Chapter Sixteen
Eva
“Did it hurt?” Luke asks.
“Like a bitch.” I gaze lovingly at the reflection of my new ink on the side of my ribs. It’s about the same size as the rose I got a few weeks ago that's proudly displayed on the other side.
Nina, Ryan and Luke went in to surprise me with the tattoo I’ve been talking about. They booked a secret appointment with the artist who did my rose and gave him the information on the design.
I love it so much.
I first saw it when Jamie took me to get my rose tattoo a few weeks ago. The image sucked me in when my eyes caught it hanging framed on the wall, gleaming through the polished glass. I fell head over heels in love with the alluring image and I promised myself it would be my next.
“Damn, it really does look great.” Nina beams and gives my arm an assertive yank towards the counter where she has her hair and makeup supplies set up. With her free hand she snaps at the boys. “Out. We gotta get pretty.”
The whole day has been one birthday event after another. First they woke me up singing with a cupcake, coffee, and a shot of tequila (a locked door is useless when the landlord is under Nina’s thumb). Then Nina took me to brunch, followed by the tattoo appointment and a shopping trip for booty shaking clothes. (Her words, not mine.) I was given a one hour break to shower, carefully treat my tattoo and apparently my time to be primped is now
Not the worst day, that’s for sure.
If only the persistent shadow of last night would fade, everything would be perfectly fucking perfect. The thought of Jamie has my stomach tightening with a full spectrum of harsh emotions.
God, I need to stop.
I try to concentrate on the satisfying bite of the hairbrush’s teeth dragging against my scalp as Nina begins prepping my hair for styling, but it’s no use. Like words are on some twisted loop, all I can think is now what?
We left things in such a weird place. Nothing was resolved before the argument spun off the rails into lust, and despite our moments of vulnerability during the afterglow, whatever is left of our relationship still seems to be stuck on the carousel from hell.
Cold shoulder.
Fight.
Kiss.
Rinse then repeat.
And how the hell am I supposed to act now? It’s got nothing to do with being shy and everything to do with his stupid mixed signals. I’ve been trying my best not to think about it today. Really, I have. But the nagging unease has been lurking just below the surface of all the day's jubilance.
Nina goes to work blow drying then curling my hair. We sit in companionable silence for a bit while she wraps one lock after another around the wand. But I can feel it coming. It’s been hanging in the air since I shoved my apron and bill book at her last night. She’s trying her best to keep her pushy personality in check, but my dear little ride or die won’t be able to resist much longer.
Any second now...
“Fuck it. You going to tell me what happened or what?”
There it is.
“I don’t know,” I sigh. “I just feel so lost.”
“Because of the sexual tension?” She asks as she pins a fresh curl to set.
I turn around and Nina smiles, giving my cheek a little pinch.
“Ya’ll haven't been discreet.” She laughs.
I face forward and worry my lip. “It’s like no matter what I do we can not seem to find and maintain a common ground. Then last night… shit with my parents overlapped on Jamie and I hit a wall. I guess I checked out.”
“And today?”
“Today...” I pull in a whole lungful of air and hold it for a moment, trying to figure it out myself. “The hell if I know.”
“Well for what it’s worth,” she sighs after a moment. “He seems pretty torn up about you too. Look, I’m not going to pretend I know what he’s thinking or that everything with you two will work out.” She walks around me and gently takes my face in her hands, holding my eyes firmly.
“But I am rooting for you.”
This is why I love her.
My Nina won't lie or downplay a situation for the sole purpose of placating me or stroking my ego, but her support is forever and always unwavering. I reach out and pull my first real friend in for a fierce hug, trying to infuse all of my gratitude for not just today but everything she’s done for me, into one long squeeze.
“Thank you for being you.” I whisper just as there’s a knock at the door.
“Always,” She smacks a kiss on my cheek and moves aside. “Go get the door.”
Pulling my robe tight, I pad across my living room. I reach the knob, swing it open, and let out a shout.
I can’t believe he’s actually here.
Two feet away, in all of his no-good glory, is Declan Carson. He is leaning against my door frame wearing a tailored suit and a filthy grin.
“Happy birthday, sweetness.” He holds up a bottle of tequila in one hand and a large cup of coffee in the other.
“Ah! What the hell are you doing here?” I laugh as I launch myself at him for a hug. “You said you were sending a gift!”
“In the words of the ever humble Ye, ‘’My presence is a present.”
I give his arm a little pull and close the door as I snatch the coffee and gulp half of it down while he hands the liquor over to Nina who already has three shot glasses lined up on my counter.
