His eyes darken as he leans in closer. I can smell his cologne and the mint on his breath. His voice changes to a deep husky timber. “I don’t steal; they come running.” He breathes a hot whisper against my ear, “And sometimes they bring their partners.”
Blood rushes to my cheeks, and saliva builds in my mouth until I think I’m going to choke on it. I swallow, and for a second, my dick twitches.
Holy shit. Am I bisexual now?
He pulls away, and he’s back to his goofy self. “See the difference?” He motions with his chin down to the crowd. “Which begs the question, why are you up here instead of down there with her?”
“There’s a million reasons.”
The song changes, and Grae’s expression deepens into a frown. “No, there’s only one. It’s fear.” He pushes his hair off his face and watches the people dancing. “It’s a valid feeling, but it’s not the reason.”
I don’t like that. “My life is dangerous. She shouldn’t be involved.” There’s a scuffle in the crowd as my cousin leaves the building. “Nothing lasts forever.”
“That’s the point. It makes every minute that much more important. The joy, the pleasure, the connection, the comfort—it all changes. And sure, sometimes it’s gone. But it doesn’t change the fact that it happened.”
His words hit hard. “But is it worth it?”
“I think so.” He turns to me, lost in his thoughts. “Years ago, I had my demons and convinced myself no one would ever love me. Then I met the one person who healed me. I loved her and she loved me. My demons died with every passing day.”
“Are you still with her?”
A sad smile crosses his lips. “No. I had my soul severed from my body with a rusty chainsaw.” He’s quiet for a moment. “But I wrote a bunch of songs, won some awards, I’ve got homes on both coasts, and now I have a baseline for what I want out of a relationship. And if no one can reach that standard, at least I felt it once and it was real.” He pats me on my shoulder. “Stop talking to me and go talk to her.”
I don’t know what’s worse, that I’m terrified of falling in love or that he’s right. But watching her from up here, holding her earlier, for the first time, I think it’s worth the risk.
The song ends, and Grae has vanished without saying goodbye. Jenny makes her way back up to the VIP lounge. She smiles at me, but she also has a vague sense of disconnection in her eyes. She dips her head, and I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her into my chest. She feels perfectly pressed against me. But the club stopped being fun, and I think it's hurting her.
She confirms it when she says, “I’m getting over-stimulated with the noise, people, and colors.”
My choice is quick, and remarkably easy. “We're leaving.”
Jenny lifts her head, shame and disappointment filling her eyes. “I’m sorry. I can take a cab if you want to stay.”
I hate that disappointment with all my soul.
“Absolutely not.” We’re already walking toward the back hallway where we came in. And I know what I want.
Once the music is muffled and distant and we’re alone, I press her body against the wall, placing my forearm along the wall above her head. “You don’t owe me any money.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Huh?”
“Earlier today, you said you would have to fuck your way out of debt.”
“I am one hundred percent certain that’s not what I said.”
“It’s what you implied.” My fingers can’t hold back anymore as I brush them against her soft cheek. Her eyes flutter closed. “I need you to know nothing I am about to say is under the guise that you owe me money.” Her breath hitches as my finger traces down her cheek and to her neck. Her pulse pounds as she swallows. “You have one choice to make, and it’s your last one for the night.”
She nods, arching her chest into mine. “I’m listening.”
“When the car comes, I can take you home, and tomorrow morning you’ll come over, take out Kingston, and everything will be the same.”
Her lips part, and she raises a coy eyebrow. “Or?”
“Or I can drive you to my place, take off your dress that’s been driving me insane since I first saw you in it, and fuck you until you come on my cock. You’ll sleep in my bed, and in the morning, you’ll still walk Kingston, but everything will be different.”
“That’s a big choice.”
“Yes, but it’s the last one for the night.”
