“No, Lance, you heard the boss.” That stopped him, but the anger was still there.
The boss. My mysterious stranger was a club owner. Suited him.
Once we were inside, and for the second time tonight, my jaw dropped.
Living in the Upper East Side as the heiress of a prestigious company for most of my life prepared me for all kinds of luxurious things, but this place was magnificent, and it managed to surprise even me.
The gold wallpaper covered the walls while the floor was made out of black, shiny stone which allowed women to walk freely in their high heels. Dancers moved with grace on stage, probably arousing every male in proximity; waitresses wore provocative golden shorts, black corsets, and black stockings with stilettos. The light was dim, and the air was oddly fresh. The pearls dangled from the completely mirrored ceiling, decorated the corner booths that were upholstered in gold velvet and composition finished the exquisite diamond chandelier which somehow managed to give the club the mysterious allure. There were couches and VIP lounges, and apparently a VIP corner on the second floor, with a mirror-glassed balcony view to the whole club and several bouncers. I had a feeling there were cameras too, but they weren't visible. People looked as though they stepped out of Vogue magazine, and they spent more time trying to be sophisticated as they drank and danced, and it was then I understood the crowd outside.
The people who were here got private invitations and were from the elite, the high society of Manhattan. So all the folks outside waiting in the line were meant to be playthings for the invited elite. The bouncer first had to make sure the people had good assets and could sell well. Sex could be bought. Especially in a society like ours.
My legs shifted uncomfortably while my head was checking out everything, and with each glance, deep humiliation started to spread through me. I was an outsider in an old dress, who only got inside because of the owner. I didn't fit.
“I want to leave.” My voice was loud enough to hear over the music. Sophie’s eyes widened and she frowned.
“Are you fucking kidding me? We just got inside, and look at those people!” When she took off her jacket, she was left in her top, which emphasized her small but firm breasts, and jeans that highlighted her great ass. A middle-aged man who was on his way to the VIP lounge let his eyes linger on it, and he sent her a half smile.
Gross. The man looked old enough to be our dad.
“I thought we were here for Logan?” As much as I didn't like the guy, he was the only reason I agreed to come. So where the hell was he?
“What about him?” She shrugged, but I saw pain flash through her eyes. “I just saw a photo of him on Instagram at a house party. He isn't coming, and I want to have some fun.” With those words, she moved onto the dance floor and forgot herself. The mood she was in meant she was about to find herself someone to hook up with for the night. It was a constant occurrence when it came to Logan not making an appearance when she wanted to see him.
She made a move with her hand toward me, and my hesitation from earlier vanished. When was the last time I danced and relaxed? Since we were already here, my body could enjoy the music and dancing. We let go and gave in to the music. I closed my eyes in pleasure and blocked out everyone else in the club, including what they might think about two girls dancing on an almost empty dance floor. Nothing mattered in that moment.
K-Maro’s “Take You Away” made me numb to anything else, and for once, I was grateful for that.
Every part of me wished I could do one-night stands. Maybe it was time to end my dry spell. I hadn't been with anyone for more than a year, and sometimes it got lonely. I was tired of all the problems around me and the whole living from paycheck to paycheck life.
I just wanted to let go for one night.
What’s the worst that could happen if I only did this just once, right?
I tried to block the image of beautiful amber eyes filled with desire and hunger.
He never came back for me after our night in my house, never contacted me after things went to shit. Wasn’t this an indication his interest was fleeting? Today’s act of kindness was just that, an act of kindness.
A part of me felt like I owed him my fidelity, because of dreams filled with him coming after me, rescuing me, and slaying all my dragons.
But he never came.
It was time to accept what happened more than a year ago meant nothing to him.
Men like him were out of my league.
“Who were you talking to outside?” Dad asked suspiciously.
“No one.” The bench was located far away from the door, so although he knew my favorite place, he wouldn't know I was lying.
His brows furrowed. “I heard voices.”