We get dropped off half a block away because the streets are clogged with limos, Escalades, BMW’s, and a few custom sports cars that probably cost more than the club makes in a year. Natalia gets out first. She looks amazing, I have to admit. She's got on a flowy, pleated red dress in a thin material that shows off her curves. It's higher in the front and strappy at the top. I try to avoid looking too long because her breasts are practically spilling over. I get out of the car, smooth down my tux and realize Luba's waiting, hand stretched out, for me to help her up. One black velvet four-inch heel has made its way out to the street. I extract the rest of her: gold romper, shortest shorts possible without being a bikini bottom, bustier on top. Her red hair swings and shimmers like a mermaid just stepping from the ocean we face.
The sea breeze smacks us all into action and we head off to the warmth of the club, one girl on either of my arms. We cut through the mob of well-dressed smokers crowding beneath the heat lamps and enter Anastasia under a giant red heart flanked by two cupids, bows aimed straight at us.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Passion erupts
NAOMI
Monday, February 14th
“You are mine now KuKu; no man must ever touch you again, no one but me.”
Viktor’s husky voice is threading a promise and a warning into every fiber of my brain. He’s beaming with happiness, his gloved hand busy scaling the inside wall of my thigh, the windows fogging up in the cab from our heavy breathing.
What am I doing?
Did I just promise to marry this dude I know practically nothing about?
Isn’t that what bohemian carefree women do? Live life to the fullest, grab it by the horns, and enjoy the ride?
“Viktor,” I hiss, “not in the cab.”
He laughs that deep erotic growl and just grins. He slowly pulls his leather glove off his hand, in a slow, sexy motion. I see our future, married to an uncontrollable, giant Russian man-child. A heavy drinker, a smoker, probably a fantastic lover. Hell.
Might as well stay on the bull, nothing else on my lonely horizon but bossy Darren Broderick.
Viktor reaches up and shifts my face towards him.
“KuKu you happy?”
“Yes.” I offer it like appeasement spread with a thick knifeful of hope.
“Me too. I adore you baby, relax let me make you happy.”
Sure, why not? God knows I could use some happiness.
He pulls a black leather flask from his overcoat pocket and offers it to me. I drink a large swallow and try not to cough. What the hell was in that?
We drink, I slide Viktor’s fingers down to my knees several more times before I give up and let him do whatever he wants. It feels damn nice.
When we reach Anastasia, my eyes are glazed with lust, I’m half trashed, and feeling no pain.
“You’re good for me Viktor,” I whimper against his ear.
“You’re mine KuKu; we will be the hottest couple here. Enjoy this celebration with me. You are a beautiful woman. All men will want you, but only I have you, right KuKu?”
“Yes,” I respond like a mindless robot high on crack.
I trip getting out of the car, but Viktor is there to support me with his strong arms. We stagger into the Anastasia. I see flashes of moving lights, a massively long onyx bar. Were scantily clad women dancing on top of it? Wow! The music is incredibly loud. Viktor steers me to a large sofa area and we drop down together laughing like children. I never remember being this high and carefree. I wonder if Viktor’s slipped me some pill, no, he drank from the flask too. It must be because I’ve not eaten since breakfast.
The air smells of sweat, tobacco, perfume, and men’s too strong cologne. I press my nose into Viktor’s neck, inhaling his wonderful rich scent.
“You always smell so nice,” I shout in his ear.
His lips move over mine, strong, determined, almost ruthless. I shift sideways and brush against his chest. He’s warm; his hands wrap around me and pull me closer.
He’s running his fingers over the top of my breasts, breathing hard. He drags me half onto his lap and I’m aware of his erection pressing into my side. I hope we don’t end up having sex in some alleyway, or in the men’s John. Or right here in public. Viktor seems to have a one-track mind and right now, his train of thought is racing to my wheelhouse.
Part of me doesn’t care. My loss of Bradley, my empty tomorrows, what do I care what comes after this? Only this moment Naomi, live only now.
Viktor laughs, his crazy ass deep growl, like some wild bear, and shifts me so I’m welded to his crotch, even closer. I wonder how I can breathe.
I glance down, my legs are exposed, long and shapely hot, bare, and I am giving every man nearby, a sexy shot of my top thighs. It feels good to be attractive and desired. Liberating and free. I swallow down some vodka drink Viktor orders for me and look down at myself.
