But we did understand burnout.
Our friends flaunted a different woman on each arm for every day of the week. Jace and I didn’t work like that. We worked long hours on and off the field, buried our noses in our businesses, and pushed forward. The empire around us will outlive our baller glory days long after we are gray and put out to pasture.
“I can’t get hard for another random hookup no matter how much I try.”
Jace looked at me with an inquiring stare per his usual MO. He liked to think about everything that came out of his mouth and then when he did speak, his words were firm and intentional. Most times it didn’t bother me, but tonight the longer he looked at me the more I wanted to punch him. Maybe I did need to just get laid.
“Yeah, I’m with you on that. I can only take so much, too.”
We downed our drinks and went in for another.
“What’s really eating at you?”
I grabbed my fresh drink. “My fucking shoulder for one, man. I can feel when the rain is coming and I’m only thirty-two. What’s it going to feel like when we’re forty? Fifty?”
Jace just stood there, drink halfway to his lips. “You saying you want out?”
I considered him over the rim of my glass, eyes narrowed on him. “We can afford it.”
“True, but we have contracts.”
“Not for long. This could be our last season, if we wanted.” I shrugged.
“I’m saying we need a plan.” One thing about Jace and me is since we had the good fortune of landing the same dream job of going pro, the same luck followed us through life since. Breaking up the duo dream team now seemed irrational at best and just plain stupid. I go, we both go and vice versa.
From day one going in as business partners we had one rule—we remained in control. No one else dictated our lives to us off the field. Ever. No exceptions. And if something caught our eye and made good business sense, we worked damn hard until we had it.
When it came to women, we operated the same. But I honestly can’t remember the last time we indulged in a woman’s body.
I picked up the remote to the security cameras and flicked from the bar over to the dance floor when I spotted her. Black dress, killer legs, and the regal neck of a queen. Her back was stiff, and she scanned the crowd and her surroundings. She looked out of place among the wolves prowling around her. A woman like that in our club? Innocent and so damn sweet I could practically smell it all the way up here. She spelled trouble for us, and that was the last thing we needed. We have a strict policy of who walked through our doors. Someone like that always stirred up the clientele and not in a good way. We didn’t need the bad publicity that would come from someone that innocent falling prey to the animals that would pounce on her.
So caught up in my thoughts I failed to see she had turned, face toward the camera, her attention set on the dance floor.
I grabbed the control and zoomed in, my heart on the fucking floor. It couldn’t be.
“What the hell?” I quickly zoomed in more on the voluptuous brunette and froze. Recognition dawned. I knew that silhouette anywhere. My eyes hadn’t lied. Elle Morgan stood in the middle of our club, and my blood pressure shot through the glass domed ceiling. I cursed in a string of searing words.
I pointed at the far left monitor positioned toward the bar closest to the dance floor. “Jesus. H. Christ. Jace, come here. Do you see what I see?” I risk a glance away and signal Jace over.
Standing beside me, Jace did what I did. We both stared in disbelief. “No damn way.”
So absorbed in seeing Elle again, neither of us saw the man approach her on the dance floor until he practically stood on top of her. Some asshat had his hands on her and from the look of it, she didn’t appreciate the fact. From the way her brow pinched at whatever the guy spouted was not going over well. Her eyes were wide, and she looked a mix of pissed off and scared. Ire raged inside me almost instantly. Why hadn’t security put a stop to this already? Someone would be losing their job tonight.
Chapter Three
Elle
I felt hundreds of eyes on me as I followed a chatty group of girlfriends into the club. Maybe I didn't look like such a loser coming here alone if I stood close enough people thought I might be with them.
I glanced down and wondered if Maddy had under-dressed me or the opposite. From what I could tell, everyone had on short numbers like me, true, but I seemed to be the only one with their hair not let loose in some fashion. In comparison I felt like the stuck-up librarian in a sea of Jennifer Anistons.
Loud thumping music vibrated everything from the walls to the floor on up through my body. Strobe lights swung across the entire club. It was a scene straight out of the movies. Gorgeous high-profile people really did attract their own kind and this spot was the epicenter. Every direction I looked held someone influential.
Good thing I knew how to tuck my head and blend in.
I was hesitant, ready to backtrack and head home, but a wave of people pushed me deeper into the club, leaving me with no way out but forward.
I spent last night combing the internet for pictures of the inside so I knew what to expect. None of what I found resembled my current surroundings. It must have been upgraded in the past few weeks. The dance floor looked twice the size and instead of hardwood flooring, purple carpet—or maybe black—covered every inch outside of the dance floor, with leather couches for the large public sitting areas. Nothing like the club I waitressed at on weekends. I would wager the tips here could put me back in college within six months instead of the two years I currently looked at.
I made my way past a few couples who looked a few drinks into the night. The only thing they seemed to lack to make their night complete was a bed. Peeling my eyes away from the half-dressed couple, I spied an empty section of the bar and tucked my head as I passed a few enclosed areas. I hid a smile when one woman, or maybe two, I couldn’t tell, let out nipple-hardening moans. The curtains blocking them from sight might keep people from seeing, but by no means were they soundproof.
