by Lacey Silks
Kendra held a flaming shot in her hand as she mingled and drank with the crowd.
I furrowed my brow at her playful attitude. And here I thought she was too busy to call me back! Ready to jump off and grab my friend to have a word with her, I swiveled on the bar stool.
“Hey, Sam.” A familiar voice froze my blood.
Casey, my ex-boyfriend stood a foot away, grinning. “I never pictured you coming to a club like this. You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” He scanned me from the bottom up, his gaze resting on my cleavage. His alcohol breath hit me like an oncoming train.
“Hi,” I managed, holding my breath. I quickly scanned for an escape route and wished Gabe was here. Part of me wanted to flaunt him at Casey. Another part of me didn’t want to talk to the man who made me feel awkward and used. At this point I was sure I’d only stayed with him out of loyalty. And as time passed, he became my mission to make our relationship work. I failed to realize that a dog would always be a dog, and Casey... ...well, he’d still be a dog. “My friend owns this place. I’m here to support her.”
Casey swayed on his feet.
“If I had known you like clubbing I would have called. We could have some fun for old time’s sake.” The back of his hand grazed my bare shoulder.
My sweat turned into icicles all over my body as he stepped closer. “Casey, I’m not interested, and I’m here with someone,” I lied.
“Can’t see him.” He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “And your mouth must miss my cock. What do you say, Sam? One more BJ won’t hurt anyone.” He pulled my hand down to his crotch to feel the limp muscle.
I drew my arm back as if I was burned by fire. “You’re drunk.” I pushed at his chest, but he forced himself even closer.
What did I ever see in this guy?
“Oh, come on. You know you want to.” He grabbed the back of my neck and began pulling my head down toward his crotch.
I was forced off my seat and, following my instinct, felt my knee connect with his groin.
He doubled over, and I was sure I’d bruised my knee and killed a few million of his swimmers.
“You bitch!” He swung his arm at me.
I closed my eyes, ready for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I smelled Cupid’s sweet musk mixed with cinnamon and opened my eyes.
“You dare raise your hand at her?” Gabe held Casey’s wrist, slowly bending it back, making him lower to his knees.
“The cunt kneed me!” He gritted through his teeth, holding onto his crotch.
Gabe’s arm rippled as he put Casey in his place. “She should have castrated you. Apologize!” He forced Casey’s arm back until a yelp of pain escaped his throat.
“Fine. I’m sorry.”
Gabe let go of Casey’s arm. “I see you near her again, and you won’t call yourself a boy anymore.”
Casey slowly squirmed up off his knees, the pain on his face growing with each movement.
“Are you all right?” Gabe smoothed the back of his hand over my cheek.
My body trembled. “Yes.”
A shadow moved behind Gabe’s head as Casey swung his arm.
“Watch out!” I screamed, but Gabe was already moving before Casey’s punch connected with his head.
My P.I. knocked Casey in the gut.
With all the air knocked out of him, the dweeb bent over.
Gabe waved at a couple of bouncers who rushed at his command. “Get this jerk out of here and make sure he never shows his face again.”
They dragged Casey away, his eyes rolling back in their sockets.
I threw my hands around Gabe’s neck and melted into him. “You’re here.”
He wrapped his arms around me. “Shh, it’s okay. He’s not going to touch you again. No one will.”
I leaned against him, his strong body calming the trembles. Gabe stroked my back and kissed the top of my head. And I felt like I could stay in his arms for as long as I wanted and he wouldn’t budge.
“How did you know he was going to hit you?” I asked, finally pulling away.
“Mirrors.” Gabe pointed to the bar where shelved bottles were reflected.
“How are you here? I thought you were traveling.”
“I came back early. This evening’s meeting was cancelled, and I wanted to surprise you.” He leaned in close and whispered, “I couldn’t wait to see what you’re wearing under that dress.”
I bit my lip. “Take a wild guess.”
Gabe kissed my earlobe. “Nothing?”
