Chapter 1

HARPER

" Y ou look great in this stuff; however, I will not be wearing anything that could be seen in a Victoria Secret's catalog, I prefer to keep my goodies, secret ," I made a face, as my best friend Aster Jensen, held a dress up to my chin, the fabric brushing against me while we stood in her walk-in closet. A closet that was big enough to be a small bedroom, packed full of clothes that barely covered her private areas.

She threw her head back and laughed at my disdain for her taste in clothing, something we've never shared, in our fifteen years of friendship.

Aster was the first person I met when my family moved to Atlanta when I was eleven. After graduating high school, we both got into college at the same school in Miami. I got a full ride with a full academic scholarship, and she didn't care where she went to school, as long as we were together.

I worked hard for that scholarship since that was the only way I could afford college. Aster's parents offered to pay for it, but I could never accept that type of money from them, not after all they had already done for me since taking me in when I was a young girl.

My parents were absent a lot when I was a child, and they'd sometimes use what money we had for food, to supply their addictions, food stamps, selling anything of value, really.

I stayed many nights at the Jensen's house. They never asked questions; they just welcomed me into their home and made me feel like I was one of their own.

After graduating college, Aster and I decided to stay in Miami. Aster's parents bought us a condo near the beach, which was fully furnished and included a state-of-the-art security system, provided by Aster's dad's company. It was hard to get used to at first. The cameras made me edgy until we had an attempted break-in, no one was hurt, but I learned to appreciate them.

"How did you even hear about this club, anyway?" I asked Aster as I sat down to lace up my black Converse shoes.

"It's not a club Harper, it's a lounge, it's classier," she giggled until she turned to see what I was wearing. Scanning my body from my feet to my head she curled her lip at my outfit. I wore tight jeans, with a long-sleeved turtleneck, and slipped into my trusty Converse high tops.

"I wish you would let me dress you, just once. You would certainly turn heads." She said nodding to herself.

"With your curvy figure and flawless olive skin, it wouldn't be much. Just throw on a pleated skirt and a tube top, add a touch of makeup, and maybe curl your wavy hair a bit," she muttered. Reaching out, she gripped a section of my hair between her finger and thumb. I cleared my throat, holding back a laugh.

"Not a chance! There's nothing wrong with modesty Aster, you should try it sometime." I teased.

Aster stared at herself as she stood in front of the full-body mirror hanging on the wall in the living room entryway. She smoothed down her thin silk dress that looked more like lingerie than a piece of clothing. I shook my head.

"I really don't understand why you're always rocking those skinny jeans and long sleeves. You have a great figure."

I rolled my eyes. This conversation has been repeated more than any single, episode of Friends on Nick at Nite.

Aster and I were so much alike in almost every way; except where I was timid and reserved, Aster was outgoing and fun-spirited.

"So, tell me about this lounge." I used air quotations with the word lounge . Using the word lounge instead of club, was a bit bougie. It just seemed to me, like it was an excuse to hike up prices on the drinks."Oh, it's great! My friend Emma told me, it's where all the big wigs in the city go to unwind. Lawyers and doctors and people of importance. Maybe I'll snag myself a good one tonight." she said, waggling her eyebrows.

"One would hope, then I could get this place to myself and finally be rid of your bossy ass," I teased. The idea of tying the knot and moving away was unthinkable.

We've been at each other's side for fifteen years. We've even joked about buying a house, splitting it down the middle, and forcing our spouses to become best friends, or perhaps we could marry brothers.

Neither of us has had a serious boyfriend, so that wouldn't be an issue for a while. Aster wanted to enjoy life a bit longer and not be tied down by a relationship. And me, well let's face it, I was damaged and broken.

"Maybe you will meet someone that can knock you out of this sex drought you have been in since…" She trailed off before a look of guilt swept over her face.

"Will you call for a cab while I finish my makeup?" she asked, quickly changing the subject. I picked up my cell phone grateful for the distraction.

* * *

Forty-five minutes later we were walking through the doors of the Afterglow Lounge. On the outside, it looked like a rundown brewery. On the inside it was spectacular.

Wall-to-ceiling marble tile, with dark mahogany wood floors. The recessed lights were dimmed. My eyes adjusted to the glow of warm yellow ambient lights that illuminated the room.

Melodies whispered around the bar's nook, while a rumble of bass beats thundered from the lounge's far end.

The lounge was split into sections. At the heart of the room stood an elevated, circular bar illuminated by green and blue accent lighting. Off to the right was a dimmed room nearly dark, full of private booths.

There was a sitting area with sofas and tables set up like tiny living room suites across the room. Some had black velvet partitions that could be pulled back for privacy. Towards the back of the lounge, there was a dance floor. That was lit with the flickering of strobe lights circulating in the center of it. It was still early so the crowd hadn't accumulated yet. I could make out several figures grinding on each other to the beat but not much else.

