“I think I can handle myself just fine. But I’m certain if I run into an issue, I can cry for help. Can’t I?”
“Jesus,” Sara whispered from behind me.
“Way to go,” Trinity mused.
The bouncer lifted his head, offering another toothy grin. I had to wonder who’d come out the victor in the fight that had left him within two teeth. “I like your style, lady. Go on. But don’t think this is going to be an every night occurrence.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
As the doors were opened, the powerful pumping music immediately pulsed in my ears. I walked inside as if I frequented the location on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, a part of me was still locked inside my parents’ study, indulging in whatever glorious location my heroine had found herself in.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the intensity of the drumbeat or the blue strobe lights creating ominous, yet breathtaking shadows reflected against the various corners of the room.
Every exotic fragrance was represented, a light mist showering down into the crowd every ten seconds. The excitement in the air was palpable, sex oozing from the speakers.
“That was amazing,” Sara was forced to shout.
I stood where I was, drinking in the crazy atmosphere, and allowing myself to smile. There were hundreds of people inside, all enjoying the tribal beat, all prepared for a sin-filled night.
“Let’s get a drink,” Sara encouraged.
I trailed behind the other two girls, still tense but after pushing my way through the crowd, I felt more at ease. Every heated look I received boosted my excitement, the wildness of the moment sending a rush of adrenaline into every cell, my heart thudding to the exact beat of the savage drums.
I paid no attention to whatever Sara ordered. I couldn’t care less about the alcohol. As I turned around in a full circle, scanning every inch of the fabulous place, I understood why this was the hottest club in town. There were three floors, people dancing everywhere, sequins and flashy outfits catching the strobing lights. There was one massive bar centered in the middle of the downstairs, so large there had to be at least twenty bartenders, every one of them sexy as hell. Men. Women. All dressed provocatively, all working at a frantic pace, able to keep up with the orders as they flew in.
At least the dangerous stranger was nowhere in sight.
The DJ booth was high in the sky, three people situated on the platform, keeping the music pumping and the sweat pouring. You could get lost in the moment, pretending to be anyone you wanted. Maybe that’s exactly what I needed.
“Here,” Sara yelled, pushing something into my hand. “Let’s get closer to the dancefloor so we can select our perfect beefcake for the evening.”
“Forget it. I’m not going home with anyone,” I quipped.
“Oh, darling. Live for once,” Trinity chided. “How long has it been since you’ve gotten laid? Do you even know what delicious sex is all about?” Her teasing laugh would normally make me cringe, but my thoughts were immediately shifted to the night of passion.
“Very funny.” It was impossible not to dance as we pushed our way through the crowd, people bumping into us every step of the way given the intensity of the crowd. There was almost no space left, but Sara managed to drag us to the corner of the huge dancefloor, her squeals drawing attention from at least a dozen men.
All of them carnivores.
“This is amazing,” Trinity huffed, already gyrating to the music.
“I told you it was hot as sin.” Sara shifted her hips back and forth, lifting her glass as she twisted.
I took a sip, almost gagging from the sweetness. My drink of choice had changed over the years, frilly daquiris and fruity cosmopolitans no longer consumed. After a few minutes, a standing table opened up a few feet away, Trinity able to grab it before someone else did.
There was no adequate way of describing the atmosphere except for electric. As I scanned the crowd, my pulse ticking higher, I became absorbed in the music.
“There you go,” Sara teased. “I told you that you’d have a good time. It’s all about relaxing. Getting in the mood.”
“And hot men. Would you look at those hotties over there?” Trinity pointed away from the dancefloor.
As I turned my head, a sudden stillness swept into the room. There were two men moving through the crowd, both of them very tall and broad shouldered, dressed impeccably but my instinct told me they weren’t at the club to dance the night away. There was something familiar about them, dangerous given the aura surrounding them.
And almost everyone around them parted, allowing them through without pushing or touching, as if the Red Sea had flowed into the room, only the liquid contained was blood. The thought was startling, enough so I found myself moving closer, longing to see exactly who these people were.
“Where are you going?” Trinity called from behind me.
I ignored her, shifting my way through the crowd, trying to look over the various people who got in my way. When I was only a few yards from the group, the man in front stopped, throwing out his arm. Then he turned his head in my direction.