My midnight black hair is waist long and peppered with tiny braids twisted with beads. My fingers and arms are covered in bangles and bracelets, shiny stones, and tight silver bands.
My man Viktor approves of the view. He is looking at me as if he’s crazy mad in love with me. There is something about the way he lays his arm over my shoulder, his large hand resting on my knee, all male signs saying ‘hands off bastards, I’m not playing with this one.’
It’s flattering and slightly suffocating at the same time. I try to pull back from Viktor’s chest but he won’t let go. He twists his head and kisses my neck in long, heated movements until I pinch him. Viktor reluctantly loosens his arms. I laugh and kiss him on both cheeks.
“We have all night.” I speak into his ear, and he snorts.
“I can’t wait that long.”
“Do you want to leave?”
“No, I promised my friends we would be here. Everyone wants to meet you.”
“You have many friends here?”
“Yes, mobs. Work, past women, but don’t be jealous KuKu, they mean nothing to me. Since you, I care about no one else. Also, Natalia, my sister called and said she would be here.”
“Should we look for them?”
“Not yet, more necking, I still want you right now. Let me order a place more private and a bottle of Vodka. Be right back.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Seeing double
BRADLEY
Monday, February 14th
Luba takes Natalia by the arm the second we clear the door. “Bradchka, go and get us drinks. We meet you by the bar,” she barks over her shoulder and they're off toward the bathrooms. On the way to the bar I pass the buffet. The tables are practically sagging with ‘light supper,’ as the sign says: three different kinds of dumplings, veal, wild boar, hot and cold borscht, little potatoes in cream and dill, cucumbers also in cream, and on and on. No one’s in line. Later, after drinking and dancing, we eat. First things first: I procure three vodka martinis and wait for the ladies to return. As I sip the icy liquid, I survey the room. It's a sea of sparkling dresses and shiny black tuxes, like seals and mermaids crawled up from the crashing surf outside. Off in a back corner, there's a little lounge with couches and huge pillows. Red velvet curtains drape across it, I guess for people who want a little privacy away from the crowded dance floor. As I think about the possibilities of those couches, a red dress, exactly like Natalia's catches my eye. Why would she be over there, I wonder, then I see a big man catch her with his arm and pull her in, behind the velvet curtain. I'm torn between worry that she's moving so fast with a stranger and relief that she's over me. I decide to keep an eye on her but from a distance.
I'm finishing my martini and eyeing up the other two when Luba swoops in, landing on the stool next to me in a cloud of perfume and pot smoke. “Darling, what a party. They have a hookah lounge in the ladies room!”
“What happened to Natalia,” I ask, starting on the second drink.
Luba plucks her olives out and pops them all into her mouth. Through chipmunk cheeks she says, “When I come out from
stall, she is gone. This is how she is. Like puppy chasing ball. All over the place.” She downs what's left of her drink and signals the bartender for another round. He brings three again, apparently assuming she and I are having some bizarre one and a half drink each. Luba must see the concern on my face because she rests a hand on my thigh and says, “Don't worry; she will go home with us tonight.” She slides her hand up my thigh and gives my crotch a little squeeze. My brain is saying no way but my cock has other ideas, as usual, and I feel the first stir of an erection. The music picks up, gets louder, so I down the rest of my drink and tell Luba we should dance. I need some space.
We start dancing and it's good at first, but the alcohol, empty stomach, cigarettes and flashing lights start to get to me. The room’s spinning and I'm keeping it together—barely. It seems to be getting hotter, as though someone lit a fire under the dance floor and that's when I smell smoke. People are running toward the exits, Luba is laughing for some reason, and then we are carried with the crowd to the exit. Dizzy, eyes barely focusing, I have one thought: Natalia is still in there. I break free of Luba's talons and turn to fight the crowd. I have to get back in and make sure Viktor's little sister is safe.
“I have to get Natalia,” I shout over my shoulder, “meet you outside.”
I make it through the rushing throng and back to the bar. Then I see it, the red dress. I follow it through the gathering smoke, fighting with my stumbling feet to get to Natalia. When I reach her, she's slumped over a chair, face down. Firefighters have come in and they're shouting at everyone, pushing people toward the doors, hacking at walls with axes. Breaking glass flies around us, and the sprinkler system kicks in, drenching us in freezing water. Suddenly sober, I scoop Natalia up and throw her over my shoulder. Outside, I run about two blocks when I see Luba, leaning out of a taxi, yelling for me to get in. I throw Natalia in next to Luba and I jump in the front. I breathe, try to focus, give the driver an address. As the car waits for traffic to clear, I hear laughter from the back seat.
