On the ground floor, he sets me down gently. “There you go. In one piece, too.”
“Thank you,” I say softly.
“I’m always happy to help a woman whose tits look great,” he quips, then pulls me to his car.
I let him, reminding myself that I’m no more special than the last woman he took to bed. I can’t go looking for meaning in his seemingly gallant and romantic gestures because there is none.
We arrive at the club close to eleven. The two-story place is packed with people. The music blares so loud, I can feel the beat reverberate in my chest.
“Stay close to me. Don’t let go of my hand. And exaggerate the sway of your hips. You know, roll them when you walk,” Jonathan yells over the loud music.
Did he say what I think he said? “Why?”
“It makes you look confident and shows off your great ass. Guys like both.”
“Fine. I’ll try.” And hope I don’t trip in Kami’s crazy, sky-high heels.
I sigh and let him grab my hand. We start across the crowded dance floor, illuminated by flashing lights. Jonathan uses his body to clear the path toward the bar. My grip on his fingers tightens while I add drama to my walk and lift my chin like the confident woman I’m not.
Immediately, I feel the stares. Male stares. Lots of them.
To my left, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde glowers. Why the heck is she scanning me up and down? Wait, she actually sees me as competition?
I’m still reeling from that realization when a group of frat boys to my right all stare at me like a pack of dogs salivating over one juicy bone. I can almost hear their thoughts, and I can’t help it. I feel myself blush.
Jonathan edges closer, wrapping his arm around me and guiding me away from the matriculating fukbois and through the thick of the crowd, stopping at the bar. “What’s your poison?”
Is there a right answer? “Um…vodka cranberry.”
He conveys our order. After a few minutes, the bartender returns with two filled glasses. Jonathan hands me one.
“Thanks.” I take a sip, and the tart liquid slides down my throat. The alcohol is strong, too. Good. I’ll need the liquid courage tonight.
Suddenly, he takes my hand again and leads me up some crowded stairs to a VIP lounge. More lustful stares from guys come at me from every direction. More of those perfectly made-up and scantily clad women who usually look right through me scowl. For the first time at a club, I don’t feel invisible. It’s odd. It’s heady. I’m not sure what to do next.
The upstairs lounge has a sleek feel, all lit up with contemporary chandeliers and mirrors. Strategically placed greenery and floor-to-ceiling black drapes save the space from looking cold. Up here, club goers laze on tufted black leather sofas while even more scantily clad waitstaff serves them another round.
After flashing the bouncers some cash, Jonathan leads me across the chic loft and through a door. Then we’re in what feels like an indoor patio that overlooks the dance floor. Jonathan shuts the door behind us and leads me past a decorative drape tied off on one side. I’m surprised to find the area empty. In front of us are nothing but twinkling fairy lights and thumping music. Below, bodies sway. Being above the action is interesting and surprisingly private…but I’m anxious. What’s next?
When he ushers me to a seat, I study his profile as I slide down beside him. “I’m glad we’re up here alone. Thanks for getting me away from the other girls. They don’t like me.”
He smiles. “Of course they don’t. You have what they want.”
Me?“What’s that?”
“Head-turning beauty.”
I frown. “None of them were exactly trolls.”
“But you stole all the attention—and the air—from the room. Congratulations. How do you feel?”
“Having that much attention is surreal…but I didn’t hate it. It seemed like the second we walked through the door, I was the woman every guy wanted and every girl wished she was. It was a crazy confidence booster. But I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re welcome. Get used to it.”
“So what’s the plan? Sit here and drink while we people watch?”
He slants me a chastising stare. “That’s what the old you would have done. We have a different agenda. Remember when I said confidence has a lot to do with flirting?”