Destructive Us: A Luxe Novel: 3

by H. Q. Frost

  An extravagant display of lights decorated the yacht both inside and out. A mast just beyond the large window of the yacht main room held a shimmering ball they would drop at midnight and could be watched from the comfort of inside. Lilith observed the decorations and the mass yacht then let out a semi-annoyed chuckle.

  "What?" Ian questioned quietly as they made their way into the main room.

  "Your father and his money, it's ridiculous. What does one man need with a boat this size?"

  "Make him feel like a bigger man." With a smile, Ian looked up at the employed girl collecting invitations. "Hi."

  "Invitation?" She bit her bottom lip to stifle her grin.

  To get a better look at the girl with the overly

  flirty voice, Lilith stepped around him.

  "Our names are on the list." Ian pointed. "Mrs. Luxe, Mr. Jacks." He glanced back. "And Ashley Jacks."

  "Oh." The longer her ridiculous giggle carried, the higher Lilith's eyebrows raised.

  Ian softly chuckled, more at Lilith's distaste with the girl. Grabbing his arm, Lilith moved forward and they entered through double doors. The minute they the flirty girl was out of sight, she let go. Someone took their coats and Ian took her cellphone and lipstick, putting them into his pocket. Both Ian and Lilith were flocked with people as soon as they were

  spotted.

  "Where's Tash?" Ashley asked.

  Lilith twisted her lips into a pout. "Somewhere warm. She's on vacation."

  "Bitch." Ashley chuckled and looked back to the doors. A grin filled her face and she let go of Lilith's hand to greet Tomo with a deep hug and kiss.

  "Appropriate?" He pulled on his suit coat.

  "You look fine."

  "You sure your father won't be upset I'm not wearing a tie?" He glanced around nervously.

  "No." She latched herself to his arm.

  "Let me see you." He pushed her back and spun her in a circle. "Most beautiful girl in the world and you're mine." He leaned in kissing her again.

  Lilith's beauty wasn't lost on him, but noticing her in her dress, his face dropped the minute his eyes hit her. Not wanting Ashley, or Lilith, to see the surprised reaction, he looked down.

  With a giggle, because she didn't miss his surprise, Ashley leaned into his

  ear. "You can look. I made that." She grinned proudly at Lilith.

  "The dress?" he asked with shock.

  "The girl." She pulled him forward and approached Lilith.

  "Hi!" She reached out hugging him. "How are you?"

  "Well? You?" Eye contact was key, as he attempted not to look at the staggering body in a stunning dress.

  "Good." She tightly smirked at the untrue statement.

  Once they arrived she was beginning to feel a half empty, half full. Whatever your preference, she was missing Justin.

  "Justin?" Tomo glanced around. Ashley tugged his arm softly.

  "He's not coming." Lilith maintained a smile though it was slipping.

  He didn't say another word and Lilith directed her attention back to Tegan. Ashley and Tomo looked at each

  other, Ashley's glare angry and Tomo wincing with apology.

  He shrugged, mouthing, "I did not know."

  Ian's laughter made Lilith perk up and her clit twitch. She glanced behind her seeing him with a group of men.

  "Mrs. Luxe?" Tegan said after Lilith stared far too

  long. When Lilith drew her attention away, Tegan looked in the direction she was staring. When she saw Ian her eyebrows raised slightly. "Are you two?" she whispered, trying not to laugh.

  "What?"

  Tegan made a circle with her thumb and index finger then with the index finger of her right hand she stuck it in and out of the hole.

  "Tegan!" Lilith quietly snapped, pushing her hands down and glancing around. "No!' she said looking at Tegan like she were insane. "We're a team. I have a boyfriend."

  "He's not here." Tegan glanced around.

  "He had prior arrangements. I didn't even know about this party up until a few days ago."

  "Oh, I got the invite." She was confused as always.

  "Well being part owner you would think I'd know these things. I wasn't privy to an invitation."

  Sensing she hit a nerve with Lilith, Tegan quickly asked, "Can I get you a drink, Mrs. L?"

  "Please."

  "Champagne? Something else?"

  "Champagne is fine. Thanks, Tegan." Lilith squeezed her shoulder softly.