Before I could fully situate myself, the bartender spied me. “Hey, beautiful, what can I get you?”
“Anything strong will work, I guess.”
“I know just the drink.” The bartender set to work on something that had juicy slivers of lime instead of the cherries I’d hoped for. But it looked delicious all the same, so I gladly accepted. “You like to dance?” he asked as he placed my drink down.
I almost snorted, but I saw hope glitter in his eyes. “I think I need some liquid courage before I can do that,” I said, raising my glass.
The bartender smiled with amusement. “Nonsense. If you wait twenty minutes when I have a break, I’d be honored to take you out on the dance floor. Have all the men jealous of me.” He winked and really, what better plans did I have at the moment?
“Sure.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I just nodded, content to sit here and sip my pretty margarita.
I fidgeted with my dress, tugging at the end one way and then tugging on the upper half when it rode too low. Trying to make the drink last, I sipped on the cocktail and took in all the pretty people. I felt so out of place I almost laughed at myself. Glass to my lips, I turned on the stool, and that is when I spotted him and he spotted me. Three tables away directly under a light sat Asshat Michael. Suddenly I didn't want to laugh anymore. My heart stopped for a full five seconds. Just like him to want to be the center of attention. Fury edged his eyes and blasted me from several feet away. He stood like he wanted to…what? Approach me? Before that could happen, my impromptu date was by my side, hand extended and a sexy grin on his face.
“Ready for that dance?”
Thank God!
My jittery nerves showed, but I had nowhere to go and besides, what the worst that could happen? I dance a little and have a good time? Forget all about the ex I wish never was? Smiling, I made up my mind. The best revenge was to show Michael how little I cared now. And to do that, I would go out the
re and flirt like I’d never flirted before. He could shove his judgmental glares up his ass.
I dragged in a deep lungful of recycled air-conditioned air. “Bring it on!” I smiled up at the bartender and took his hand.
We weaved through the crowd, and the beat of the techno music started to call to me the second my feet hit the floor.
For tonight shy and low key Elle wanted to be the fun-loving wild Elle.
I lifted my arms and squeezed between bodies on the dance floor, pulsing to the beat. Michael and his new flock of women had taken seats in the balcony so he’d definitely see me if he looked down. Which he was. I could feel the heat of his ire follow us as we moved across the floor.
But screw him. I pushed him out of my mind and danced with my unexpected partner with abandon.
The song changed to one of my favorites and I shimmied my hips. Mr. bartender—I should really ask for names—looked into my eyes and then dropped his gaze to my curves. His brown-eyed stare lingered on my breasts.
I’ve never played coy a day in my life, but I gave it my best try. I spun away from him, presenting him with my backside, which was just as much of an asset. Even Michael had said—
No, I wasn’t letting that jerk creep into my thoughts. I was here for my own reason—to have fun. And what was more fun than finally having a good time for me? Maddy had a point. I never did anything for myself, and tonight that changed.
Mr. Bartender wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into him. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”
“Oh? Okay.” Now what? I had half a second to decide if I followed to keep from being alone on the dance floor or stay put and live a little. So what if I danced alone?
A tingling up my spine had me stiffening when I felt the body heat of someone come up behind me. I don’t know how, but I knew it wasn’t a fellow dancer.
“What the hell are you doing here, Elle?”
A tight grip on my arm spun me around, and I instantly flamed red with embarrassment and anger. Lots of anger. My heart pounded from the dancing, sure, but also from the rush of fury filling my veins.
My eyes found Michael breathing down on me, anger plastered on his face.
I tried to jerk my arm away without making more of a scene, but eyes were already on us and the crowd started to part.
“Get your dirty hands off me,” I yelled over the music, but Michael paid no attention. With his brutish grip, it was impossible to break free of his hold.
Michael peered down at me, lips peeled back. Thick fingers flexed into flesh. “Trying to ruin my birthday?” he snarled. “You knew I had this place marked for my party and you had to show up and ruin it for me.”
“Isn’t it obvious what I’m doing? I’m dancing. And you really are stupid, aren’t you? I’m the one who put our names on the list. But how did you get in when I have both the tickets? You know what, I don’t care. Get lost.”
Holy shit! Yay me!
The look of utter shock on his face would forever stay with me.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date to get back to.”
A cruel expression contorted his face. “Where’s your dance buddy? I was right. You were whoring out while we were together, huh? Good thing I didn’t put my dick anywhere near your cunt. I knew I was right to dump such a pathetic loser.”
I don’t know how it happened. I just reacted. I’m not a violent person by nature, but the second the W word left his mouth, my hand came up and landed across his perfectly shaved baby face. And then the claws extended. I raked them across his cheek and didn’t hold back. I took flesh and blood with me.
“You can say a lot of shit to me, but that? Not ever.”
I was proud of my smooth, even tone and I took even more pride in the shock reflected back at me from Michael’s expression. People had their limits, and he just found mine. I might be jelly inside but right now, right here, I found my steel backbone. The second I left this place I might turn back into a Cinderella without her godmother, so I better get all I can out of the moment.
