“That’s my cue,” he said. “Try to enjoy yourself, will you, Jesse? Who knows, maybe you’ll surprise yourself.”
Fat chance of that, I thought, but I managed a smile for him anyway, and then watched as he joined the couple on one of the couches.
I scanned the floor around me, trying to decide where to go—or hide—next, but really, there was nowhere out of the way on this level. There were no private booths, no tight little corners where I could melt into the shadows, and the more I looked around, the more I realized I was either going to have to continue to stand there like a total creeper, or I could go and take up a seat and watch the performance taking place on the poles.
Opting for the second, I headed off in the direction of a couch that had some spare room, making sure not to touch anyone as I weaved my way through the writhing bodies around me. I was almost at my final destination when I felt a hand brush across my ass, and I jerked around to see a guy around my height, with too-big hair spiked up top and a smarmy smile on his face as he openly leered at me. He looked to be in his early thirties, if I had to guess, but in the dimmer lights, it was hard to get an accurate read. What wasn’t hard to see was the intent in his arrogant once-over.
“Haven’t seen you in here before.”
I debated turning on my heel and just ignoring him. But then I remembered what Brayden had said earlier, that this club was an “anything goes” kind of place, so that likely meant this guy was just feeling me out—and up.
I offered my best smile, but knew it likely fell flat with how uncomfortable I was, and then shook my head. “No. It’s my first time.”
“I could tell. I’m King,” he said, as he slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “And I don’t mind it’s your first time. There’s nothing sweeter than virgin flesh.”
As he bared his teeth at me in what I assumed he thought was a sexy grin, I took a step back. This guy was a little too confident for my tastes. “Uh, I’m sure that’s true. But umm…I was just going to go and watch the girls up there,” I said, gesturing over my shoulder with my thumb, hoping the guy would get the message without me having to flat-out say, Sorry, not interested.
“You mean you’re going to brave the den all on your own? On your first night? Such a pretty young thing like you might need someone to…watch over him.”
My eyes darted around the immediate area surrounding us. I was hoping to spot Brayden. But really, if he did see me, he’d likely think I was finally having fun. So when he was nowhere in sight, I gave up and finally looked back at the man, who was most certainly not looking at our surroundings.
“I think I might just go watch for a while, but, umm…thanks for the offer.” I sound like a lame ass. Thanks for the offer? But before he could say anything, I turned around, determined to book it to the couch, and that was when I felt a prickling under my skin as though I was being watched. My eyes traveled up the deep purple walls for the first time since entering this level. How I hadn’t noticed the balcony surrounding the large rectangular space we were all standing in, I didn’t know. Maybe because that was the way it was designed, black and iron, so it faded into the shadows dancing about on the wall. But I was seeing it now. I could’ve sworn I felt someone watching me from up there—however, there was no one there. It was empty.
A firm hand clamped down on my wrist and spun me back around. The man gave me another slimy smile but kept his hold on me.
“You didn’t tell me your name,” he said.
This guy was not used to taking no for an answer. “You’re right. I didn’t.” I jerked my hand out of his grip.
“How about I sit here and…watch with you?” King said, taking a seat in a leather armchair and spreading his thighs. Then he looked up at the woman and winked before settling back with his eyes on me.
Resigned to the fact that I had a keeper now—one who seemed determined to catch more than my attention—I took a seat in an armchair a couple down from him and then planted my gaze firmly on the redhead wrapping her legs around the pole to spin herself down. She was beautiful, no doubt, but I didn’t know how anyone in a setting like this could get their rocks off. It was too open, too public, and I felt almost guilty for watching. But since the alternative was to give my attention to the man a couple seats over—I could feel his gaze heating my face—I faked my enthusiasm for the woman by giving her an approving nod and sinking into a more comfortable position.