Because she’s a catch. She’s beautiful. I know she presents herself these days as timid and introverted, but I also know what I saw three years ago before Iadanza tossed that coin up in the air. And having seen all those snapshots in her apartment today gives me even more insight into who she used to be.
Her eyes on me as she took in the vision of me in my tux – she’s making me feel some kinda way right now. That I’m glad I can turn her head. Because I want tonight to be good for her. I want her to have fun, feel beautiful, and feel safe to be herself. I want her to feel good to be seen with me, too.
I want her finding confidence again. She deserves to have it back after having that shit stain bring her down.
Tonight, she’s gonna turn heads and not just because she’s on the arm of the guy who owns the club that’s being celebrated. She is stunning.
She got herself ready with her hair, makeup, and even her nails and she’s polished from head to toe without the aid of a beauty parlor. This girl knows how to take care of herself without needing to spend money to do it. And she didn’t want me buying her four dresses and four pairs of shoes. She was willing to wear a dress she’s owned for three years despite my offering to shell out for her to feel and look good.
I like that. And I know she’d look just as gorgeous to me in that three-year-old dress, reminding me of the three years between now and then. Forget that shit.
A vision of me fucking her in that dress flashes through my mind. Dirty fucking. Fucking her rough. Coming all over her body, marking her as my own. Keeping her. Putting babies in her. Fuck.
The blood drains from my face in slow motion at the notion of that. This is shit I haven’t ever debated on before.
She’s stares out the window as we drive as if she’s on pins and needles. Her knees are jiggling.
Without calculating the move first, I reach over and my palm lands on her knee.
She jerks in surprise, then goes still as her large chocolate brown eyes are on me.
I squeeze affectionately. “You’re like Jumpin’ Jack Flash over here.”
Blowing out a breath, she replies, “Sorry. What, um, what can I expect there tonight? I should’ve asked earlier.”
“Good question. Cameras on a red carpet. I’ve got some press there to build buzz for the club. We’ll go in, we’ll get offered drinks, and we’ll get the tour as if we’re guests. I arranged it that way so you can see everything. Then, we’ll be seated in a visible location, only because it’s opening night. I’ll mingle a little and you can either do that with me, stay at our table and relax and play some games on a tablet, or you can play some games on the arcade floor and I’ll escort you to do that and get part two of the tour after I’ve done the schmoozing. I’ll have to give a speech and then we can either stay and you can play some more, or we’ll take off.”
“You don’t have to be there all night, till close?”
“No.” I smile. “I did that with my first club, my second, too. This is my fourth, so I’m at the stage where I have people to oversee all that. I only really have to be there an hour tonight, but we can stay longer if you like. As long as you like.”
“It’s your night, Killian, this is a great accomplishment. I’m here for whatever you need,” she says. “If you want us there late, no problem. If I need to sit at a table while you deal with business, again no problem; I don’t mind.”
“Thank you,” I say, squeezing her knee because my hand is still there, and it feels natural. Too natural. And suddenly, there’s something sizzling between us, because the feel of her knee under my hand has my tuxedo pants tightening. I let go, though I really don’t want to.
She moistens her lips with her tongue, meaning my eyes lock there.
“You came from Ray’s neighborhood and at your age you’ve already got four nightclubs and an online business? It’s impressive.”
“Even if I did it because I started taking illegal bets as a kid to build my empire from the side door of a pizza joint?” I ask.
“Yeah. Even that,” she says.
And I believe she means it. She’s not judging me. Though she doesn’t know all the facts of my rise to success.
“I work hard,” I say. “I went without when I was a kid. Decided I wasn’t gonna go without any longer.”
The streetlights skim her features as we move through the streets of Portland and I can’t help but focus on how her eyes look at me. I could lose myself in them as she looks at me like that. With empathy. She’s got innocence and vulnerability. And something else that feels an awful lot like trust.
There’s something happening between us. Something that might’ve happened three years ago. And maybe I shouldn’t shrug it off just to protect her. Maybe I should see what’ll happen.
A little voice tells me that after she’s survived Iadanza’s bullshit, she deserves better than what I’ve got to offer. Should I really bring her fully into my world after she’s endured him and his fucking bullshit? Would I be able to have everything I want with this girl? I decided a long time ago that I was done going without. Whatever I wanted would be mine no matter the cost. But my conscience has me wondering if she’s better off without me. And I also feel like maybe I’d have to protect her in a way that she’d never fully know the real me. Do I want half a relationship? No, I really don’t. But is Violet right for me? Am I right for her?
We’re at the club.
My driver opens the door and I step out, then reach in to catch her hand.
She gracefully gets out of the SUV despite the cameras, lights, and mayhem.
And then I’m holding her hand and leading her through the throng, feeling focused fully on her and everything she is instead of what’s happening around me.
She’s graceful, poised, and I’m proud to have her on my arm. A photographer calls my name and so Violet stops and is about to move away so my picture can be taken. I keep firm hold of her hand and we pose. She does this naturally, doesn’t freeze or go shy.
We pose a few more times and then by the time we’re inside and greeted by my team, Guy pushes his way ahead of the crowd and claims us.
He still works at the other club but is here to oversee opening week and ensure the staff are operating at my standards. If all goes well this week, I’ve already decided I’m promoting him and having him oversee all concierges at all locations. The team here is less formal than my Law and Genesis locations because of the clientele we’re catering to here being a lot more casual, but he’s always shown himself to be an impeccable professional. Other than when he’s fake-flirting with the women I’m dating.
He greets Violet and tells her she’s beautiful. She thanks him, and is warm but appropriate in how she reacts. He shows us the space, explaining to Violet how it blends the fun of an adult gaming complex with some elements of a casino and an off-track betting sports bar.
We’ve got a bowling alley and billiards areas as well as a competitive axe throwing space and our basement is a war games/laser tag level. Numbers will be open to the public but also caters to corporate events as well as bachelor and bachelorette parties and group nights out.
Guy explains everything to her as he walks us through the space, then taking us up one level from the arcade floor to the sports bar. He seats us at my reserved table, of which I have one in each of my clubs. No one sits at my table, ever. Guy hands us player badges with lanyards, loaded for the night for all-you-can-play. He explains to Violet that there’s a reward redemptions area in the gift shop at the edge of the arcade area where guests redeem points. Instead of little tchotchkes like you’d get at a kids’ party zone, we’ve got more adult gifts. Clothes. Gift cards. Gag gifts. Branded merchandise.