“Who?” I feigned ignorance.
“Elliot Gold.” She whispered as she looked over her shoulder to make sure we weren’t over heard.
“We’re just friends.” I said.
“Friends?” Rina scoffed. “I saw you two at the Seafood festival. That’s not a friend look.”
I rolled my eyes. “What do you want me to say?”
“How big's his cock?” She joked. Her eyes rounded when I lifted my hands and gave her an approximate size.
“No fudging way!” She slapped my shoulder and I shook my head, as I noticed the surveying eyes of our elderly crowd.
“Gwen!” I stood up, changing the subject from Elliot's cock size. Seizing the sheriff's daughter by the crook of her elbow, I encouraged her to take a seat in the armchair by our side.
“Hello Gwen Bell.” Rina nodded stiffly. Gwen Bell was all kinds of serious. Her very presence demanded respect; that’s why she was typically addressed by her full name.
Gwen cocked her head to the side, like a bird of prey looking at its next meal. She folded her hands in her lap. Her back was straight and her pose was not unlike a meercat.
“Miss Langley.” Gwen nodded demurely. “Are you excited about your upcoming nuptials?”
Rina's laugh burst from her lips beyond her control. “Oh, Gwen! You crack me up.”
I looked at the two of them in confusion. “You’re planning Rina’s wedding?” I asked lightly.
Gwen Bell turned stiffly. Her attention fully on me. “Yes, I am. You are?”
“Harriet Thompson. Maid of honour. I think.”
Rina nodded. “She’s the one that's got to talk me down before I run away. Like Julia Roberts.” Despite the fact Rina looked like she belonged to a punk rock band, she had a soft spot for romantic comedies from the 90’s.
Gwen looked confused. “Is that so?”
“It’s lovely to see you again, Sticky.” Rina said sincerely.
“Sticky?” I asked.
Gwen's face went from passively neutral to red, flushed and full of rage. But when she spoke, her voice was light. “I do not appreciate that nickname.”
Rina blushed. “Sorry, Gwen. I've been around Nate too much.”
Gwen Bell stood, nodded once, and then disappeared into the crowd.
“Sticky?” I asked.
“She was in Nate's year at high school. He gave her the nickname 'Sticky'.” Rina explained. “It stuck.”
“Pun intended?” I asked.
“Happy accident.” She smirked.
I laid in my bed in my pyjamas, when my phone vibrated. The cracked screen illuminated the ceiling in a strange pattern.
Unknown number: Are you awake?
Harriet: Who is this?
Unknown number: Elliot
Harriet: I’m awake.
Elliot: How was your day?
Harriet: Strange.
Elliot: What did you do?
Harriet: It was Rina’s bridal shower. I think I met the entire female population of Goldryn Bois.
Elliot: That must have been awkward.
Harriet: Why?
Elliot: Because Julian has fucked most of them.
Harriet: Ouch. Lol.
Elliot: I missed you today.
Harriet: Did you?
Elliot: I couldn’t stop thinking about your perfect tits…
Harriet: Tell me more...
Elliot: I’d like to decorate them with my cum.
Harriet: How hard are you right now?
Elliot: Hard as a fucking rock.
Harriet: Mmm...
Elliot: Are you wet for me?
Harriet: Yessssssssss
Elliot: Can I come over?
Harriet: ....
Harriet: Please.
A canary yellow gift box, with a Pikachu ribbon tied in a neat little bow, sat on my dressing table at the Pink Sleeve. My name was written on the attached card and I recognised his handwriting immediately.
Elliot Gold could not write to save his life. The pen looked like it was scraped over the embossed card like a rat trying to claw out of drywall. I waved the card to fan myself, laughing as I imagined his brow furrowed as he leant over and thought of the perfect thing to write.
He’d gone simple and to the point.
For you, Harriet.
- E
“That’s a weird looking mouse.” Scarlett leant over my shoulder and pointed to the ribbon on the box.
