by Lisa DeBells
Worth it?
I stood behind her as she sat at her dressing table. How innocent and young she looked with her blonde locks pulled into a high ponytail. I rested my hands on her shoulders and squeezed. Eden’s eyes went to half-mast as she relaxed into my touch. I ran my hand up the back of her neck, her head, then wrapped it around her ponytail pulling back so we would look at each other without the mirrored reflection.
I planted my lips firmly on her soft ones, and she opened for me instantly. I took her mouth lazily and poured what I felt into it; how much I wanted her, right now, how amazing she was, how sexy she looked in clothing, out of clothing.
“Tonight, Eden. I will see you tonight.” It was the opening night of Allure and I felt compelled to have her there, with me.
“That’s short notice. I might be busy.”
“Eden, are you busy?” I puffed my cheeks out frustrated that she was playing hard to get. I wasn’t used to this.
“Yes, I am. There’s this sexy tattooed guy. He’s taking me out.”
It took several seconds and a look of pure mischief on Eden’s face to work out that the guy was me. This chick knew how to push my buttons.
“You’re funny, you know that?” I shook my head, but couldn’t help smiling.
“I know. Now get out of here. Japan’s calling in ten minutes, and I need to turn my computer on and make coffee.”
“Okay, Okay I’m outta here. See you beautiful.” I backed away toward the door with my palms held out.
“Mitchell.”
“Yeah.”
“Nothing. I just like your name on my lips.”
“Oh baby, careful what you wish for.”
Her soft laughter sounded as I drew my T-shirt on and made my way for the elevator. That woman had no idea what she was in for, and because this was new to me, neither did I.
Chapter Fifteen
Eden
“This is crazy,” I told Ariel in the back of the limousine.
“More like crazy-fun.” Ariel’s giggles filled the big empty space of the car.
“Can you stop laughing for one minute? I’m serious over here. What have I gotten myself into, Ari?” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at my best friend who at that moment didn’t have a sympathetic bone in her body.
“Oh, come on, Eden. You’re a big girl. You’re single and hot. Just have some fun.”
“It didn’t bode well for me the last time I decided to do that.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes, exasperated. “I almost didn’t make it home.”
The thought took me back a week earlier, to a man. No scratch that, a sexy God-like primal creature that ripped shreds off me every time I saw him. My stomach filled with butterflies, excited at seeing him again.
“Tell me again how you made it home, Eden. Pretty sure his name starts with a Mmm.” Ariel raised a well-plucked eyebrow then burst into giggles again. She knew very well how and why and the end result. My cheeks heated just thinking about last night.
Hot. Sexy. Reckless. Beautiful. He was my Mmm.
“Oh my God. You’re the seducer here not me. What do I do?”
“Are you trying to say I’m easy?” She pursed her heart-shaped lips.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. You idiot, of course not, I just need some guidance here, Ari. I want him, bad, and I know he wants me. I just can’t and won’t fall again. I don’t want it. I’ve only just recovered from Anthony humiliating me.”
Ariel patted my hand knowingly. “Sweetheart, Mitchell is no Anthony.”
“Thank the Lord.”
Ariel continued as if she didn’t hear me. “He’s edgy, sexy, and gives off that dangerous air like a pheromone. All the ladies want it, but right now he wants you.” She squeezed my hand as I hung onto her words. “You want him too. Play it cool and have fun, be a little impulsive, honey, you only live once.”
“Have fun . . .” I liked it. I could and was having fun with Mitchell Stone. I liked the way I reacted to him, like it was firecracker night and out of nowhere came that amazing flame of brilliant colour that lit the sky. It was by far the most vibrant as it thundered across the sky.
Everything after that was simply a speck.
I just wondered where it would leave me once it fizzled into nothing.
Mitchell was the brilliant spark that lit my sky. But who lit his?
*******
The line of cars was slow-going as we waited to alight onto the red carpet. We stopped to pick up Sammy and Gia on the way. Between the four of us, excited conversation about tonight’s club, the rumour of the hot new owners, and general merriment kept my mind off seeing him.
