Chapter One #3
Lila grabs my hand again and pulls me forward.
The second we cross the threshold, she lets out a soft gasp.
The main room is breathtakingly dark. Black walls stretch upward like they go on forever, broken only by flickering red flames that lick from hidden vents in every direction.
A massive gold chandelier drips with crystals, casting a blood-red halo over everything.
The bar dominates the left wall—a long crystal countertop lined with at least fifty sleek barstools.
Behind it, shelves gleam with what looks like every expensive liquor known to man.
Small round tables circle the outer edges, leaving the center completely open for a massive dance floor.
On the right, the DJ and lighting booth tech sit elevated, their setup designed to look as if they’re burning with the same flames as the walls.
To my right, a wide staircase leads up to a shadowed balcony lined with exclusive VIP booths.
“Let’s go.” Lila tugs my hand harder. “We’re getting the full VIP experience with the table service!
” She squeals with excitement as she drags me towards the stairs.
I follow Lila up the stairs to the balcony, stealing one last look at the club below.
“How did you pull this off?” I ask, unable to hide the awe in my voice.
“This place is beautiful.” Something about its dark, sinful energy pulls at me—like it recognizes a piece of my soul and welcomes it home.
Lila shoots me an impish grin and shrugs, clearly not planning to explain.
Of course, she won’t. I drop into the booth beside her. “Have you heard from your boy toy yet?”
Lila checks her phone and lights up. “He’s almost here. I’ll go down and meet them. Can you get us drinks?” I nod, already knowing her usual. With that, she stands and heads back toward the front of the club, disappearing down the stairs.
I’m lost in a mindless doom scroll when a deep, booming voice cuts through the noise.
“Can I get you anything? Sorry for the wait.” My hand flies to my chest as I jolt, taking several sharp breaths.
When I look up, the air catches in my throat.
A Greek god is standing in front of me. Tan skin, sharp jawline, and piercing sea-blue eyes that seem to glow under the red lighting.
His smile is slow, dangerous, and so unfairly beautiful it should be illegal.
The kind of smile that could melt panties and ruin lives.
His lips are moving, but I don’t hear a single word.
“Ma’am?” he prompts, amusement flickering across his face.
“Uh, sorry,” I stammer, heat rushing up my neck.
“Yes, two Adios Motherfuckers. Please.” A blush stings my cheeks from getting caught staring at him like a damn idiot.
Holy shit, why is he so fucking hot? The man gives me a slow, knowing nod, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement, before turning to get our drinks.
Just as he walks away, Lila returns with the guys in tow.
I stand quickly, trying to shake off the embarrassment. “Hi, I’m Kiera.”
The man Lila has wrapped herself around extends his hand. “I’m Daxton,” he says, voice smooth and confident. “And this is my friend, Aaron.” I shake Daxton’s hand, then Aaron’s, my grip steady even as my pulse still hasn’t quite settled from the bartender.
“Isn’t this exciting? Oh my god, look at this place, Dax!” Lila gushes, spinning around to take in the room. “It’s beautiful!” I’d swear this girl is on crack if I didn’t know any better.
The server returns to our table, setting one dangerously blue Adios Motherfucker in front of Lila and one in front of me.
“Sorry about that.” His deep voice is smooth and low.
“I didn’t realize more were joining. What can I get for you two?
” The god of a man is looking at Daxton and Aaron, but I can’t stop staring at the sharp line of his jaw and the way the red lighting catches his sea-blue eyes.
“I’ll take a whiskey sour with your most expensive bottle,” Daxton says, not even bothering to look up from his phone. Oh, so he’s that kind of guy. Fucking douche.
Aaron turns to the server, “I’ll take an old-fashioned. Thank you.” Maybe this one isn’t so bad after all. The server nods and heads off to grab drinks. As soon as he’s gone, Aaron shifts his full attention to me. “So, Kiera, what do you do?”
“I’m currently a glorified party planner for my dad. Mostly charity auction galas. What about you?” I plaster on what I hope looks like genuine interest. He either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care.
