Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“We’re gonna grab something to eat at a place down the street—the concierge made reservations. And then we’ll hit the clubs to shake our asses,” Stella says.
“Sounds good to me,” Carina agrees. “I’m always down for a little dirty dancing.”
“The only dirty dancing you do is for me, baby,” Ford laughs, pulling her close and brushing a kiss against her lips.
“Sounds like we have a plan,” Wolf says. “Let’s hit it.”
Our evening starts out at a restaurant that a reality star owns. I don’t mention it, but I’ve been here before as her guest. The food is delicious, and the drinks flow freely. Everyone has a good time. It’s so easy to see that this group is tight knit and comfortable with one another. It’s moments like this that I’m grateful the girls were so welcoming and made room for me.
Once the bill is paid, we head to a nearby club and find a long line snaking down the block. Colby talks to the security manning the door, and within a matter of minutes, the burly man in a suit waves us inside as if we’re VIPs. People at the front of the line grumble when we skip ahead.
I can’t resist asking, “What did you say to him?”
Colby throws his arm around my shoulders and tugs me close before whispering, “Stick with me, kid. I’ll take you places and show you things you’ve never seen before.”
A reluctant smile quirks my lips as I shake my head.
This guy…
He’s so damn full of himself.
It shouldn’t be sexy.
It really shouldn’t…
But I can’t deny that it is.
The space is shadowy and frenetic with unspent energy. Colored lights cut swaths through the darkness. It’s wall to wall people packed inside. Perched high above the dance floor sits a DJ who mixes music. Neon lights flicker at the far end of the club, illuminating a long stretch of sleek and sexy bar.
Even though the temperature outside has dropped about ten degrees, I’m glad I didn’t wear a wrap. We might have just arrived, but already I can feel the heat from the mass of gyrating bodies.
We all stick together, cutting a path to the bar. Ryder orders a round of shots for the group. Then Carina buys another. After that, Stella pulls me to the dance floor and all the girls follow until we’ve carved out a small space for ourselves.
Techno thumps a steady rhythmic beat until I’m able to feel it deep in my bones. It doesn’t take long for my eyelids to drift shut as I raise my arms and allow the music to pour over me. All I want to do is forget about everything that nags at my subconscious.
All the pressure I feel to return to LA.
And my family…
I love them, but I no longer want the responsibility of carrying us anymore. I want the freedom to walk away without it affecting the business we’ve built over the past decade.
Is that even possible?
It’s the question that gnaws away at me in the darkness and keeps me up at night.
One song bleeds into the next until it feels like I’m floating. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol coursing through my veins, the music, or the party atmosphere, but I never want this moment to end.
It’s only when strong arms slip around my ribcage and pull me against a hard chest that I come back to myself. Without turning, I know exactly who’s holding me tight. I’d recognize his woodsy scent anywhere.
If I were thinking clearly, I’d untangle myself from Colby and put some distance between us.
Instead, I burrow against his brawny strength as he tightens his hold. It’s been a long time since I felt this safe or protected.
I’m tired of fighting this attraction.
“The way you move is so damn sexy,” he growls as his hands drift over my curves.
I turn my head just enough for our gazes to become ensnared. Even in the darkness of the club, his eyes glow with heat and arousal. The longer we stare, the more everything else fades away.
Air stalls in my lungs as his face looms closer.
That’s when I realize it wouldn’t take much to fall for this guy.
That thought is like a bucket of cold water dumped over my head, and I wake from my dream-like state with a jolt.
“I need to use the restroom,” I murmur, untangling myself and stepping away. As soon as I do, the thick haze clouding my brain clears enough for rational thought to once again prevail.
After everything I’ve done and been through, it takes a lot to unnerve me.
But that’s exactly how I feel at this moment.
“Want me to come with you?”
With a shake of my head, I take another step away from him. “No, I’ll be back.”
Maybe.
Before he can respond, I slip through the mass of gyrating bodies to the other side of the spacious area where the bathrooms are located. And just like the rest of the place, they’re ridiculously over the top and fancy. After taking care of business, I detour to the bar for a much-needed bottle of water.