“Looking good, Red.” He drops a kiss on her cheek then turns to me and wrinkles his nose.
“You need work though.” He pulls at my robe sleeve. “Gross.”
“Hey!” Nina hits him hard, pulling her palm straight across his forehead, in a crazy slap/backhand hybrid. “She’s a work in progress, you hemorrhoid.”
Ride or die to the end.
“Fuck,” Declan hisses then turns to her with serious eyes. “Leave my brother and marry me.”
“Gross.” She hands us our shots. “Happy birthday, Eves!”
********
I tug at the hem of my birthday booty shakin’ dress. It’s a crew neck super short black spandex number with long sleeves and a scooped out back showcasing several thin gold chains draping along my exposed skin. I paired it with black over the knee stiletto boots that have an open heel and lace up the back of my legs. Combine my outfit with the big curls Nina created spilling down my shoulder and my green smoky eye makeup up. I feel like a different person.
“Are you sure this isn’t too short?” I ask. “I feel naked.”
“Absolutely not!” Nina shakes her head, beaming with pride. “I’m drooling over you right now.” She’s decked out in skin tight faux leather pants, a silk emerald green camisole and gold stilettos. If anyone is drool worthy right now, it’s her.
I give my hem another tug.
“Stop it, you look gorgeous.” She leans in to fasten the green gem chandelier earrings I bought for a pop of flair.
I grimace, continuing to fiddle with my outfit. Shit! I’m really not confident in my ability to pull this off.
“Oh my god,” she huffs, momentarily abandoning her task of dressing me likes she’s my damn lady’s maid, to shove my arms down and hold them at my sides. “He’s going to think you look beautiful.”
He.
Jamie.
“Promise?” Honestly I have no idea if he’s even coming tonight, but if he is… I want him to be impressed and I want to look my best for him.
Hi, my name is Eva and I’m the world’s worst feminist.
“Cross my heart, doll,” Nina takes my hand with an encouraging squeeze and pulls me from the safety of my bedroom.
The second she opens the door, boisterous laughter bounces through the apartment. We turn the corner into my now sufficiently crowded living room, and are met with shouts and cheers. Declan, who ditches his suit jacket while finishing a shot with Luke, and Ryan, who also looks handsome as, hell spots us with a grin.
Lacy and Tasha the Underground’s prized regulars, are sipping on some red wine and dressed in their comfy clothes, obviously not staying for the whole night. Somehow, I’m not surprised at all that partying with a bunch of college age kids was not on their weekend agenda, but damn, it means the world that they took some time to stop by.
“There’s the beautiful birthday girl!” Lacy cries with a little jump as I enter the room.
“Killer outfit.” Tasha wraps me up in a tight hug. “Happy birthday. There’s a bottle of bubbly in your fridge from us, and...” she cuts her eyes to her wife with a sly grin.
“And birthday cupcakes! I made them this morning they’re on the counter.” Lacy bounces some more. “They’re chocolate espresso,” she adds with a proud squeak.
I try my best not to faint.
Lacy is a living legend in this town. Her bakery is a national destination spot. She’s been written up in major magazines and hailed as the sugar queen by even the toughest critics… and she personally made me birthday cupcakes.
WITH ESPRESSO!
I throw my arms around her so fast I knock her glasses askew. My morning coffee is going to be a whole new level of amazing. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Stop, you deserve the best treats, my dear.” She laughs, giving me a squeeze. “Don’t let those Carson boys get their grubby paws on them either.”
“I heard that!” Declan shoots his finger up pointing aggressively at us from across the room. “You’re not the boss of her. I did the dishes here once!”
“And you’ll be doing them at our house too if you don’t check yourself.” Tasha swats him with a laugh.
A knock at the door cuts short whatever Declan was going to say.
My heart hits my throat.
Luke leans back, pulling it open without turning around.
And Lisa and Nick stroll in.
No Jamie.
My heart sinks even though I can’t say I’m surprised. Clubbing really doesn’t strike me as his scene; neither does a group including two new people and a whole-ass Declan. I don’t even know what I’d say if I saw him but I guess I was still hoping he’d come.
“No sex god for your birthday?” Lisa asks as a greeting, handing me a shot glass.
“Guess not,” I mumble, not quite as apathetic to her attraction to him as I was last night.
“Too bad.” She lets out a wry laugh, reaching out to fix my twisted earring. “He’d die if he saw you right now.”
“Yeah… that was sort of the idea,” I confess.
