Riley Love

by Riley Love

Zara’s laugh filled his sleek, contemporary living space. All white furniture with a pop of black, red, and evergreen decor. “Now, brother, we both know that there will be plenty of girls at Suite for you to seduce.”

  “Contrary to what you think, I haven’t seduced anyone in almost a year.”

  Zara looked back at him in surprise. “What?”

  Shrugging, William headed to the door.

  “Jesus Christ,” Zara whispered as she stepped out the door while William held it open for her. “It is my mission to change that for you tonight.”

  William cracked a grin. “You can try. But I won’t guarantee anything.”

  “You’d better prepare yourself, little brother. I am a matchmaking magician.”

  Chapter 6

  CENTERED IN THE MOST prestigious area of downtown Charleston, Suite was like nothing Kate had ever seen. She’d lived in Charleston, South Carolina for twenty years now.

  “You left your cell in the car, right?” Aimee whispered as they stepped to the line that waited between the velvet ropes and before the doormen.

  Kate nodded. She thought it was odd that Aimee made her leave her phone in her glove box. Being detached from it made her apprehensive. But who would really call her anyway, except her mother or younger brother who were already asleep at home?

  “Good. They are not allowed inside. I just don’t want any excuse to be turned away at the door.”

  Dressed in a short gold dress and six-inch black stilettos, Kate started to doubt whether she truly belonged there. Her first warning was when they had to get cleared by the tight security. Standing there with the two large men looking down at her as if they were the secret service, and she was an undercover spy, made her uneasy.

  “Hello, Maverick. We are on the list,” Aimee said. “She’s my guest. Kate Carter.”

  Kate’s eyes traveled up the doorman’s six-four frame to the scar beneath his right eye.

  He looked them over, then at the list. “One guest a month, Aimee,” he said. “Don’t try to bring two guests in one month again, understood?”

  Aimee rolled her eyes but nodded without a word.

  Kate glanced at him, too afraid to stare for longer than two seconds. He was a large man. Serious. Imposing. She wouldn’t want to talk back to him either.

  He gave Aimee one last stern look and then winked at Kate. “Enjoy your night, young lady,” he said as he stepped aside to let her pass.

  “Thank you,” Kate said, surprised by his wink. Still, he didn’t smile. She followed Aimee as the doormen opened the door for them with a bow. In an instant, the tables had turned, and they were no longer begging for entry into the White House to execute their plans of espionage. They were now grand duchesses or princesses, allowed entry into a fantastical lair.

  Stepping into Suite was like entering a magical land. All of her doubts faded with the constant hum of the music that pumped into the room from overhead speakers. Aimee was right, the place was packed with people who clearly had money to blow.

  Aimee took Kate’s hand and marched up to the fingerprint scanner. She pressed her thumb to the scanner and was cleared for entry. She nodded to the hostess on duty, who now stood in Aimee’s usual spot when she was on the schedule to work. Standing before the main bar area, Kate watched the people on the dance floor as the neon lights flashed and shone over them. She was captivated by their movements and drawn in by how at first glance, everyone was incredibly attractive. She began to wonder if that was a prerequisite for being a member here.

  Aimee gave her hand a squeeze.

  “Now, tell me,” Aimee said. “What are we going to be tonight? Good girls or dirty little sluts? I say dirty little sluts…it’s so much more fun.”

  Kate couldn’t help but laugh. “You don’t leave much in between, do you?”

  Aimee grinned. “There isn’t much room for in between here. Let’s start with shots.”

  There wasn’t a chance to protest, Kate was pulled along to the bar at their right and felt the eyes of the members watching as they walked by. She didn’t blame them. Aimee was hot. She only wished she didn’t look so out of place. She was wearing Aimee’s dress—and shoes—after all.

  Yes, a shot would be perfect right now.

  Aimee flashed a smile at the bartender. “Hi, Matt. Can you get us two shots of Patron?”

  “With lime?”

  “Of course.”

  “You got it. Who is your friend?” His blue eyes looked Kate up and down as he collected two shot glasses.

