by Alice Ward
Her face fell even though I’d already told her that several times. “Call me when you land, darling. I’ll worry about you every minute.”
“I will.”
I hugged her again, got a shoulder squeeze from my father, then made my escape out of the penthouse with a grinning Josh by my side.
“Nothing like parents to make a man feel like a teenager again, huh?” he asked, jamming his hands into his pockets.
I punched the down button, wishing I could punch away the sense of guilt so easily. “Amen.”
***
An hour later, I was more comfortable in jeans and button up shirt but was regretting my decision to go out with Josh as the bass from the loud music pounded in my chest.
Turning to look down at the dance floor a few feet below the VIP section, I took another glass from Josh’s hand and clicked the heavy-cut crystal against his in a silent toast.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me it was an erotica club,” I said, raising my brow at the mostly naked women dancing all around us. The Gilded Cage was aptly named, I realized, as I watched a woman wearing only a thin G-string hump the golden bars of her cage.
“You didn’t ask.” Josh lifted his drink, the smirk still in place. “I was lucky to score opening night tickets, so ungird your loins and have some fun.”
“Welcome to The Gilded Cage, gentlemen,” an expensively dressed man said from my right. “I hope you’re having a pleasant evening. I’m Christopher Banning, the owner, at your service.”
I nodded and stuck out a hand. “Langston Kimbrough. Nice place. I’m impressed.”
Mr. Banning gave me an overly formal bow. “Were you given the tour upon your arrival?” he asked, looking between me and Josh, who introduced himself.
“We were, and your club is above expectation.”
The older man didn’t bother to hide his pride as he turned to face the throng of writhing bodies around us. I did the same, sweeping my gaze across the mass of people, searching faces. Searching for… something. I wasn’t sure what.
“Performances will begin shortly,” he said with a nod toward the stage where a half dozen dancers currently humped each other. “There are several talented artists scheduled for tonight, in fact. The first is very entertaining, I’ve seen them several times now.”
I shot a look at Josh, who only grinned and drained his glass as the owner stepped away. Two women, a blonde and a brunette, approached our table, both gorgeous as sin, both ready for sex. I could practically smell it on them, it was so obvious.
“Ready to party?” the blonde asked, leaning over to give me a fuller view of her ample cleavage. The straps of the dress looked incapable of holding her heavy breasts up, and I wondered if having them malfunction was part of some secret strategy on her part. “I’m Monica, and this is my friend, Rachel.”
I narrowed my eyes, wondering if this was part of their game. “I’m Ross and this is Joey,” I teased, thinking the girls might be fun and more interesting after all.
Without missing a beat, Josh stuck out his hand, “How you doin’?”
The blonde fluttered her eyelashes and stepped closer to him, her hand sliding against his palm. “I’m doing great, Joey.”
I stared at her, incredulous. She didn’t get it? How in fuck’s sake didn’t she get it? I rolled my eyes and glanced at the brunette, who clearly hadn’t gotten it either. She winked at me. “Want to buy me a drink?”
Already sick of the place, I shook my head but handed her my nearly full one. “I’m out of here,” I said to Josh, who looked appalled.
“You’re kidding me.”
I wasn’t kidding in the least. “You stay. Have fun. Not my thing tonight.”
I could tell he wanted to fight me, convince me to stay, but then both women hooked a hand through his arms, their enormous breasts pressing against him. He lifted a brow, the smirk returning. “You sure? I’m happy to share.”
I tossed some bills down on the table. “Yeah, I’m sure. Have fun.” He broke away from the girls, and the man hug we gave each other was as natural as breathing.
“Be careful, old man,” he said, even though he was officially fifty-two days older than me. But he was right, I was acting like the elderly at the moment. And I didn’t care. I just wanted out of here. Out of this city. This country. I needed to be somewhere I could breathe.
I nodded to the girls, who were already wrapping themselves back around my friend. “You be careful too.” He winked, and I shook my head at the cheesy ass grin on his face, knowing it would be the last time I saw it for a while.
