“Must be some hot date,” I quip teasingly, watching him retreat.
He laughs and nods in agreement. “Want to check on Jace?”
“I will, but I’m thinking of going to bed,” I tell Eli and go over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for everything. I’m terrible company, but thank you.”
“No problem,” he counters as if it’s not big issue him being here. “I’m going to stay here tonight, just to keep up the game, but tomorrow you’re back to being on your own.”
“You can go now, you know?” I really don’t need him here. He did his duty last night by saving me. Everything else is just an added bonus for me. “You really don’t need to babysit me.”
“I know,” he remarks and gives me a cocky grin. “I just like knowing you’re behaving.”
I smack him and leave him to his own devices. The last two days have been mentally, emotionally, and physically draining, and I cannot wait to cuddle up to my man and sleep. However, when I go back into my room I find the curtains floating away with the light breeze and the window has been left open. I guess Jace got out before he could talk to me again.
I slump onto my bed and can’t help but feel desolate. Greedily, I wanted one last kiss.
Chapter Fourteen
"So, what was it like?" Luca asks me as we sit beside one another in the salon. Currently our feet are soaking, ready for a pedicure, and I just wanted to relax, but this one question has my entire body going rigid.
I look at her incredulously. She's been staying with Brianna all week while I 'get better' and I know from a call from Clara that Luca will receive a key to her own apartment tonight. She's not in our apartment block so she hasn't done enough to impress the Boss quite yet.
“The pit,” she pushes when my silence lengthens slightly. “What was it like in there?”
I look away as I speak, "It was horrible. Don't do anything to wind up there," I tell her curtly, not really detailing my experience. No one will know how weak and vulnerable I felt in that freezing darkness. But I will have a hand in making sure Luca never, ever ends up there. "Just be sure to do whatever you can to never go in there."
"Oh, I won't," Luca grins to me triumphantly. "I intend to make my way up in the club, Joely. Just like you."
I see the look in her eyes and it quakes utter fear throughout me. It rushes up my spine before taking over my entire nervous system. She's had that venomous bite. The one that makes her only see the money and reward that Clara has to offer us. She's taken the snake bite and fallen for the life. My heart thuds back to life as the thought wraps itself around me tightly. I didn't want this for Luca, but she was far too naive to think rationally. To her the club is a way of life. It stocks her bank account, pays for a roof over her head, gives her unlimited attention from all sorts of men, and allows her to have luxuries in all forms.
She’s fallen for the bait and become our predator’s latest victim.
I want to be disappointed in her, but she is like the rest of us - weak, volatile, easily drawn in. If I'm honest, I'm disappointed in myself more. I told her to give the life a try, to make the Boss happy. I just missed her falling for it all in such quick succession. I guess Luca is a Viper Girl after all. She’s drawn to the life like a moth to a flame, and she won’t realize how deep she is until she gets burnt. But, if she is still anything like the timid girl I met only a short while ago, she will fall hard. It’s a paralyzing feat when you realize just what you’ve become. I might have said being a Viper Girl is a prestigious job, but it’s deadly. Once the poison of the life is set in your veins, you’re addicted. Who wouldn’t love parties, money, men. We’re the apple of eye with every single, breathing, hot blooded male in the room. But it’s for a limited time only.
Luca will be one of the girls who will reject reality when the time comes. She’s gotten too comfortable too quickly. That’s her biggest weakness and Clara knew that moment she set her gaze upon the vulnerable girl she found. I’m just glad I’ll be long gone by that the time I have to see her fall from grace.
“You know the two top spaces are taken for at least another two years,” Brianna comments as she comes to sit on the other side of me. “When I finally get to leave.”
“I heard that Joely’s failed performance the other night has set her up for being at the bottom of the Viper chain,” Cassidy pipes up as she sits opposite us waiting for her nails to dry. “Apparently the Boss whipped you back into submission.”
I can see the gleam in her eyes as she knows I’m losing my touch in this place. Jace has damaged me – but in a good way! I cannot thank him for waking me up to what I thought was an okay existence when it was nothing more than a sorry one. I might be turning out weaker than first thought, but that doesn’t mean I am going to lose my ranking. I won’t let it happen.
