Gilded Wings

by Laura Miller

  “Where is everyone else Lex?” I glanced around just double checking that I wasn’t being oblivious.

  “Luce is on her way here with Travie, Callum, Mitch and Connor”.

  “Wow, that’s a choice of men for you tonight eh Lex” I giggled as she flushed red.

  Lex had always had a thing for Callum but had refused to surrender to temptation. She saw him as no better than Jake and refused to get involved with anything one that thought with his dick.

  “Ha very funny, our table downstairs is nearly ready then we can go. I have some buffet food coming out in an hour or so.” She looked at me, her brows frowning, “and I suggest you eat something before you start drinking, we know what a lousy drunk you are.”

  Jake let out a snigger and Lex chimed in with her girlish giggles.

  “I am not that bad, come on.” I whined.

  “Whatever you say sis, whatever you say.”

  We made our way downstairs to the lower floor after we had been informed that Lex’s private booth was ready. I had already had one strawberry daiquiri and I swear I already felt tipsy, not that I was going to inform Lex or Jake of that. They would only rip the piss out of me. I don’t think they are ever going to let me forget that night.

  So what if I go completely shitfaced on three glasses of wine, skipped down Clapham High street, got my heel stick in a drain and took the drain away with me, clipping myself in the leg, gashing it open and ending up in hospital needing nine stitches. Happens to everyone once in their life?

  The room was crowded with bodies as they moved to the music in such close proximity. Extravagant arm movements swinging through the ultraviolet glare of the lights. A sense of sexual tension engulfing the floor.

  The Hawaiian theme continued on this level. Though this area had far more of an underground club feel to it. With the dance floor taking centre placement, booths circled it allowing the men to focus of the centralised dancing female forms. I squeezed through the damp bodies hand in hand with Lex. I must have lost count of how many times my ass was grabbed, no doubt Jake being the main culprit. As we broke through to the other side of the dance floor we arrive at our booth. Black leather cushioned seating with fishbowls full of alcohol on the table. We shifted around the booth when I went to pour a glass from the fishbowl. Lex grabbed my hand.

  “No you don’t, not until you have eaten.”

  “Seriously Lex, anyone would think you were the older sister.” I sulked hoping she would change her mind. Yep, that wasn’t working.

  "Hey Evie" I stood up to kiss Lucy on the cheek, "This is Travie" she indicated to the guy standing on her left very demurely with her eyes. Not that she had to; I would have picked it up by the way he had his arm slung around her shoulders. So this was her completely fuckable best night ever man, I giggled to myself.

  I reached out my hand, "nice to meet you Travie".

  "You too". He was very handsome with dark brown eyes, almost jet back hair and a golden glow to his skin.

  "Nice." I whispered into Lucy's ear.

  “You know Callum and this is Mitch. They are in the band with Travie.” Luce continued.

  “Callum knows Travie?” I questioned.

  “Yeah, small world hey.” She pulled a clueless face.

  Callum was Callum, not as much of a womaniser as Jake but he had his fair share of skirt. He was completely infatuated with Lex, but she wasn’t having any of it. He had sandy blond hair with pretty blue eyes. He was the ‘pretty boy’ out of all of the guys; really, he modeled in the Burberry Brit campaigns and for YSL.

  “Hey you wanna drink?” Luce whispered to me.

  “I wish, Lex has me on house arrest until I have eaten.”

  She sniggered at the recollection of me pissed and then pulled her 'so what' face.

  She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the bar.

  “Four sambuca shots please,” she called over to the barman.

  "Here you go love, that'all be eighteen pounds".

  She handed him a twenty, "keep the change".

  “Oooh Lex is gonna kill you” I giggled, “such a bad, bad, influence Lucy”.

  Lucy winked. "Ready Evie, 1,2,3". The strong flavour of aniseed worked its way through my mouth down to the back of my throat, leaving behind a lingering warm trail.

  “Again, one, two, three" I necked the next one, I wasn't a big drinker, well I didn’t think so. The main reason being that I was notoriously bad at handling my drink. And that Henry didn’t like me drinking. He found it irresponsible and tasteless for a woman to be intoxicated. Blah blah blah. Cocktails were my preference; wine would normally go to my head and turn me into an emotional spinster or a drunken ASBO.

