Chapter 3 #2
Maybe Ryden was right. What better place to find some answers than Sapphire Sands?
He’d worked enough jobs there to be familiar with the place, and he’d always felt comfortable.
Even in the beginning, before the club members knew he was a bodyguard and hit on him, he hadn’t felt weird.
And maybe his eyes had roamed on occasion.
He’d told himself he was just being vigilant, but… .
“Why not.” Saint stood and started clearing off the coffee table. Once he’d put the leftovers in the fridge and put the dishes in the dishwasher, he headed for his bedroom, calling out over his shoulder. “Gonna take a shower and get dressed. Be right out.”
“Okay. We have to swing by my place so I can get all prettied up,” Ryden replied, dropping back onto the couch.
Was he going to do this? What if it was too much too soon? Then again, he didn’t need to do anything with anyone. He could have a good time without hooking up with someone. He’d never done anything like this, so he’d have to play it by ear.
It didn’t take Saint long to get ready. Showering was easier now that he didn’t have stitches to worry about. He was still sore, but the bruising had gone down a lot. In time the scar would fade just as the others had, but it would never disappear entirely.
Dressed in a three-quarter length sleeve, navy button-down shirt with the top button open, and charcoal gray pants, he finished getting ready and headed into the living room. The stop at Ryden’s apartment was quick, and then they were off to Sapphire Sands.
Since Four Kings Security provided the bouncers at the club, Saint knew the two guys at the main entrance beneath the awning.
They gave him curious smiles but didn’t ask, just let him and Ryden in.
The nightclub was packed, what with it being a Saturday night.
The music was loud, but not enough that you couldn’t have a conversation without shouting.
As far as clubs went, it was the nicest Saint had ever been to, but then again, it catered to a wealthy clientele, and if Saint hadn’t worked for Four Kings Security, he would never have qualified for membership.
The ambiance was great, and just from stepping inside, you could tell it was an exclusive club. Everything was black with silver accents. The neon lights in Sapphire Sands’s signature blue had been tastefully and strategically placed around the club to give it an edgy look without being tacky.
The space was huge, with plenty of seating in the form of booths, some of which were more private than others.
Today, the black plinths were up, supporting the club’s beautiful go-go boys in their sparkling blue shorts and sneakers as they danced provocatively.
Saint’s gaze had wandered over to a dancer or two while on duty, his face getting hot when one of them noticed and blew him a kiss.
Servers moved expertly among the crowd carrying trays of cocktails and spirits. Ryden found them a table, and it didn’t take long before their drink order had been taken.
“It’s weird,” Saint said, taking everything in.
When he was here on the job, his focus was on his client and any possible threat that might present itself.
He took nothing for granted, not even the fact that they were in an exclusive members-only club.
He’d been doing this job long enough to know that a threat could happen anytime, anywhere.
Even if the members might not be a threat, the members were allowed guests, just like Saint was a guest of Ryden’s tonight.
And although advance notice had to be given, there wasn’t enough time for Sapphire Sands to vet every guest who might be showing up for a few hours any given night.
“What’s weird?” Ryden asked, snapping Saint from his thoughts.
“Being here as a guest. Everything looks so different.” Like he was seeing the place for the first time.
Their beers arrived, and Saint thanked the waiter. “How often do you come here?”
“Not as often as you think. You know how it is with our schedules.”
True. Ryden might not work in executive protection, but like the rest of them, he could be on sight doing a risk assessment any day and time of the week, depending on when their clients needed them and how urgent it was.
Clients liked to spring last-minute changes on them, leaving everyone to scramble, and that didn’t even take into account any unforeseen circumstances that might pop up.
“See anything you like?” Ryden asked, his smile wide.
Saint scanned the crowd. So many men. Some younger than Saint, some older, taller, shorter, leaner, more muscular…. How was he supposed to know which of these men would do it for him or if they even would? He found plenty of them attractive.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, why don’t we get out on the dance floor, bust a few moves, and see where the night takes us?”
Saint chuckled and shook his head. “No one says ‘bust a move’ anymore.”
“I do. I just said it. I’m bringing it back.”
“Good luck with that.” Saint took another swig of his beer, then got up and followed Ryden to the packed dance floor.
He was determined not to do what he always did and overthink the hell out of things.
Just go with the flow. If something happened tonight, it happened. If it didn’t, it didn’t. No big deal.
Techno music wasn’t something he’d typically listen to, but it got everyone pumped and dancing.
Lots of sweaty bodies in various stages of undress surrounded him, some belonging to men who looked at him with interest. A couple of guys flirted with him, one running a hand down his arm, and he liked it.
And then a tall, broad-shouldered man with salt-and-pepper hair dressed in an expensive-looking suit appeared before him.
He had a chiseled jaw full of stubble and was several years older than Saint.
A shiver ran through him. The guy reminded him of Val, but his eyes were blue instead of intense gray. He leaned in close.
“Are you here with someone?”
Saint shook his head, his stomach filling with butterflies at the man’s wide smile. Apparently, Saint had a type. He let himself get pulled into the bigger man’s arms, his breath quickening at the feel of the guy’s leg between his as they danced together.
It was certainly…different, being pulled into big, strong arms against a solid wall of muscle.
He liked it. A lot more than he thought he would.
Is this what it would feel like to be in Val’s arms?
It would probably feel better because he knew Val.
Trusted him. Wanted him. The man leaned in, and Saint took in the subtle scent of his cologne.
“Why don’t we get to know each other better?”
“Sure.”
The guy was hot, and Saint enjoyed his firm but gentle touches as he led Saint off the dance floor and toward one side of the club. The guy stopped next to the wall and turned, maneuvering Saint so his back was against the wall.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
“Why?”
What was he supposed to say? That this was his first time doing anything with a guy? That he had no idea what the hell he was doing? He didn’t want to play games, but if he didn’t try, how would he know?
The man tilted his head. “I’ve seen you here before.”
“I’ve been here with clients. I work in executive protection.”
“Sexy.”
Not really, but okay.
“So, you protect people with your body?” He asked, his voice low and husky as he ran a hand around Saint’s waist to his ass.
Zero points for originality, but A-plus for effort and making Saint feel hot and horny. The more time he spent with…? He should probably at least ask the guy his name.
“What’s your name?”
“Vic.”
Of course it was. The Universe was fucking with him. Had to be.
The more time Saint spent with Vic touching and feeling him up, the more he thought about Val.
If he closed his eyes, he could easily imagine Val’s hand squeezing his ass, his lips brushing against Saint’s jaw.
Lips touched his neck, and Saint groaned.
What did Val taste like? Were his lips soft or firm?
He always smelled amazing, so Saint didn’t need to wonder about that.
“Fuck, you’re sexy,” Vic grumbled, rubbing his erection against Saint’s leg.
“Oh, god.” Well, there was no mistaking his sexuality. He was most certainly not straight.
Maybe he’d never been with a guy before, but his body was pretty sure what it wanted.
His brain might be a few steps behind, but Saint wouldn’t overthink it.
He gave himself over to the sensation, aware of Vic moving with him until they reached the thick black curtains separating the club and the private rooms out back.
It was decision time.