Betting on Julia (A Melville Sisters Novel) (Entangled Covet)

by Nina Croft

  “You’re not snooping. You’re having a night out.”

  “I—”

  The bouncer turned back at that point, and she snapped her mouth closed. “You’re to go through. You can leave your coats at the check-in.” He gestured behind him.

  Lissa headed over, then turned back and spoke to the bouncer. “My brother might turn up—his name’s Jason Jackson. Would you let him in please?”

  He nodded, and Lissa smiled. “Thank you.”

  As they approached the coat-check area, Julia shrugged out of her jacket and handed it to the girl behind the counter. She needed a drink. A strong drink. And after that, she was going to beat up Lissa. Except she couldn’t, because Lissa was pregnant and you weren’t allowed to hit pregnant women. Dammit.

  Julia positively stalked into the main room and stopped a foot inside the doors as her eyes adjusted to the low light. The room was huge, the decor scarlet and black, but didn’t seem particularly different from a normal nightclub, and she breathed out on a sigh.

  “Table for four?” A waitress came to a halt beside them. She wore a miniscule leather skirt, a leather bra, six-inch stilettoes, and a studded dog collar. Typical waitress getup.

  “Yes, please,” Marcy said.

  After following her through the crowd to a small table at the edge of the room, they ordered vodka cocktails except for Lissa, who was sticking to orange juice. Julia relaxed a little as she sipped her drink. Their group was easily the most conservatively dressed, but most people appeared vaguely normal and no one was tied up or being beaten. There was a tiny dance floor, empty right now, and a small stage. Across the room was a set of double black doors with “Members Only” in big letters across it.

  She was quite happy to stay on this side of those doors.

  The waitress brought their drinks, and Julia took a healthy swig. This place was really no different than an ordinary nightclub, and she relaxed a little more. Jason had discovered nothing bad about Bastian, and this place wasn’t a den of iniquity housing a multitude of perverts. Which meant Sebastian was not a pervert after all. Everything was well with the world.

  She took another sip and sat back in her seat. The others were chatting together, but she was happy to just relax, suddenly realizing how tense she had been. It was a measure of how much she had come to care for Bastian.

  For the first time in an age, she was ready to consider a possible next step with a guy. Dating for real. A relationship. When the word didn’t make her want to heave, she figured she was ready. Tomorrow, she would go around, she’d tell him about Jason and the background check, and he’d understand because he was a nice, sensible guy.

  “You’re smiling,” Lissa said.

  “I know. I was thinking how stupid I’ve been. This”—she waved a hand around the club—“is nothing weird.”

  At that moment, the black double doors opened for the first time, and Melanie stood poised in the opening, elegant in a red leather dress and matching shoes. She must have known exactly where they were sitting because she stared straight at them.

  “Is that the ex?” Marcy asked in a hushed whisper. “She’s stunning.”

  “Yes.”

  “He obviously doesn’t go for a type. You couldn’t get much different.”

  “Thanks.” So she wasn’t stunning. She knew that.

  Melanie was heading over now, and Julia had to fight the urge to run or slide under the table. She was no doubt just popping over to say hello, to be polite.

  She came to a halt by the table. Her smile appeared genuine. “Julia, how lovely to see you again so soon. Is Sebastian not with you tonight?”

  “No, he was seeing an old friend. We wanted a girls’ night out, and I thought this would be fun.”

  “I hope it is. You don’t look the type, but if you’re seeing Sebastian, that’s probably misleading.”

  “It is?”

  “Hmm. I’ve never come across anyone quite so…inventive.”

  “Really?” Her brain seemed to have turned to mush. But hopefully with the pleasantries over, Melanie would leave them alone now.

  Not so.

  “Would you like to come through and see what goes on in the members’ section?”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  Julia and Lissa spoke at the same time. Melanie’s lips twitched in amusement. “You can’t get a real flavor of the club out here,” she said.

  Julia cleared her throat. “Actually, we’re waiting for someone.”