  Kate stepped forward. “Kate. Nice to meet you?”

  He wiped his hand on a black towel that hung from his belt and reached out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you too.” He gave Aimee a look with a half smirk. “Why do you always bring the pretty girls in here when I’m working?”

  Aimee chuckled. “I’m awful, aren’t I? I do it to tease you, of course.”

  Kate blushed and looked away. She focused on the dance floor, feeling the music vibrate beneath her feet. It had been ages since she’d last danced. She just might step out onto the dance floor later. Maybe, if she had enough shots to give her a little liquid confidence.

  Matt poured the shots and placed them on the bar before them. “Start a tab?”

  “Yeah right,” Aimee snorted. “Now you know better. The first round is on me. All of the rest are on some rich dude.” She laughed and handed Kate her shot.

  “Lick, drink and suck. Right?” Kate held her lime in her other hand and grinned.

  “That’s right, babe.” Aimee held her glass up to Kate’s. “Cheers!”

  The clank of shot glasses signified the beginning of what Kate hoped to be a night that would make her forget everything awful that had happened that week.

  She was right. The cool liquid went down her throat, and the sour squirt of lime between her teeth had an almost immediate effect. She was surprised. She’d always had an extremely low tolerance. Aimee must have noticed the look on her face.

  “You’ll be stripping on the tables before you know it.” She laughed as she took Kate’s glass. She stepped close and cupped Kate’s face in her hands. “You trust me?”

  Kate grinned, feeling the heat of the tequila trailing down her body, warming her shoulders. She took Aimee by the waist. Who could she trust more than her best friend? “Of course, I do. Show me around.”

  “Let’s do it.”

  Into the crowd they went.

  Let it all go. Kate followed Aimee from the bar. Just for tonight, be someone free. Have a little fun for once.

  She didn’t need much encouragement. The Patron worked its magic, and suddenly she felt as if the night was hers. She could do anything.

  Kate brushed shoulders with a young man with dirty blond hair. He gave her an odd look when he passed her, a look that asked the question, do I know you? His green eyes nearly made her stumble as they pierced into hers in the dim lights that flickered like a strobe light.

  She smiled at him as he passed. It was all she could think to do. She looked over her shoulder. Always a sucker for a handsome face. She was starting to realize that an attractive man was her one and only weakness. But this one was familiar to her. She couldn’t place where she’d seen him before. The room was too dark, and the moment had been too quick.

  She realized then that the man looked like William Alexander. It couldn’t be. She had to find out.

  Her eyes searched for him in the crowd, and she saw him heading to the VIP section. That was where she needed to be.

  “Take me to VIP,” she said. Something stirred within her. A strange sense of purpose and thirst for adventure. The moment his eyes met hers, she knew that she would have to find him again.

  But what exactly would she do when she found him?

  The answer excited her.

  Chapter 7

  “SURE, WE CAN HEAD over to the VIP section. I mean, the entire club feels like VIP, but that is where the real high rollers are.” Aimee winked at her. “It’s also where I have the
most fun, and you’re not quite ready for the other levels of Suite.”

  Kate raised a brow. “What’s on the other levels?”

  “Not much,” Aimee said with a shrug. “Just voyeurism rooms, Shibari rooms, private rooms. The really kinky stuff.”

  “What is a Shibari room?”

  “Rope art,” Aimee said.

  “What?” Kate asked as she continued to search for him.

  “You’re hopeless!” Aimee laughed. “You just asked me what a Shibari room was. It’s where people go to play with ropes. You know, get tied up and stuff.”

  “Oh.” She gave up on looking for him. Before her was a smorgasbord of attractive men. “Interesting.”

  Aimee spun around. Her eyes widened with mischief. “Really?” She pulled her to the right. “Let’s go take a look then.”

  Kate pulled her back. “Yeah right!”

  “I didn’t think so.” Aimee paused and looked around. “I need another drink. Don’t you?”

  “I could go for another.”