“Knew it.” Lisa slips her silky hair over her shoulder and levels me with a sincerely warm expression.
It’s weird.
Even though we’ve been friendly for several weeks now, it’s still rare to see her fixed show of disdain for everything and everyone, slip into something genuine. “You know, you could have just told me you were into him. I don’t do love triangles.
“Hey, sweetness, ” Declan calls, making himself known as we throw back our shots. He saunters up to Lisa’s side and casually threads his fingers through a lock of her hair.
Do they know each other? It’s such an intimate gesture.
Then he speaks again.
“You’re not going to introduce me to your friends?”
“Do me a favor, St Clair,” Lisa lilts, totally ignoring the tall blond GQ model crowding her space. The girl doesn’t even bat an eyelash his way, allowing him to continue playing with her hair. “Tell your friend, that if he doesn’t get his hands off me, I’m going to rid him of his worthless micro dick and use it as a paperweight.”
Declan freezes.
“Now, now, Gorgeous,” he tsks, as his hand tightens for just a second into a fist. He leans in close, practically kissing her skin as he answers. “Don’t promise me a good time unless you mean it.”
Jesus.
She gives the tiniest little gasp at his words and the reaction seems to satisfy Declan. He releases her hair, twirling it around his finger one last time before he sends a happy wink my way like that wasn’t the weirdest introduction I’ve ever seen (and that really means something coming from me).
“Who … was he?” She asks with a slightly higher pitched tone than normal once he’s out of earshot. Her eyes are still wide and her color is a little high. If I didn’t know any better I’d think she was flustered.
“Whoever it is,” Nick snickers. “He’s got your future last name.”
She swings her gaze to his in utter horror before stomping away.
Yep. Definitely flustered.
Nick and I share a quiet laugh at her expense before I slink away to discreetly chug half a bottle of electrolyte water. Twenty first birthday or not, I refuse to be hung over tomorrow. I want the ability to enjoy my coffee and fancy cupcakes in peace.
We’re just walking out of the building to our respective Ubers when the scent hits me.
A freshly lit cigarette.
The bitter smell has me instinctively scanning our little crowd until I find him. When I do, it’s like I get the air knocked out of me.
“Hey Eves, have fun tonight and be safe,” Tasha calls as she and Lacy head home for a quiet night in.
I can’t respond to their farewell. I’m rooted in my spot trying to remember how to breath.
Jamie is leaning against the lamppost at the curb in charcoal slacks and a crisp slim white collared shirt. His top two buttons are undone and his sleeves are rolled up to the elbows.
Goddamn he looks forbidden.
The uncharacteristically suave outfit mixed with his tattoos and general aura of danger is an intoxicating combination that makes my mouth water. He looks miserable like he’d rather be anywhere other than here and while there’s a litany of reasonable possibilities this could be, the only one I seem to concentrate on is that he doesn’t want to see me.
Jamie scans the group in lazy boredom as he lifts his cigarette for another drag. But then his gaze lands on me and he stills. The smoke pours slowly from his mouth curling through the air as he runs his eyes up and down my body.
My heart slams haphazardly against my ribs at the sight of him dressed like that, looking calm as ever except for his gorgeous eyes practically eating me alive. I pull my lips between my teeth in an effort to contain a silly nervous smile trying to pull at my face as I approach; praying with all my might that I’m playing it cooler than I feel.
“You know who to blame for all of this.” I murmur, promptly throwing my best friend right under the bus.
His eyes continue to slide slowly down my body then crawl back up again.
Up… and down.
Up… and down.
My fingers itch to reach for him. I want to wrap myself around him and tell everyone here to go on without us.
I clasp my hands together behind my back instead.
“You look pretty.” The side of his mouth lifts into a ghost of a smile.
“Thanks,” I manage not to swoon and I’m genuinely proud of myself. “You look very nice too.”
He takes a drag of his cancer stick and blows it into the sky. “I have your birthday present in my room. Don’t forget to grab it later.”
“You got me a present?” I ask quietly as a beast of a smile spreads over my face. I don’t even try to hide it. There’s no point.
He bites into his bottom lip, teasing me with the potential flash of his dimple, but it drops when something over my shoulder catches his attention.
“Dec’s in town?”
Oh shit, no one told Jamie he was coming?
“Yeah, it was a birthday surprise. He got in a few hours ago.” I rub my arm up and down a couple times not because I’m cold but to relieve some of the anxious energy wreaking havoc on my insides. My heart sinks with a fleeting pang of guilt but I squash it down before it can burrow into my conscience and ruin my night. There is no reason for me to feel bad about being friends with Declan.