  “Well, why don’t you two come with me and your friends can wait for your guest and join us when they arrive.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Lissa said, getting to her feet before Julia could think up an excuse not to go. She didn’t want to see what went on behind those doors. Not when she’d done such an excellent job of persuading herself what a nice, normal guy Sebastian was after all. She didn’t want to know how inventive he really was.

  “Are you sure you’re up to this?” she asked Lissa meaningfully, while staring at her stomach.

  “I’m pregnant,” Lissa said as Melanie raised an eyebrow. “But I really don’t think the twins are going to be corrupted at this early age. Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?”

  She scowled, but secretly deep down maybe she did want a peek behind the doors. “Okay. Just a quick look.”

  Melanie smiled. “Come along then.”

  “She seems nice,” Lissa said in an undertone.

  And it was true. Even if she did run a BDSM club, she seemed a genuinely nice person. A nice person who just happened to like being tied up and whipped? Julia refused to think of Bastian doing the whipping. Nope. That was over.

  Instead, an image filled her brain, and it was her tied up and it was her ass that was turning red. She squirmed. Yup. Werewolves were total pervs.

  She had expected the doors to lead into another room similar to this one but instead they opened into a dark, steep stairwell. They were heading for the basement, underground. The light was dim and at the bottom of the stairs was another set of doors, these heavy and iron.

  “Welcome to the dungeon,” Melanie said and pushed open the doors.

  “Holy shit.”

  …

  Bastian paced the floor of his sitting room. He was back in his penthouse where he’d spent the day trying out various spells to keep Dante contained. Nothing worked and all he’d succeeded in doing was pissing the demon off.

  The air was thick with the reek of sulfur, and a headache nagged at his brain. He felt a violence rising inside him, a need to lash out, release some of the pent-up energy.

  He’d never felt quite like this before, and he recognized it as panic.

  He was going to fail. Julia would never love a man like him. He was a fucking unlovable bastard.

  Haven’t I been telling you that for a long time? Maybe it’s time to accept what you really are.

  He scrubbed a hand through his short hair, trying to ease the tension. He was so tired. All he wanted was to crawl into bed with Julia and forget everything. But he’d never have her again. Never hold her, never lose himself in the delectable softness. God, he wanted her and not because of any stupid bet. He wanted her for himself.

  Aw sweet. You could still have her. Do this one small thing for me, and I’ll be gone and you can do whatever you want with your sad and miserable existence. Go back to Julia.

  He’d never marry again. Look at what had happened last time he had taken someone normal into his fucked-up existence. She’d died screaming, and he wouldn’t risk that again. Not Julia. She was too good and…

  Christ, this is turgid. You want the bitch, then just have her. Stop all the fucking lamenting. It’s doing my head in.

  But even if he could never have Julia, he needed to be free of the demon. Needed him back in Hell where he belonged.

  Yeah, that’s right. I need to be back in Hell, and you have it within your means to get me there. Give us what we both want. And this is a werewolf were talking
about. You hate werewolves. Think of it as ridding the world of scum.

  Maybe Dante was right. He could be ridding the world of two monsters in one go. There was no such thing as a good werewolf. Except maybe good and dead.

  Exactly. Just tell yourself it’s a service to mankind. Tell yourself anything…

  For a second, he thought about asking for details, but did he really want to know? He didn’t want to see his target as a person. All he’d need were the bare bones.

  He couldn’t believe he was actually contemplating this course of action.

  “Why?” he asked.

  Why what?”

  “Why does your…friend want the werewolf dead?”

  From what I gather, this new pack leader killed the old Alpha and took over. The old Alpha and my…friend were business acquaintances, so he’s a little pissed off.

  Bastian paced the room, trying to clear his head and think this through. Was there really no chance Julia would fall in love with him?

  None.

  “Fuck.” He slammed his fist into the wall. Perhaps once he’d done this he could go back and say good-bye, have one last night with her. Even if he didn’t deserve it.

