Chapter 2
Jade
T he cab pulls up to the club. All three of us are well on our way to being drunk.
We pregamed hard.
I pay the driver before we pretty much fall out of the cab, stumbling in our much too high shoes. As we approach I hear the music pounding through the walls the upbeat dance tunes vibrate through me and have me itching to let loose. We stagger past the long line of people which wraps around the windowless building, They are all laughing excitedly and shouting at each other as they wait. But we skip the line heading straight for the bouncer at the entrance to VIP. We’re trying to act like we haven’t just drunk our body weight in tequila, as he checks his clipboard before motioning for us to go inside.
Trixie told me this club was amazing but I brushed it off because she’s over-enthusiastic about everything but, walking through the corridor I’m mesmerized.
The bar sits in the center of the room, the blue and purple lighting bouncing off the ceiling-hung chandeliers, making the room sparkle. Luxurious purple couches and private booths are scattered around and there is a roped-off area which leads to the top floor that looks down onto the floor-lit dancefloor, where some people are already dancing in front of the DJ.
As we approach the bar, I yell over the loud R&B beat. “I’ll get the drinks, you go grab a table.” I turn to the barman as they vanish into the crowd of people wearing their finest fancy dress costumes.
“What can I get you?” the barman dressed as a shirtless devil yells.
“Three margaritas, please.”
“Coming right up.” He raps knuckles on the bar top, before turning to make our drinks. I’m watching his biceps flex as he reaches for the tequila. I’m sure he is doing it for my benefit, but I can’t say I’m mad about it. He spots my line of vision over his shoulder and gives me a flirty smile. I don't pretend I wasn’t looking because it’s blatantly obvious that I’m ogling the beautiful man in front of me, so why hide it? He seems to be enjoying the attention. “Enjoying the show?” he shouts while shaking the cocktail mixer.
My slightly inebriated brain seems to take over my mouth. “Immensely.” I bite down on my bottom lip in what I hope is sultry look and not like I’m having some kind of stroke.
He hands me the card reader, his dark eyes connecting with mine as I tap my card. Our moment is broken when another barman takes the machine off him. He places napkins in front of me on the circular tray, arranging our drinks on top. I give him one last flirty grin as I pick up the tray.
Adding a little sway to my hips as I walk away, knowing his eyes are probably still on me.
I scan the packed club trying to spot the girls, and I find them on one of the tables close to the dancefloor and I move through the mass of people.
Lily’s eyes drop to the napkin under her drink as I place the tray down. “What’s this? Did that barman just give you his number?” She shouts over the beat of the music, thrusting the napkin at me.
I stare at the name ‘Jed’ and the number scribbled underneath and smirk. “It seems he did.”
“God he’s hot, Jade. You going to call him?” Trixie turns to look at the barman who is now making another drink but is sneaking glances our way.
“Doubt it.” I turn my attention back to the girls. “I can imagine he’ll give out his number to numerous women tonight. Not that it's not an ego boost.”
“True, but girl you look ridiculous tonight. Some men literally tripped over themselves as you walked back with our drinks.”
Feeling my cheeks start to heat I wave her off. “Come off it, they didn’t.”
“Yes. They. Did.” Trixie glares at me from across the booth, tilting her head towards a group of men sitting at a high-top table. I try to look without being too obvious. Each of them looks like they have stepped right out of a romance novel: at least 6 foot, hair styled to perfection, sharp jawlines, and lots of muscles on display.
One of the model-worthy men draws my attention more than the others. His stare is so intense I can feel it right to my core.
I can’t bring myself to look away.
It seems he can’t either, as the man to his left is saying something to him but his gaze is solely on me.
“Now then, ladies.” Beck, our other best friend, and housemate, emerges from the crowd, beer bottle in hand and a confidence in his walk that only he can master. “You look outstanding. Tonight are you going to break some poor man’s heart?” He sits down next to me and snaps my attention back as he plants a kiss to my cheek.
He is wearing a cowboy costume, chaps, and in true Beck style, his shirt is undone, showcasing his muscles. But he takes no notice of the attention that follows him. But I don’t miss the lingering look he gives Trixie—the way his gaze sweeps over her long lean legs or the way his throat bobs as she smiles shyly at him. Something seems to cross between them just before Lily stands, making us all jump.
“Oh, I love this song,” she announces as Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” blasts from the speakers. “Come on, let's dance.” She practically drags me from my seat, and Beck and Trixie follow us to the dancefloor. With the alcohol running through my veins, my confidence has been boosted. The people and colors around me all swirl into a blur, and I throw my hands up, giving into the thumping beat that vibrates through my body. The four of us are dancing like we’re Beyonce. Well, I’m at least trying. My eyes instinctively close and I let the music take control as my body heats and a light sheen of sweat starts to coat my brow. I twist my hips and the fabric of my short dress tickles my thighs as I move. The energy in the room has me lost in the moment until I bump into Beck and my eyes spring open. He bends to shout in my ear. “You’ve got an admirer.” I look up into Beck’s unusual, deep brown eyes that sparkle with humor.
“What?” I question, I was too lost in the music to have paid attention to anyone around us.
“Maximus.”
“Who?” My nose crinkles and he nods his head to the left. I follow his movement and my pulse quickens as a tiny bead of sweat drips down my breastbone, and I whip my head back to Beck. His breath tickles my skin as he leans down.
“He can’t take his eyes off a certain green fairy.” I roll my eyes. “He wants to show you his sword.” He wiggles his eyebrows playfully.
I burst out laughing, shoving his shoulder. “I doubt that.” But while we continue to dance, I can’t help but take in the mysterious Gladiator from the corner of my eye. How his perfectly tousled brown hair, sharp masculine jawline, and broad, defined body makes my pulse spike. My mouth waters slightly at the expanse of tanned muscle on display, and my mind wanders as to what he is capable of doing with that body.
How would it feel to have him pressed up against me?
How would it feel to have his hands on me?
Would he be gentle or would he touch me with the type of pressure I’ve always wanted but never experienced?
I’m in my head as Beck spins me, so my back is pressed into his chest. My eyes connect with the man in question and my breath hitches because there’s a fire burning within his gaze.