“What really happened?” Cassidy asked as she sits back and picks up her champagne flutes. She takes a leisurely gulp, her eyes on me, and I can see the evil smirk on it. She sets the glass down and swallows the bubbly liquid, her eyes never once leaving me. “Well? We’re all oh-so interested!”
“I wasn’t whipped back into submission,” I snarl at her. I can’t even be bothered with pleasantries with her. “She asked me what happened, but Eli came in. He knew I was unwell that night and Clara sent me home. End of story. It’s nothing amazing.” I then look directly at Cassidy, hoping she’ll squirm under my heated gaze as I give one final comment. “Clara looks after her top girls a lot. She sent me home to get better. Didn’t even bat an eye. Just cared for me.”
“She doesn’t care for anyone,” Cassidy snipes, trying to disregard my comments.
“It’s true!” Alex, one of the older girls, says. “I heard it all and Jay was discussing it on the way home. Clara was worried about Joely because it isn’t normal for her to upset a client. She didn’t whip Joely, she just sent her home.”
I want to laugh when Cassidy flicks her hair and gets up to leave. She may think what she wants, but I am still a golden girl to Clara – or that’s how I feel. I want to continue believing it for as long as I can. Tonight is my perfect opportunity to continue the facade, harden it, restore it back to its former glory.
“Dresses are here!” I hear Cassidy shout out suddenly and I look to Brianna who is a ball of excitement already.
As head Viper Girls, Brianna and I get the best, most expensive dresses. I cannot wait to see what masterpiece I get to wear tonight. As I go to stand, I hesitate. What if Clara is onto me and her payback is to give me the worst dress? Panic follows the thought and my excitement dies. I take a gulp of my champagne and try to rationalize every single thought crashing through my head.
“C’mon, girlie!” Brianna taps my knee, bringing me back to earth. “From Cassidy’s reaction, our dresses are to die for!”
I can’t sit here and make her suspicious, so I get up and follow her. The moment I see the dress with my name on it, my heart slows its beating.
Now I just cannot wait for Jace’s expression.
***
Tonight has been a whirlwind already. We arrived at the boat yard and were met with the largest yacht I have ever seen in my entire life. Already it was streaming with people in black and white gowns and tuxedos all complimented with masquerade masks. We were all part of a mass alter ego trip and the excitement grew in me.
We made our way onto the boat to prepare for our grand entrance once the boat departed from the bay, but when Brianna and I stepped out, I felt like there was something missing. I scanned the crowds over and over again while keeping my smile bright and wide. But it was no use. Jace wasn’t among the people, watching and waiting. I felt my self-esteem drop at the thought of a party without him, but I did a good job to make my way out to Clara. I made a promise to wow; I wasn’t going to break that.
And now I’m on the dance floor, and without a partner. The protocol was for one of our clients to pick us to do this introductory dance – Jace was on the list as mine, but he hasn’t shown up and my heart i
s sinking furthermore. All of the other girls are swirling around me gracefully with one of their male clientele and yet mine is a definite no show. I look to Clara who orders Eli to take my hand and dance as my partner. I feel more rested when he advances towards me. However, before he can make it, my hand is taken from my side and I am spun around until I am thrust against a hard chest. My hand comes up to brace me for the impact and the moment I am there in this man’s arms, I know Jace has saved the night. My breath is a heavy heave as my eyes slowly roam upwards to meet his gaze.
“Sorry, I’m late,” he comments coolly and takes me off to join the other Viper Girls. I say nothing, stunned into silence and just begin to smile coyly. I have nothing to say to him. The words I could say are futile. I could angry with him for the ensuing embarrassment that started in his absence, but he is here now, and I can’t help forgiveness from exuding me.
“You’re here now,” I whisper back and look up to him. He listened to the invite - men to be dressed in a black tux with a crisp white shirt, finished with a plain black eye mask. He looks so good and immediately my body aches for him. It’s been so long since I’ve had him that I am feeling the yearning and need. “You look good.”