“You mean,” His eyes cut back to mine and narrow. “He’s here for you?”
Shit. I never mentioned that we talked. It always felt like something that would sour his mood so I never brought it up. I raise my chin. No way is he making me feel bad about being friends with someone no one but he has a problem with.
“Well, well, well,” As if sensing an opportunity to make trouble, Declan approaches us, throwing an affectionate arm around my shoulders. “Didn’t expect you to tag along tonight.” He says with that shitty smile he gets whenever he fucks with his favorite enemy.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Jamie replies with a nasty grin of his own as he flicks his cigarette at Declan’s feet. “Kind of surprised to see you though.”
“You kidding? I wasn’t missing my girl’s birthday. I mean, I had to find out from Nina. Even though we talk all the time she never mentioned it.” Jamie remains silent as his eyes narrow for the second time in so many minutes. “Doesn’t Eva look nice?” He goads. “Way better than earlier when she answered the door in her robe.”
Heat rises to my face at the same time Jamie’s hand curls into a fist and his irate eyes snap to mine. Of all of the things to talk about he had to bring up the fucking robe? Before Jamie can respond, I turn to Declan and swiftly smack the blond jackass across his forehead just like Nina had earlier.
“Go away. You’re in time out.”
“Ow! Why?” He whines rubbing his forehead.
“It’s my birthday and you’re stressing me out!” I point to the steps. “Go stand somewhere and think about how to use your words better.”
“Worth it,” he snickers, walking off like he’s performing some kind of victory lap.
I turn back to Jamie who’s guard is now up and locked in place.
“He showed up while Nina was doing my hair. I had clothes on under the robe.” If things between us hadn’t been so tenuous I probably would have laughed the whole thing off, but the past week or so has thoroughly killed my sense of humor. “We weren’t alone or anything.”
“Calm your tits, it doesn’t matter.” he pushes off the lamppost about to walk off but I reach out stopping him.
“He was just messing with you and you know it. We’re not like that at all. But I’m not going to apologize for being friends with him either.”
He looks down at me with an impassive expression. There's a coiled energy running through him that is silently screaming at me, and I brace myself, waiting for it to lash out. But nothing comes. He just nods stiffly and walks off towards Ryan who is standing over with Lisa and Nick.
Nina is instantly at my side, linking her arm through mine just as a huge limo pulls up in front of Townsend House.
“Our chariot awaits!”
No.
“Wait... I thought we were doing a car share?” I ask/say, failing to hide my horror.
“Surprise!”
I look at the ride like it’s going to bite me.
“Oh stop, it’s your birthday, just enjoy yourself!” She shakes me by the shoulders. “Tonight is the night to live it up. Be bold! Be reckless!”
I don’t know what any of that has to do with a limo.
I’m ushered in to the specious neon lit cab. I’m sandwiched in the white leather seats between Nina and Declan when my eyes catch the distinctive flowery design on the obscenely large bottle of champagne chilling in the chrome rimmed ice well and my chest tightens. I know exactly how much a bottle like that costs and there is no good reason money like that should be spent on me.
Where’s Jamie? He’ll roll his eyes at all of this shit and I won’t feel so alone and ungrateful.
I spot him across the cab, laughing with Lisa and Nick.
Well mostly Lisa...
“Alright assholes get your glasses up!” Nina shouts. “To our girl Eva, happy birthday!”
Everyone cheers and clinks their flutes. I take a tiny sip to be polite, trying my best not to shark eye a certain ornery party guest behind the rim of my drink. He hasn’t taken a backwards glance my way. His stupid blue eyes have stayed glued to Lisa’s pretty face since they sat down and each second that he doesn’t look away, the desire to rip his hair out grows exponentially.
“Did it ever occur to you to fight fire with fire?” Dec is leaning in with his own gaze zoned in on Jamie and Lisa. “I’m just saying if he’s going to play this game, you might as well too.”
“I suppose you’re suggesting I flirt up on you.”
“Oh don’t act like it wouldn’t be fun,” he laughs. “You know I’d make sure you have a good time.
“I’m never fucking you Dec.”
“Say what?” His head snaps to me as a truly appalled expression settles on his handsome face. “Good god no. You have sad virgin written all over your short ass and I don’t need that kind of baggage.” He pauses for a second as his disgust turns playful. “And yes, you would if I was actually trying to fuck you. You’d be begging me.”