“Oh, you know,” Aaron says with a casual shrug, “just the Chief Financial Officer at my father’s law firm.
Brings in some big bucks.” Another rich boy handed everything on a silver platter.
Internally groaning, already knowing exactly where this conversation is headed.
“Is there anyone special in your life?” he asks, leaning in a little closer.
“Just me, my right hand, and my good old friend, Bob,” I smirk over the rim of my glass at Aaron. “It's a pretty intense three-way.” The server must have returned while I was talking. His broad shoulders are shaking with barely suppressed laughter as he sets the glasses down.
“Kiera!” Lila scolds me, leaning in close to whisper sharply in my ear. “Could you please play nice?”
“I could,” I whisper back at Lila, “but I already told you I wasn’t interested in dating.
And he only asked me one question before jumping straight to see if there was competition, so he could try to take me home.
So, no.” Why do we always have to play nice?
Why can’t guys—or should I say boys—ever be interested in more than what’s between our legs?
“Sorry,” I say, offering Aaron a polite smile for Lila’s sake.
“I’m on a dating ban.” He sips his drink, eyes slowly dragging down my body like I’m already naked.
Fucking Christ. Is there anyone decent anymore?
“Who said we had to date?” Aaron murmurs, scooting closer to the booth until his thigh presses against mine.
I swallow back the gag rising in my throat.
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Men are fucking gross.
I excuse myself and head straight for the dance floor.
The lights from the DJ booth bathe everything in a deep, blood-red glow.
Bodies press together, moving in sync with the heavy bass.
I let the music take over, hips swaying as the beat sinks into my bones.
Song after song, I lose myself in it. For the first time in forever, I feel free.
I lose track of how long I’ve been on the dance floor.
The tempo shifts into a slow, sensual song, and couples start pulling each other close.
I slip away from the crowd, making my way back to the table, chest heaving and skin glistening with sweat.
“Lila,” I pant, still catching my breath, “it’s getting late.
I have to be up early for the gala tomorrow. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, I need to pamper myself before tomorrow,” Lila says, already standing. She turns to Daxton and presses a soft kiss to his cheek. “Nice meeting you, Aaron. I’ll text you later, Dax.”
“Yeah, nice meeting you,” I say, turning to leave. A hand suddenly grabs mine, yanking me back hard against a solid body. Aaron’s arms wrap around my waist, one hand sliding down to grip my ass.
“Need help getting home?” Aaron whispers, leaning in so close his breath ghosts across my neck. A cold shiver runs down my spine—definitely not the good kind. This dude has some fucking audacity.
“Nope, we’re good,” I say firmly. “Have a good night.” I jerk his hands off my waist and take several quick steps back, immediately linking my arm through Lila’s. “You owe me big time,” I grumble, dragging her toward the exit.
“How was I supposed to know he’d be like that?
” Lila says, her smile fading into something much more apologetic as we step onto the street.
“Dax swore he’d behave. I never would’ve brought him if I thought he’d pull that shit.
” An Uber pulls up almost immediately. “I’m really sorry, Kiera,” she says, looking at me with guilt in her eyes.
“I feel like such an idiot. I didn’t know he was going to act like that.
” I smile softly at her. No matter what, I can never stay mad at Lila for long. “Can I crash at your place tonight?”
“Of course, I’d expect nothing less from you,” I say with a laugh as we climb into the back seat of the Uber. “Besides dipshit back there, I enjoyed tonight. Thank you for dragging me out.”
“What are best friends for if not to torture the other one into having fun?” Lila yawns, laying her head against the window.
The ride home is quiet. By the time the Uber pulls up to my complex, she’s fast asleep.
I thank the driver, gently helping her out of the car, and walk her upstairs.
After swiping my key card, I drag a half-conscious Lila inside, get her changed into one of my oversized shirts, and tuck her into bed.
I quickly change into my own sleep shirt and crawl in beside her, snuggling close to my best friend.
Sleep doesn’t come easily, but when it finally does, it drags me under into heavy darkness.