  "God, Mrs. Luxe!" Veronica approached, looking her over. "You're so pretty. God, you make me sick." She giggled.

  "We're all pretty, Veronica, that's why we work at Luxe. You girls are

  the best looking girls in Chicago and I'm happy you're mine." Lilith winked at

  her then glanced around for Ashley.

  She didn't want to be inundated by the girls from work, but at that moment they were her only entertainment until Ed Jacks approached.

  Not realizing the woman he was pursuing was Lilith,

  he approached from behind. He recognized all the girls from Luxe and he thought perhaps the barebacked bombshell was a new hire. A soft touch landed on the exposed flesh of her lower back. Lilith quickly looked and when she saw him, she forced a smiled.

  "Dear god, Lily." He hugged her. "I had no idea it was

  you."

  "It's me." She kissed his cheek. "Ed." She glanced around. "It's a bit cold, could we turn the heat up?"

  "Yes, right away." He quickly waltzed away.

  Her eyebrow cocked. She almost expected him to tell her no. She let the tiniest smirk hit her lips as she thought 'This dress is my lucky charm'.

  At least forty minutes passed while Lilith watched her girls get louder and more inebriated as time went on. A hand touched her bent elbow as she held the same champagne flute since she arrived. Looking over at Ian, she smiled but not too long when she saw Ed and three

  other men flocking around them.

  "Lily, this is Ron Helms, Carl Pit and Bob Karwicz." Ian smiled; he knew she didn't want to meet them but Ed insisted. The men were clients and they were also good friends of Ed. Just as cocky, perverted, and rich too.

  "Nice to meet you." She didn't offer a hand for them to shake or worse; kiss.

  "So you're running the show these days," Carl spoke to her breasts.

  Ian clutched his drink tightly.

  "Still Ian's business—"

  "Are you warmer, Lily? Has it warmed any?" Ed interrupted, putting his hand on her arm.

  "Yes, thank you. I'm going to get a drink." She shook her almost empty flute then looked at Ian for permission to run.

  "Ashley was looking for you." Ian smiled at her, assisting in her escape.

  "Ashley, the stupid twin," Ed quietly grumbled. Lilith drew her head back in shock.

  When she went to open her mouth, Ian grabbed her arm, spinning her in the opposite direction and leaned into her ear, pointing toward the bar. "There she is," he softly said.

  With a frustrated chuckle she walked away. Ian's gaze lingered on her until he noticed a few of the girls from Luxe staring at him. "Girls." He grinned and joined their circle.

  When Ashley saw Lilith at the bar downing a shot she laughed. "What's

  wrong?"

  "Nothing." Lilith smiled and looked around. Her eyes stopped at the door where people were still filing into the room. "This is really a big event, huh?"

  "Every year. I don't even know if my dad knows half these fucks," Ashley grumbled.

  Lilith was stared at, met random people, hit on, and complimented by everyone that passed her. She wanted to stay attached to Ian like Ashley was Tomo. Her 'lucky dress' wasn't so lucky anymore, bringing her too much attention.

  She let out a soft groan after the seventh grope from an older man. "I hate Justin," she mumbled, putting her drink to her lips.

  Tomo and Ashley chuckled.

  "I'll tell him," Ashley said pulling her phone from Tomo's suit coat.

  "No." Lilith put her hand o
n Ashley's. "He has his reasons for not coming."

  JUSTIN parts the rising sky

  My house feels empty and I'm standing in my kitchen with seven people. El really should be here…or I should be with her. Forth beer, it's not even ten, and we're still at my place.

  "Justin, where's your girl?" Abner asks and I smirk.

  "She has a company party. It's her company." I try to play it off coolly but he looks at me oddly.

  "You're not invited?"

  They start to laugh at me and I smirk. "Yes, ass-hats, but I told this dick I'd go out with you guys."

  Kurt stares at me; he's the only one not laughing.

  "Well that's cool, man. Glad you're with us to fuck some shit up." Abner says and I nod with a grin then look at Kurt who's still staring at me.

  "Do you want to kiss me?" I ask.

  "Kind of." He finally looks away.

  "Don't start your fuckin' shit. Don't turn into emo Kurt tonight. I don't need this shit." I'm telling him all this very quietly so the other guys don't hear.

