4. James
James
I make my way to the VIP section after entering the crowded Club X.
Ryder claims it would be the quietest part of the club, since the new client insisted on meeting us here.
I argued that having it in a clean quiet office sounded like a better idea, but apparently, my old man mindset didn’t get through, so here we are.
There’s nothing wrong with it I guess, I just don’t have the patience for clubs and bars after everything that happened with my ex.
This was the scene she lived for. Men chasing after her, trying to buy her drinks and take her home, even when she was already in a committed relationship.
It didn’t end well with the media trailing my every move and then hers, secrets tend to come out faster when there are cameras following everything you do.
A cocktail waitress stops me at the ropes and asks for my poison. If only she knew… “Whiskey is fine, thanks.”
Apparently, the VIP section here only allows a certain quality of liquor for the attendees to make everyone in here seem like more of a pompous asshole.
This is going to be an expensive meeting, so this guy better sign our contract.
This level of income will help us subsidize the smaller companies that don’t have large marketing funds but could use our help.
The smaller companies are the ones my dad always loved, so we are adamant about finding a way to make it work for as many as we can per year.
“JAMES! You made it.” Ryder is screaming over the music and waving his arms at me from where he and the client sit on the couch.
I already want to turn around and leave, but I guess I should give Thomas a little time to find something to eat before bothering him again.
“James, this is Patrick. Patrick, this is James, the founder and CEO of Kemp.”
I reach my hand out to shake Patrick’s, but he slides it up his woman’s shirt and grabs her breast, hard. She winces but leans into him. Great.
I shoot a look at Ryder, who grimaces but subtly rubs his fingers together in the telltale sign for cash. I slide my hand into my pocket, ready for this night to end. Alester walks up from behind me and pats my shoulder, then we both take a seat in the chairs across from Ryder and Patrick.
“What did you think of the packet we sent to your office regarding your future marketing opportunities?” I ask.
Patrick’s other hand is resting on the woman’s thigh as it slowly slides higher. “You know, man, I haven’t actually looked at it yet.”
I look at Alester, and watch as his eyes narrow at the guy. “Are you ready to sign then? Or is this meeting a waste of our time?”
“Whoa, man. Let’s just get to know each other for a bit before we start talking numbers,” he says, and I want to punch him.
I’m about to tell him we don’t have time for this when he adds, “I’ll make it worth your time.
This will all be on the clock. Let’s say fifty grand for the meeting?
And if I like what I hear, I’ll sign before I go home to Jessica here. Deal?”
I take in a long, slow breath, the mixed scents of booze and sweat threading through me. I need to calm down. “Deal. So, how do you two know each other?” I point to the woman in his lap.
His eyes light up. “I rented her for the weekend! It’s crazy the things you can do with the level of money I have. She’s an escort. I’ve never done it before, but there’s a first time for everything.”
I look to the woman. “Do you enjoy your line of work?”
“It’s new, but yes, I suppose.” Her words don’t match the dead stare in her eyes.
I pull a business card out of my wallet.
“I’m hiring quite a few positions, in case you want to change your career.
” She leans forward and takes the card from me.
“We pay well, you could start tomorrow if you want, and you’d be working with a lot of other women.
The number on the card will go to Stacy.
You can tell her James gave you a card, and she can set you up. If that’s something you want.”
She slips the card into her small purse, water lining her eyes. “Thank you.” She slides further away from Patrick, but he doesn’t seem to care or notice. I watch his eyes dart around the club as he takes in a girl in a silver dress .
Great. Is this just going to be us watching him chase women all night?
I look around for the cocktail waitress with my drink, but I don’t see her anywhere. It could be hours. After this little introduction I’m already checked out. “I’m going to the bar to get a drink.”
“Get me one, man,” the insolent child throws out, but I ignore him.
Pushing through the piles of bodies makes me more than ready to go home.
Finally, the bar comes into view. I feel my mouth lift into a smile when I see a woman in a large sweater and spandex pants leaning against the bar.
I’m jealous. I wish I could’ve changed into my sweats for this meeting.
Then maybe we could avoid working with this guy altogether.
No, the company could use the additional funds, so I need to suck it up. Every account matters. Technically we have plenty of money, as my net worth is now in the billions, but I like to gain more to donate to various charities, help smaller accounts, and invest in whatever new idea I can find .
I continue to watch her, noticing now that she’s trying to lean away from a man invading her space. Her head is swivels looking for a way out, but she’s cornered. I grab a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and hold it up for the bartender.
He drops what he’s doing and jogs straight to me. Throwing his rag over his shoulder, he yells, “What can I get ya?”
“A double whiskey and a glass of red from your top shelf. Add it to the Edward tab. The cash is for you.” I shout back then lean on the bar and wait as he grabs the bottles off the shelves.