  Pleeeease, stop all the breast-beating. You know you’re going to do it.

  “Don’t push—” Before he could finish, his cell phone rang, and he strode across the room and picked it up.

  Melanie. For a second, he thought about ignoring the call, but he supposed he’d better find out what she wanted.

  “What?” he snapped.

  “Feeling a little tetchy?” she asked.

  “What do you want, Mel? I’m a little tied up right now.”

  “Tied up? Sounds delicious. Is this with your friend from out of town?”

  “What?”

  “Julia told me that’s why you couldn’t come tonight, because you were seeing an old friend. Anyone I know?”

  “No. Julia? When did you see Julia?” Was that panic in his voice?

  “Your little friend came to the club tonight. I’ve been giving her a tour of the place, but really Bastian, she seems somewhat out of her depth. I thought you might like to come and rescue her.”

  “You shouldn’t have let her in.”

  “Why? I thought maybe you’d sent her to get some…training. An idea of where your true interests lie. But I don’t think that’s the case, and there are a few of the regulars taking more than a little interest. You know how they like fresh meat.”

  “Shit. Send her home. Just get her out of there.”

  “Not my job, sweetie.”

  “Did someone put you up to this?”

  “Of course not.”

  He wasn’t sure he believed her. “I’ll be right there. If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you responsible.”

  He hurled his cell onto the sofa.

  I take it we’re going out?”

  “Is this your doing? Stirring up trouble.”

  I don’t know what you mean.

  The panic was taking hold, and he forced himself to take a few deep breaths. He hated that Julia’s world and his seemed to be colliding. She didn’t belong in the world of monsters. She was everything that was good and pure. If anything happened to her because of him, he’d never forgive himself.

  This ended tonight. He would make her realize that they were over, that he no longer wanted her friendship…or anything else.

  He’d give her a glimpse of the real Sebastian, and she’d probably run so fast in the opposite direction that he’d never need worry about seeing her again.

  Something cracked inside him at the thought. This had been a bet, nothing more. He’d never meant to feel anything for her. But he’d failed because otherwise, where was this panic coming from?

  Aw, poor Bastian.

  He wasted another five minutes changing his clothes. He wanted her to see him as he really was, no more pink shirts. He pulled a long leather duster coat on as he left the apartment and headed out into the night.

  …

  “Oh my God, I can’t believe she’s letting him do that to her,” Lissa muttered. “And the really freaky thing is, she seems like she’s enjoying herself.”

  Julia wanted to look away, but her eyes remained glued to the small stage. A naked woman was suspended, her wrists tied to a hook above the stage, so she was held up on tiptoes. A man stood behind her wielding some sort of whip with a number of tails and every time he struck her she screamed, but it really didn’t sound like she was in pain. Then he flicked her between the legs, her head fell back, and her whole body convulsed.

  “Holy moly mother of God, did she just…” Lissa shook her head. “Tell me I’m not weird. Tell me that you’re getting a little bit turned on by this.”

  She shifted in her seat “You’re a pervert, Lissa Jackson.”

  “Lissa Melville now and yeah, I might be. Just a little.” She waved a hand at the stage. “Oh I wouldn’t want to do that. I’m not into the whole exhibitionist thing, but maybe a little light bondage…”

  “I’ll buy you and Daniel some his-and-hers handcuffs for Christmas.”

  “Thanks.” Lissa grinned. “Hey, do you think Sebastian wants to do this to you?” She turned to Julia, and her eyes widened. “Or have you been holding out on me and he’s already done it?”

  “No, of course not.”

  At least she didn’t think he wanted to do any of this stuff. He’d never suggested it anyway. Isn’t that why he and Melanie had split in the first place?

