looked so good.
“I think you are beautiful,” I said again after a few seconds. Why was I doing this? I suddenly realized I was following her agenda perfectly. Here I was, alone with her in a club, telling her that she was beautiful. How did I go from thinking she was a manipulative psycho bitch to this in only a few hours? She said that all of the group were her friends. Did she plan this with Brent? No, Brent first asked me if I could take Katherine. I was getting paranoid.
“Thank you, Eric,” she said as she looked into my eyes. With that look, I knew she wanted me. There was no more flirting or cute games. Her look was hot, burning desire, and she intended to have me tonight. I broke eye contact with her and turned to survey the bar as my heart beat frantically in my chest. Holy crap, I’ve gone through so many cardio roller coasters tonight I won’t need to run for a month. No one really stuck out in the bar. Aimee was hands down the best-looking girl I had seen so far. From the many careful glances of the other people in the place, I saw most agreed with me. The bartender pointed over at us. She was talking to a man in a dress shirt and green tie. His eyes followed her hand, and he looked over at our booth.
“I wonder when they will start letting everyone in?” Aimee said to bring my attention back to her. She was looking at the closed door that was holding back the massive crowd outside.
“It’s going to get packed in here once they do,” I said. I saw the guy in the green tie walking over toward us.
“Excuse me, folks,” he said, very carefully. “Can I get you anything to eat? Dinner or dessert perhaps?”
I looked at Aimee, and she smiled and shook her head no.
“I think we are good. Thank you.” I looked up at the man.
“How about something else to drink? I can bring out some champagne if you are interested.”
I looked to Aimee again. She definitely looked interested in that. I pondered the wisdom of ordering a carbonated drink. I wasn’t planning on drinking anymore after the whiskey and soda, but she may want more. Did I even want her drunk? That could be bad, but maybe I might be able to fend her off easier if she wasn’t sober. How fucked up was it that I wanted to get this gorgeous girl drunk so that I wouldn’t have sex with her?
“Champagne would be great.” He nodded quickly and opened his mouth. “Just whatever kind you want. Also, I think a few appetizers would be nice. Again, just whatever you want to bring us will be fine.” He nodded and disappeared.
I tried to avoid Aimee’s eyes as I looked around the bar again. A few more people had come in at the entrance we used, so the bar was filling up. I looked at my cell phone to check the time. Ten past ten. Looks like things were running late.
“So… how do these things work?” Aimee asked from across the table. I turned around to look at her. She was spinning her pointer finger in her Cosmo, the pink liquid making a small whirlpool.
“I think they’ll let some people in and then the band will start. Normally, they have an opening band play before, but I figured they would have started by now.” I paused as she pulled her finger out of the liquid and sucked on it. Her tongue licked it first, and then her lips engulfed it tightly.
“Umm, this is so good,” she moaned. “Want a sip?” My cock was a raging piece of steel in my pants. I think I got hard so fast that I started to feel light-headed.
“Ahh, I’m okay with mine. It does look good though.” She smiled at me from around her finger and slowly withdrew the tip from her mouth.
The waiter, or maybe he was a manager, brought over a bottle of champagne, an ice bucket, and two glasses. He opened it carefully and poured two glasses. He waited while Aimee and I took a sip each. She nodded at him, and he smiled and left without a word. I looked at the yellow label: Veuve Clicquot. I didn’t know anything about champagne, but it tasted fruity and good.
“Those girls over there are checking you out,” Aimee said as she looked over my shoulder. I resisted the urge to turn around.
“Really? Which ones? Are they cuter than you?” I asked, teasingly
“Ha! None of them are cuter than me. But practically every girl here is drooling over you.” She scanned the crowd behind me and at the bar. If anything, I thought the opposite was true; everyone seemed to be looking at her. “But you’re mine for the night!” Aimee stuck her tongue out at me and giggled. She was halfway done with her drink, but I didn’t think she was tipsy yet.
The waiter brought food over. Some bruschetta with multi-colored tomatoes, brie with crackers and berries, and bacon-wrapped dates. I thanked the waiter again, and he left. The food looked really good; I normally wouldn’t have been able to eat it, but I felt hungry, and eating would help fight against the alcohol I had drank so far.
I scooped up some brie on a cracker, and Aimee grabbed a piece of bruschetta.