Escaping the club wasn’t an easy feat as I navigated the crowd, and it felt good to inhale a lungful of New York’s questionably fresh air. It was still hot and sticky, and I considered calling a cab but decided to walk the blocks back to the hotel. Walk off the energy that seemed to be vibrating through me.
I’d gone several blocks by the time the tension inside me began to release. I shook out my shoulders, releasing it even further. When I was only a couple blocks to my hotel, I heard jazz music pouring from a bar. Good jazz, and it caught my attention. Glancing at my watch, I couldn’t believe it was only a little after ten in the evening. What the hell, maybe this old man could stay out a little longer after all.
Inside, the pub was exactly as I’d imagined it. Long, glistening bar top spanned the length of the dimly lit room while a couple dozen tables dotted a dance floor flanked by a five-piece band that was bringing a Benny Goodman classic to life.
The place was three-quarters full, lively enough to lift your spirits without feeling crushed by the body heat of the place. I found a prime spot at the end of the bar and seated myself on the bolted down stool, glad no one was seated on the side of me, giving me room to stretch out my six-four frame.
The old barkeep grinned and whipped a towel over his shoulder. “What’re you having tonight?”
I checked the tap, happy with the unusual selections. “I’ll try the Mosaic Dream.”
His grin grew wider. “Fine choice, my friend.”
I watched him expertly pour the dark orange liquid, ending with a perfect one-inch head. I thanked him and opened a tab, sliding my AmEx Black across the gleaming wood. I liked it here. The gnawing sensation that had been sinking its teeth into me loosened and began to disappear. This was a place I fit in.
A group of women at one of the tables began to yell. A tall blonde with a short crop of hair stood up, waving at someone near the door.
And I saw her.
She was dressed casually. Ripped jeans and a white loose-fitting, buttoned up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. I smiled. We were dressed nearly identically, down to the brown shoes, hers some type of pointy flats to my loafers.
Her dark auburn hair was pulled back from her face, caught at the back of her neck in a low ponytail, exposing high cheekbones and full lips. It was her smile that caused my cock to twitch. A radiant smile that lit up a freckled face that was more interesting than classically beautiful, but I realized I was drawn to her more than any of her more glamorous friends.
As her friends gathered her closer to their table, the blonde pulled her in for a tight hug. The redhead tossed her huge leather bag on the back of her chair and turned to hug another friend, giving me a good glimpse of her ass. It was perfect beneath the denim.
And I was fucking staring.
And I couldn’t stop.
Still smiling, her tall friend said something to her, and she glanced around the bar, taking in the band. Then she turned and seemed to be considering the type of beer she wanted.
See me, I willed her in my mind, needing to see her eyes.
At first, her eyes swept past me, then snapped back to my face an instant later. My balls drew closer to my body as she swallowed hard. Time slowed as we stared at one another, and a low heat began building in my chest. Blue eyes, I thought, although I couldn’t be exactly sure in the dim light above her table that cast a shadow over her face. I desperat
ely wanted to find out if I was right.
Lifting my glass in a silent toast, I smiled when she looked over her shoulder, checking behind her, no doubt wondering if I was looking at someone else.
It’s you. Only you.
She licked her lips as her eyes met mine again, confusion clouding her pretty features. Her friends regained her attention when they all jumped to their feet as the band transitioned to a cover of… what the hell? Get Lucky? Yes, that was the song. Pharrell and Daft Punk would be proud.
I wasn’t the only man in the room eyeing the five women on the dance floor, but my eyes didn’t leave the riot of dark auburn curls swinging in contrast to her white shirt. They were having fun, and my mood lightened even more as I watched her laugh, the total joy expressed in her every movement. There was nothing seductive about her, but my cock was paying attention. Not just in response to her generous ass swaying side to side. She was so much more than that.
She turned, and her eyes lifted to mine, then widened slightly to find me still watching her. Then she smiled. Just at me. For me.
