My cell vibrates in my hand in the next second and I turn it over, Elijah’s name flashing across the screen. Fuck. It’s like he knows. My body hums, my insides tingle, and I nibble on my bottom lip as I swipe the screen and stare at his text.
The text read: Elijah: Happy Birthday Bailey! Can’t wait to see you tonight.
He has no idea. He’s more than going to see me tonight.
He’s going to feel me.
Inside and out.
By the time we get to Suits, a club that we often go to, it is packed. It’s a good thing that Elijah owns this place because if he didn’t, we would’ve been standing outside, waiting in line until the place closed. The bouncer waiting at the door gives us a once over before lifting the rope and ushering us inside. He knows us by name and face.
“Happy Birthday, Bailey.” His features which were typically masked melt away, a smile creeping onto his lips.
“Thank you, Simon.” I smile, batting my eyelashes at him. He seems taken aback by the action, but lets the mask he always wears slide back into place. I don’t dwell on the look he gives me. Simon has always been sweet to me, but I’m here for one person, one man.
Music blasts through the speakers, making it hard to hear anything, even my own thoughts, as we enter the club. Sweat, sex, and smoke coats the air, and tickles my nose as we push through the crowded dance floor. Erin flashes me a smile over her shoulder as she takes my hand in hers, giving it a tight squeeze. We often walk hand in hand when we go out, so we don’t lose each other.
She guides us toward the bar which is perfect because I’m going to need a lot, and I do mean a lot, of liquid courage. I swing my gaze around the bar, looking for Elijah, knowing he’s here somewhere. When I don’t spot him, a tinge of disappointment hits me. I turn my attention back toward the bar taking in the bartender. The man is handsome, and someone I haven’t seen working here before. He walks over to Erin and me, a smirk on his lips, a mischievous glint in his eyes as his eyes move up and down our bodies.
“And what can I get you two beautiful ladies?” His tone is playful, and I wonder if maybe someday he could be the kind of man I fall for.
“They’re with me, Vinny.” A deep voice steeped in lust and expensive whiskey meets my ears. I swing around, taking in the man I plan to give myself to tonight. Gorgeous isn’t even a word I would use to describe the way he looks. In fact, it would be an insult. The man looks like Channing Tatum and Gerard Butler had a baby.
I peer up at him, he’s tall, a little over six feet tall, and muscled, but more like an athlete than a bodybuilder. His pink, oh so full, oh so kissable lips pull into a grin as soon as his ocean blue eyes meet mine. The silky black tresses of his are a disheveled mess, that makes it look like he’s been running his hands through his hair all day. There’s a light dusting of stubble on his sharp jaw and high cheekbones.
Why does he have to be so gorgeous?
Tonight he’s wearing a designer suit that hugs his frame perfectly, showing off his shoulders and biceps. Much like my dress, his suit is tailored to his body and fits like a second skin.
“Bailey,” he greets me, my name rolling off his tongue in a way that shoots ripples of pleasure straight to my core. Before I can even respond, he’s wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace.
Burying my face into his chest, I sniff his shirt. He smells like mint and cinnamon with a hint of leather. It’s a scent I’ve come to know well, and one that instinctively calms me.
You know him. You know him better than everyone else. I tell myself, clinging to him.
“Happy Birthday,” he whispers in my hair as I hold on to him a little too long. His hot breath fans against my ear and I shiver. I wonder if he’s noticed my touches linger more and more now, or if he sees my carnal need to kiss him. Is he really blind to my advances, or have my advances been nothing but mere flirtation?
When we finally break apart, I’m light-headed, drunk off his scent. Who needs liquor when you have him? “Wow, you look amazing,” he exclaims, pulling away just enough to look me over from head to toe. I don’t miss the way his tongue darts out over his bottom lip when he looks at me, or the way his eyes seem to widen as they roam over my cleavage and bare thighs.
“Doesn’t she?” Erin butts in with a wink. “She’s totally getting laid tonight.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Elijah says, his gaze burning into my skin.
Oh, he has no idea.
“Let’s order drinks,” Erin squeals, ending the moment and calling for the bartender.
“Yes.” I smile. My ears strain to hear Erin as she orders us a couple cocktails.
“I reserved a VIP room for you.” Elijah leans into me, his stupidly good scent doing stupid things to my head. I tell myself he’s doing so because it’s so loud and I would never hear him otherwise, but secretly I’m hoping he’s feeling the same lustful need pulsing through my veins. “That will give us all some privacy. I know you hate going out, so I want you to be as comfortable as possible.”
Fuck. There go my panties. Why does he have to be so sweet?
We get our drinks and follow Elijah up to the second floor of the club. There’s people everywhere, dancing, making out, drinking, singing, and having a good time. Once we reach the second floor, I start to see women in skimpy clothing walking between rooms, either taking drink orders or giving lap dances... I’m not really sure which they’re doing.
“This way.” Elijah grabs my hand and pulls me away. Stopping my gawking right in its tracks. A moment later, he opens a pair of double doors leading us into a huge private room. We have our own bar, dance floor, and sitting area. One wall of the room is made completely out of glass and has a view of the dance floor downstairs. It’s intimate but at the same time, still connected to everything taking place downstairs.
My gaze swings around the place. Elegant, but sexy, fitting the owner very much so. The room is dimly lit, the bar and floors made from the same black onyx stone. The room is accented with creams and reds, furthering the sexual appeal of the room.
“Wow, this is amazing! How come I’ve never been up here?”
“I recently had this room added. The construction only finished a few weeks ago. I was gonna hire my favorite interior designer, but she was busy.” Elijah winks at me.
“Sorry, but soon it will finally happen.” He’s been bugging me for ages to work with him on a big project, but until now, our schedules have not lined up.
We walk to the bar area, my heels clack against the floor. I finish my cocktail that we got downstairs and place the glass on the bar. The alcohol lands heavily in my stomach, easing some of the tension out of me.
Erin orders a Sex on the Beach for me next and I roll my eyes. Sneaky witch. I almost down the whole glass in under a minute. Luckily the bartender is very attentive and already has another glass waiting for me.
Drinks keep coming just like the friends and family I had invited. Soon the room fills up, and I find I’m dancing and singing. My plans for the evening fading away drink by drink. I’m tipsy before all my guests even arrive. My sister and her husband come in, and I squeal in excitement, running over to greet them.
“Sis!” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.