Chapter 12 – Juliana
W hy did I agree to this? I’m feeling nauseous as Felicity introduces each ‘item’ in her pleasant purr.
I remember when I was first introduced to the club’s hostess as Lady J.
She’s never called me anything else. Blonde, elegant, legs for days, and years younger than me, she reminded me a little too much of Addison somehow. Not that that’s Felicity’s fault.
This day has been a whirl. It feels like the doctor’s appointment was last week and therapy was a month ago.
Chad and his boy toy talk and tick-tock, tick-tock.
The bastard. When Liam hit Chad, I hate to admit it but I was sexually aroused by it, something I never thought a guy socking another guy in the mouth would do to me.
Tonight, I want a few drinks and some hot sex, something no strings to blot out everything today made me feel.
It’s something that will be harder to come by once I’m rocking a baby bump.
I recall the fact Addison will be rocking one before long and, while I don’t hate Addison, knowing that made the betrayal feel fresh, and that broken feeling I’ve been fighting for years now reared its ugly head again.
“You’re up next, Birthday Girl,” Santi says, his lightly accented voice soothing my jangled emotions. Tall, dark and handsome, Dr. Morales is one suave player without a doubt.
The stage looms before me, well-lit and scarier than any dark alley, but I can’t help noticing the way Santi’s clutching his jaw. “You okay?” I ask.
“I’ll live,” he answers, grinning at my party hat .
“Too ridiculous?”
“You’re perfect. The sexy girl next door.”
I like that, the idea of feeling like that girl again.
I remember the first time I visited Sable a couple of years ago.
The converted warehouse doesn’t look like much from the parking lot with its plain exterior and difficult-to-spot sign out front meant to discourage the uninvited from investigating.
But, the elegantly-appointed entry where the always impeccable Felicity greets members and special guests are given the cardinal rules - Anonymity, Consent and Protection - tells you you’re in for something a little different than the typical nightclub.
From the glitzy stage and curious cages where dancers perform in their faux fur and feather masks and thongs to the glass elevator, chic interior design and enormous bar that looks like it was carved out of ice, everything about the place screams hedonism, indulgence and money.
“Liam doesn’t know about this, right?” I’d made Santi promise he would keep him occupied with paperwork in the office during the auction. He always hovers if he’s at the club when I’m here. Not to mention I’m supposed to be conquering these longings he’s bringing out in me.
“Well, about that…”
“Santi!”
“Just remember it’s all for the children,” he says, giving me a nudge onto the stage as Felicity introduces me.
I’m sure my face matches my pink mask as the stage lights leave me temporarily blinded.
I saw many of the other participants. A few were older than me, including one silver fox called Daddy K.
But, most were younger and the girls all had their plastic surgery-perfected bodies.
Chad’s words from the past echo in my mind and, for one horrible moment, I envision no one bidding on me. Oh, God…
“Ten thousand!”
Warmth rushes all through me. Someone bid on me! “Slow down, sir,” Felicity says, cheerfully. “Give me a chance to open the- ”
“Fifteen thousand!” another man calls.
Holy shit, these guys would pay that knowing the only guarantee is a drink with me? My self-esteem just rocketed into orbit, but nothing could prepare me for what happens next.
“One million.”
The room goes dead silent. I can’t see him clearly because of the lights at first, but I’d know his voice anywhere. Felicity nearly drops her microphone, then clumsily picks it back up before asking her boss, “Um… did you say-”
“Yes, I did. A million dollars,” he repeats, stepping closer to the stage.
His eyes are unusually dark and dangerous looking as they meet mine.
Electricity crackles in the air around us.
“A one with six zeros following it. That’s what I’m offering to have a drink with the birthday girl tonight. ”
“Sold,” I say softly before Felicity can reply, and he shoots me that wickedly sexy grin that makes me want to do everything wrong tonight. Repeatedly.
∞∞∞
The auction ended a while ago but the night is still young at Sable when I raise my glass again. There’s a lovely humming inside my head, and everything is ten times funnier than it was an hour ago. “For the children?”
He clinks his glass against mine. “For the children.”
“Did you really hit Santi?”
“I sure did.”
“Poor Santi. He was just doing what he had to for the club.”
“Hudson does what he has to for the club. Santi does what he pleases to mess with me. Anyway, he seems to have recovered,” Liam says, chuckling.
He jerks his chin over his shoulder. Santi has a woman in his lap, his hands between her knees. An image of Liam holding me that way crashes over me. I gulp the rest of my drink to drown a whimper. “Two men punched over the course of a few hours. You’re positively feral today, Mr. Culver.”
“Someone brings it out in me,” he growls.
Oh, my.That tone again.
