Nate watched her, his gaze intense, his lips parting as if he were about to speak. He didn’t say a word and she literally squirmed in her seat.
God, he made her uncomfortable.
“Say something,” she whispered harshly. “I know you want to.”
Reaching out, he touched her, drew his finger down her cheek, along her jaw. “I don’t want care what you’re in to. But tonight, you’re with me, and you’re going to play by my terms. So remember, I don’t share. And I definitely don’t watch. I’d rather participate.”
A shuddering breath escaped her when his finger dropped from her face. His words knocked any sense she had straight out of her head. She’d wanted to mess with his mind and instead he just blew hers. Without a doubt, he’d be controlling in bed. Intense and focused, bringing her insurmountable pleasure again and again and again...
“Did you find out anything about Ginger?” she asked, desperate to change the subject, switch her focus to anything else but the sexy man sitting too close.
“No, not really. I asked around, talked to the doorman briefly but got nowhere. How about you?” He appeared surprised by her abrupt change of subject.
Janelle shook her head. “No. No one has heard of her.” The lights dimmed once more, blanketing the large room into complete darkness. “I guess it’s starting.”
“Come here.” Nate hauled her close, slipping his arm around her, his big warm hand cupping her bare shoulder. She shivered at his touch, her entire body humming with pleasure at the contact. “Let’s enjoy the show.”
Chapter Four
Janelle’s curvy body fit neatly against his, her heat enveloping him, her sweet scent tantalizing. Nate tilted his head and sniffed, trying to be subtle, desperate to breathe her in. The bad wig and silly mask looked damn good on her.
Everything looked good on her.
He’d never admit it, but the little waitress’s words made him jealous. Janelle’s slightly disheveled state when she’d returned to the table had thrown him. Made him wonder if they really had wandered off, engaging in a quick embrace.
Nate shook his head. Her accusing words had provoked him, turned him on. Immediately a vision of the two women wrapped around each other had flashed in his mind.
He wasn’t lying. He didn’t share. No matter how hot and willing the women were, that sort of thing didn’t fly with him.
But indulging a fantasy of the mind? Well now, that was more than allowed…
“Let go of me,” she said through clenched teeth, her entire body tense.
“No. Come on, Janelle, relax. We have to portray a certain image.” He gently stroked her bare shoulder, his fingers lingering, and she shivered. She had the softest skin. Was she as soft everywhere? Would she let him map her body with his hands, his mouth?
“No one is paying attention to us. You don’t have to pretend you want to touch me.” She glanced up, her eyes fierce beneath the mask. Damn, if she only knew the truth. What would she do if he kissed her?
Nate took a deep breath, tearing his gaze from her. He needed to gain some control. They were in the middle of a club and he was on duty. Not the right time to indulge in a beautiful woman who tempted him beyond reason.
The waitress magically appeared before their table with another chocolate martini on her tray. “For you to enjoy while you’re watching the show. Have fun, you two.”
She set the drink in front of Janelle, shot Nate a wicked smile and then buzzed away.
“What did she mean by that?” Janelle’s expression was inquisitive.
Nate shrugged, unable to concentrate. It was as if he were living in another world. All thoughts of finding Ginger had disappeared, the investigation, Billy D, all of it. He could think of nothing else but this soft, sexy woman sitting close, looking like his every fantasy personified.
He could probably blame it on a lack of any sexual interaction for the past few months. Hell, he could blame it on this club, how the place literally reeked of sex, but he knew it was more than that.
There was something vulnerable beneath Janelle’s tough girl exterior. A hint of sadness, as if the weight of the world sat on this woman’s shoulders, and for some odd reason, something he wasn’t quite ready to understand, he wanted to be the one who helped relieve her troubles. If only temporarily.
The music faded and the velvet curtains parte
d. The spotlight grew until it shone upon a couple who stood in the middle of the stage. A woman, tall and thin, was dressed in a black bra with gold detailing and a pair of miniscule black panties.
Nate couldn’t help but admire the woman, her long legs enhanced by garters and sheer black stockings, her feet clad in the highest red shoes he’d ever seen. Multiple long necklaces made of glittering black stones hung from her neck and clung to her voluptuous chest. She wore an elaborate mask over her face. It was embellished with brilliant peacock feathers that stood like a crown above her eyes.
The man was dressed in a white dress shirt and black pants, his head shaven completely bald and a simple gold mask covered the upper half of his face. He was big and intimidating, nearly twice the size of the woman.