2
Afew gins later and Lana had almost forgotten the reason for joining Verto Veneri—the risky plan to hook up with a sexy hot stranger.
Alcohol buzzed through her veins. She felt giddy and lightheaded from both the spirits and Janice’s banter.
“If you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the owner, Marcus McGrath. Jeez, what I’d let him do to me.” Janice fanned her face with a napkin and popped an olive between her teeth. “When the club first opened, he would mingle with the guests, but now he has a waiting list of members longer than Royal Avenue. The guy doesn’t need to show up anymore.” She lowered her eyes to her diamond-cluster wedding ring.
“Did he take part?” Lana tilted her gin making the ice cubes tinkle against the glass.
“Not that I know of, sweetheart, although he is well known for his debauchery. Women drop at his feet wherever he goes. And to be honest, if he walked in this room right now, I would fall at his Italian hand-stitched shoes… and unzip his well-packed trousers.” Janice giggled with a rasp, “As if being sexy a sin wasn’t enough, he’s also a multi-millionaire. I’m surprised he isn’t a billionaire by now. They say the guy never has the same woman on his arm longer than a day. He’s a quintessential lady-killer.”
Lana pursed her lips and scowled. “Sounds like an arrogant arse to me.”
A smirk tugged Janice’s lips. “An unattainable, sexy arrogant arse.”
Lana loved how relaxed her new acquaintance was, and how she helped take the edge off the night’s expectations. Janice helped Lana to remember why she became a member of the elite club in the first place. It was harmless fun.
Sure, I can do this. I can enjoy myself; after all, Rory has given me a hall pass to enjoy a night of wild sex with a hot stranger.
The room spun a little as Lana sucked up the last of her gin through a black straw. “I’m just going to nip to the loo.” She pushed off the stool and held onto the bar for support.
“Okay, sweetheart. I’m going to work the room now anyway. As much as I’ve loved meeting you, I didn’t come here for a girly night. I need to find myself a younger guy.” She cackled. “Call into the Lisburn Road branch for a chat. I’m there through the week for a few hours each afternoon.” Janice stood, threw her arms around Lana’s neck and squeezed tightly.
“I will.” Lana nodded and grabbed her bag from the bar. “It was really nice to meet you. Thanks for keeping me company.”
Tiny lights lit up the long row of empty cubicles. Lana looked at her blurry reflection in the toilet mirror.
Oh, man, how many drinks did I have?
Dutch courage spilled into a drink binge. She riffled through her small leather bag, unscrewed her lip gloss and concentrated as the pink liquid stained her full lips.
Sober up, Lana, for goodness sake, or you’ll fall asleep before getting your clothes off.
Running the tap until the water felt icy cold, she shoved her wrists underneath. The refreshing chill helped stimulate her drowsy senses.
“Right, let’s do this. Let’s check out the talent,” she giggled lightly as the words drifted past her lips.
She stumbled out of the toilets, her shoulder clipping the door frame. Hands steadied her. “Easy there,” came a voice to her left.
Whirling around, she faced a short, pale man. Watery grey eyes leered at her through round frames.
His hand sprung out from a moss tweed jacket, held inches from her stomach, waiting. “You called for talent?”
Lana believed in first impressions with a firm handshake as a must. Show no fear on all occasions, and tonight, she was feeling courageous—but this guy was staring at her like she was supper and was old enough to be her dad.
“No, I said, ‘I must check my teeth.” A golden pinkie ring nipped against her fingers as his grip tightened. “You know, for seeds.”
“Ah, right. I’m Benny Bingham.” His free hand rubbed over a receding salt and pepper hair line.
Mr. Bingham clearly wasn’t her type. Middle-aged stumpy guys just didn’t cut it. He was probably pleasant enough and by the cut of his suit he was rolling in cash, which meant absolutely nothing to her.
This guy was definitely not a candidate for a lustful sex romp. No doubt he was just being friendly while on a quest to find an eligible older lady to bait.
“Lana… Lana Craig.” She tugged her hand free of his lingering hold.
Benny’s beady eyes sized her up, sliding from her heels right up to her long blonde hair. She felt a light tug on her scalp as his fingers gently wrapped a curl and let it fall. “What a beauty. It’s great to stumble upon new blood. Is tonight your first?”
What the hell? Is this guy a vampire, or just a weirdo?