  "I didn't say shit, man." He picks up his beer, takes a swig then looks back at me with the same cocky look. I huff and shake my head in annoyance. I already want to kill him. "Was it me? Did I fuck shit up somehow?"

  "No! Fuck, man, you're not like the stepson that's going to ruin our relationship." I put my hand on his shoulder and squeeze tightly. "Chill the fuck out. She's cool with this, I'm cool with this." That's a fucking lie. "It's all cool. We're gonna hang out tomorrow when she gets out of work."

  He takes another drink and brings his attention back to Abner who's

  already drunk. I know this because he can't control his tone when he's drunk,

  like most drunks.

  I walk into my bedroom to put my shoes on. I don't know why I'm dressed, well I do know why, Kurt made me. He said I'd get hit on the most which would bring the girls to them and if I actually put effort into dressing I'd bring that many more girls. Sometimes I think he's really gay for me.

  I roll my shirt sleeves up and over my cast that El ever so artfully and colorfully designed. She's got a lot of talent, why the hell is she pimping women? Jacks's women?

  Kurt hates when I wear suit vests so I'm doing that just to piss him off. To be honest, I think he hates it because whenever I do I go home with someone. One time in particular, I remember when he told me I looked like shit and to never wear one again; I took two girls home that night. Him: none. He also hates when I unbutton the first few buttons of my shirt. Girls love the tattoos, so I do that.

  I almost feel like Jacks. I'm wearing slim fitted pants that are a little too tight for my comfort but these were the pants I wore when I scored two chicks. I'm not trying to score girls tonight, just trying to piss Kurt off. I think I'll get drunk enough to lure women for them then crudely insult them so we all get a drink thrown in our face; them by association.

  Walking from my room I chuckle smugly and Kurt looks over his shoulder at me.

  "Man, what the fuck." He's pouting and I laugh

  harder.

  My buddy Kyle knows why he's whining like a bitch and

  starts to laugh when he sees me. Kyle puts his hand up and I

  slap it. Kurt's grunting insults in between finishing his beer.

  "What's his problem?" Abner asks.

  "I'm fuckin' dapper." I grin at Kurt and pull my brown corduroy jacket on my left arm and put it over my right shoulder; it's warm and I look good. Kurt hates this too but I think he legitimately hates it.

  "You're a cock wrinkle," he mutters as we walk to the front door.

  As I'm about to step out I realize I forgot my phone on the counter. "Shit. Hold up." I hurry into the kitchen which makes me a little winded.

  Fuck this shit, this shouldn't be happening. With the exception of all the pizza and beer I consume, I'm in great fucking shape. At least I was until I got a hole in my fuckin' lung.

  I grab my inhaler and shove it into my pocket, then stepping onto the porch I decide to text El.

  JUSTIN: I miss you beautiful. Have a fun night. We'll talk at midnight.

  I get into the back of Eric's Escalade and wonder how he affords this; he's a teacher. My phone beeps and I grin opening her text response.

  EL: I want to break up. Please stop contacting me.

  My heart is in my fuckin' throat and I can't breathe. I'm thankful I grabbed the inhaler. I see Kurt jerk back to look at me when he hears me take a puff. I start texting.

  Whauht dou you mean El? ?lll wher's thise co

  I delete the fuckin' text that I can't focus on because my hands are shaking and I can't breathe.

  "Turn the music off," I say loudly. Eric looks at me in the rearview. "Turn it the fuck off!"

  As soon as the music is off I hit dial. I don't give

  a fuck if they hear me beg her not to do this. She can't fucking do this. It rings five times then I get voicemail.

  "What the fuck!" I scream hitting the back of Eric's seat.

  "Fuck, dude!" he yells back at me.

  I'm panting and staring at my phone.

  She can't be serious. Finally I look up at Kurt and the

  look he gives me is the same look he gave me when my mom died. When I found out about my mom I was with Kurt and I got the phone call. I don't know what my face looked like but it probably mimicked how I felt inside. I hadn't even told him yet and he gave me the most terrified, gut-wrenching look. This is the look on his face now so I know mine's mirroring what I'm feeling inside.

  Fuck! I should have went to the fucking party. I'm such a fucking idiot. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  I clutch Eric's seat, hunching a little, trying to catch my breath.