“You’re pretty buzzed, aren’t you?” I’ve seen him drunk. He’s not quite there but…
“Not safe to drive, still decent company, Ms. Davenport.” His hand casually lands on my thigh, sending fresh sparks of desire straight to my core. He’s very good company. My knees slide apart and his hand moves, slow circular caresses. There are tingles everywhere .
“Do you like my hat?” I point to the silly thing, remembering how bold I felt offering myself up for a spanking. I was thinking of him and the sauna when I wrote that. I shift on the leather barstool, trying to relieve a sudden ache at the memory.
“I love your hat, my beautiful birthday girl,” he rasps.
Oh, hell, I want him. He paid a million dollars to have a drink with me.
Twenty times more than the second highest winning bid of the night.
I might feel like I owed something if it was any other man, but this is Liam.
That’s why I feel safe. That’s why I want this so much.
That’s why I feel none of the anxiety dating brings.
That and the drinks maybe. One night. One wild night. If he’s willing…
“Becca said you were my security blanket earlier today.” It had felt like an accusation. Maybe it was. Our session had ended on a strained note.
He raises his eyebrows and starts chuckling. “I can live with that. I love keeping you warm.”
Are we really doing this? I glance over my shoulder.
There’s an array of padded leather sofas here, not all of them occupied.
The one directly behind us features a threesome getting started.
A more uptight version of myself would’ve been scandalized by it.
Lady J doesn’t care. She even finds it kind of hot the way those two men are kissing her, worshiping her with careful touches and whispered words.
I don’t want two men, but I want an orgasm I don’t have to give myself, and I want this man to give it to me.
“Could we move? The barstool is getting a little uncomfortable.”
“Is your bottom sore?” Liam whispers in my ear as I start to stand. A flush spreads all over my face. There’s no doubt what he’s alluding to.
I give him a cheeky wink. “Not yet.”
In the corner, he finds us a sofa of our own. He falls dramatically, pulling me down into his lap. My dress rides up as I straddle him. We giggle like mischievous children together as a server appears out of nowhere with another round. “Like magic,” he murmurs, his arm around my waist.
I take my drink in one hand while the other rests against his broad chest. The strong thump-thump of his heart matches the beat of the music. “Everything about tonight feels like magic.”
He frowns, clearly thinking something over. “If we cross this line, Juliana…”
“Tonight is something special,” I blurt out, afraid he’s trying to slip away. “Tonight is a finale of sorts, last chance for wild behavior before I’ve got a bun in the oven, but it’s a one night only kind of gig. Agreed?”
His expression is inscrutable until he nods at last. Our eyes are locked as we sip our drinks. Down, down, down. The glasses disappear and I wiggle in his lap. Definitely some tenting going on. “It’s chilly in here.”
“I can tell.” Licking his lips, he stares at my hard nipples poking against the fabric of my dress and lacy bra.
“Let your security blanket warm you up.” He pulls me closer.
It’s like we’re snuggling on the sofa and watching TV except there’s no pretense of being platonic tonight.
He rubs his hands up and down my bare upper arms. It always seemed so comforting in the past. Now, the movements are slower, more erotic.
He’s branding me with his touch and his heated palms are waking something deep inside me. “Is that a good start?”
I nod, my body flush against his. He’s hard and no one’s happier about that than me.
I roll my hips, giving my clit that delicious pressure it’s been craving.
I’m already starting to pant. He’s panting, too, as we’re breathing each other in.
His familiar scent fills my nostrils, soap and man and cedar. “God, you always smell so good.”
His nose brushes against my throat. “I’ve always thought the same about you.”
Kiss me, I think.
I don’t even have to say it. Liam knows me better than any man.
He carefully removes my party hat and mask, setting them aside.
Every second feels like an hour and every heartbeat pulses between my legs.
Then, he lowers his mouth to mine. Our lips touch for the first time.
My heart flutters. And, my pussy does a somersault.
Liam’s kiss is full of heat. It’s perfection, so perfect I could cry. “Do you wanna stop?” he whispers, noticing the way my eyes are sparkling. Of course, he would notice.
I shake my head. No first kiss has ever bulldozed my emotions that way which scares me, but stopping is the last thing I want.
I dive into the second kiss without saying a word.
He matches my intensity, tongues wrestling and hands roaming.
Every inch of my body feels this kiss as I rock against his erection.
My pulse picks up speed and my nerve-endings are ready for fireworks.
His large hands cradle my ass and my panties go from damp to drenched.
All those happy endorphins swirl through my blood.
I’m tipsy on hormones and alcohol. I want him. So fucking much.
“Let’s take this somewhere private, Liam.”