The exhaustion faded away. The tension. Everything.
I stood and headed in her direction as she mouthed the words to the song.
Get lucky.
I sure as hell hoped so.
But only with her.
CHAPTER THREE
Scarlett
It was after ten o’clock, and I was exhausted but had promised Amy I’d drop by the bar for a few minutes at least. I showered in the women’s locker room at the hospital and pulled on the spare jeans and shirt I kept there for occasions just like this. She told me that the bar wasn’t fancy, so I didn’t need to run home and change into anything better. Besides, it was only for a few minutes, I kept telling myself. I needed sleep before I had to be on my feet for another twelve hours tomorrow.
The minute I saw Amy’s face, I was glad I’d made the effort to come by. There was also Kim, Jana, and Tami rounding out the group, ladies I’d grown to adore.
“The band is great,” I yelled over the noise, turning to take a look at the five-piece group on the little stage. I wasn’t ordinarily a fan of jazz, and it wasn’t something on my playlist, but listening to it in person always brought a new appreciation of the unpredictable jittery sounds that meshed together into something that simply made me happy.
“I know,” Amy yelled back, her hips swaying side to side to a laid-back, bluesy rendition of a song I vaguely recognized but couldn’t name. “What do you want to drink?”
I turned to the bar, looking to see what was on tap for tonight. It had been so long since I’d gone out I couldn’t even remember which one I liked. As I took in the room, I caught a glimpse of… whoa. A glimpse of him.
Dark hair fell across a forehead I itched to stroke with my fingers, wanting to soothe the line of what looked like tension away. He sat on a stool beneath a soft light that gave me a good view of him. His eyes reminded me of a tiger and pierced me, pinned me to the floor where I stood. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. He was ruggedly handsome, with a raw sexuality that pulled at me in a way I’d never experienced before.
He lifted his glass and smiled in my direction. Was he really looking at me?
The part of my brain still able to process incoming data wasn’t certain at all. I looked over my shoulder, knowing I’d probably see some incredible-looking woman right behind me, and then I’d be a fool for thinking any man who looked like him would be interested in someone like me. Behind me, there was nothing but a couple of tables of men leering at Amy’s ass, which made me then wonder if it was my best friend Mr. Gorgeous was staring at.
When I found the courage to look back at him, he was still smiling, and my toes curled in my shoes. I found a sudden need to press my thighs together, to sooth away the ache that was growing there.
I was saved from more uncertainty when Jana jumped up, clapping her hands, a huge smile on her face. “I love this song,” she yelled and grabbed Tami’s arm, who then grabbed Kim’s arm, who then grabbed Amy’s arm, who then grabbed mine. Soon, all five of us were on the dance floor, and I finally recognized the song and began to sing along to the familiar lyrics.
“Get Lucky.”
A shiver went through me as Mr. Gorgeous stood and headed in my direction, his lion’s eyes still penetrating me as I mouthed the lyrics.
I wanted to be up till the sun.
With him.
I wanted to have fun.
With him.
And god yes, I wanted to get lucky.
Which was a terrifying thought.
I didn’t do lucky. Especially within five seconds of meeting a man.
But I wanted lucky now. I wanted it with every breath in my body.
“Hi.”
I realized I’d stopped moving as he approached and was just standing like a dork in the middle of the dance floor. I was jolted from behind, and from the height of the ass on my back I knew it had to be Amy, who was giving me a little push in his direction.
He reached out, his hands circling my arms to steady me from her bump. I licked my suddenly dry lips. “Hi. We’re twins.”
Like me, he was in jeans and a white button up, looking similar even down to the brown shoes. “Yeah,” he said, a smile curling up one side of his mouth. “Fraternal or identical?”
I laughed, even while feeling a stab of pain at the memory of my twin, but shook it away as we just stood there while the music and people faded. He smiled and dropped one hand from my arm and offered it into the space between us. I took it, my fingers curling around his warm palm. He smiled wider, making me smile too, and the moment was like a dream as he pulled me into a swaying dance.