  “Watch this,” Aimee said, and they marched past the velvet rope that sectioned off the VIP section. She simply nodded to the two men who patrolled the section and led Kate to the long, fluorescent-lit bar at the back of the room.

  At the bar, Aimee smiled at the bartender. “What’s up, Starr?”

  “Just pouring that liquid lust,” Starr replied, and Aimee nodded.

  “That’s right. I like it.”

  She turned to Kate. “Welcome to the VIP bar.”

  “It’s nice. What are we getting?”

  Aimee grinned. “Nothing. We wait. Don’t worry, it won’t be long.”

  As if by magic, two guys approached them almost immediately. Tall with an athletic body, dark hair, dark brown eyes, and swarthy skin, one looked to be in his thirties. The other was in his early forties, bald, much shorter, with a round body.

  “Hello, ladies,” the taller one said in a German accent that surprised them both. “What are you drinking over here?”

  “Patron,” they said in unison.

  Kate couldn’t help giggling.

  He held a hand out to her. “Henrik,” he said, and she shook his hand. “This is Ben.”

  “Aimee and Kate,” Aimee said quickly. She stepped closer to Henrik. “Let’s take a shot together, Henrik.”

  “Yes,” a female voice thick with a British accent said. Everyone turned to the stunning blonde with the short haircut.

  Kate refrained from saying, wow. The young woman had a slim body that was showcased by the plunging neckline of her teal dress. The teal brought out the many shades of green in her eyes as she scanned the four of them.

  “I see you’ve found my servants,” she said with a grin, nodding to Henrik and Ben. “How about that shot?”

  “Sure,” Aimee said.

  The young woman stepped past them in her black stilettos with a pencil-thin heel. “Bartender,” she called in that lovely accent that captured all of their attention. “A round of Patron shots with lime, please.”

  She swirled around and held a hand out to Aimee. “Zara Alexander. And you are?”

  “Aimee.”

  Zara Alexander. Kate swallowed and held out her hand. “Kate.” The realization that the man she had seen was indeed William hit her, and she looked around for him.

  “Lovely. Who is ready for a bit of fun?” Without waiting for a reply, she turned to the bar and started handing out shots. “Down it, and let’s head back to our booth.” She held out her shot glass.

  Kate could tell by the look on Aimee’s face that although Zara was aggressive, she sparked something in her. There was something about Zara. She didn’t know if it was the accent, or her overall look and class, but they both wanted to be around her.

  “Cheers,” Kate said, and downed her shot. “Show us the way.”

  “Right,” Zara said. “This way.”

  Kate’s excitement grew as they crossed the room and entered the even more exclusive VIP lounge area. Eyes followed them as they walked past.

  The women dancing on the podiums at each corner entranced her. Clad in black, jewel-encrusted bras, and black skirts that were short enough to expose a peek of their butts, they moved in unison, mirroring each other. The young women even had their hair cut in the same blunt bob despite their range of ethnicities. The beauty of it made Kate smile.

  “This place is incredible,” she whispered to Aimee.

  “I told you,” Aimee said, giving Kate’s hand a squeeze.

  When they turned the corner to reach Zara’s VIP booth, Kate’s smile faded. Her eyes rested on one person. One man out of everyone around them.

  Even in the dimly lit area she could tell that his eyes were a bright green. With his arms draped over the back of the leather seat, he stared back at her. A look of amusement came to his face once he recognized her as well.

  William Alexander.

  She looked away. “My God.”

  Aimee glanced at her. “What?”

  “It’s him,” she said. “William Alexander. The man who may be my new boss.”

  “Have a seat,” Zara said with a bright smile. “I’ll buzz the waitress over and order more champagne.”

  “Sweet,” Aimee said. “Let’s get this party started.”

  Kate sat in the seat closest to William, leaving a little space in between them. She glanced at him once again. He sat up in his seat and ran a hand through his dirty blond hair.

  “I want him,” she said, turning to Aimee.

  Aimee raised a brow and glanced over at him. “Holy hell. Me too.”