Relief I didn’t realize I was waiting on, cools my lungs at his words. “Well, I don’t think I’d be very good at this game you speak of.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Sweetness,” he studies Jamie who has his head bent, chuckling at something Lisa is saying. Declan’s eyes sharpen for a split second before he turns to me and grins. “I think you’d probably wipe the floor with his ass if you really wanted to.”
Be bold...
Twenty minutes later, the limo drops us in midtown and we’re breezing past the block long line to get into Slither, the city’s ‘hottest night club!’ (Nick’s words not mine). Nina leads the pack, strutting up to the brick house of a bouncer and planting a warm kiss on his granite cheek.
“Hiya Butthead,” she chirps rounding his back and heading for the door. “There’s seven of us.”
“Yo Turdface!” He shouts after her, waving the rest of us on without a glance. “Call dad! He’s already hounding me about Thanksgiving!”
Nina waves him off, disappearing through the door with Luke hot on her heels. Butthead (I know, I’m the worst friend ever and can’t remember which brother he is) seems to have dismissed his sister’s entourage until Jamie passes, clapping him on the shoulder. Butthead looks up, taking in Jamie’s attire and throws his big shiny head back, hooting with deep laughter.
“Shit! Look at you pretty man,” Butthead howls not letting him pass. “You lose a bet or something?”
“Fuck off Bryce.” Jamie grumbles. (Ah! Bryce, Nina’s oldest brother!)
“It’s a one time thing.” Jamie’s eyes find mine, void of any feeling on impact as he curves his lips into a dry smirk before he turns away. “This is just a favor for your sister.”
Something volatile sparks behind my eyes.
“Favor...” I whisper, through clenched teeth. I must have stopped moving because Ryan bumps into my back. I have no idea what he says to me. I’m too busy reveling in the shitty taste the word “favor” has left on my tongue.
I’m a favor?
“Be bold...” Nina’s advice from earlier drifts through my mind. Mingling with the anger and dread pooling in my gut.
“Come on,” Lisa sings, jarring me from a pending bout of rage. She gives the small of my back a light push, moving us along toward Nick who is waiting at the door.
“Time to get shit housed!” He, holds his phone out like he’s taking a video as he pulls the polished metal door open. “Wave to the fans, girls.”
Lisa hooks her arm around my neck and winks saucily at his camera before pushing me through the threshold; and off I go, like Alice down the rabbit hole.
Once inside, Nick pockets his phone and the power pair usher me down a long and winding narrow hallway. The walls are a red grouted mosaic of shattered mirrors, catching our passing reflection in a fragmented rhythm that somehow syncs to the low red pin lights pulsing from the black barrel vaulted ceiling.
I’m a favor.
The walk to the big party is almost an immersive experience. Anticipation builds with every step; every twist and turn we make through the trippy corridor feels like we’re marching into battle or something. The music from the party acts like a siren’s call, gaining more and more power as we travel further into the tunneling hallway’s depths.
By the time we reach the second bouncer, standing before a heavy black curtain, like he’s some kind of royal guard, I can feel the treble in my bones and the vocals on my skin. The roar of the crowd coats the air, thickening the atmosphere as I pull in a deep breath.
I don’t know if it’s the thumping of the down beat pounding through my body, the shot from my apartment… or the tattooed bane of my existence three feet away, but something is coming.
“You Bryce’s sis?”
“YeP” Nina answers with a proud pop to the P.
He nods silently, then pulls the curtain aside and I gasp from the sight.
The lights fade from purple to teal, and back reflecting off of the shattered mirror accents of the great room. The high ceiling is fixed with LED lights that blink in a, very on the nose, slithering sequence from the gargantuan blown glass chandelier hanging proud above the center of the club.
“This used to be the city’s opera house!” Nick shouts as we look on to the party.
I can tell. Beneath the plush hyper modern decor, the bones of a classic grand opera house stand proud. The main bar looms above the crowd, positioned where the stage once was. It's framed out by the old catwalk above and stacked box seats on either side that now house hired dancers who twist and move to the music with hypnotic grace. A three-tiered gallery of private VIP rooms are perched above the main floor. The whole place is really something.
“Come on!” Nina squeals yanking me forward by the hand towards the mirror dance floor. “Let’s dance!”
“Don’t have to ask me twice,” I laugh, following her down the shallow steps into the throng of people. I glance back to our group but everyone has scattered.
My eyes itch to look for Jamie but resist. I’ll be damned before I repeat last week’s shift fiasco. I know all too well how tonight ends if I keep him on my radar.
A favor.