He smirks as he continues to pay attention to everyone around, all while making sure we’re an enviable sight. He’s putting on a show for the men, I can feel it in the way his hands are placed on my body and how he moves with me flush against him. He’s advocating how sensual and perfect I am. I wonder if Clara will see this as a dangerous move or a provocative one to lure the men in.
“You look stunning,” he remarks, his gaze lowers to meet mine and I feel like that prized jewel all over again. “The dress was made for you.” I’m sure he waits for the blush to appear on my lightly powdered cheeks before continuing. “The moment I saw you I felt my pants go tight.” His smile twists, showing the sexual torture he is really feeling. “It’s going to be a long night.”
“There are plenty of rooms on this yacht.” My comment is subtle and I see he understands. “I’m up for some fun below deck later.”
“Good,” he murmurs as we cover the distance towards Clara. “I’ll be there waiting.”
We continue in silence, and as the song ends, every man around me showcases their girl and Jace does the same. He then comes to stand before me, hand still in mine, and he raises it to kiss my knuckles and bow before me. When he does that, he leaves me and heads away. I want to follow, but I know my place is with Clara as she makes her welcoming speech. Turning in the other direction, I regrettably leave him to do my duties.
Some of the men had already guessed who the head Viper Girls were just by our outfits and demeanor. We showed class and a level of excellence that had them wanting Brianna and me already. My black and white waterfall skirted dress makes me feel like a million dollars and I feel like I’ve successfully played my part already. That does not mean I can rest quite yet. The moment I slipped into the dress and the white bustier was zipped up tight around me, I felt sensuous and ready to provoke men into wanting me. The feeling when I slipped my mask on, the black and purple filigree mesh taking away my identity, I felt like a new person. It was a moment of rebirth, to allow an alter ego to come and play. It was my chance to be the Joely I was before I fell in love. But under it all, I was waiting for Jace’s reaction most. I wanted him to see me looking at him through the guise, my smoky eyes lying upon him heatedly. It didn’t matter who had watched me, having him set his gaze upon me made me feel like the only girl in the world.
I find myself stuck to a group of gentlemen that Clara only seems to flirt with while keeping Brianna and I here as watchers. I’d rather be dancing or networking than watch her desperately fawn all over them when their attention is clearly on us younger two. I looked over Clara’s shoulder, seeing Jace escaping the party to go below deck. I saw this as my opportunity to get just one chaste moment with him. I needed him to give me something to keep me going while I pleased other men. I needed to know how he was coping with that prospect.
“Excuse me,” I interrupt politely, before mouthing how I need to pee at Brianna who nodded ready to cover up for me. I slip away from the crowd and towards the door that leads into the boat. I find my way downstairs and to the nearest bathroom. It’s just an idea, but if there is anywhere I would find Jace waiting, it’d be there. I knock four times so he knows it me; it’s something we’ve perfected when he arrives at my apartment. It helps to know if it’s him at the door or one of the girls. The door opens and he gives me a wide grin before pulling me in and locking us away.
“You listen to me then?” he teasingly asks me as he pulls me to his body. “You’ve changed your hair color,” he comments as he picks me up and puts me down onto the sink cabinet. I bite my lip, worried he hates that my hair is now dipped dyed. I was dead against it, I hate change, but my dark hair with lighter tips really makes me feel sexier. He unties my mask as he says, “I can’t wait to have my hands wrapped around it.” He situates himself between my legs, his hands slipping up my skirt to grip onto my thighs. He releases my thigh only to put a hand to the base of my head, his fingers just touching my hair line, but he’s careful with not destroying my up do. He knows that tonight of all nights is one to not leave me a total sexed up wreck!
“We don’t have long,” I warn him regrettably. I could stay in here, cloistered into this room and not care about the lavish party going on just above our heads.