“Darling, you have rescued the wrong Natalia, ha ha,” Luba cackles.
I turn around to see what the hell she's talking about and that's when the girl comes to. She blinks at me a few times, and then Naomi says, “BRADLEY? What in the hell is going on here?”
Vodka & Vice, the Series
Book One: Naomi & Bradley It All Comes Down…
Book Two: Bradley & Naomi …To Me & You!
Books three & four coming soon.
The next book in the series: Available on Amazon now
Book 2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F7GH5TA
Books by Angela J. Conrad
Historical Regency Romances:
Livy (Rayburn Park Series)
Rogues of Rayburn Park
Young Bucks of Rayburn Park
Violet
Rose
Lilly
Contemporary Romances/Mysteries:
The Demon Within
Truly Loved
Deuces Wild Series:
#1 DELANIE, Breaking Free
#2 DENIED, Abby Fights Back
#3 MADDIE, Betrayed
Four Kings Series:
#1 Savoring Revenge in Spades
#2 Savoring Desire in Diamonds
Contemporary Adult Romances/Mysteries/Comedy:
Ace’s High Series:
#1 MISSING, A Dempsey Brother’s Story
#2 DECEIT, Jackie & Jax
#3 SAVED, Grace’s Story
Body Double –Million Dollar Legs-
Double Back-Regaining Sara-
Contemporary Romantic Comedies
Written with Kathleen Hesser Skrzypczak:
Vodka & Vice, the Series:
Naomi & Bradley –It All Comes Down…
Bradley & Naomi – …To Me & You!
Collection of Short Stories:
A Taste Of Terror, 31 Ventures into Madness
Boxed Sets:
A Regency Trio
Rayburn Park, the Full Series
Ace’s High Series
Deuces Wild Series
https://www.amazon.com/author/angelajconradaceshigh11
https://www.facebook.com/authorangelajconrad
www.goodreads.com/author/show/62558.Angela_Conrad
Books by Kathleen Hesser Skrzypczak
Contemporary Romantic Comedies
Written with Angela J Conrad
Vodka & Vice, the Series:
Naomi & Bradley –It All Comes Down…
Bradley & Naomi – …To Me & You!
www.facebook.com/authorskrzypczak
BIO: Angela J Conrad
I nearly died before I was born. Perhaps that’s what made me both a risk taker and a safe player in life. I drove peddle to the mettle, hither and yon across the states and Canada on my own. Life was my training ground, and now I write about gutsy people who go for it too.
I write full time -- got to -- colorful characters won't leave me alone. They're just like you and me, searching for love and redemption, that one last chance, worried they don't deserve what they've got.
My cast continually touches and surprises me, I'm sure they will you too, so say current readers in thirteen countries, from Australia to India, of sixteen books, four novellas and boxed sets, and over a hundred short stories on Amazon, in news, and literary magazines.
With a background in managerial finance, to extreme chances with the market, and roll of the dice, I love numbers. Here are mine: over 9,300,150 pages have been read in the last eighteen months.
RECENT RELEASES:
Body Double, Million Dollar Legs, (a rom com) – Feb. 12, 2016.
Double Back, Regaining Sara – March 22, 2016.
A new series, Vodka & Vice, Book 1: Naomi & Bradley, It All Comes Down… --June 1st of 2016. (Co-author Kathleen Hesser Skrzypczak.)
Book 2: Bradley & Naomi …To Me and You! --June 1st of 2016. More books in the series coming soon! I can hear the crew whispering to me now, they've got places to go - come join the ride.
BIO: Kathleen Hesser Skrzypczak
Kathleen Hesser Skrzypczak was born and raised in Pine Grove, PA. A small town girl with big city dreams, she moved to New York City with two-hundred dollars in her pocket and a degree in English Literature from Gettysburg College to pursue a career in advertising. After winning awards for clients like Penthouse Magazine, Tanqueray Gin, and Johnnie Walker Black Scotch, she left the glamorous life of the city to live in New Jersey with her husband and raise her three awesome kids. Her most recent success was publishing a popular blog about a family RV trip to Nova Scotia. Her latest adventure is a romantic comedy book series she's co-authoring with accomplished Amazon author, Angela J. Conrad. When she's not writing, Kathleen loves to dance, sing, and cook, sometimes all at the same time.
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