“Fuck off, Michael. You’re not worth my time.”
Michael’s face turned red, and rage washed over his expression. He raised a hand, and in a crowd this tight, I could only brace for impact. But it didn’t come.
A strong arm wrapped around my waist, and I was hoisted up a mountain of a man. Pinned against a barrel chest, I don’t have a chance to react—I simply hold on for dear life.
Brown eyes met mine, and then firm lips captured my mouth in a toe-curling kiss.
Holy smokes. It all happened so fast but instant recognition hit the second I saw those one-of-a-kind eyes. Brown and gold with pretty thick lashes women would kill to have. I know I would.
Jace freaking Hamilton.
With my arms wrapped around his thick neck, I might have kissed him back a little out of sheer relief of not being alone with Michael another second and happiness to see an old friend.
When my feet touched the ground, albeit swaying in my spiked heels, my hero held me to him and nodded a chin toward Michael. “Baby, this man bothering you? Need me to take care of him?”
Baby? Strong fingers pressed into my waist.
“Give the word and he’s out of here, sweetness.”
My eyes went wide at the owner of the second voice standing behind Michael. I’d been so distracted by Jace I didn’t see the other man until he spoke. Which said something of my distraction because he easily took up the space of two men.
Cade Walker.
Another ex. But this one I wish I hadn't walked away from. Cade popped my cherry, treated me like a queen and I left like an idiot because I wanted him and his best friend. How stupid of me, really. Sure, the story always went deeper than what showed on the surface. My family needed me so I went home. But that came with a price like all things in life, I supposed.
Jace held me so close air molecules couldn’t fit between our bodies—I wasn’t sure what to do for a second but the fear in Michaels eyes had my senses coming back.
“No, he was just leaving.”
Michael was no small man, but standing between these two he looked like a scared little wafer of a boy.
“Like hell. I paid good money to get in here and I’m not fucking leaving. Just how many guys were you screwing behind my back? I was right, you’re nothing but a w—”
Cade’s fist to the side of Michael’s face cut off the W word.
I cringed and took a hearty step back. Sure, he earned it, but still I felt bad for the guy. Music screeched to a halt and now the other half of the club trying to mind their own business looked our way.
One second I was lined up for a hearty backhand and in the next I was being kissed, called baby, and now I have a wall of protective muscle in front of me. Two to be exact. What funny trick was the Universe playing on me?
Jace and Cade took Michael by the arms and passed him over to the security team that made their way through the gawkers lining the dance floor.
Both men towered over me by a good head and the expanse of muscle so wide my nipples hardened. What? Don’t judge me for having a thing for muscle.
Jace turned to me first and then Cade, and the intensity leveled on me made my knees tremble. Someone cranked the music back up and now that the show ended, everyone returned to their drinks and make-out sessions.
Except for me. I wanted nothing more than to slink back into the darkness and find the nearest exit. What went through my mind to think I could be like these people? And to have Jace and Cade standing in front of me again?
Fuck me.
“Umm...yeah...sorry about that. I’ll be going now.” On some level I hoped that didn’t make me sound like a coward, but I didn't care at the moment. I just needed out of their space. They smelled so damn good I was afraid I might jump them and take Jace’s kiss further than he intended.
I tried to push out of Jace's arms. He let me, but I didn't get far before he had his hand in mine and we were walking through the crowd.
“How about you join us instead,” Jace insisted. He looked like he would sling me over his shoulder if I disobeyed.
Cade stepped in beside us. Sandwiched between them both, I smelled their crisp, masculine goodness.
“I was dancing with someone,” I tried again, momentarily wondering where my Mr. Bartender had gone off to. But both overprotective men either acted like they didn’t hear or outright ignored me for several minutes until we were a good distance past the loud, thumping music.
Jace peered down at me; studied my face. “No running this time, Elle. You’re coming with us.”
Cade slipped a rough, callused hand down my back, the caress a heated graze of skin on skin.
I shivered. Damn, that felt unbelievably sensational. As we walked both men plowed a path through the crowd of people. Women on both sides of us skipped pretty painted fingertips over muscle as we passed while I got the dirty looks. Silently, I wondered if I had jumped from the pan into the fire.
Chapter Four
Elle
I sucked in a breath of astonishment. Jitters. Fear.
All the above, actually when an elevator door swooshed open and they ushered me inside. What felt like a handful of seconds later, we reached a secluded area of the club where the music played low enough you could talk and the people don’t stare as much. Unless you were me. Then all eyes tracked every minute movement and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. Unless they knew I didn’t belong in a place like this as much as I did. I didn’t fit among all the pretty people. Ordinary and plain. But where Cade and Jace have led me made me feel like the pauper among royalty.
Where I served chicken wings or made coffee runs, everyone here screamed importance. But what really stung had to be the looks my two unexpected heroes received from the females hot enough to make a priest blush.
Wild Cherry: Menage Football Romance (Cherry Poppers Book 4) Page 2