Zeus reaches the booth and slides in next to me. “How is it?”
“The wine? Incredible. Now are you going to tell me what’s going on? It’s not that I don’t appreciate you playing the big hero act with Mitchell, but I was keeping Dylan safe by working there. So am I working for you, now?” I stare at him.
He looks at me, completely calm. That utter serenity used to freak me out. It was like looking at the eye of the storm, too still. “Do youwantme to be your boss?”
“Do I have a choice?”
He smiles. “Not really.”
“Okay, then if you’re not going to tell me about what you’ve been doing for the last ten years, at least tell me about what you want me to do here…” I swallow some more wine.
“I haven’t decided yet…”
“Well, just so you know, I haven’t told Dylan I’m working for you. He’d be mad, probably more mad than me working for Mitchell.”
“We can keep it a secret, if you like? It doesn’t bother me. Dylan apparently has quite a few secrets of his own…” He takes a sip from a glass of the amber-colored liquid that a waitress placed on the table as soon as he sat down.
“You mean the money? Yeah, I didn’t know we owed that much.” I cast my eyes down. His gaze is too intense and, combined with all the wine I’ve been drinking, it makes me want to kiss him, just to see what would happen next.
I point at one of the dancers. Unlike the Grind, there isn’t one central stage, just a few raised platforms. “You don’t have poles here?”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that kind of place. Mitchell’s club is a front for his more illegal activities. Mine isn’t. Tonight is Club Curve…”
“Suunds perfect for me. And I don’t need a pole to dance,” I stand up and start to edge my way past him to the empty platform that’s closest to us. Being so close to him is dangerous. All the fantasies I had when I was younger start crowding into my head again, daring me to touch his leg, or stroke his cheek, or some other insanity.
He reaches out one massive hand and holds my leg. A thrill runs from my toes up to my core. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Look Zeus, I’m not running away,” I stare down at him. He moves his hand and I walk down the steps. I was intending to let off some steam on the dance floor, but in an impulsive moment, I step up onto the platform instead.
A remix of Madonna’sJustify My Lovestarts playing and I lose myself in the seductive beat. As always, when I’m dancing, I create my own space inside where the outside world can’t touch me. All the weirdness of the last six hours is gone, and I’m alone in the music, sliding my hands up and down my body. The wine has made me bolder than I normally would and I run my hands up my legs, ruching my skirt up a little.
In an instant, I’m not on the platform anymore. I’m breathless as the world recedes away from me and Zeus’s now familiar scent fills my senses. I’m carried down a passageway and into a small room with a sofa and low lighting, courtesy of two matching red lamps.
“Who the hell do you think you are Zeus?” My heart is still pounding from the shock of being scooped up like that.
“What wasthat?” His voice is like a growl as he deposits me on the sofa and stares angrily at me.
“I was dancing. Which I’m here to do, remember?” I meet his stare, not looking away. What’s wrong with him? He’s either scooping me up or refusing to tell me what to do. I’ve had enough.
“Half the men on that dance floor were staring at you. You don’t have to dance like that. In fact, you’renotdancing like that.” He puts his arms on either side of my head and leans down. Despite myself, wetness pools between my legs.
“I’m a good dancer. And where do you get off telling me not to dance? When that’sexactlywhat you’ve hired me to do?”
He leans down lower until his mouth is by my ear. Tingles race up and down my spine and my nipples harden at his sheer size and proximity. “Youcandance, but only for me.”
My chest is heaving as my breathing quickens. He moves his head lower, his lips hot on my neck as he bites me very softly and I gasp. His mouth follows the trace of my jaw, his breath hot, until he reaches my mouth. One hand fists in my hair as the other pulls me against his chest and he kisses me hard. His tongue is inside my mouth, exploring, claiming every inch as his own, and I reach my hands up to hold onto the back of his neck. I’m dizzy with desire, all my fantasies blown away by this impossible kiss, better than anything I could possibly have imagined.
There’s a knock on the door and Zeus moves his mouth away, his eyes still on mine.
“What?” His voice is clipped.
“The guy you wanted to talk to is here.” It’s Noah’s voice.
“I’m coming,” Zeus stands up.
He leaves and I collapse back on the sofa.
What a night.
