Mandy doesn’t seem to notice as she swishes her hips in the most exaggerated fashion when she saunters out of the room.
“Christ, Paxton. What have you done?” His head falls back, and he bellows in laughter.
I’m sure this entire situation is quite hilarious if you’re on the outside looking in. His hand pops up as he works to get himself under control.
“I’m sorry. It’s just—” He falls forward, wheezing in glee. I’m ready to shake the amusement out of him.
“Right, then. Go on and get it all out, mate.” I smack my lips together, not amused in the slightest at his absurd reaction to my distress. “Are you quite finished?”
His head shakes back and forth. “She’s never acted like this. What can I say? You bring out the crazy in women, Cavendish.”
“This night has gone all to hell,” I say, shaking my head.
“The night’s still young, my friend. I’m happy to help you ditch Mandy. I’m tired of her moaning myself.”
“Oh, she’s whining on, all right.”
He grunts. “Alex and the guys are on their way. She has a history with him. Give me an hour, and I can have her well and truly distracted, if you know what I mean.”
“I’ll gladly vacate this room for Alex if it means being rid of her. Just tell me when.”
Sitting back in my chair, I stretch my legs and get comfortable. Our server enters, handing me another scotch on the rocks.
I tip my head in thanks, receiving a coy grin in return. This woman would no doubt be a perfect replacement for Mandy.
“Don’t even think about it,” Pax says, watching the girl leave with her empty tray tucked under her arm.
“Sod off. You have no say at this point, mate. I choose her.”
“You want to tango with Mathis? Have at it.” He takes a swig from his beer bottle. “I’m not losing my VIP status because you decided to fuck the help.”
“She’s the owner’s girl?”
His eyebrow rises. “They’reallhis girls. Off-limits.”
We sit in companionable silence for several minutes, each sipping on our drinks. The bass from the music pumps through the room as the night begins to pick up. Outside this room, the party rages like it does every night at Club Silver.
“The party is here, boys.” Alex steps through the curtain with Mandy curled into his side.
The son of a bitch was right.
Pax leans toward me. “Told you. And it didn’t even take an hour.”
I grin, nodding my head in admiration. “I believe I owe you now.”
He slaps my leg, smiling. “Let’s go. There are plenty more ladies to charm, and I need you as my broody wingman.” He turns back to the room. “Boys, enjoy yourself. Drinks are on me.”
He stands, and I follow him through the chiffon curtain that hides each VIP table. The scene is just as I suspected. Scantily clad women move their bodies in time to the music while men watch on in ravenous delight, eager to score.
My eyes sweep through the throngs of people gyrating on the dance floor. No part of me wants to be in the middle of that chaos. I’ve never been one for the clubs. I’ve always found it to be the worst sort of place to decompress, but every now and then, I step outside my comfort zone for the sake of Pax.
He’s been a good friend since I’ve made this city my home for the last three years. And where he goes, I go, if and when I decide to venture outside my office.
Pax enjoys Silver more than the average person, so it’s become my stomping grounds by proxy. It’s more than the discount his friend provides. He lives for the loud music and over-eager women. I prefer the chase.
I’m about to tell my friend I’m calling it a night when my eyes land on a woman directly across from me, sitting at the bar with two others.
She shines like a beacon in the crowd, drawing my attention without effort. Golden hair falls down her back in waves, stopping midway to her arse. Her bright smile literally lights up the room as she laughs with her companions. I wonder what the man beside her said to draw such an authentic delight from the woman. They seem well acquainted but not a couple. He leans into her as though that’s exactly what he’s angling for, but her body language doesn’t scream lust when she looks at him.