I looked around, noting how mobbed it had become over the last ten minutes. What the hell was I doing anyway? This is why I didn’t mix business with pleasure. I was supposed to be taking a break from women, not kissing the first pretty face that caught my eye.
“I have to work.” I stepped away from her. “The lounge is back there.” I pointed across the dance floor. “Drinks are on the house. Whatever you and your friends want. I’ll make sure the bar knows.”
“Thank you.” She awkwardly tugged on her dress that had ridden up her thighs, but her legs were too perfect to hide.
“I’ll see you around.” I waved to her, knowing I couldn’t initiate contact again. The chemistry between us was far too explosive. I wanted her right now. That was not a good thing. She wasn’t that kind of woman. “Have a fun night.”
“Okay.”
The disappointment in her expression only confirmed that she wanted things I couldn’t give to her. No more commitments. No more relationships. I sucked at them.
I headed toward the door with James right behind me. I was going to kiss her after being in her presence for a few minutes. Who does that?
“It didn’t take you long.” He patted my back. “I bet you can’t wait to get her into your bed.”
“That won’t be happening.”
“Are you kidding me? I saw the way she looked at you. If I hadn’t intervened your tongue would be down her throat and her hand in your pants.”
“She’s not like that.”
“How do you know?” my eager brother asked. “Did she straight up say so?”
“I could tell, and wasn’t she your friend growing up? Was she like that then?”
“No, I think she was the only virgin in my class.”
“Oh, hell.”
“What, that was four years ago. I’m sure she’s had sex at some point.” He thought a moment. “Ah, man, but if she hadn’t that would make you really lucky.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” She was too young and inexperienced. She didn’t have to tell me. I saw it in her eyes. I tapped Franco, my doorman, on the shoulder. “Cut the line.”
“I was just going to text you and tell you that,” he said. “It’s insane out there.”
“If they want to wait tell them it’ll be at least an hour or two before we can let anyone else in.” I glanced at my watch. “It’s almost eleven.”
“Those people won’t be happy.” Franco snickered. “Ever since that station did that story about the club, the ladies can’t stop asking about you. They all want to know if you’re here”
“The ink on his divorce papers isn’t even dry.” James laughed. “You are one lucky son-of-a-bitch.”
“I don’t feel very lucky.”
“Yeah, well get used to it, stud. Your new bachelor status is going to make us so rich we won’t have enough time to spend it all.”
“Speaking of which.” I ignored his comments. “Do another cash drop. Make sure you lock the safe.”
“You’re not going to tell me why you don’t want to hook up with Faith?”
“No reason.” James would never understand how I didn’t want to get involved with a woman like Faith. “I’m not ready.” Did it fucking matter? “I have to get back to work. Make sure Faith and her friends have whatever they want.”
I went back into the club, noting Faith still stood where I had left her. Was she waiting for me to come back? We had one fleeting moment. She’d get over it. This place was full of guys. She’d find someone else to talk with. To help her celebrate her graduation and the drinks would be on me.
Shit! Why was she the only distraction I wanted tonight?
Chapter Three
Faith
What the hell just happened? The spark I had experienced when Avery was close was like nothing I’d ever known. I thought I’d had chemistry with Derrick but what just occurred with Avery was off the charts. I’d never get the way he’d looked at me out of my mind.
Lunch? How lame. He must have thought I was such a kid. Why didn’t I stay home like I had every other Friday night? I never would have run into Avery Giles. He wouldn’t have left me with this ache of desire. Now what was I going to do?
“Hey.” Monica grabbed my hand. “Where did Avery go?”
“He’s around here somewhere working.”
“Are you going to meet up with him later?”
“I don’t think so.” When he said he’d see me around that sounded really vague.
“You looked cozy over here a couple minutes ago. Are you sure there’s not a chance?”
I shook my head because I didn’t know how to read him and I wasn’t about to get my hopes up.
“Well, screw him.” She put her arm around me. “Let’s go drink on his dime and find you someone else to play with.”
“I don’t think I want to do either.”
“Don’t start that shit again.” She guided me across the dance floor and to the lounge. “The bar is less crowded in here.”
“Just one drink and then I’m going home.” I’d had enough for one night. “I’ve already humiliated myself enough tonight.”
“Forget him.” She slid up to the bar and winked at the bartender. “We’re guests of Mr. Giles.”
“He told me.” He placed two napkins in front of us. “What can I get you?”