Nina and I weave through the crowd throwing apologies and an excuse-mes out along the way as we bump and jostle fellow partiers. Nina taps a security staff member who is guarding the mini stage on his shoulder, shouting something in his ear. He gives a curt nod and the next thing I know the group of girls dancing have been cleared from the platform leaving the prime floor space wide open for us.
She wastes no time dropping right into the deafening music and a bit of the angst burning me up ebbs away. I love the way Nina dances. I can’t mimic it either, it’s this happy bounce with a perfected and alluring rhythm. I asked her once how she came up with it.
“I pretend I’m riding the D to whatever song is playing.”
I added “Ride the D” to The List that night. If she looks this happy just pretending, the real thing must be the best damn time.
Teeth by Lady Gaga begins to play and we lose ourselves in the wicked music. Nina makes silly faces as we dance, snapping her pearly whites at me as she wraps her arms around my shoulders, pulling me in for a tight hug. And in this moment, laughing with my best friend while we dance above a sea of people, I let go.
I dance my heart out, shouting the lyrics at the top of my lungs, I thread my fingers through my hair and sink to the ground letting my ass do what it feels necessary to the beat. I’m free up here.
There’s some cheers from our feet. A crowd of guys push against the platform holding up their phones to video us while they clap and hoot every move we make.
“Marry me, boots!” One of them manages to shout loud enough to be heard above the din.
Something hot licks beneath my skin causing my tummy to flip. I can feel eyes on me but not from the group of thirsty bros shouting from the floor. I twist left, then right, seeking out the source and like a moth to a flame, my eyes find Jamie’s across the club. He’s leaning on the bar near the corner, standing eerily still as he watches me dance.
My breath catches in my chest, making me feel like I have the hiccups as I stumble into my next step. Nina catches my arm and renews her life’s work of pulling me around as she makes for the steps.
“We gotta go!” She shouts over here shoulder as she tugs me towards a waiting Luke. “Dec reserved a room upstairs.”
“Oh for the love of—-“ I start, losing my patience with the totally unnecessary decadent turn my birthday has taken. “Why?”
“Listen babydoll,” Luke hooks his arm around my neck. “When Ryan and Dec go out they go the hell out!” he snaps his fingers for extra attitude.
A remix of Boss Bitch comes on as I glance back to Lisa and Jamie talking at the bar. Something nasty coils in my stomach as I take them in, heads bent close with shots in hand. And I remember that despite the way he looked at me just now...
I’m a favor.
A slender arm wraps around my waist as my best friend drops her chin on my shoulder. “So, I don’t know if you should take this advice ‘cause I’m pretttaaaay drunk right now,” Nina shouts over the music. “But I think it’s time to claim his ass!” With that she smacks mine and heads off with Luke.
I need a drink.
I should go upstairs. I should ignore him just as hard as he’s clearly ignoring me. Instead, I weave my way through the crush of people, dodging elbows and drinks as I make my way towards the bar because I’m a gluten for punishment.
Jamie is sporting the same charming smile he gave that busty brunette last week during our shift. He’s standing close enough that she has to tip her flawless face back to look up at him. I’m acutely aware that my breathing has picked up. His eyes suddenly raise to meet mine with an empty gaze that makes me feel shittier than his old snide comments ever could.
I’m a fucking favor.
“Hey guys, we’re heading upstairs. The boujie-boys got us a room.” I lean into Lisa pointing to the balcony above. She looks over her shoulder and smiles brightly at me.
“Oh shit let me go get Nick.” She turns and gives me a quick hug. She presses her cheeks to mine and calls into my ear, “He’s was eye fucking the shit out of you while you were dancing.”
With that, she pops a crimson kiss on my cheek and disappears in the crowd, leaving Jamie and me alone for the first time all night. He drinks his whiskey looking out to the packed dance floor, giving me the cold shoulder and something deep inside me just snaps.
Be bold...
I’m a favor...
Be reckless...
Be bold...
The thoughts cycle through my mind like some sort of chant, setting me on fire. There is an utterly diabolical potion of, alcohol, rage, and the dance floor brewing something dangerous in my blood.
Be bold… be reckless...
Our entire minefield of a relationship as been Jamie plowing along while I struggle to keep up.
Dec’s right. It’s time to fight fire with fire.
I am nothing if not gracious, so I’ll give him one more chance to be an adult. I order two shots of tequila and lean in with the sweetest smile I can muster.
“On a scale of one to me talking in questions, how bad of a time are you having?”
For just a second Jamie looks like he wants to smile too, but he schools his features and shrugs. “Not too bad.” He says, pointedly raising his eyes to Lisa who is making her way towards the spiral staircase with Nick.