I watch the skinny guy with tight pants put his hand on the woman’s shoulder, which she pushes off immediately.
He yells towards her ear so loud that I can hear it across the bar. “Y-you lookin pretty cozy. Bet you’d l-look great draped across my couch!”
I can’t see her face, but her head whips back and she glances at the ceiling.
I’ve got to get over there.
The bartender sets the drinks down, takes the money, and disappears.
I pick up the glasses and make my way towards the two as he grabs her arm this time.
I balance both drinks in one hand and shoulder-check the guy as I place myself between them.
I don’t spare a glance at the dipshit as I peer into the woman’s wide brown eyes.
“Sorry the wait was so long, baby. I got your wine.”
She slowly sets down the green mixture in her left hand as she takes the wine glass, glancing back and forth between me and the dipshit. “Thaaaanks…babe.”
Her eyebrows draw together, but she quickly relaxes when she eyes my suit from bottom to top, then finally rests on my eyes.
Whatever she sees must put her at ease. Her hand lifts to adjust her hair, but I capture it in my own, bringing it to my lips and leaving a light kiss.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me or why I feel the need to protect this woman, but at this point it’s the best thing that’s happened to me all day, so I’m going with it.
Dipshit tries to shove my shoulder to get back at her, but I take my glass and dump the whiskey all over his front, causing him to cuss and jump back.
I haven’t taken my eyes off her, watching as the corner of her mouth lifts slightly, and I can’t help but smirk back.
The guy starts yelling something at me, but I’m not listening.
Instead I bend towards her ear, “If you want a ride home, I have a car service waiting out front. Driver’s name is Thomas.
He will take you wherever you want to go. ”
I watch as she seems to think about it, then she leans towards me. “And what if I want to stay?” Her voice makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and go home. Fuck the meeting.
What is wrong with me? I think it’s been too long since I’ve been with a woman.
I’m stunned for a moment, then I feel another shove on my shoulder, so I hold up a finger to the beautiful woman. I turn towards the smell of whiskey. The guy’s face is bright red like a tomato, his fists balled and ready to swing.
I stand my ground. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten in a fight, but I wouldn’t mind some free stress relief.
Ryder ruins my fun and comes up behind Dipshit, placing his hand roughly on the guy’s shoulder. The drunk idiot flinches and swings his balled hand towards Ryder.
Ryder catches his fist without even looking, a wicked smile stretching across his face as he looks down at the drunk. The idiot slowly lowers his arm when he realizes his eyes are at Ryder’s chest and he has to crane his neck to see him properly.
“I think you’re done here.” Ryder’s low tone promises violence if the man chooses to stay. Luckily, Dipshit shows some sense of self preservation and makes a run for the exit.
Ryder shrugs then glances between the woman and me. “Did you get Patty his drink?” When his eyes settle on me, I can tell this is going to end up being a bigger conversation later. Can’t wait.
“No, and I’d rather not work with that idiot if possible.”
The woman glances between us as we speak, slowly sipping the wine I handed her. I want to study every aspect of her, but unfortunately, I came here for business. Maybe she would wait for me.
Ryder throws his hands up in defeat. “I’ll try to find another option this week, but he might be the best bet for this area.
I’ll keep him happy and entertained until we know for sure.
” He glances at her again with a curious look, but I make no move to introduce them since I have no idea what her name is.
Ryder looks back and shrugs. “I’ll grab the drinks and head back over there.
We better start the discussion soon before Patty ends up too drunk to sign anything. ”
He makes his way to the bar holding out cash, and the bartender runs for him.
“Huh.” The lanky brunette watches him.
I look at Ryder, trying to figure out what she sees when I ask, “What?”
She shrugs. “I had no idea I had to wave my money at him like a stripper to get him to give me a drink.”
A laugh bubbles out of my mouth before I can stop it. “You hit up strip joints often then?”
Her lips turn up, and her eyes twinkle as she leans towards me, so I can hear her better. Her breath hits my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “Every night, well, except tonight obviously. I should have known better.” She smirks and sips the wine.
I hope she’s joking, but these days you never know. I gesture to her glass. “I hope red was the right choice. I couldn’t see what you were currently drinking to judge.”
“Red is great, actually.” She glances at the other glass she left on the bar. “That was full of bad decisions and I’ve made enough of those lately.”
I take in her words. “Sometimes bad decisions help us feel alive.” She runs her fingers across her lips, and I can’t help but track the movement.
“Well, the night is young. Maybe I could make some more by the end.”
Her eyes bore through me to my soul, lighting me up from the inside out. The pulsing need to give her the world aches through me, but that’s not what everyone wants. I’ve learned that the hard way. But those deep brown eyes and long black lashes are making me forget…