“Two shots of your best tequila.” Monica smiled at me. “Two shots each. We’re celebrating.”
“I’ll need a glass of water too,” I said. “Please.”
An hour later and my head spun from the tequila and the thumping of the music. Monica had gone to join the others on the dance floor but it was way past my bedtime and I drank enough to last me all summer. If one more guy approached me and asked if I wanted to dance I would scream. I probably would have taken one of them up on their offer if I hadn’t run into Avery. He ruined me for any other guy tonight.
“Enjoying your evening?” Avery stepped up to the bar next to me. He’d removed his tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. He looked like he needed a power nap. I imagined curling up next to him and cuddling into his chest while he slept. It could be easy between us. What was I thinking? I was sure he didn’t do relationships. When he wasn’t working he was probably out at fancy restaurants with popular women. I wonder what I’d find if I Googled him.
Tim, the bartender, set a glass of water in front of him.
“Thanks.” He took a sip before returning his attention to me. “Don’t you want to dance with your friends?”
“I’m getting ready to head home.”
“I can get you a cab,” he offered. “When you’re ready.”
“I have an app on my phone for a service.”
“What are your plans?” He drank his water. “Now that you’ve graduated.”
“I’ve interviewed at the company where I’m interning. I think it went well.” The position was a long shot but I could dream. “I have a couple of prospects.”
“Maybe I can help,” he said. “I meet all kinds at this club. Made some connections. I might know someone.”
“That’s kind of you.” Taking him up on his offer might give me an excuse to stay in touch with him.
“Is it?” He appeared to be distant, lost in thought. This whole night was screwed up. Earlier he looked like he wanted to kiss me and now he seemed awkward, unsure.
“What is it?” I asked.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I rolled my eyes, wondering how many women he told that to a night. “I’m sure you see plenty of beautiful women.”
“I do but there’s something different about you. Maybe it’s because I remember when you were younger. You were pretty then but you have this elegance about you now. A sexy sophistication.”
“Oh?” I rested my chin in my hands. “You’re smooth.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“No, I like sexy sophistication.”
Maybe the alcohol had gone to my head but I co
uldn’t stop myself from reaching up and running my palm along his jaw. He closed his eyes as he sucked in a breath.
“How is it that you’re still single?” It didn’t make sense that no one had caught his eye or stolen his heart.
He took my hand and pressed my knuckles to his lips. “Some conversations are better left alone.” He released me. “That’s a failure I’d rather not discuss especially tonight.”
“Some failures are meant to be. That’s how we learn not to make the same mistakes.”
“Perhaps.” When he stared out into the distance I became mesmerized by him. It was as if I was a teenager again, dreaming that my friend’s older brother would notice me. “I have to get back to work. Are you sure I can’t get you a cab?”
Maybe that was why he was still single. He was too busy to meet anyone.
“I’m okay.” I tried to search out my friends. “I’m going to see if anyone wants to leave with me.”
“Be careful.” He finished his water.
“See you around.” I used his words from earlier.
“I hope so.” He winked as he took a business card from his pocket and put it in front of me. “I have a feeling we might.”
“You’re such a flirt.”
Leaning back in the high top chair, I watched as he walked out of the lounge, ogling his fine ass. I scooped the card up in my hand. He’d given me a reason to call him. My night just got a whole lot more optimistic.
Avery
Rubbing my temples, I tried to focus on the receipts for tonight’s run. It had been our busiest night ever. Definitely one for the books. My evening started out crappy. I’d ended a chapter in my life when I signed those divorce papers. Now I was beginning a new one with the success of my club. I had James to celebrate with but I couldn’t seem to fill this odd void that had been nagging at me since we closed the doors tonight. I was missing something.
I poured a glass of whisky, closed my eyes and let the liquid burn my throat. I silently toasted my triumph. When I opened my eyes Faith stood in my doorway. I blinked a few times, seeing if I could make the goddess disappear. Exhaustion had set in hours ago. Had my mind created her presence?
“James said I could come up.” Her voice was timid, barely above a whisper.
Maybe she was tired from a night of trying to be heard over the music and people. My vocal cords were strained and my ears were clogged. More occupational hazards of running a club.
“I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” I encouraged her to come forward with my fingers. “Come in.” I pointed to the leather sofa across from my desk. “Sit down.”
“Thank you.” She closed the door behind her. Why had she done that?