I giggled. “No, but that can be arranged.” I wasn’t sure what made me feel so at ease when Gabe was around. I hadn’t felt this safe and important in a long time.
“Good.”
“How was your trip?”
“Not something I want to discuss.” His eyes glossed over with worry.
“I’m a good listener.”
“I may need to take you up on that, but not tonight. I’ve heard you’re a good dancer.” He pulled away and twirled me in a circle.
“This is still not a date.” My fingers weaved with his.
“Of course not. It’s just two friends bumping into each other.”
“Thank you for standing up for me.”
“You have nothing to thank me for, Sam. I just wish I had been there earlier so he wouldn’t have touched you at all. Was that your old boyfriend?”
“Yes, we dated a while.” I rolled my eyes like he didn’t know. By this time I wouldn’t be surprised if Gabe knew what I had for breakfast a month ago.
“And it didn’t go well?”
“It did at first, but I was tired of—” How could I tell Gabe I hadn’t felt like blowing Casey anymore, or paying for every dinner, or not receiving the same physical attention I’d given him?
“Of what, Sam?”
“It doesn’t matter. He’s history.”
“Good, because I’d hate to think I had competition.”
I laughed. “I’ve never met anyone who could compete with you.”
“You’re being too generous, Sam. I’m not perfect.” Gabe tapped on the counter and the bartender poured him a club soda.
“Oh, yeah? What’s not so perfect about you?”
“For one, I live and breathe my job, neglecting my personal life.”
“That’s called ambition.”
“I’m a little obsessed about those closest to me.”
“I call that caring.” I squeezed Gabe’s hand.
“I mean it, Sam. I take what I do seriously. In my line of work, things tend to get dangerous. Enough about me. I was hoping I’d get to see your moves tonight.” He took a sip of his soda and his gaze moved to the dance floor.
“My moves aren’t free, Mr. Silver.” I smiled. Gabe was perfect for me, he just didn’t realize it.
“Name your price.”
I did a double take at his serious tone and thought about my true price and how steep it was. We could end up sleeping together but somehow, in Gabe’s company, sex was beginning to slide down my price list. Okay, maybe not too far down. “You don’t leave my side until dawn,” I said.
“Your wish is my command.” He bowed like a courtier, and then pulled me toward the dance floor. “Now, let’s have some fun.”
Gabe seemed lost in the atmosphere the minute he stepped onto the parquet. It was as if he was blending into the crowd, trying not to be noticed, like a professional undercover cop.
We pushed past dancing pairs of girls flaunting their skanky moves, toward the middle of the dance floor. He kept a firm grip on my waist as he twirled and spun me. Our bodies connected with the rhythm. I could feel when he wanted me to turn, sway, come closer or pull away.
“Where did you learn how to dance?” My scream over the music was barely audible.
“College. Way too many frat parties.” His perfect teeth glowed in the black light, and I chuckled.
When I first met him, Gabe didn’t strike me as having long-term potential. Perhaps I didn’t want to think of his as such. At t
he time he was more of a one night stand. Was it possible this could last longer than a fling? Did I really want that?
Rosy aroma permeated the air behind me.
“Mind if I cut in?” Kendra’s warm hand grazed my arm. Unexpected buzz ran through my body, straight to my groin, vibrating there as our evening together rekindled my needs.
“No, that’s fine.” Kendra stepped between us, and my heart sunk.
My throat tightened as I imagined him dancing with another woman, even Kendra.
Gabe frowned at her, and then gave me another one of his mesmerizing stares.
“I was talking to Gabe, Sam. You’re the one I’d like to dance with.” There hunger in Kendra’s eyes appeared carnal. She moved playfully, swooshing her hips closer to me, raising her arms up in the air. Her eyes glassed over with red and I wondered whether she’d had too much to drink.
“Sorry K, but I made a promise not to let Sam go until morning.” Gabe pulled me in for a possessive bear hug. “She’s all mine for a few more hours, unless you’d like to join us later.” He winked.
