Dammit, she had to go digging. She couldn’t just let it slide.
I clench my fist under the table, fighting to keep back the suddenly flash of memory.
A half-open door. An unfamiliar pool of red. A young boy who didn’t even realize what he was seeing, not at first.
And then nothing but the gates of hell.
“Vaughn?”
Keely’s whisper breaks me out of the past. She’s staring at me across the table, wide-eyed with clear concern. For a reckless moment, I think about telling her everything.
She sees through me. She would understand.
In a way, she’s just like me.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her abruptly, leaving the table and striding back towards the restrooms. I don’t go in, I just pace in the hallway, hating the way my heart is pounding.
The damn weakness that pulls me under, every time.
What the fuck are you thinking? Get a fucking grip.
I take a few sharp breaths. Better. It’s been a long time since I let myself revisit the past, but with the Ashcroft shit bringing everything to the surface, the demons have been knocking louder every day.
That bastard tore my family apart, and even now, twenty years later, I’m still dealing with the wreckage he left behind.
“Mr. Vaughn?”
A breathy voice comes from behind me.
I turn. It’s the hostess, the brunette with an epic rack poured into a skintight dress. Now, there’s a distraction. She’s got legs I can already picture wrapped around my neck, and a mouth made to suck my dick.
“Is everything alright?” she coos, licking her lips. She sidles closer, pressing her breasts against my arm. “I thought I told you, I can help you. Whatever you need.”
She couldn’t be more blatant if she ripped off all her clothes and spread her legs right here against the wall.
But I’m surprised to find my cock doesn’t stir at the invitation. She’s way too obvious. No mystery. No challenge. She’d be on her knees in a heartbeat, and not because she likes the surrender. Because she’s too fucking dumb to even think of resisting me.
Not like Keely.
“I need you to put that shit away and get us some water refills,” I tell her curtly. Shock crashes over her face, but I don’t stick around to see. I head back to my table, determination growing.
There’s one thing that will wipe away the past right now, and it’s the girl sitting right there waiting for me. Sipping her champagne, nervously fidgeting with her napkin.
Asking for trouble.
I’ve humored her attempts to get to know me for long enough. I’m not going to waste a damn fine evening on chit-chat and useless bullshit.
Not when I have dirtier things in mind.
“Miss me, baby?” I reach the table. Instead of sitting back down, I grab her face and tilt it up to me, claiming her mouth with a hard, deep kiss.
Releasing her, I take my seat, watching her reaction with pleasure. She’s breathing fast, her pupils dilated.
Damn right, you missed me.
“I didn’t tell you before, you look beautiful in that dress.” I take a drink of champagne. “Every guy in this place is wishing he was at this table right now.”
Keely raises an eyebrow. Damn. Any other woman would be swooning right now over that bullshit line, but not this one.
She’s too smart for that.
“Thank you,” she says.
I lean closer.
“What color are your panties?”
Instead of looking shocked, she laughs. “Black.” Keely gives me a flirty little smile. “To match my garters”
My cock leaps. Damn.
I reach under the long tablecloth, and slip a hand up her soft thigh until I hit the lacy band. ”Good girl,” I tell her, already picturing what I’m going to do with them. Bind her hands behind her back and fuck her brains out, for starters.
I reach higher. She pushes my hand away. “Oh no, you don’t.” Keely sips champagne, her eyes sparkling. “We have a deal. You’re not doing anything like that until dinner is over.”
Her voice is flirty. Teasing. She thinks she’s got the upper hand.
Big mistake.
“You’re right.” I sit back, placing both my hands on the table. “I’m not going to touch you.
You’re going to touch yourself.”