Aster and I went straight to the bar. We weren't there long before Aster was swept away to the dance floor, by a handsome man in a suit. I turned with my back against the counter to give the room a once over. I like to be aware of my surroundings, especially in new places.

Aster was right, all the people in the building, were dressed classier than in other places we'd visited. I don't usually go clubbing at all, but there are only so many times I can say no to Aster before I have to give in and let her have her way.

I wondered why neither of us had heard of this place before.

I was caught off guard when the bartender tapped my shoulder, making me jump.

"Little jumpy there, aren't ya sugar?" she asked, not exactly as a question but more as an observation. I was shocked to hear a thick Southern accent cross her lips. Quite the contrast to her dark emo-like appearance

"What'll ya have darlin'?" she asked before I could respond to her first statement. I ordered a Sex on the Beach for Aster, her usual , and a Diet Coke for me.

Three songs in, I looked around for Aster and saw a guy at the bar. The dim lighting made it hard to see details, but his deep blue eyes caught my attention. They seemed to look through me, and I couldn't figure out what was behind them. His stare was intense, but he quickly turned his gaze, when our eyes met momentarily. It was odd but there was something comforting about him.

I was pulled from my thoughts when a man walked up to me. He put his arm over my shoulder. I quickly shrugged him off, putting some distance between us.

"Whoa, easy there, Dollface. I was just going to ask if you'd let me buy you a drunk ," he said with a smirk leaning over the bar stool barely getting out words as he struggled to stand straight on his own.

"No thank you, I'm the D.D. tonight. I'll stick to my soda." I picked up my glass and shook it slightly letting the ice hit the sides.

"Well, a… all right then," he said slurring his words.

"Hey barkeep, her next soda goes on my tab!" He yelled towards the young lady behind the bar, a bit more enthusiastically than necessary. His demand followed a loud wet hick-up. The bartender nodded in acknowledgment. He stepped back and took an exaggerated bow, almost losing his footing before he wobbled away.

I took a deep breath, relieved he gave up so easily. It still didn't help how shaky I was from close contact though.

I hate how nervous I get around men.

I sat with my head down staring into my glass, trying not to draw attention to myself.

Aster came up and took the seat next to me, where I laid my jacket over a stool holding her seat, but it was also an attempt to keep the creeps from bothering me.

"Hey. You okay?" She whispered loudly in my ear.

"Yeah, I'm good, where did your new buddy go?" I asked chuckling.

"He's sitting right over there," she pointed to a private table across the lounge.

"It's a V.I.P. table," she announced proudly as she waggled her eyebrows. Whenever we go out, it only takes her seconds to find someone interested. She's always had that charm with men. The long legs, her beautiful smile, plus the fact she barely had any clothes on probably had something to do with it.

"I told him I was with you tonight, so I figured I would try to find someone to occupy your time and then I'd meet back up with him," she said with a wink and a nudge at my shoulder. I winced at the thought and gave her a go-to-hell look that would make a grown man's knees buckle.

"Jeez, I'm kidding! I know you want nothing to do with the opposite sex. Not even to use them for your own selfish pleasures," She joked sarcastically.

"Which I think would greatly benefit your high-strung ass," she laughed. Not realizing she was spot on. Trusting any person of the male species has been a huge issue for me since I was a teenager. As far as she knows I'm saving myself for marriage,

well, what's left of me.

I sat there for a couple of hours longer as rich young men took turns approaching us. Aster danced with most of them.

"Well, hey there beauty, would you care to dance?" I heard the request from a man sitting only a few seats down from me. I tried to ignore him, but he got up and approached me. He held his arm up to wrap it over my shoulders. I tensed when I could smell the strong aroma of whiskey and cigarettes on his breath. His arm was heavy against my neck, I tried to shrug him off, but he remained locked onto me, while his hand grazed the side of my breast opposite of where he stood.

"Let's dance, I wouldn't mind having that fine ass grind on my lap for a little while. What do you say?"

I held back tears as there was something all too familiar about the scent seeping through his pores.

"No, I'd prefer, to just sit here. Thank you." I said in a small voice trying to avoid confrontation.

"Come on now, dance with Daddy," he pushed, sounding like a complete jackass. His persistence pissed me off.

Why can't guys listen? No doesn't mean try harder, damn it!

With no warning, I pushed him away from me.

"Back off man, I said no. Leave me the fuck alone!" I snarled through gritted teeth. He backed up and shook his head. His face was bright red. He looked angry or maybe embarrassed.

He should be.

"Fine, you picky whore." He said, loud enough to be heard by everyone, who was seated at the bar. He threw money at the bartender and turned to leave. I took a deep breath. My heart pounded in my chest, as blood drained from my face. The room spun while my anxiety tried to take me over.

I shouldn't have even come out tonight.