The car door opened and one by one we stepped out into the excitement. A wide roll of red carpet created a walkway up to the steps and entrance of the venue.
We were ushered toward the promotional boards that were the norm on an opening night. The club’s name, ALLURE, was emblazoned in red, and scattered across the boards, along with alcohol sponsors.
It was obligatory to be photographed in front of the boards, and nice to be recognized and asked to stop for a photo by the paparazzi. There was an amount of notoriety when you were successful. I loved the success, but I didn’t enjoy being photographed. Being in a group of four girls, looking tight, it would be inevitable to avoid.
As we walked up the stairs, I was being extra cautious not to trip in my five-inch-high Jimmy Choos. I was glad to blend into the background, with Sammy and Ariel taking up most of the photographer’s attention.
I plastered a diminutive smile on, turned my head slowly this way and that, waiting for the flashbulbs to stop. I saw little colorful spots invaded my vision by the end of it.
About to follow my friends to the next pit stop, a hand caught my upper arm, stillng me from going any further. It wasn’t instinct that convinced me it was Mitchell; it was his grip, possessive and electric. His energy charged up my arm causing a wildfire effect, heat burst through my chest until my body buzzed with anticipation.
I turned slowly. Brooding green eyes that moved up and down me, wavy hair of several different shades, full lips quirked into a cocky grin caused the panty-dropping dimples in his cheeks. A breath hitched in my throat, and I had to remind myself to take another one. The thrill of seeing Mitchell again unnerved me. I wanted more of him. All of him. Whatever he could give me, I’d take.
I glanced back at the girls who’d walked a little away. If I could ever shock them this would be the time. Jaws to the floor, baby. I had to keep from laughing. I turned my body to Mitchell’s, and his hand ran down my arm into my hand. His actions were unsure, but his eyes were genuine, and that’s all I needed to see.
“Eden.” That voice; it was throaty and husky. It melted me to my core. I ached for him. What the fuzz was happening to me? “C’mere beautiful.”
Okay, I will follow you, like, anywhere.
He led me back to the camera flashes, and I didn’t really care. I didn’t know why, but he was here now and I felt safe. Protected. I was totally distracted by the way he moved, panther-like, his big manly hands, one that held mine, the way he watched me like he owned a piece of me. Every move he made thrilled me.
“Mitchell, what are you . . .?”
His arm slinked around my waist and pulled me into his side so I was facing the cameras head on and he was turned toward me. Before I could make a coherent sentence, he leaned down and kissed me. Full on. In front of what would be countless blogs, tweets, and page-three media by midnight.
I drank him in, his just-showered scent and cologne, he smelt so good, my head swirled like a junkie getting a hit, he was the drug that I never knew I needed. He’d flipped some kind of I-don’t-give-a-shit switch in me. I kissed him in public. There would be no going back.
I’d lost my marbles in front of hundreds of people. SHIT. I pushed him away firmly. The show was over.
“God, I’ve been waiting all day for that.” He looked at my lips like he could eat me as he bit his botto
m lip in between his teeth and I wanted to let him. Meanwhile my don’t-give-a-shit switch had flipped back. I instantly hated what had just happened. Not the act, just the audience and the hardcopy proof.
“Some warning next time. You could have asked for the photo opp.” I had been humiliated before, thanks to social media. This wasn’t on par, but he took me for a loop. I headed for the door and was sourly disappointed when I didn’t see Ariel waiting for me. I was about to storm into the main doors when security held up their hands, stopping me. They wanted my VIP pass to gain entry. Right now they could shove that right up their asses.
Mitchell watched me, his lips pulled to one side, a hand hooking onto the back of his neck looking puzzled. He looked so dark sexy, this only riled me up further. I handed over my pass and hammered up the carpeted walkway that lead into the club. It was dark and cavelike as if you had entered another dimension. Blue and white strobe lights lit a walkway and opened up onto a massive dance floor that was packed, spilling patrons off its sides. The deejay was the mecca that we all worshipped. He spun his tracks expertly, blending from one beat to the next. I walked deeper into the club.
