Mom: Condoms, please.
I scowl at her last message. Argh, my mother, and Amy are the worst. Letting go of my momentary irritation, I smile at the fact that Amy has her number saved as ‘Mom’.
“I am so glad you’re here, Neddy.” She hands me a glass of champagne, and we clink our glasses and take a sip. It is delicious, effervescent and sweet.
“I’m thrilled to be here with you too. I know I’m always complaining about all this,” I motion around us, “but it’s really wonderful to share all this with you.”
After our second glass, I am positively buzzing, and we’ve arrived at what Amy says is one of the hottest and trendiest clubs in the city. It is also the place to be if you want to mingle with the rich and famous. The bouncer opens the ropes for us the moment he spots Amelia, giving her a hug as she passes.
Walking in with Amy’s hand in mine, I don’t feel so out of place. The club is spectacular, definitely upmarket. There are over three floors, and Amy and I ride an elevator to the top floor. I have never been to an open-air night club, so when the chill of the night air hits my skin, it’s a thrill. We are led to a table which Amy reserved for us, , sitting in a prime location near the middle of the main bar which is situated in a semi-circle around the dancefloor. This place is so upscale, you don’t have to drag yourself through sweaty bodies to get to the bar. There are walkways and even a bridge that runs over the dancefloor. Waiters are walking around taking orders, but patrons are also welcomed to sit at the bar or place their own orders.
A handsome waiter approaches us. “Good evening, ladies.”
“Good evening to you.” Amy flirts.
His uniform is a form-fitting golf shirt and black slacks that I must say fit him perfectly. He is gorgeous, with stormy gray eyes and a buzz cut. His arms and every other part of him are toned, and I cannot stop my eyes from roaming over him. I clear my throat and look away, but my cheeks feel like they’re burning.
Amy orders us Tequila shots. The last time we drank Tequila, Henry had to quite literally carry her home. It was graduation night, and let’s just say Amy does not have a limit.
“Tequila?”
“Come on. The night is young,” she sings, and the waiter flashes her a smile.
“Grrr.” she growls, pretending to claw at him as he walks away.
“Amy, these men are too hot for their own good,” I admit, giggling like a schoolgirl. Around us, everyone is in high spirits, looking like they’re having the time of their lives. When our shots arrive, Amy and I line them up for each other and knock them down one at a time like pros, yelling a victory shout afterwards.
“We’ve still got it.” I laugh, as we high five across the table. We order another round, and the waiter is about a hundred times more gorgeous when he brings those over. But with tequila in our veins, I want nothing more than to dance, so I tug Amy by the hand, leaving our drinks on the table.
SatisfactionbyBenny Benassihas us rocking out on the dancefloor. Amy holds my hands, and we laugh like we have don’t have a care in the world. Everything looks so much brighter when you add tequila. Two random guys join us, and I swear, I’ve never had this much fun in a while. At least since I got here. Thoughts of my failing gallery idea and Sai Shah are far off now.
“Woo hoooo!” I shout, having the time of my fucking life.
9
Sai
I’ve been watchingthe two women since they walked into the club, and my eyes haven’t left them. The business meeting I’m supposed to be heading up is the absolute last thing on my mind, and when I see them leave their drinks unattended, I have to make myself stay where I am even though I want to go over there, throw them both over my shoulders, and take them home.
They are dancing and yelling like teenagers, oblivious to the fact that the guys who joined them on the dancefloor just spiked each of their shots. I watch in silence as the men lead them back to their table, where the girls down shots once again. I am a fucked up asshole and I have drugged women for years, but in my defense never without their knowledge. Those women I drugged were not Amelia and Kennedy either.
“Excuse me,” I say, standing and waving over a waiter. I whisper in his ear to swap out the girl’s drinks, then settle back, trying to focus on my meeting. The one guy already has his arms around Kennedy, and the way she’s nibbling her lip and flirting with him makes me clench my fists.
“Are you okay, Mr. Shah?” One of my manager’s asks.
“Yes,” I growl at the man with the audacity to distract me from the two women.
Amy at least has the sense to want to slow down and has only had one more shot, washing it down with water. Amy seems as enthralled by her male companion as Kennedy is. I let out a sigh and proceed with my meeting, but investments and expansions don’t hold my interests at the moment. I try to end the meeting as quickly as I can, choosing to stay behind with a few of the guys afterward. I am so angry right how I feel it radiating through me.
The girls take to the dance floor again, and I can tell that Kennedy is fucking smashed. Amy has to steady her more than once. The guys huddle together at the table when the girls are gone, obviously frustrated that their drug didn’t work. I watch them spike their cocktails get again, deciding I’ve had enough watching from a distance. I’m about to stand when I see Kennedy walking my way unsteadily. She’s going to the bathroom, no doubt, and I can see one of the guys, stand, then begin following her. When she’s close enough, I put out my foot, and she trips, landing right in my lap.
She blinks slowly, her long lashes kissing those rosy cheeks. “Heeeyyy, handsome.” She slurs, her hands wrapping around my neck. I don’t think she’s ever smiled this wide at the sight of me.
“Hey,” I say sternly, my blood boiling that she could be this irresponsible in a nightclub. She should fucking know better. She runs her hands over my beard then runs her fingers over her plump lower lip. My eyes roam to the front of her playsuit, which is open down to her belly button. I can feel myself harden beneath her.
“We should stop meeting like this.” she giggles.
The man she was sitting with approaches my table. “She’s with me, man.”
