Billion Dollar Bad Boy (Big City Billionaires)(41)

“Well?” Silver asked, running his fingers up my spine. “Is this okay?”

My heart was rumbling, but I managed to meet his stare. “This is what you planned for tonight?”

There was no hint of shame in his face. “Last time, our fun was cut short.”

Anxiousness crept into my bones. It made a home there, refusing to be evicted no matter how I tried to calm myself.

Around us, club-goers danced and shouted. They wore everything from suits to barely-there jean shorts. I didn't know the name of this place, but it only seemed to care about one thing; being erotic.

Silver urged me further into the swaying bodies, his touch as firm as any chain. Turning me in a circle, he brought me close to one of the large, white cushions set around the outside of the club's dance floor. This was good, because my legs were wobbling on my heels; I needed to sit.

“Can I get you a drink?” he asked, looming over me when I settled.

“That'd be great.” Laughing uneasily, I grabbed his sleeve before he could leave. His eyebrows went up. “Look, I know I seem nervous. Okay, I am nervous. But it's okay, I'm not going to run away this time.”

Silver considered me carefully. There was a softness in his eyes, just beyond that ever-constant layer of mystery. “I believe you. So let me go get you that drink.”

My hand fell away. I set it in my lap once he'd slipped out of view among the throngs of people. Crossing my bare legs, I looked around and tried to act normal. What's normal for a sex club? Jeez, if Laralie knew I'd come to one of these places—twice, even—she'd lose her mind.

Silver broke back into my eyesight, two glasses in his hands. He was smiling, but right as he got close to me, his attention swept just over my shoulder... and his joy vanished.

“Hey! Kes!” Someone was waving an arm, heading our way with purpose. The man looked as if someone had poured a hundred pounds of nails into a smelter, then carved the hard metal into a multitude of swords.

I'd never seen someone with such fierce features. When he swung out a hand to shake Silver's, I nearly reached out to stop him, just in case he'd slice the other man's arm in two.

Kes, as in Keswick? I knew that name from Silver's business card. A quick peek at him showed me the tension in his face. Was he wondering if I'd heard, or what I was thinking?

I played dumb, taking the drink from Silver. “Gerard,” he said, reaching out to join the handshake. “I haven't seen you in some time.”

“Over a year, at least,” the stranger laughed. Gerard glanced between us, his lips coiling on the corners. “And who is this lovely lady?”

Sipping my drink, I looked at the other man curiously. How did he know Silver? “I'm Alexis,” I said, waving briefly.

Gerard gave Silver a thoughtful look. I tried to read it, but I failed. “Well,” he said, gesturing around. “I never imagined I'd see you back in California. Didn't you move to Portland?”

“I still do some business here,” he said.

“Yeah?” Gerard cocked his head. “What about Florian, he here too? Man, everyone was upset when you guys bailed.”

“It's not bailing to take what you know and make something for yourself.”

Gerard was watching me from the corner of his eye. Silver was, too. “I remember you guys leaving even after I offered you a severe salary increase. Guess you were too good to work for anyone else, huh?” He flashed an insincere grin.

This is awkward. I hadn't thought I'd get caught in a subtle war like this. My drink was half gone, I saw Silver hadn't touched his.

Gerard pointed his too-sharp chin at me. “Alexis, right?” He paused, his tongue running over his lips. “You been to this club before?”

“Oh, uh, no.” I smiled apologetically.

Next to me, Silver stiffened and said, “That's enough.”

He leaned close, watching Silver as he spoke to me. “You do know what happens here, though?”

“Gerard.”

“If not, I'm sure he can show you around,” the man went on. “He's been here a lot. Shown plenty of others what to expect, if you get me.”

He's pissing Silver off by making me uncomfortable. Silver and Gerard had definitely parted on bad terms. He was trying to make me a casualty. I had other ideas.

Silver stepped forward, his knuckles tensing around his glass. Gerard was watching him with a delighted smirk. That meant he didn't see me when I stood tall, my arm pulling back.

“Hey!” Gerard gasped, jumping as the last of my drink soaked his face and shirt.

Setting the glass down, I hooked my arm on Silver's. “You're right,” I said, smiling sweetly. “He can show me how this place works. Thanks.” With a firm pull, I led Silver into the crowd.

I was acting calm, but my pulse was racing. Silver yanked me sideways, his fingers on my shoulders while he stared at my face. Amazingly, his look of shock erased my nerves—I started laughing.

He said, “You threw your drink on him.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I did. He was being an ass.”

Silver pulled me into a rough hug. Knowing that I'd made him happy was an aphrodisiac. It must have been for him, too, because he held me around my hips and guided me to a wall. His palms cupped my ass through my dress, mauling me as he breathed on my neck.