  Kate nudged her in the ribs. “Not this one.” When she looked back at him, their eyes met once again. She tried to suppress her attraction for him. She didn’t want a repeat of what had almost happened with Peter. But her research had revealed that William was never married, and had been single for some time. The situation was completely different. Still, she vowed to be cautious.

  “Gentlemen, meet my new mates, Kate, and Aimee,” Zara said as she handed them flutes of champagne as the waitress poured.

  The four men raised their glasses and greeted them.

  Zara sat between Aimee and Kate. “You’ve met Henrik and Ben. That fellow with the red tie is Conner Richter, and the dashing young man at the end is my twin brother, William.” She turned to Aimee. “He’s almost as pretty as his sister, isn’t he?”

  Kate noticed how Zara looked at Aimee. There was something seductive in her eyes, and Aimee seemed to notice as well.

  It was as if she was spellbound, unable to do anything but nod her head to Zara’s question. What was it about William and his sister? No one left Aimee speechless.

  The resemblance between William and Zara was uncanny. They shared the same enchanting green eyes and blond hair. Kate could tell, even when clothed in an expensive suit, that William had a body to rival any she’d ever seen or touched.

  She swallowed at the thought of touching him. As if he could read her thoughts, he slid closer to her on the L-shaped leather sofa.

  Henrik flopped into the seat between them with an open bottle in one hand. “Drink up. I have your refill ready,” he said.

  Kate took a sip, annoyed that he was so close to her. His arm pressed against hers in a way that made her uncomfortable.

  His dark eyes examined her face. He touched her hair, and she pulled her face away. Downing his glass of champagne, he loosened his tie. “You’re like a Disney princess.”

  Kate’s brows furrowed as she looked at him. “Really? A Disney princess?”

  “That’s right.” He nodded and poured more champagne into his glass. “What do you say I whisk you away on my white horse? Show you a real prince.”

  Brows furrowed, Kate made an attempt to scoot further away, nearly sitting on Zara’s lap to get away. She’d rather be in her lap than within his reach. “No, thanks.”

  Henrik’s lips spread into a grin. He was attractive, but something about his mannerisms turned her off. “Feisty. I didn
’t expect that from you.” He squeezed her thigh, leaning in.

  The smell of cigarette smoke on his breath making her grimace.

  “I like my women submissive.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t like me very much,” she said, standing. She turned her back on him. “I need some air.” She paused when she saw Zara whispering into Aimee’s ear.

  “Me too, actually. How about a trip to the rooftop garden?”

  Kate’s face flushed. She would never forget that voice, deep and with a thick British accent. Over her shoulder, she saw William extend an arm out to her.

  It wasn’t really a question. William nodded for her to come, and she wordlessly accepted his arm. She allowed herself to be led away.

  She feared she’d go wherever he took her…and do whatever he’d asked.

  Chapter 8

  WITH A SLENDER ARM draped over his, William didn’t want the moment to end. He felt like a king to have such an exotic beauty by his side. He’d been to Suite quite a bit since they’d moved to Charleston, but he’d never seen a more beautiful woman before that day.

  It was a pleasant surprise to have seen her twice in one day. The stunning assistant whom he had to make his own. How could anyone forget those gray eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of life, rich caramel skin, and lips that would make any man imagine the most sensual and dirtiest things he’d like to do to that mouth?

  “Is this your first time here?” He needed to break away from his thoughts before they took him to a dark place.

  “Yes. It is my first time, and you?”

  “I’ve been a member for two months. It is an interesting place. Not many like this back in London.”

  “I’ve always wanted to go to London. I admit I’m in love with any show or movie created by the BBC. Do you go home often?”

  “No.” He cleared his throat. He was being short. He knew he needed to keep the conversation flowing lest he lose her interest. Such a thing was unacceptable.

  No woman had captivated him in such a way since Mia ripped out his heart. His jaw tightened at her memory. He didn’t want to think of her ever again, and yet she kept popping into his mind when he least wanted it. He’d found himself comparing any woman whom he might want to her dark beauty.