  Melanie had ever so kindly given them a tour of the place. The area was made up of a main room, with the stage at one end and a series of smaller rooms where people could go if they wanted a little privacy or to make use of the facilities. But most people weren’t too bothered by the privacy thing as there was plenty going on in the main room. There was one man naked but for a leather thong being led around by a collar and lead. Melanie had patted him on the head as they passed, at which point Lissa had developed a serious case of the giggles. Julia probably would have as well, if it wasn’t for the fact that the man she was falling hard for apparently was a member here and so liked this stuff. Or had at least participated.

  After the tour, Melanie had shown them to a table to the front and right of the small stage and told them to enjoy themselves. “Everything is consensual here,” she’d said before she left them. “I’ve already noticed a considerable amount of interest in the two of you. I’ve told people you’re new and to keep their distance for tonight. But if you plan to return…”

  “I thought it was members only?” Lissa said.

  “And if you do decide to come back, and Bastian vouches for you, you’re welcome to join—new blood is always so exciting.” She studied the two of them. “Are you doms or subs? I’m guessing you’re a sub,” she said to Julia. “Otherwise Bastian wouldn’t be interested. Your friend, I’m not so sure of.”

  With that, she left them. Bastian was a Dom. He liked to wield the whip. Yeah, that image wasn’t going to leave her head anytime soon, and she wriggled in her seat.

  Now that Melanie had mentioned it, she couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched. Then the lights had dimmed, the show had begun, and they’d been left very nearly speechless.

  “Whew,” Lissa said as the lights came up. “That was…different, but maybe we should head out, go get a pizza or something. I think I’ve walked on the wild side quite enough for one night.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Julia didn’t want to believe Sebastian would be part of this scene; it didn’t fit with what she knew about him. Or thought she knew. Somehow she was going to have to make him talk to her, tell her what was going on, how he felt.

  But that would be in the bright light of day. The cocktails she had drunk were fuzzing her brain, and she wanted out into the fresh air and then home to her pretty pink-and-white bedroom.

  As she pushed herself up to her feet, she glanced toward the door and plonked back down again.

  “What is i
t?” Lissa asked.

  Julia waved a hand toward the door but couldn’t get any words out of her dry throat. She swallowed, her gaze never leaving the man heading toward her.

  Gone was any resemblance to a nice, civilized accountant.

  He wore black leather pants that molded the long length of his legs and lean hips, a black T-shirt clung to his broad chest, and over the top, a long leather duster coat that nearly brushed the floor. He moved with the fluid grace of an animal, a big cat, and the people parted before him, turning to follow his movements.

  Everyone else faded into the background as he came to a halt by their table. He hadn’t shaved and his long jaw was shadowed, his green eyes glowing, that sensual mouth held in a stern line.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked.

  She licked her lips. “Just a girls’ night out.”

  “If you were interested in this sort of thing, you should have told me.” His eyes dropped down over her to linger on her breasts. “I’d have been more than happy to oblige.”

  A sensual shiver ran through her at the dark promise in his voice. Her nipples tingled and her sex flooded with heat. She’d been impervious—well almost impervious—to the show, but a few words from Bastian and she was way beyond hot and bothered. She stared at him, quite unable to move.

  Someone cleared their throat, breaking the spell. “Hello, Sebastian. Nice to see you again.” Lissa spoke up from beside them, and his focus flickered from Julia for a second, allowing her to breathe again.

  He nodded. “Lissa.”

  “Look,” she said, “I really need the ladies’ room, so excuse me for a moment.” Julia frowned at her but she ignored the expression and got up. “You two be good while I’m gone,” she said and strolled away from the table.

  Julia watched as her friend disappeared and then turned back to Bastian where he still hovered over the table like some harbinger of doom. “Will you sit down and stop hovering. You’re making me feel like everybody’s staring.”

  “Everybody is staring,” he murmured.

  “Well, maybe they’d stop if you sat down.” She raised her chin in challenge.

  Something flickered in his eyes as though she wasn’t behaving as expected. But he sank down in the chair opposite. A waitress appeared as if by magic and placed a glass in front of him half-filled with amber liquid.