  As the Sambuca warmed my body I started to feel happy, I was confident, I was me.

  We moved to the dance floor and my body started to feel and move with the music, my hips swayed and my arms moved through the air. Kings of Leon were playing, sex of fire heating the dance floor. I grinded my hips to the undercurrent base of the music, trailing my hands down my body. I felt sexual and I was taking advantage of my mood. Especially as it was fuelled by alcohol.

  "That's my sister, Evie".

  The comment grabbed my attention. Who was Lex talking to? I turned around and my mouth nearly hit the floor. It was him, my shoulder to cry on. Shit, shitteddy, shit. I smiled over briefly, but carried on dancing. I did not want to be left alone with him. He must already think I am a complete broken down pre-menstrual hormonal mess with a ton of baggage. Lucy caught onto my reaction and my apparent lack of enthusiasm for seeing him.

  "Mmmmhmmm, I definitely would, wouldn't you Evie" smirking.

  "No I wouldn't, I'm with Henry and you are bloody well with Travie".

  “Yeah but a girl can dream. Good to keep our options open.”

  Lucy and I carried on dancing and I was aware of him watching at me. I felt his eyes boring into my skin as if I had been put on a pedestal for his eyes alone to consume my body. I did not usually welcome the attention. . . but. . .I could make this interesting, the sinister part of my mind fuelling my need to rebel. If he wanted to watch me then maybe I should give him something to watch. The alcohol was working, removing all of my usual inhibitions. I swayed my hips, arching my back ever so slightly to make the curve in my buttocks more dramatic and my breasts more defined. Feeling brave I deliberately held onto his deep wanting gaze. Not allowing myself to break eye contact as I slowly ran my fingers from around the back of my neck, sensually down along the ridge of my collar bone. His lips parted. His focus intense and not breaking from my body. Oh I was having an effect on him. This was beyond liberating.

  I continued the tour of my fingers, trailing them over my fully clothed breasts. My dress highlighting their silhouette. I then ran my fingers further down following the curve of my waist and over my hips. I closed my eyes for a split second, allowing myself to enjoy the erotic trail of my fingers. When they opened my eyes my heart skipped a beat. There he was; standing right in front of me. My pulse raced. Our eyes pressing into one another. His hands brushed against my hips. The shudder of energy that pulsed through me was exhilarating.

  Without speaking a word I turned away from him, his hands dropped from my body. The longing of his touch was too overwhelming. I needed it. Glancing over my shoulder I bit my lower lip. His chest was raging with movement. I could see his heart beating against his white shirt. I took a step back and pressed my body into his. Grinding my hips with him to the music. His strong arms wrapped around me placing the palm of his hands on my abdomen. There was no way of me not noticing his ripped biceps and stone hard chest, he was exquisite. I lifted my arms up and laced the around his neck, connecting our bodies as closely as physically possible. Wanting to feel his warm skin against mine. I could feel how much he wanted me. His erection pressed against my lower back. Knowing that he wanted me made me feel powerful and sexy, something I had not felt in a very long time. I closed my eyes and just let our bodies move with each other to the music. It was
rhythmic bliss. Our bodies were as one. No one else mattered.

  As the song ended something in me awoke to the reality of our surroundings. I stepped out of our clinch and saw Lucy. Her mouth ajar and eyes wide, standing completely bemused at what she had just seen. I grabbed her hand and dragged her to the bar before she could utter a word. I locked eyes with Alexis and she followed us over.

  "Another six Sambuca shots please." I was practically begging the bar man. I needed these now. There was no way I was going to get through this night sober.

  I handed two to Luce and two to Lex and we downed them.

  As the Sambuca hit me and I started to feel calmer, my actions began to seem more justified.

  We walked back over to our table. He was gone, nowhere to be seen. Although I was relived part of me was saddened, longing to feel his touch once again.

  "Phew." I muttered.

  "I think I just witnessed full sex on the dance floor, my God that was hot Evie". I cringed at Lucy’s recollection of my actions.

