A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(12)
“Didn’t you hear her? Her glass is empty.” Kyle didn’t take his eyes off me as he picked up the bottle and poured another round for both Taylah and I.
While Tay hesitantly brought the glass to her lips, I had already finished mine. I placed my empty shot glass back down on the bar.
“Wow short-stuff. You might want to slow down.” Ben teased, his brow arched as Kyle poured yet another.
I took the glass and swallowed, while Taylah simply shook her head, letting her glass sit on the bar. “If I wanted advice, I’d call my dad.” I waved my empty glass in front of them.
“Lex, maybe you should slow down.” As Taylah made no attempt to take another drink, I picked up her glass and swallowed her shot too.
“I thought we were having fun tonight?” I pouted, the rapid shots of vodka making me feel giddy. I wasn’t drunk but I was feeling pretty amazing. I knew the emotion was manufactured but right now, I didn’t care. I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular other than what was happening in front of me and that was pure heaven.
“Sweetheart, we aren’t going to have any trouble with you tonight are we?” Kyle’s eyes gleamed, almost inviting the trouble he warned me not to cause.
“Not if you keep those shots coming and shelve the side order of judgement.” I pointed to the bottle still in his hand. My voice didn’t falter, I was done being scrutinized and it felt so good to let that shit go. Ben reluctantly moved to serve other patrons though seemed annoyed he had relinquished control of the bottle, thus no longer having a reason to be on our side of the bar.
Kyle slowly filled my glass, “Maybe Ben should warn the boss?”
“Why don’t you tell me about him instead?” I raised the glass to my lips and allowed the smooth liquid to flow down my throat. Taylah waved her hand over her glass to indicate she was done, at least for now.
“Tell you about Ben?” Kyle asked he placed the bottle on the bar while Ben grinned at the mention of his name.
“No, your boss,” I glanced over to where Nick had been standing though he was noticeably absent now.
“Can’t help you with that, sweetheart,” Kyle shook his head, “if you want to know something about him, you’re going to have to ask yourself. Though I should warn you, best you don’t.”
“Hey Short-Stuff. You done pounding shooters?” Ben called from the other side of the bar. “Your friend sure looks like she’s done. How about you let me make the two of you something sweet?” He grabbed a Boston and started mixing colourful spirits.
“If you make me a Cosmo, I’ll kick your ass!” I threatened, not really wanting to take a break from Mr. Belvedere.
“Don’t doubt it!” Ben smirked back as he threw ice into the shaker.
The phone under the bar trilled and Kyle pulled the handset to his ear. He plugged his other ear with his finger in an effort to hear the caller over the noise of the bar. No mean feat I’m guessing.
There were a few well-placed grunts and nods before the call was ended and he returned the phone back to its base.
“You’ve been summoned!” Kyle pointed to the balcony across the club. “Boss said to send you up the VIP area. Guess you must have made an impression on him.” He winked as he wiped down the bar.
“Well, Taylah and I are happy just where we are so I guess your boss will be waiting a while.” I grabbed the two Martini glasses Ben had poured our custom cocktails into and waved goodbye. I handed Tay her glass and pulled her toward the dance floor.
“Um Lexi, maybe the VIP area isn’t such a bad idea?” Taylah juggled her glass as we walked through the crowd.
“Screw that! I want to dance.” I swallowed the cocktail in one continuous drink, my head spinning from the lethal mix of deliciousness Ben had concocted. He was right. It was sweet yet still punchy.
“Ok, whatever you want Lex. I’m not the one who has to deal with Rock Star when you are hung over tomorrow.” Taylah sipped her drink, “WOW! This is freaking amazing.”
“I know!” I nodded, “I could drink like ten of those.” I waved to Ben and Kyle who were studying us from the bar. They didn’t wave back and turned away quickly, busying themselves with the thirsty horde in front of them. Rude! Ben’s eyes glanced back nervously in our direction and then raised up to the balcony above us. I followed his line of sight and caught the unmistakable shadow of Nick (good looking and very mysterious club owner) leaning against the glass wall. We were being watched. Perhaps he wasn’t used to his offer of VIP treatment being turned down, or maybe he just had stalker tendencies, but while I thought it was both rude and odd my care factor was a big fat zero right now. I continued on my quest which, right now, was to dance.
“Come dance with me Tay,” I tugged lightly on her arm. I’m not sure if it was the alcohol (a massive possibility) but I no longer cared if anyone knew who I was.
“Lex, I love ya but I don’t dance. I have two left feet. It’s like a miracle I can walk in heels. You really feel like a trip to the emergency room?” Taylah refused to move any further. “Go, have fun. I’m going to go check out the bathrooms.”
“Fine,” I conceded. “Get me another drink on your way back.”
I stepped onto the dance floor and closed my eyes. I let the beat of the music and the rhythm of the crowd carry me deeper into a trance. I moved in time as sweaty, fevered bodies collided with mine, yet I didn’t care. It felt amazing. I let myself go as all the tension of the last few weeks left my body and while I knew most of what I was feeling was alcohol induced, I was free. Two hands grabbed around my waist and yanked me back onto a hard body. At first I thought someone had accidently knocked into me. Everyone was kind of mashed into each other due to the close proximity of the other dancers but when I felt the random owner of the body grind his “junk” firmly against my ass, I knew it was intentional. Whoever he was, he was excited and very hard. “Hey Baby,” He whispered into my ear.