“I know,” he replies and I feel him rip my panties away. I should care, but I don’t. All my worries are elsewhere. He knows how short lived this will be, and by his breath already becoming staccato, I know how ready he is to take me. It’s ironic how my body reacts to him. Pressed against his chest in front of a deck full of people had me turned on. The heat began to spark in me, the flames licking my desires heatedly by the time he was kissing my knuckles. As he plunges himself into me, I don’t care how long we take, I finally feel complete by this one sweet penetration. He knew time was of the essence here and he is using it wisely. I’ve waited for this intimacy with him for over a week now, I didn’t need any other reason to be hot for him than I already was. I’ve been ready for him the moment he caught my hand in his ready to dance. I moan in displeasure as he pulls away from me, but my disagreement is quickly replaced when his fills me with his length and my back involuntarily arches. My hands clench on his shoulders and my head lolls forward to rest upon his shoulder. We continue like this until my climax begins to exceed all levels and my head flies back as my orgasm hit. I groan out and hear Jace grunt my name as he explodes within me. I hold onto him as the afterglow of the orgasm shrouds us, almost in refusal to let this moment end, and I can feel from the way Jace is kissing into my neck that he feels exactly the same.
“Tomorrow I intend to keep you in bed all day with me,” he practically purrs into my ear, nipping at my earlobe as he drags his lips down onto my jaw line to meet my lips. “Naked, occasionally restrained, and all mine.”
“Mm,” I begin, but he kisses the part of my neck he knows is ticklish and my eyes flutter shut at the pleasure that courses through my veins. “I cannot wait.”
“Sorry, Lee, you’re going to have,” he disappoints me with a cold dose of reality. “We have a party to win over and a boss to convince that we’re nothing more than professional fuck buddies.” He proves the point by showing me my own panties, now destroyed by lust, and then his puts them in his pocket, his lips now curled into a cocky grin.
I giggle at the sight and part of it is due to the fact I am now finishing this party commando! Well, I always did like to be the daredevil, why change a habit of a lifetime? “If she could see us now,” I tease as I fix his tie for him.
“I’d be overboard,” he jokes causing me to laugh loudly. He’s right, but I love that we can joke like this. We know how fate is uncertain, but we don’t let it rule us. We live for the moment. Jace picks my mask up from the counter and situates it over my eyes. I bring my hands up to hold it in position
as he secures it into place. As he pulls away he brings his closed fist to my chin, lifting my head to look at him. “Now go back to work,” he orders me as he pulls me down onto my feet. “I’ll be up in a few minutes,” he tells me as I begin to leave. He swats my ass playfully as he does so and I listen and take my leave after a gentle kiss on his lips. “Joely?” he calls out to me, suddenly halting my leave as if he’s forgotten to tell me something, and I know it’s not to remind me my ripped panties are in his pocket. I know he’s waiting until I turn back to face him before he talks again. When I’m faced with him and his now completely serious demeanor, he still gives me a small smile. “Be a Viper Girl when you leave this room, not my girl.”
I step back towards him; I can feel how soft my expression is as I raise my hand to his face. I could be angry at his reminder, but it just gives me the gentle reminder of how much he loves me and cares for me. “I’m always your girl. I can’t just switch that off. So don’t ever ask me to.” I’m speaking with my heart again, but I can’t just stop something that courses my veins every waking moment of my life. “I’m bound to you now, Mr. Mason.” I take another kiss and promptly leave to rejoin the party. With one last look over my shoulder at him, he pulls his mask down over his eyes and gives me a wink.
The moment I walk back upstairs and into the cool air, my face cools and my flustered state begins to disintegrate, and I get back to work.
***
Brianna and I have taken to the side of the yacht. We’ve done so much walking around, networking, and dancing that we’ve both exceeded our energy reserves. The champagne is still flowing and we’re both a fan of the rose Bollinger that’s being passed around on constant tonight. It’s also beginning to show! We’re a pair of giggling messes and I’ve noticed Brianna’s had a wandering eye for one of her two usual clients. It’s given me enough leeway to watch Jace across the deck. I flick my gaze to the left a little and see Clara schmoozing towards us and I have to admire how amazing she looks. She’s in a maxi skirt smothered in gold sequins, the lights catching it beautifully. She’s teamed it with an elongated peplum styled black top and heavy necklace. If I were a man, I would be crestfallen that she isn’t mine. Hell, she does this charade of every man’s walking dream to set an example and she has definitely managed it. She might be older, but she’s learned from her mistakes where men are concerned. Especially as she laughs and flirts behind her gold mask, being everyone’s best friend.
Saturdays at the Viper Rooms Page 15