  "Whoa, dude, pull over," Kurt shouts at Eric.

  My phone beeps again. It takes a minute to focus on the text.

  EL: I'm fucking with you man, it's Jacks. I have her phone, she's off somewhere. She's fine without you, don't worry, she's in the right hands. I bet you just shit yourself. I would pay to see your face right now. You're either in tears or you've just punched a hole in the wall.

  I should be fucking enraged but I'm not. This is the best relief I've ever felt in my life and now I feel a little bit like a douche. Fucking Jacks. I actually laugh out loud.

  "Dude, it's good." I pat Eric on the shoulder. They're all staring at me. "I'm good." I can't stop smiling even though I want to decapitate Jacks right now. When I see him next, I will be kicking him in the balls.

  JUSTIN: You fucking cunt

  I reply rubbing my eyes, still chuckling. I really

  should have went to that fucking party. Why didn't I go? I'm such an asshole.

  EL: I have half the mind to delete the other texts and leave that one for her to see. Go do what you do best Borg, get drunk and fuck shit up

  "Twat," I mutter and look out the window. I can see Kurt continuously

  looking over his shoulder at me. I'm not fuckin' telling him this.

  I almost don't want to drink at this first bar, it's douchey, it's overcrowded as expected, the people here are either dressed like disco balls or like they just crawled off The Strokes' tour bus. Club music is booming and nauseating my already sick stomach thanks to Jacks.

  "Hey." I'm approached by a plastic blonde, even her teeth are fake. "Remember me?"

  I don't fucking remember this girl, not at all. I hope I didn't fuck her. I probably did. Shit, these are the type of girls I was fucking. What the hell was I thinking? El has definitely ruined me as far as beauty in women go.

  "No," I say flat out.

  She does this laugh and pulls her hair from her cleavage as if that'll help me remember her.

  "Do you want to remember me?" She's got this really girly but stupid look on her face.

  "No," I repeat.

  Now she's pissed but it doesn't last long, she's back in flirtation mode. "You want to buy me a drink?"

  I can't take it anymore, I turn and look at Kurt. "Can we get the fuck out of here, man?"

  "We
just paid twenty to get in!"

  "I'll pay for the next bar, buy you a drink. What the fuck are we doing in this place?" I look around disgusted and annoyed.

  The next bar doesn't go over much better and I realize it's going to be like this all night so I start drinking. Any girl that approaches me I push the guys' way.

  "I accidentally bought two drinks." A redhead giggles at me, making her an automatic idiot. Worst pick up tactic.

  She'd been better saying I'm fucking stupid, want to fuck.

  I smile at her. "Either that's a good thing, you don't have to wait in line again, or it's a bad thing 'cause you're out fifteen dollars on that second drink."

  "Well, you want it?" She's still giggling; this girl is already drunk, she doesn't need either of these drinks.

  "No, but my friend Kurt might. He doesn't have a drink." I reach behind me grabbing Kurt's shoulder and pulling him to stand next to me. "This is Kurt. Kurt, this is…" I look at her.

  "Cecily," she says, still smiling.

  "Cecily," I say and pull Kurt to stand in front of me; I turn my back to them.

  I want out of here.

  Forth shot, ninth beer.

  LILITH lends sparkling sights

  I've danced with men I've never seen before and I'm terrible at dancing but they haven't seemed to notice. Every time I spot Ian he's talking to someone, mainly women, a lot of older women. But every time I see him he seems to notice me too. Us staring at each other and trying to keep it a secret from almost everyone in this room is a huge turn on. The ball's going to drop in forty minutes and I'm not sure how we're going to manage a kiss without anyone seeing but it has to happen.

  I've managed to slip off the dance floor. I cannot dance with another man I don't know. I can't stomach another drink, I haven't drank too much, but enough. I just want my boys, I want a quiet place, a small bar or somewhere I can be with them both.

  I really wish Justin didn't do this to me. I'm happy I'm here with Ian but I've felt strange all night knowing I won't see Justin or be with him either. A hand touches my back; so many hands have touched my back tonight, so many men I don't know have touched me. I'm an escort, this shouldn't bother me but it does. It bothers me because my husband is here and he should be able to speak up and stop it, I know he hates it. If Justin were here he'd stop it