“Gabe, don’t make offers you can’t keep. I’ll see you later, Sam?” Kendra leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. Her jaw line tightened. Letting out a exasperated breath she walked away, disappearing into the crowd. For a moment she reminded me of a raging bull with steam coming out of her ears and nose.
A sense of possession beamed in Gabe’s eyes as he drew me into his warm embrace. I forgot about Kendra and let his body heat mine. He held me against him like he’d never let go, swaying to the slow music.
How in the world did he manage to make me feel so secure and needed? Besides Kevin, no other man had ever grasped my heart and held on to it as if he were holding on for his own life. But then again I never allowed anyone to affect me this way. Gabe dazzled me beyond what I could have ever imagined. I felt hypnotized. The ease with which his body welcomed my touches and returned each gesture left me boneless. It was what I’d longed for during the two years I’d dated Casey.
I feared what would happen if I slipped and opened up to Gabe, and for that reason I couldn’t treat this as more than it was: a temporary fling. I wasn’t ready to fall apart again.
Above us, a performer wearing glow-in-the-dark body paint swung in the air. The ropes had been lowered just enough for her feet to skim over the crowd. To the right, an aerial dancer wound hanging silks around her arms and legs, bending in ways only acrobats could. Yet when I looked at Gabe, I found his eyes trained on me.
The music continued, but Gabe stood still. The pace of his breathing evened with mine. He slid his hands along my arms. A heavy smell of cinnamon spice filled the air.
The loud music seemed to fade. I lifted my palms to his heaving chest. The dancing mob turned into a quiet hum.
Gabe leaned in closer.
I closed my eyes. When our lips touched, the dance club disappeared from my mind. Enclosed in our own bubble, his hands supported my back. My arms wrapped around his neck, and I pressed into him. The trembling I’d felt in my limbs earlier ceased as my flesh moved against his.
The kiss disoriented me. His firm lips were much softer than before, controlling and inviting at the same time. It was as if this was our first kiss, even though it wasn’t.
His hands grazed the top of my naked back, tickling my spine. I responded with a soft moan.
He finally pulled away, saying, “I’d like to show you something.”
I didn’t know what to say. He could have asked me to jump into a fire with him, and I would have. I couldn’t breathe, speak or move. This man was like a magician, and I was under his spell.
“Would you like something to drink first?” he asked.
I blinked twice, and Gabe led me toward the bar.
“Orgasm?” he asked seriously.
I rolled my eyes, but realized that, at the mere mention of an orgasm, my thighs tensed and a delightful ache between my legs demanded attention.
He ordered another club soda then looked back at me. “Sex on the beach?”
“Promises, promises,” I teased.
“I’m a man of my word, Samantha.” Then he turned to the barman, “We’ll be upstairs, Chris.”
“Yes, Mr. Silver.”
“Come.” He took my hand.
Upstairs? For a moment I wondered whether he would take me into Kendra’s bedroom, but we turned toward the other end of the club. Gabe placed his wrist near an electronic box by a door marked employees only. The bracelet he wore beeped, and a green light flashed on the box.
“Where are we going?” I was intrigued as we stepped through the doorway.
“I promised to be by your side until dawn, and I intend to make every minute count.”
My blood warmed with excitement.
At the end of the hall we walked up a staircase. The music in the club faded, and each metal step echoed as we climbed. Gabe pushed open the door at the top. A warm blast of night air slammed into me, and the hum of the club disappeared. Only quiet music and a few mingling conversations resonated as we stepped out onto the wooden surface of a rooftop lounge.
My breath stilled. The lit skyscrapers around us formed a twinkling wall.
“This is the rooftop?” The small space wasn’t anything like the gardens Kendra had described. The area was much smaller and more intimate than I had imagined. And where were all the people I heard?