Be reckless.
Ah well...War it is.
The shots arrive and I hand him one. Pushing in very close. His eyes hood as looks down, his jaw ticking as he takes the offered shot.
“You want to play games?” I clink our glasses and toss mine back. “Let’s fucking play then.”
My smile is saccharine as I slam my empty glass on the bar and set off to put my plan into action, taking good care to wind my hips to the thumping beat of the bass as I walk away. I can feel the burn of those blue eyes on my bare back like a threatening caress as I weave through the throng of partiers.
I don’t look back.
I catch up to Lisa at the top of the steps. As soon as she’s in reach, I slip my hand through hers, bringing my mouth to her ear; I need her to hear my words loud and clear.
“He’s mine.”
Her head pops back, the abrupt retreat making her hair move like water in the fading light. She levels me with a deep and intense look, holding my eyes for a beat before she leans her body close to mine, and squeezes my hands.
“That’s what I’ve been saying all night. Now tell him, before he does something stupid.”
Relief floods me, making my knees knock for a second. Lisa would have been formidable as fuck to go against and I’m woman enough to admit I’m happy I don’t have to.
If we weren’t friends before, we sure as hell are now.
Twenty minutes later, after a well spent fifty bucks, and a quick conversation with Nina, the three of us are in our VIP area looking out onto the dance floor below. There’s a quiet bar and sunken in seats that circle a small low lit dance floor. The back wall is lined with intimate booths that each have a curtain for added privacy.
I have plans for the corner booth.
If by Janet Jackson comes filtering through the speakers and I grab their hands and head over to the dance floor. Centered between the two, I begin dancing to the music with as much sex appeal as I possibly can. Maybe the song is dated, but sometimes ya need Ms. Jackson to drive your point the hell home.
I use every single trick I’ve learned from my heels class as I twist in serpentine movements, whipping my hair to the down beat. I dip down slow, bouncing just once then leisurely pull myself back up. My hand slides down my face, dragging my thumb across my bottom lip before I slide my fingers back into my styled locks and flick my hips.
My eyes land in Declan, and I smirk.
I spin around wrapping my arm around Lisa’s hips as we dance, Nina slips behind me and the three of us move as one to the sultry beat of the music. Hot blue eyes are on me, but I keep my gaze on Declan. I have a lesson to teach.
The beat picks up for the bridge and I abandon the girls, strutting right over to the blond devil. I shoot him a quick wink in warning before cage him in on the bar and drop into a squat, twisting my way up only to drop once again. I let my head fall back as I lean into his hard chest moving to the music against his front. I feel those blue eyes are still hot on my skin, I can feel the anger and I grin.
Good.
When the song begins to fade out for the closing verse, I reach for the glass in Declan’s hand and take a pull from his drink as we share a knowing smile.
“Goddamn.” He chuckles watching me drink. “You’re pure evil.”
“Proud?”
“Like a dad on graduation day. My baby girl is all grown up.” He pinches my cheek and looks over my shoulder just as I hear the opening to Partition come on, signaling the final stage of my plan.
“Three… two… one....” Declan counts down as his smirk spreads into a bad smile.
A callused hand wraps around my arm and I’m spun away from partner in crime.
Bringing me face to face with Jamie’s. His jaw is clenched. His pupils are dilated. His breathing is labored as those hot blue eyes rake down my body. Finally, I have his attention.
The attention I deserve.
“Oh hey Jamie, there you are. Did you like that dance?”
“Are you fucking crazy—“
“My, you seem touchy. I hope you don’t feel left out?” I grab his sleeve with my free hand and yank him towards the corner booth. Timing it perfectly with the close to the song’s opening. “Well, Don’t you fret, I can still dance for you too.”
Be reckless.
I plant a firm hand on his chest shoving him into the seat as I tug the curtain closed behind me.
“The fuck are you doing?” He demands but drops into the seat like a good boy.
“Lap dance, dickhead. Only one rule,” I bend down, gently placing his hands at his sides. “Do not touch. You keep your hands planted on this seat or I’m gone.”
“What the fuck...” his voice suddenly sounds just a bit weak.
Perfect.
I don’t answer as the music shifts from the opening to the main tempo; my cue to begin. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel the reverberations of each beat in my bones.
Be bold.
Refusing to dwell on what I’m about to do, I swiftly drop to my knees, leaning on his strong thighs as I wind my hips and crawl up his body.