“I didn’t think I was hungry, but this tastes really good!” she said as she covered her mouth with her hand and tried to chew. After a few minutes, we had cleared half the food and Aimee had finished her cosmo. There was a sudden uproar behind me; I turned around and saw that the doors had opened, and fans of the band were filing into the back room.
“You want to go in there?” Aimee said as she eyed the crowd.
“Nah. Not yet. Let’s sit here and talk, eat, and drink till the band starts.” She nodded and smiled.
Another fifteen minutes went by, and we had pretty much cleared the food. Aimee polished off a glass of the bubbly gold liquid. I was trading sips between my whisky and the wine, but I hadn’t really made a dent in either. I knew I was going to be driving again in a few hours.
Aimee said something, but I couldn’t really hear her. The crowd was really loud now. She tried again, and I just held a hand up to my ear and shrugged. Annoyed, she got out of her seat across from me and slid into the booth next to me. She scooted closer till our bodies were touching, and I was reminded of the piano bench earlier this evening.
“I really like hanging out with you. You make me feel good, and you’re so fucking hot.” Her mouth was next to my ear, and her right hand started to stroke my thigh. She was probably buzzed. My body was reacting to what she had said and the feel of her hand on my leg, but my brain was screaming for an escape. It wasn’t screaming very loud though. I could feel her wearing down my resolve, and it seemed inevitable she would get what she wanted from me. Maybe, I should just play the game the way she wants and hope I could squirm out of her plans. Resisting hadn’t worked so far. Perhaps I should try to seduce her and then make a break for it when we got back to her house? It sounded like a terrible idea, but I couldn’t think of any other options.
I looked into her face. It was just inches from mine, and her eyes darted down to look at my lips and then up to my eyes in excitement. I leaned in toward her slowly and smiled at her. She looked surprised for an instant, and then she opened her mouth slightly, closed her eyes, and waited for me to kiss her. I could feel her body tense as she held her breath in expectation.
She looked irresistible with her eyes closed and lips parted suggestively. I could just kiss her now and the whole game would be over. As my face descended toward hers, I predicted the events for the rest of the night: I would kiss her, we would watch the band play for a bit, but then would leave early, eager to consummate our relationship. We would make out with a passionate urgency in the leather seats of the Ferrari before we raced back to h
er place. Once we got there, we would go up to her room and drink of each other’s lust till the sun came up. I’d skip school, which I had never done, but still go to work the next day. I wondered what Aimee’s moans would sound like as I pleasured her, and it made my mouth water.
Those were the good parts. The bad parts would be thinking about Jack during the whole day. What would I tell him? I had also planned on hanging out with Kelly tomorrow night. I wouldn’t be able to give her my attention if I was busy thinking about Aimee and Jack. I already doubted my ability to concentrate on anything else but Aimee for a while, and I hadn’t kissed her yet
Instead of pressing my lips against hers, I angled my face alongside her chin and held my lips an inch from her beautifully crafted ears. I could feel her cheek against mine, and her head tilted away a bit to give my mouth more access to her ear and neckline.
“Let’s go see the band set up,” I said as nonchalantly as possible into her ear. Then I pulled my face a safe distance away, and looked at her.
Her beautiful face had a dozen painted emotions on it at once as she let out her breath: anger, desire, disappointment, excitement, fear, confusion, passion. She hadn’t expected me to do that, and she could barely nod in agreement with me as she tried to control her emotions and figure out what I was planning. I gestured with my hand toward the room where the band was setting up, and she slid back out of the booth.
My plan had worked! At least, this first part had. I sighed in relief as she turned her back to me when she was leaving the booth. Maybe I could keep this up all night. I’d lead her on, let her think she was getting what she wanted, and then escape before anything happened. It had seemed like a bad idea a few moments ago, but I totally knocked her off balance. After all, Aimee was just a girl. Granted, one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen, but still a girl. Yeah, she was smart and charming and manipulative. But I’ve been around women before and seduced my fair share before my parents had died, and I wasn’t a depressed emo kid. I could play this game, walk this tightrope, and manipulate her toward my desires. She already told me in a roundabout way that she wanted me, but I hadn’t admitted that to her. I held all the cards.
Rock God_Book 1_A Contemporary Harem Fantasy Page 20