  "Why was he asking after you?" Lex asked genuinely interested.

  "Oh I just, um bumped into him once."

  Screams of voices gained my attention. I followed the growing crowd with my eyes. He had not gone. He was standing in the middle of the dance floor surrounded by a host of women screaming his name. Typical. Confused I looked at Alexis.

  "Who is he?"

  "Some fighter or something, He is friends with Travie."

  Fighter? That explained his frame and his raw rugged look.

  "Not just any fighter Evie", Jake shouted over, "he is Conner Ryan, the next big thing to hit the MMA. He is going to be world class."

  "MMA?" I questioned, what the hell was that?

  “Mixed Martial Arts, it’s like a toned down version of cage fighting, UFC all of that". Jake summed up, not that I knew much other than he must have been a fighter, the closest I get to knowing about and fighting sports is the Haymaker. Jake seemed ridiculously excited by the fact Connor was here and Travie knew him, like he was his very own fighting celebrity who he wanted to be-friend.

  “Oh okay" I mused. Hot, Half naked, sweaty, muscles clenching.

  "Where did you run off too?" his sultry tone slid over the words as he whispered into my ear from behind me. I turned around and met his gaze. He was stunning. Masculine in every form. His voice was raw, sinfully sexy and his body was ripped to just the right point, not over bearing, just right. He was wearing a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, they gripped around his toned biceps. He exuded charisma and charm. I completely understood why all of those women were screaming his name. I would love too. I shook the thought from my head.

  My eyes were objectifying his body and I didn't care. The club was chaotic, but all I could focus on was him.

  "Wow, you look amazing Evie, and you felt even better," He winked at me.

  I blushed, the warm sensation of flush covering my cheeks was an obvious sign. It was suddenly getting ridiculously hot in here.

  “Thanks, I, I um" why was I so nervous? I must have sounded like a babbling baboon. Just talk like a normal adult human being, I felt myself screaming in my head.

  "Are you avoiding me Evie?" His head tilted to the side awaiting my response.

  "No, I, I am just a little embarrassed about yesterday." And our mating dance we just performed in front of all of my friends, while I am ENGAGED.

  "Don't be, you okay though? You seemed pretty upset."

  I raised my left hand to tuck the loose stray of hair behind my ear.

  "So you're engaged then?" His face tensing as he bit the words out. He was glaring at the ring on my finger.

  "Yes, as of yesterday." I tried to offer a genuine smile but I couldn't. His eyes focused back on mine like he was trying to see my most intimate thoughts and feelings. It was completely un-nerving.

  "You don't seem overly happy about it, is that why you were crying yesterday?"

  “Look you know nothing about me, don't try and assume you do or question my relationship." I snapped at him. I stepped to turn away and I felt a hand around my upper arm.

  He pulled me towards him. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to pry. You are just far too perfect to be upset over a man."

  This was too much, I needed air. My chest was constricting my breath. "I have to go". I pulled my arm from his grasp and started walking towards the exit. I kept focus on the red illuminated exit sign directing me to the stairs. I tried to squeeze through the crowds but I was being pushed and pulled. I lost my footing and the next body to barge me knocked me off of my feet.

  I felt myself being scoped up into two strong arms. The alluring scent of him confirmed that these were Connor’s arms. I buried my head into his chest. He smelt amazing, primal. I opened my eyes when I felt the cool fresh air over my body. I looked into Connor’s eyes and could feel my soul aching for him. His eyes were wide burning into mine.

  “Thank you, you really don't need to be so kind to me," I said softly.

  "What if I want to?" He whispered gently.

  "I really should go."

  He set me down onto my feet. I turned on my heels and started to walk, quite unevenly I might add. I had only taken a few steps when I heard footsteps pacing behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see that Connor was following me.

  "What are you doing?" I exclaimed.

  "Making sure you get home safely. I can't have you walking by yourself in central London, it’s not safe".

  "Honestly I will be fine, I am walking to the end of Piccadilly and will pick up a cab from there."

  "Let me drive you home?"

  I sniggered. Not the most attractive sound to make in this instance, but it was automatic to his ridiculous proposal.