“Sort of. Watch this.” He guided me forward, took out his cell phone and clicked a button. White strings of lights lit every edge, post and corner of an enclosed cabana. Cream sofas and lounge chairs were set up around a quaint table. To the left, a Jacuzzi tub bubbled invitingly. The drinks we ordered had already been brought up. He passed me a fruity concoction. Someone laughed out loud breaking the stillness.
“We’re a little higher than the public area.”
I stepped closer to a railing on one side and gasped. The conversations I’d heard now made sense. Guests mingled below us on another level of rooftop. Trees and the flower vines shielded us from their view. They had no idea we could see and hear them from above.
“This is a private area. No one comes in unauthorized.” With that, Gabe clicked another button on his phone, and the security box by the door flashed red.
My mouth was dry, and I lifted my drink to my lips. The alcohol was beginning to take effect, relaxing my muscles.
Sliding my hands along the railing I stepped to the other end of the veranda. A corridor of buildings stretched to my left and continued off to the right. The end of Fifth Avenue was invisible. Looking straight ahead between the buildings, the Hudson River glistened, reflecting the moon and clear night sky.
Once in a while, a car honked, brakes screeched, and faint sounds of fire truck sirens in the distance completed the cityscape.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It is.”
I hadn’t noticed when Gabe stepped behind me. The scene in front of me held me captive.
“You look mouth-watering tonight.”
That funny, nervous feeling returned to my stomach.
“Did you like my gift?” He teased my shoulders with a gentle massage.
“I’m wearing it.”
“Let me see.” He turned me around to face him.
“What?” Did he expect me to lift my dress for him?
“You know I’ll see them anyway, but I’d like to see you wearing them before they’re on the floor in pieces.”
“You can’t tear these off!” I protested.
“I’ll get you another pair.” He took a step back and crossed his arms as if waiting for a show.
“No, not these.” I flattened my palms against my front protecting the black lace under my dress.
He sighed. “Fine, I won’t ruin them, but I want to see them on you.”
Inhaling deeply, I lowered my hands, shut my eyes and slowly lifted my dress. A cool breeze blew between my thighs. For a moment, I thought I’d heard the gentle whistle of the wind. When I opened my eyes, I saw
that it was Gabe, standing inches away from me.
“I wore them every day,” I whispered, letting go of my dress. “I couldn’t resist knowing your mouth had been on them.”
“I hoped you would. After tonight, you won’t need panties to remember my mouth on you.”
I sucked in a sharp breath of air before Gabe’s lips crushed mine. He wrapped his arms around me. I let go of my dress, tangling my fingers in his hair. The city sounds in the distance mixed with my pounding heart. I scraped his scalp gently with my nails, and then dragged them lower, smoothing the pads of my fingers along his hairline.
He collided with my body and the growth in his pants pushed against me. My back pressed to the railing. His heartbeat pulsed through his jugular under my fingers. I stood higher on my toes, feeling his rigid contour with my lower half before he pulled away.
Gabe’s face appeared composed, but his heavy breathing betrayed him. His eyes glistened with both desire and confusion. What was he thinking?
“No strings attached?” he asked.
“None.” I tried to unwind the invisible knots that tied me to him, but couldn’t. What if I wanted another night of passionate sex? His touch at the strip club last week had been only a temporary relief. Would tonight be it? Would this fling be over too soon?
He frowned and walked toward the cabana.
“What’s the matter, Gabe?” I followed.
A slight buzzing sounded, and Gabe checked his phone. His brow narrowed as he shut it off and stuffed it back in his pocket.
When he finally looked at me again, he said, “Maybe it’s too much to ask, but I’d like to know we’re mutually exclusive.”
My breath stilled and, in the back of my mind, alarms went off. “I don’t date.” This wasn’t up for discussion. Casey had shown me what dating was like, and I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. Besides, I wasn’t ready to dive into something serious; not with Kevin in the back of my mind. Why did it seem I’d always compared Gabe to him? What was it about Gabe that captivated me as much as my first boyfriend had?
“Not dating, just...enjoying.” The last word out of his mouth rolled off his tongue.