The same droning bass lines. The same empty faces and hungry stares…it was all so commonplace as to be monotonous. I gave a bitter laugh and tossed back my second shot of whiskey. At least the liquor was top shelf here and that was more than I could say for the half dozen other clubs I’d tried since I’d moved to Caldwell. I pushed the empty glass away and signaled to the bartender for a refill, taking the fresh drink and lifting it to my lips, giving a sideways glance toward the darkened booth in the corner, separated from the undulating masses by a thick velvet rope.
He was looking at me again. I didn’t know how I was sure
but, I was sure. His intense stare fixed in my direction, pale eyes glowing like
the high beams on a Porsche. He could have been looking through me, or at one
of the many painted and primped women that was currently writhing around me to
the heartless beat of a drum machine. Or he could have simply been looking
anywhere but at the female forms that surged and ebbed around him like a tide
of sex swelling against the sides of the booth he and the other giant men
currently occupied.
As a particularly bold peroxide blonde bent over him in an
attempt to showcase her assets, my eyes widened as his mouth opened, presumably
to accept her free sample, instead parting his lips, the pulsing rainbow
strobes of the dance floor glinting on…fangs? Those had to be a prop, those glue in numbers
that I’d seen sported on the androgynous Goths that populated The Iron Mask. Of
course. I shook my head at my own ridiculousness. Still, I lifted my eyes away
from those full lips, face infusing a deep red to find him meeting my stare. Stop being such a wuss, Cobb. You’re not
intimidated by anyone.
I had to laugh. These men weren’t just anyone. I’d seen them
walk in, towers of muscle dripping in black leather, keen eyes scanning the
crowd as if expecting an attack as the bodies around them parted in the wake of
the trio of “fuck off” as they bee lined it to the booth in the back. The one
in the front was spectacular. Teal eyes that set off his perfectly chiseled
face, long blonde hair swinging with every loping step he took, is long stride
sending his trench coat billowing out behind him. The one in the rear would
have been equally as amazing save the cruel-looking scar that divided his face
and curled his lips into a permanent snarl. His eyes were black pits that
matched the turtleneck he wore though it was as hot as hell in here, his gaze fixed
on his friend’s back as they stalked through the club to the rear. It was that
friend…the second of the three that grabbed my attention now. Not that any part
of the trio screamed “approachable”. In fact, they were almost scary. Fuck it.
I had enough whiskey in me that nothing short of the Four Horsemen of the
apocalypse was going to frighten me tonight.
I downed another finger of Jameson’s triple distilled and
took to my feet, shoving through the turbulent pools of gathered bodies and
trying hard not to roll my eyes at the club bunnies that were nearly clawing
over each other to get the interest of one of the men.
I finally eased in behind a redhead wearing a skirt so tight
that I was positive she squeaked when she walked to stand in front of their
table, my eyes locked on him. Christ… if he was handsome from a distance, he
was nothing short of breathtaking up close. His eyes were bright as stars,
those lips framed by a thick black goatee and just begging to be kissed. I bit
my lip and straightened my shoulders, willing myself not to wither under his
unwavering stare. I silently thanked every deity I could think of that he
couldn’t read minds… the only word I could think of to describe him was
beautiful and I was positive he wouldn’t receive that particular adjective
well.
Come on, Jodi…your
fucking mouth works. Use it. I made a point of sizing up the other women
around me, suddenly self-conscious of my faded too-tight jeans and tank,
grateful that I’d at least worn heels. I felt a little less diminutive standing
beside little miss fuck me.
Channeling all my bravado I jerked a thumb at the horde of
breathing Barbie dolls. “Are those with you or do they come free with the
drinks, Mr…?”
He barked out a laugh that lit his face beneath the brim of
the Red Sox cap he wore. “More like part of the scenery, female. No mister
here…just V.”
“Does the V stand for something? Victor? Vincent?” I thought
of the fangs I’d seen peeking out. “Vlad?”
He laughed again, his friends turning to look at him in surprise
as if the sound was alien to them and I sucked in a breath as the fangs made
another appearance. “Vishous, female. The name’s Vishous.”
“Somehow that’s fitting…Vishous.” I tested the name on my
tongue, nearly wanting to purr as it left my lips. With a nod, I motioned
toward him. “Are those bottle openers? The fangs, I mean.”
He went serious at that, lips quickly closing over the
subject. “What can I do for you, female? I’m not looking for play.”
“Silence is admission by default. The chompers are genuine.
Fine and dandy.” I shrugged, surprisingly calm despite my discovery. “I’m not a
toy. I thought you looked like you could use a laugh. I’m Jodi, Caldie’s newest
resident pain in the ass. I have my AA in Sarcasm working toward my BA in Go
Fuck Yourself and hoping for a Master’s in Hard Ass Rehabilitation.” That
earned me a loud laugh from Mr. Perfect, the massive blonde’s hand smacking the
table before he caught a nasty look from Vishous, quickly sobering him.
“Sorry, V but that was fuck funny.” He nodded in my
direction. “Jodi, you said? Name’s Rhage…sometimes Hollywood and always at your
service.” He flashed a toothy grin and winked and I chuckled in spite of the
nasty glares I was getting from the other women gathered around, all but
falling into the booth in an attempt to worm their way into the convo.
“Rhage.” I nodded. “Your boy here always this serious?”
“As a heart attack, female. But maybe you can help him with
that. And if not him, then I have something you can help me with.” It was
impossible to miss the innuendo in his words, brow arched watching his eyes
roam appreciatively over me.
“It looks to me like you already have more help than you
need, Rhage. But thanks for the invite. I’ll keep it in mind.” I turned back to
Vishous, not missing the evil eye he was giving his buddy, his voice turning icy
and coming out almost as a growl.
“Yeah, brother. You’re hands are already full, true?” I
smiled at that and he seemed to relax, gloved thumb tracing the rim of the
tumbler in his hand.
“Vodka?”
“Goose.”
“You are a masterful conversationalist, Vishous. It’s as
enlightening as talking to a brick wall.”
His lip quirked into a crooked grin.“Not much for small
talk, feel me?”
“Fine, then don’t talk and I’ll continue to pester you until
you relent and admit that you don’t know how you ever stood to come in this
place without me in it.”
He shook his head, thinly disguising the widening of his
smile as he adjusted his cap.“You have a way with words, pet.”
“Pet?”
“You prefer female?”
“I prefer whatever you want to call me, Vishous. I’m not
demanding.”
“I am. Take a seat.” He motioned to the upholstered cushion
across from him and I slid in like my ass was greased. “I’m honored.”
“Don’t be. My attention isn’t really something you want,
pet.” His brow creased at that, diamond eyes dropping to the vodka he swirled
in his glass.
“Too late, tall dark and fangy. I have it and no matter what
you think, I do want it.” I cocked my head and started to reach out to tilt
back the cap, frowning as he flinched and pulled away.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what? You don’t like being touched?”
“No, I… no.”
“Give me time.” I gave him a reassuring smile and got to my
feet. “I don’t give up easily, Vishous and you just worked your way into my
heart.” I laughed though my words held more truth than I was willing to admit.
“I have to go for now but, I promise you…you’re going to think about me later.”
I smiled wide at the other men and stepped down off of the
platform, feeling the weight of their eyes on my back as I threaded through the
rippling masses to the exit.
Vishous sat back in the seat, watching me until he couldn’t
see me anymore.
“I already am, pet. I already am.”