Finally, I could see my friends; they all had drinks in hand. I snagged a champagne from a passing waiter and downed most all of it in one gulp. The girls looked behind me, a little in awe.
I followed their gaze to Mitchell who was cutting through a melee of patrons in this direction until being intercepted by a group of people. He air kissed the cheek of one woman who took advantage of his closeness, she pressed her svelte figure closer to him, her bosom barely contained in her plunging dress, she looked to be whispering in his ear. I could hardly blame her, with his devilish good looks and school boy charm it was worth the flirtatious effort.
I watched Mitchell pull her hands that she’d clasped behind his neck and bring them gently to her sides patting them into place, in the midst of conversation he’s eyes sharpened on me and she followed his gaze. I lifted my champagne flute playfully . What was that about? Was he letting her know that he’s not alone tonight.
Why did it piss me off just watching them touch? He wasn’t mine. I had no claim to him. None. I fidgeted with the chain of my clutch that was draped over my shoulder, assessing the requisite of being on a date.
Sammy elbowed me. Her smile was wide and taunting. “Look at you, all tense and smoldering. You like him, girl. And the way he’s watching you like he wants to lick you like a lollipop makes me think he’s got a major hard-on for you.”
“Shit, Sammy, could you be anymore to the point?” I fake smiled at her.
“Stop looking like you’re in pain, Eds. Everything about you right now tells me you want him just as much as the air you breathe.”
“Yeah, I think that’s the problem.”, I liked this thing we were doing: casual sex. With him it was too good. But it looked like I wasn’t the only woman charmed by his boyish good looks. “He could have any woman here.” I wasn’t about to ask the question “why me” out loud. But seriously, why me?
“And don’t ‘cha even dare ask why me? Because girl, mm-hmm I got a list up in this pretty li’l head of mine.” Sassy Sammy was now in full effect. Sassy Sammy rocked.
I studied him from afar, his playful, boyish, charm. Men nodded eagerly as they hung off his every word, or maybe they were just ass-kissing. Then he must have said something funny as the group burst into laughter.
I didn’t like the way the tall brunette with the stick-thin body sidled up closer and placed her hand on his forearm. She ran it all the way up to his muscled bicep and tested its firmness while leaning into his ear. Her whispered comment brought a grin to his face. His body tensed as she spoke. Meanwhile, my heart beat so hard in my throat that I could have timed my heart rate with it. His eyes hunted the room, and he found me, like they’d sought mine only because he felt me staring so hard and didn’t have a choice, but to seek me out. His jaw was all twitchy and the wall that guarded his eyes were firmly in place for about two seconds, then his dimples deepened with a beautiful smile.
My breath hitched in my throat, and I die. That smile was for me. Not Twiggy. He stiffened under her hand not liking her closeness. My inner devil shook her pom-poms like a cheerleader at the super bowl.
I was way out of my league.
Drinks appeared out of nowhere; a shot of vodka followed by a champagne chaser kicked my buzz into gear, and lessened my crankiness about the surprise kiss.
Once he untangled himself from his admirers, he swaggered toward me, a predator, elegant and strong, like a lion seeking up his mate. It unraveled me. Tore me apart. Called to me on some dominant level. He was coming for me.
I hated what he did to me. He was making me desperate, thats bad for my self-preservation. This man was going to ruin me in ways I hadn’t realized were possible until now.
I didn’t want him to touch, kiss, talk, or fuck anyone else. Only me. Exclusively. ME ME ME.
Heat pooled my insides to liquid honey. They say the human body processes two million pieces of sensory information per second. It's insane to think we are such incredible creatures. In those few seconds the only information I had was Mitchell. His presence more than flooded my senses; I was in threat of imploding.
I hated myself for wanting him this desperately. How could I allow this? Why was I putting myself out there for a man again? Fuck.
My inner devil did a sexy little dance in her stiletto heels while she whispered in my ear, Mitchell is THE MAN, not any man. I wanted to stomp on that annoying little bitch. I knew who he was.