“That’s Pikachu.” I said.
Bailey clutched her heart and swooned. “He knows that you're into Pokémon Go? You need to marry him if he gets you Luna Lovegood’s wand.” Bailey's eyes were wide and earnest.
“Elliot Gold doesn’t do commitment.” I waved my hand to dismiss her statement.
“Let the girl open her gift.” Scarlett admonished. “I want to know what’s inside. Chocolate, shoes? A lace teddy?”
I shrugged. “Who knows?” With careful fingers, I untied the ribbon and slid it into my pocket. It was much too pretty to throw away. I lifted the lid to the box.
Surrounded in matching canary yellow tissue paper sat a Polaroid camera and several rolls of film.
I started to tear up. Frantically, I grabbed a napkin from the side and started dabbing under my eyes. I didn’t want to have to redo my mascara.
Bailey squealed in excitement. “Set it up! Take a photo!”
I rolled my eyes but my smile was large enough to crack my face in two. I did as she asked and then gave them both the Polaroid printouts to slide into the frames of their mirrors.
Bailey needed to get a hustle on, because she was the first act on the main stage. She bid us goodbye with a cheeky bum wiggle. Scarlett hovered, but I didn’t pay any mind as she slipped into the chair by my side. She had something to say and I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like it.
“Has Elliot asked you to stop stripping?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye but said nothing. I knew about Scarlett’s relationship with Julian.
Even though Julian Gold was marrying my best friend, He still fucked around, even though Julian Gold was marrying my best friend. That didn’t matter to Rina. She was determined to get married for her own reasons, and they centred mostly around her father’s promises of freedom.
“Those Golds...” Scarlett laughed to herself. “They have their own world. Untouchable.”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
She put her hand on my shoulder. “If he wanted something serious, he wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of another man seeing your body.”
My heart sank because I knew she was right, but I didn’t allow the hurt to show on my face.
“I wouldn’t quit.” I bristled. “I’ve got debt to pay. A life to live. Elliot was honest about what this was from the beginning. We're friends.”
“Friends who fuck. Friends who send expensively obscure vintage gifts?” Scarlett raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“I know it’s hard.” Scarlett’s smile was sad. “Pretending that you're not falling in love. Hold onto that poker face. It might be the only way you escape with your sanity.”
Elliot: Did you like my gift?
Elliot: ...
Elliot: Harry? Are you awake?
You don’t wait in line when you go to a nightclub in downtown Goldryn Bois with a Langley and a Bell. I learned this when Rina commandeered Gwen and my attendance to check out a club on the new development on the other side of town.
I had heard about Genesis, but I didn’t know what to expect from a club. I'd never been to one. Gwen looked regal, dressed in a pencil skirt and blouse as if she had just come from the office. Rina wore leather pants and a shimmery halter top. It was low cut, but her breasts were smaller than mine. If I wore something like that, it would have been obscene (and I tried to steer clear of that when I wasn't at work). Rina had lent me a skin tight pink dress. I had the feeling that she had bought it for me, but I didn’t say anything.
Ad hoc outings unnerved me, because I never knew what to expect. The club was an unknown, and from the glances from various men in the club, I gathered that it was only a matter of time before someone came over and I had to splutter my way through a shy rejection.
Gwen rapped her knuckles on the bar and commanded the attention of the bartender. She did not wait for him to choose someone else. She simply rattled her order off whilst stuffing a bill in his fingers.
I had no idea what she had ordered, and was surprised when three mojitos hit the bar. She slid them over to us and I sipped mine slowly. Unused to the smoggy taste of vodka.
“Let’s dance!” Rina declared. I felt uncomfortable and it showed. Rina moved with skill and confidence. She thrived on the attention around us. Gwen swayed her hips in her own world. I bobbed to the beat and shifted my weight from foot to foot in time to the music.