“It’s really cool in here.” She looked around my office. “You carried the vibe of the club in here too.”
“I hired a very eclectic designer. He worked miracles in this old building.”
“It looks great.”
“What brings you back to me?” I poured another glass of Jack as she slowly made her way into the room. She still appeared as fresh and sexy as she had when I first saw her earlier that night. “Would you like one?”
“No, I’m finally sober from the tequila.” She took a seat, crossing her long, silky legs. “I’m not a big drinker.”
“You did pretty good tonight.” I smiled into my drink before jerking my head back, I finished it with one gulp. “So?”
“What?”
“Why did you come back?”
“I don’t know.”
“Really?” I arched a brow, hoping she had a better explanation. “It’s the middle of the night. You don’t strike me as the type of girl who runs around the city alone looking for guys.”
“I’m not.”
“Except for tonight?”
“It might be the guy.”
“Now who’s the smooth talker?” I laughed, knowing we’d already gone too far to stop what was occurring here. I had to make a decision. Keep going when I was certain this wouldn’t end after tonight or tell her to go because I wasn’t looking for serious.
“I did an internet search on you when I was in the car on my way home.”
“If you wanted my net worth you could have just asked.” I ran my finger around the rim of the glass. “Did you find anything interesting?”
“You’re married.”
“Am I?” I glanced at the divorce papers that I should have tossed in the safe.
“What happened?”
“It didn’t work out.” I looked up at her. “It happens. No big deal.”
“You said it was a failure but from the stuff I read on-line it didn’t seem like it was your fault.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything you read on-line.”
“So she didn’t cheat on you?”
“I never stopped to ask.” I didn’t want to know. I had speculated for a few months but by that point the marriage was already over. I didn’t care one way or the other. I moved out of our house and filed for divorce. She didn’t contest. “I just signed the papers today.”
“Oh.”
“I guess that wasn’t included in your search?”
“I wasn’t stalking you.”
“Why would I think that?” I grinned. “I’m sure you do internet searches on plenty of unsuspecting people.”
“You’re the first.”
“I’m flattered.” I leaned back in my chair. “Since I don’t have the advantage of finding your whole life on my phone, why don’t you tell me why it is you don’t have a boyfriend. Men must go crazy for you.” I know I do.
“Why would you say that?”
“You know why.” My cock hardened when I thought about what James had said about her being inexperienced. “I already told you you’re beautiful.”
“I had one boyfriend in college.”
“Just one?” Was she purposely tormenting me?
“It didn’t work out.” She shrugged. “We grew apart and I decided to focus on my education. Tonight was my first night out in months.”
Of all the places she could have ended up. There were hundreds of bars and clubs in this city but she had to walk into mine? Could it get any more Casablanca?
She stood and gave me a smile, but I detected disappointment in her demeanor again. “You look busy.” She motioned to my desk. “It’s late. I should go home.”
What did she want from me? Meaningless sex? I could give her that. A one-night stand? That wasn’t a problem either. What if she came here with higher expectations? One boyfriend in four years? Did I really want to go down this path?
When she headed for the door, I abruptly got up and went after her.
Of course I was heading down that path. No man in his right mind would let her walk away.
As she reached for the handle, I pressed my palm to the door, holding it shut.
“What’s your hurry?” I whispered into her ear.
“You’ve been hesitant all night. I don’t know how to play these games.”
“Games?” I trailed my hand down her back. “I’m not playing any games. I was minding my business, running my club when you came crashing in and screwing up all my plans.”
“What plans?”
“I had every intention of swearing off women for the next few months.” I lowered my hand to her backside. “You’re making that task difficult for me.”
“Are you still in love with your wife?” Her voice was shaky, almost as if she didn’t want to hear my answer.
“Ex-wife,” I reminded her. “No.”
She tensed when I grazed my hand along the back of her thigh and under her dress. Her heated skin was smooth. I wanted to touch every inch of her. There was no turning back now.
“Why did you come back here?”
Chapter Four
Faith
I couldn’t focus with him this close to me. His warm breath caressed the back of my neck as his strong hand cupped my backside. What was I thinking coming to his office,
knowing where it would lead? I wasn’t the most seductive person around. Bolting for the door seemed like the right move. I didn’t know if I was excited or terrified that he didn’t let me leave.
“Why did you come back here?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
We Love Kink - Erotic Romance Anthology #1 Page 14