Mitchell introduced himself to my friends and edged closer, honing in on me, asking me without words what had he done to piss me off. I almost rolled my eyes at his ignorance. God, sometimes men were so stupid.
“Eden, a word.” His gruff voice and pinched expression signalling his annoyance.
“It can wait. Let’s have a drink and toast to this place being a success.” I didn’t want to be alone with him, not until I got a handle on my baffling emotions.
He leaned down to my ear and pressed his lips to the spot just behind my lobe. It was reminiscent of the night before, and that tug became a sweet lonely throb. This was very public, so when his lips lingered on my neck, I wondered if we could pretend to have an innocent, private chat.
I took comfort in the crowds spilling into the main room. Bodies closed the gaps and gave us some isolation. I wanted to close my eyes and lose myself in the darkness of the club.
His hand splayed across my abdomen and drew my back to him. His strong thighs were on my behind. “I don’t know if this can wait, Eden.”
I felt him against me, hard and sure of what he had between his legs.
I tilted my head to him, and his scent filled me to intoxicating levels. He leant forward so he could hear as I spoke in his ear. I wanted to taunt him, unhinge him as he had done me, test his limits in this crowd that was vying for his attention. I ran my nose over his jaw and up to his ear, took his earlobe between my teeth and tugged at it gently before releasing.
His low growl gave him away.
“Let’s not rush this, Mitch.”
“Fuck, Really, what was that? Don’t do that if you don’t want to rush it.”
“Just me having fun.” I tease.
He turned my body to face his. His three-day growth gave him a dangerous edge, along with his brooding eyes, and the soft pout of his bottom lip. Such jagged perfection.
“Come with me . . . please.”
“You really want to get me alone, don’t you?” I giggled and touched my finger across his bottom lip.
“I want to bite that finger.”
“Bite me?” I couldn’t help the flutter of my eyes. It matched the butterflies rushing my belly. I wanted his teeth on my lips, my neck, and every erogenous zone I possessed.
“Oh baby, I’m a minute short of throwing you over my shoulder. If you don’t believe me, keep taunting.” An exaggerated sigh passed his lips while his stubbled jaw twitched confirming h
e was on edge, knowing I’d provoked him caused a nervous energy to ball in my stomach. I didn’t think he would follow through with his threat, however, I wasn’t about to push, so I conceded.
“Lead me astray.” I held my hand out which he enveloped in his. He looked at me like he couldn’t believe I gave in so easily then he turned to address my friends. “Ladies. If you will take the stairs to the third level, I have a whole section for you with champagne and anything else you may want.” Mitchell pointed to the wide stairs. “Follow the row of chandeliers and veer left. Security will be expecting you on the third floor.”
“I’ll be up in a minute, Mitchell just wants to . . . ahh . . . show me something.” The second the words left my mouth I was horrified.
Sammy’s bee-stung lips pulled up at the corners and her huge almond-shaped eyes crinkled in delight. She winked at me with a knowing look.“Girl, you’ll be gone for more than one minute, because he is mighty fine indeed.” She drooled at Mitchell while she swayed her curvy hips and clicked her fingers in that sassy way.
I poked my tongue out at her, and shoved the rest of them towards the chandeliered path. Mitchell pulled my waist to his side, and I wrapped my arm around his back, looping my thumb in his belt. His muscles were so defined I could feel them even with layers of material separating my hand from his skin.
“She’s a cheeky one, Eden. Your friends are lovely, but they don’t hold a flame to you.” He smiled at me as we walked deeper into the club.
********
We took a private elevator up to another floor. I wasn’t sure how many levels there were as I tried to work out how his thumbprint on a security pad gained us entry to this lift. Surely he wasn’t an employee. I knew he owned a tattoo shop, well two of them, and the gym I frequented. How did he tie into this club?
Was it rude to ask? How well did I really know him?
“You’re frowning.” Came his dark husky voice, it tugged deliciously all the memories of him doing nasty things to my body.
“Oh.” I tried not to look affected by his voice.
“You’re curious, aren’t you? No doubt you have questions for me.” He quirked one of his perfectly-shaped brows.