Someone's hands cupped my hips and I felt the cocooning heat of a male body behind me. I shifted around to excuse myself, when I found Elliot looking down at me. Amused and somewhat perplexed by my moves.
“Why are you dancing like that?” He asked.
“I can't dance.”
He gave me a funny look. “You dance for a living.”
“That’s different.” I laughed.
His hands moved up to my waist and we began to sway in time. “This kind of club? Your moves wouldn’t stand out.”
I hummed and looked around. “You might be right.”
“I can teach you if you want?” Elliot licked his bottom lip and I turned around to face him. The sweaty undulating bodies around us drifted away.
“You didn’t answer my text.” He stated.
I wanted to ask him what he wanted from me. If he was going to take another girl home at the end of the evening. Why he had come to the club.
I couldn’t bring myself to ask a single question.
My eyes darted to the side when eye contact got too uncomfortable. Rina had found Julian and they appeared to be having an argument. A muscular, and rather good-looking man stood on the side-lines with his hands raised.
“What’s going on there?” I asked.
Elliot's eyes followed mine. “Rina was dancing with someone. Julian... Took umbrage.”
“Got pissed at her, you mean?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I like your brother; god help me I do, but he can't do that. He's a hypocrite.”
Elliot nodded. “I agree.” He gestured to the bar with his chin and I raised my glass to my lips only to find it empty. He bought me a bottle of water and we manoeuvred to a quiet corner.
“I’m not stopping you from having fun, am I?” I asked, nervously. “I don’t mind if you want to go dance.”
Elliot furrowed his brow. “I’m here for you.”
I had no idea what that meant, because I had come with Rina, but I let the comment slide without saying anything.
Elliot and I weren't exclusive to my knowledge. I wasn’t the type of girl that could get and keep the attention of a man like him. I'd learned my worth early on. In the whispers of Mama's boyfriends and the secrets they'd asked me to keep. Every dollar I earned dancing on a man's lap only reinforced that. My body wasn’t a priceless commodity. It was a tool. And I learnt that pride didn’t keep a stomach from growling.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Elliot brushed my hair behind my ear. The sweat and perfume from the dancers; and the loud baying of the crowd was closing in. I nodded in response and let him lead me away. I quickly realised why he'd come for me. Sex.
His lips brushed against mine but he didn’t push further. He held my hand and directed us both to the line of taxis a block over.
It wasn’t until we entered my apartment that the silence was broken. And only by the tender suggestion that I get ready for bed.
I was confused. I had thought that Elliot only wanted to fuck. Instead, he silently held me. Big spoon, little spoon; the way I’d read about in fiction books. He stroked my hair. Maybe he'd cottoned onto my sensory overload and discomfort at the club. Maybe he was just tired. I didn’t know.
He held me all night. I no longer knew what we were.
15
“Sexy Pilgrims?” I asked as Scarlett held up the costume. It was the day before Thanksgiving and the girls were helping me cope with my first holiday alone.
Scarlett held up the lingerie that was made entirely of buckles and straps.
“Boss says Happy Thanksgiving.” She jingled the costume.
“Where is Julian?” I took it in my hands and rubbed the leather straps.
“He said the Golds have a family dinner thing at the Manor. It’s this whole big affair.” Julian's mistress tried to sound unaffected, but I saw through her.
“Oh.” I grunted.
“You are so obvious girl.”
“What?” I laughed.
“Your special client won’t be here tonight. Every Thursday night? Buys all your dances?” Scarlett said knowingly. “Surname rhymes with 'Bold'?”
I cleared my throat awkwardly. “You’re nosy.” I said defensively as I clutched the offensive item to my chest.
Scarlett tapped her nose. “Bonus of doing the boss.” Her eyes widened when she realised what had slipped out of her lips. “Shit! I shouldn’t have said that!”
I laughed at her panic. “Why?”
“You’re bff's with Rina Langley, future Mrs. Julian, right?”
I waved my hand dismissively. “Rina knows all about Julian's flings. Don’t worry.”