  "Surely if you are worried about my safety and well being then it would be very irresponsible of me to get into a car with a strange man and let him drive me home, alone".

  "Good point Evie, I'll just in the cab with you then we will have a chaperone".

  My mouth dropped open. He couldn't be serious, could he?

  "Can you take me to Oakfield Drive, Chelsea please?"

  "No problem Ma'am, jump on in"

  "Look Connor, it was very kind of to walk me here but you really don't have to escort me home, see you around."

  He stood in front of the open back door to the cab not allowing me to get inside, "I thought we had already established that I will be talking you home and this lovely gentleman will be our chaperone".

  He climbed into the cab and put out his hand for me to take. I don't know what possessed me to do so but I slipped my hand into his and climbed in.

  “Well that was hardly gentlemanly; shouldn’t you let the woman get in first?”

  “For one I was not giving you the chance of getting in before me to drive off. Secondly” he lowered his voice to an almost whisper “I don’t think my heart could take the strain of you bending over in front of me in that dress.” My mouth dropped open, I was completely silenced. Not letting go of my hand we began our journey back to my home.

  My mind was wandering. Trying to piece together the evening’s events and pin point the moment which was the catalyst for me ending up in the back of a black cab, hand in hand with Connor Ryan.

  “You’re quiet.” His eyes were looking at me intently awaiting an answer.

  “Just a long night I suppose, I’m not a great drinker.”

  His mouth widened showcasing his bright white, orthopaedics dream smile. A flutter of emotions stirred in my stomach. My body confirming the lustful reaction I felt towards him.

  His fingers began to entwine with mine. With his free hand he played with my engagement ring, frowning at each movement it made under his touch. He seemed deep in thought, contemplating the gravity of what this ring symbolised to me.

  Chapter 6

  "Thank you for the drive sir, how much will that be?" Connor called over to the driver.

  "Twenty six pounds Sir."

  He pulled out his black leather wallet and h
anded thirty pounds over to the cab driver, "keep the change sir, the drive has been worth every penny."

  I stood there, my mouth ajar, again, at what had just happened. Connor looked over and winked.

  "Thank you for escorting me home Connor, it was very kind of you. Will you be ok getting home?"

  "Not a problem Evie, and yes I will be fine getting home."

  "Where are you going?" I found myself asking, not wanting our chance meeting to end.

  "Clapham Common"

  "Why didn't you stay in the cab?"

  "I'm gonna walk, think I need some time to think before I am hounded by Travie and the band."

  I giggled, "You can crash in the spare bedroom if you want?" I was reacting on impulse nothing less. What the hell was wrong with me? My head tried to reason but I would not listen, something about him being here with me just felt right. All common sense quarantined behind closed doors pushed to the back of my mind.

  "Will your fiancé not mind?" He asked.

  "He is away on business, again, so no he won’t mind."

  Not pressing me on my comment he simply said "That would be great".

  I pushed the key into the lock and turned it. I pushed the door open and threw down my keys onto the side table, kicking off my heels. Ahh, that felt amazing.

  "I'll show you up."

  I walked cautiously up our staircase acutely aware that Connor was walking behind me. I tried to walk as seamlessly as possible without overtly looking like I was wiggling my ass and giving him the green light. When we reached the top of the staircase I walked to the spare bedroom and opened the door. One of the five 'spare' bedrooms. Out of them all this was the most comfortable, with its own en-suite. It was also the one furthest away from my bedroom. As I had already been acting on impulse this evening, the more distance my body could have away from Connor’s the better.

  "Let me know if you need anything", I smiled and turned to walk out of the room.

  "Good night Evie", he called as I pulled the door to.

  ***

  I was woken by the sound of my own screams. Sweat was pouring from every crevice of my body. My eyes were swollen and I couldn't stop the tears from spilling onto my pillow case. My heart raced. Panic erupted. I looked around the room trying to focus. As I realised my whereabouts I began to calm enough to realise it had been a dream, a bad dream. They used to be a Nightly ritual until I met Henry. The last time I had one was four weeks ago. It was the last time Henry hit me.