I didn’t notice my eyes had drifted closed until I hear Jamie suck in a breath as I sit down for only a second teasing him. I stand toying with the hem of my dress and lifting it just enough to give a tiny peak at my black thong strap before I spin.
As the tempo picks up for the chorus, I turn around so that my back is to him and I’m seated snuggly between his legs twisting my ass against him to the music. I can feel his body responding in every possible way. From the hardness running down his pant leg to his labored breathing and his fisted hands at his sides. The tenuous grip he has on his self-control feeds me as I dance.
I’m going to destroy Jamie Delahunt before this song is over.
I stand again turning to face him with a coy little smile and I slowly lower myself on to his lap but stop just short of sitting. I sing quietly along to the lyrics and undo two of the buttons on his shirt. All the while holding myself mere centimeters from his lap. I dip my head and run the tip of my tongue up his neck. Licking those tattoos like I’ve wanted to for weeks now. I can taste his sweat and I feel his pulse racing on my tongue as I continue my journey until I reach his ear, I bite his lobe lightly.
I whisper the playful lyrics as I bring myself fully down on him. But I’m not finished teasing quite yet.
Keeping my thighs hooked on his hips, I dip away, bending all the way back, down between his legs, to the floor before slowly pulling myself back up. I drag my hands along his legs until fully upright, placing them behind me on his knees.
Our eyes lock. I pause for just a second holding his hot gaze with my own.
“What fuck are you waiting for, Doe Eyes?” He bites in a thick voice that sends liquid heat right through me.
With a pounding heart, I begin rolling my hips. Stroking the hardness, I feel beneath me as I move. I almost lose sight of my mission as I take in the starved expression in his eyes. My head falls back as I wind, high on power, and I just barely resist the urge to pull his hands against me and let him take over. Memories of last night and how amazing he made me feel taunt me as I grind on him, but I don’t give in. Jamie’s been in charge enough.
It’s my turn now.
As the song closes I lean forward and kiss him softly on his mouth, just a tame meeting of our lips before I whisper, “Consider your favor repaid.”
Before he has a chance to move, I pop up and strut right past the curtain and back to our friends, giving Nina and Lisa swift high fives as I pass.
Checkmate asshole.
********
Jamie
I’m going to spank her ass so fucking hard.
I watch Eva laughing with her friends from school, she’s bouncing to the music in that dick torture of an outfit like she doesn’t have a care in the world. The second I get her alone I’m changing that. I start thinking off all the ways I can make her shake and stutter like last night. The only reason she got away with that fucking stunt in the private booth is the fact that I can never pass up an opportunity to watch her dance. Even if it means a nasty case of blue balls.
All because I implied, that the only reason I was here was a favor to Nina.
“You know, this might sound crazy, but you could always just tell her you like her.” Declan muses. I was so zoned in on Eva and her fucking ass that I didn’t realize the shit weasel was next to me until he spoke.
“Stay out of my business, Dec.” I answer without taking my eyes off my prize
“Nah, no fun in that.” He laughs. “Hey, you want to bury the hatchet yet?”
“No.”
“That’s too bad,” he sighs, but I know he doesn’t actually give a shit either way. “She’s not like my brother. You, acting like a sour puss whenever I’m around is going to get old fast.”
“Then maybe you should stay the fuck away from her.”
He laughs again. “You threatened by me, baby?”
“Nope.”
Yes.
He’s quiet for a minute while we watch Eva enjoy her night.
While I watch Eva.
Declan’s eyes are a honed in hard on her Snow White looking friend. I may not love that he’s so close with Eva, but at least he doesn’t look at her like he’s fucking rabid or some shit. He lets out an ear-piercing whistle getting the whole room’s attention.
“Hey Gorgeous! Come over her and dance with me.”
“I’d rather get my pussy eaten by a piranha!” Lisa calls back.
With a dark chuckle, Declan saunters over to the trio, snatching her arm as he pulls a marker (who the hell carries a fucking marker around?) from his pocket and scrolls something on the inside of her wrist. Lisa, who I initially took for a no-nonsense chick, just stares dumbly at him the whole time, making no attempt to pull away.
Once he’s finished, he blows lightly on her skin before he drops a quick kiss on the ink and turns to leave.
“Text me,” he calls over his shoulder. “But don’t be annoying about it.”
Jesus .
“Here’s some advice Delahunt,” he says lightly returning to his spot beside me like that weird ass interaction never took place. “Shit or get off the pot. Girls like Eva don’t belong in limbo.”
And fuck, if he isn’t right. As if that’s not what scares me.