“Flings?” Scarlett looked stricken.
I cleared my throat and pointed towards the door. I bit back my comments. I wanted to say something along the lines of: You're fucking an engaged guy. Don't think you're exclusive. Guys only want one thing, and that’s to dip their cock in anything warm.
But I liked Scarlett. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
Missy, the bartender, tapped her knuckles against the doorway to the dressing room. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked tired.
“You covering for Julian tonight, Missy?” I asked when she took out her clipboard.
“You, Pepper. Room three. You're booked all evening.”
I shrugged and tugged off my towelled robe so that I could wriggle into my pilgrim outfit.
“He requested the white lingerie and the robe.” Missy informed me before walking away in a flurry of clicking high heels.
I turned to Scarlett, whose eyebrow was raised in confusion.
“Different strokes for different folks.” I said with a shrug.
Private dances were easy, and earned about a hundred dollars a go. The chance of being touched as higher and the contact was closer, but I didn’t care. I could switch off my mind and dance. The bouncers were always around, keeping us safe.
Still, the highlight of my week was Thursday night. It was the busiest night at the Pink Sleeve. I guessed because Friday was date night for the married ones.
Elliot booked out my Thursdays. I didn’t even want to think about how much he paid for my time. I suspected that being the owner's big brother helped.
I was five nights away from paying off Daniel Davis. If I could pull in a grand a night. I was so close to freedom that I could taste it. I'd paid my utilities and rent for the month. I could focus on clearing my debt and quick.
I pushed open the door to the private lounge.
“Elliot!” I cried, happiness leaked through my voice. Betraying my excitement.
“Hey, Pepperberry.” He leant against the wall with his hands in his pocket. A white garment bag was spread across the chair were the chair where he usually sat.
“What's going on, Elliot?”
He gave me one of his rare smiles, but it was sheepish. “I brought you a gift.” His ice-cold eyes sparkled.<
br />
I walked over to the garment bag and unzipped it. Inside was a slinky emerald green dress. I caught a glimpse of the label. Looky-Lu’s.
“Elliot, I can’t.”
“It’s a gift from a client.” He said.
“I thought you had a family gathering tonight.” I whispered, absently, as I ran the material over my fingers. “You didn’t cancel just for me, did you?”
Elliot chuckled. “I’m heading off after this.”
“Oh.” I tried not to let my disappointment colour my tone.
“That is, if you'll come with me.” He moved with the grace of a man that wasn’t used to being told no. My lip twisted in confusion.
“I've bought your time for the evening. Julian knows. Please.” He whispered.
Despite my fears, I found myself saying yes.
We drove to the Gold Manor in silence after pulling on the dress that Elliot chose for me and joining him in his silver Porsche
Sat in his car, parked on the gravel crescent at the front of the mansion, Elliot reached over and took my hand. He rubbed circles on the side of my palm with his hand.
“You said we could only be friends.” I said weakly.
“You’re here as my friend.”
Both of us knew that wasn’t strictly true.
“Elliot...” I said softly, as he clasped my hand softly. Friends didn’t pay to watch another take off their clothing. Every Thursday in silence. “When we first met. Back at Judy's diner. You said some stuff about me.”
I saw his Adam's apple bob. “I remember, Pepperberry.’” He whispered.
“Did you mean it?”
He clasped my hand to his chest. His eyes burned into mine, so fervently that I wanted to flinch.
He gripped the back of my neck, and tugged my lips to his.
My veins burned. My core ached. My hand tightened in his. Sparks crackled behind my eyelids.
It wasn’t meant to feel like that; so consuming that no other man could put out the fire inside of me.
“Never.”
Someone tapped on the window and I looked past Elliot's shoulder to see Julian Gold’s wide and unrelenting smirk. My Gold swore under his breath, his intense expression melted into one of ire.
Heart of Gold (The Golden Boys - Book 1) Page 11