He was a head taller than me, forcing me to crane my neck to look at him, making me feel petite and small, even though I measured out at an even five-seven. His thumb made little circles on my back as we moved to the music, the span of his hand nearly taking up my entire lower back.
“Why me?”
I hadn’t meant to ask the question, but since it had escaped, I wanted the answer.
His golden eyes searched my face, the smile falling away from his lips. “I don’t know.”
I liked that he told me the truth. I liked that he appeared as stunned by our immediate connection as I was. I liked his face. I liked the smell of the beer on his breath, the light tones of some body wash on his skin. I liked the calluses on the hand holding mine, the way it engulfed my fingers.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked and motioned his head toward the bar after the next song ended and we drew apart to clap for the band, who announced they were taking a short break.
I licked my lips again, my core squeezing as his eyes fell to my mouth to follow the movement. “I’d like that very much.”
This was a dream, I thought as I turned to find Amy and let her know where I was going. She was grinning big, two thumbs up in the air. Go, she mouthed with a wink.
Still holding my hand, he led me to the bar where he’d been sitting before, waiting until I was seated before reclaiming his stool, turning until he was facing me, his long legs brushing mine. “What do you want?”
You.
I eyed his beer. “What’s that?”
He pushed it toward me. “Mosaic Dream.”
I wrinkled my nose. “It looks hoppy.”
He laughed, a deep rumbling sound that vibrated through my chest. “It is. Want to try? It has an unusual blend of fruits. Citrus. Pineapple, maybe some mango.”
That caught my attention. “I love mangos. The taste of course, but I also love the experience of eating them. The attention to detail needed to get all the flesh from the pit. The messiness. The…” I trailed off, realizing I sounded like a true dork.
He was smiling, little crinkle lines at the corners of his eyes deepening the effect. He really was handsome. Older. In his early to middle thirties, I would guess. I turned more fully on the stool until I was facing him, my knees pressed inside his thighs, so close to his…
> Very slowly, he lifted a hand in my direction, but it stopped between us in a shaking hands gesture. Automatically, I pressed my palm against his, and I realized he was about to introduce himself. “I’m—”
“Shhh,” I shushed quickly, interrupting him, and he gave me a confused look. I felt the blush creep up my cheeks and rushed to explain myself. “Forgive me if this sounds really stupid, but things like this don’t ever happen to me. It feels like a dream, and I realize I really like the fantasy feel of having you pay attention to me.”
The grin was back, curling up just one side of his mouth, transforming his handsome face into a much younger one. “Do you like fantasies?”
My insides curled. “Yes. I often find them more palatable than real life.”
He nodded, growing more serious. “I understand and can relate. I’m actually leaving tomorrow morning to escape reality for a while.”
My stomach squeezed again, but this time for a different reason. He was leaving. Better to keep this encounter in the fantasy realm then. “Leaving New York?”
He lifted his beer, took a long sip, and handed it to me. I searched his ring finger for any hint of a white line, but didn’t see one. Good. At least he wasn’t married, from what I could tell. “Leaving the States. For a year at least, maybe longer.”
The truth again. He was letting me know that he was unavailable after tonight. Or maybe it was a lie and he used the smooth line on all the women he picked up and wanted gone by morning. Searching his amber eyes, I realized I didn’t care.
I looked down at the beer and lifted it to my nose, inhaling deeply. It immediately wrinkled, and he laughed. “Told you it was hoppy. Can I get you something lighter?”
Feeling brave, I went ahead and lifted it to my lips. Took a sip. Then shivered, thrusting it back at him. It was super hoppy, but he was right, I also tasted the fruit in the background. And grass? “Yes, something lighter please, by a lot.”
My mystery stranger ordered me something that wasn’t Michelob Light, which was my normal beer choice, and I was pleasantly surprised at how pale it was. I took a sip, then another. “Much better.”