Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Landon

Listen to Earned It by

The Weeknd

I ran into the dark and the writhing crowds still drunk and high from Adam’s performance. I ran back to my friends and the shimmer of safety, though I knew he’d find me.

I counted on it. It was part of the game.

Flushed, I grabbed the drink Elle handed me and tried to breathe normally. “Did you see him?” she asked me under her breath, trying to be cool.

I nodded and sipped my martini. “Yeah, He’s on his way.”

Daisy and Gabriella pushed into our circle and Elle’s face smoothed out. I trusted Elle with our secret and knew no matter how hard it was, she had my back. I just needed a little more time.

“Adam was incredible,” Daisy shouted. She was wearing cute pigtails and a lace baby doll dress that was both sexy and adorable. She was a bit drunker than usual, but I know her shifts at the hospital were sometimes brutal. Gabriella flung her arms around all of us and gave a hoot, cracking us up. She was in a great mood, excited about her up and coming launch for her own shopping app she’d been working on. With Elle leaning into her music, I thought again how important the show Dumped was. Everyone was making a big career move. How could I be the last one with nothing? If I didn’t do the show, what would be my defining mark?

Red was great but not for long-term. Maybe Adam had made a point about re-exploring my writing, but I wasn’t ready to dive in and give up everything I’d been trying to build with my social media and modeling.

“Let’s do shots, bad bitches!” Gabby shouted, and I pushed my negative thoughts aside. Not tonight. Tonight, I was riding high with my girls.

Tonight, I was playing games with Adam and no matter who won, I was going to get fucked.

Which means, I won either way.

The guys got us green tea shots and then we were dancing, and finally I caught sight of Adam. He stood encircled by Max, Noah, and Coop, as they slapped his back and seemed to be congratulating him on the performance. I watched him from my peripheral vision as I dirty danced with my friends, and then his gaze shifted slightly to crash into mine. His lower lip tipped in a hint of a smile. His dark eyes were hooded with a very bold, dirty promise.

My breath caught and the blood in my veins turned lava hot. Gabby’s curvy, sweat-dampened body brushed my aching breasts, while Elle’s ass pressed into mine as she twerked. I was so turned on I almost moaned. My skin felt prickly and sensitive. My inner thighs were wet. My hard nipples practically fell out of my low-cut top, teasing the silky fabric, until I was desperate for Adam’s lips to suck hard while his teeth scraped in a delicious teasing caress.

And he knew. His hand casually brushed the front of his pants, and I saw his erection clearly outlined in those tight black pants. He nodded and pretended to be talking to Noah and Coop, but I knew he was watching me, liking the show I put on for him.

A sexy, grindy hip-hop song belted through the speakers and I put my hands on Gabby’s hips, arching my back and shimmying in an erotic display. Gabby followed my lead, her hands caressing my ass as she threw her long red hair back, a big smile stretching her lips, sinking into the sexual dance with me. Elle joined us, and suddenly the dance floor parted, making more room for the spectacle we were suddenly putting on. In my half drunken, aroused state, I noticed Daisy diving in, and suddenly, she was leaning in and kissing Elle while the crowd roared in approval.

My body soared with a dark freedom I’d always craved, and I let myself go. Gabby leaned in and then we were kissing, while all four of us danced and swayed, letting go of any limitations during those perfect moments, lost in the music and each other.

The song ended, and the guys appeared, eyes glassy with lust and alcohol, shaking their heads and whistling at the scene we’d just starred in. “What the hell was that and how do we get more of it?” Coop asked, snagging Elle around the waist and pulling her into his embrace.

Gabby rolled her eyes. “Typical. We weren’t putting on any show—just enjoying being female. For us.”

I high fived Gabby and Daisy nodded. “Well said,” Daisy said, giving Noah a hard stare. I glanced back and forth, studying Noah’s face in the flashing lights, but he smiled and took her hand like there was nothing wrong. She had a tiny smear of Elle’s lipstick on her face. I watched as Noah used his thumb to wipe it away, then put his thumb to his lips. They stared at one another, then Daisy looked away.

Hmm . Something weird was going on. Once I sobered up, I needed to have a talk with Daisy.

Gabby threw her arms around Adam’s neck. “You were incredible. You can’t go to LA; I’ll miss you too much.”

He hugged her back, but I wasn’t jealous. My gut told me they didn’t have a sexual type relationship and never would. But Gabby was very physical, and liked touch. It was another reason we’d gotten off to such a rocky start—I wasn’t cool with her approach but now that I knew her, I’d settled.

“Won’t be gone too long—only a month. When are you launching your fashion empire?”

“Soon.” Gabby turned and motioned me over. “Landon, I know you’ll be filming but I kept forgetting to ask if you wanted to model for me. I need a variety of body shapes and skin tones. You down?”

“Of course.”

“It’s a paying gig. I won’t make you stand for hours in hot lights for charity.”

I winked. “We already made out, Gabby. I’ll do anything for you now for free.”

“Oh, no worries, you can be my sweet little whore and I’ll pay you,” she said with sass, breaking into laughter.

I laughed with her, but noticed Adam’s eyes darkened. I loved being the only one who knew our secrets, and Gabby’s remark hit close to home. I knew my performance had done exactly what I’d intended.

Driven Adam crazy. Showed him if he wanted to claim me, he had to be bold. Kissing Gabby on the dance floor was a sweet way to push boundaries.

As if Gabby knew what was happening between us, she tossed her hair back and pursed her lips. “She’s a good kisser, Adam. Too bad you missed out.”

He arched a brow. His voice edged with dismissal. “Sorry, not interested in making out with royalty. I like a woman who’s not afraid to get her hair messed up. Right, princess?”

Oh, we were back to trading barbs from the old days. I practically purred my response. “Totally understand, because I prefer a man who can play a woman’s body rather than his guitar. You’re way too self-absorbed to be rated on my bedpost scale.”

We glared at each other, but this time, it was on a different level.

Max whistled and stepped in. “Damn, are you two still at it? Play nice,” he said with a smile.

Gabby watched our interaction with interest. I cleared my throat and tried to lighten things up. “Old habits are hard to break,” I said cheerfully.

“Landon, can I talk to you for a quick sec?” Max asked.

“Sure.” I followed him to our table, away from the blasting music. “What’s up?”

He scratched his head. “I feel bad but before I left Red tonight Rock asked if I could work the late shift tomorrow night in the private club.”

My eyes widened. “Wow. How’d you manage that invitation?” The downstairs room was the exclusive part of Red that very few had access to. I knew there were all sorts of sex games going on and private stuff—many of the stories spread through the staff but nothing was every confirmed. None of our group had ever been asked to work that section. Max was the first.

He winced. “Yeah, this is the part where you’ll probably get mad. Rock said Mariah couldn’t take the shift and did I have someone I wanted to work with. I mentioned your name. Rock said it was fine but to ask you if you’re okay with it.”

“You want me to work the sex club?” I shook my head, trying to sift through the pros and cons. It wasn’t like I’d need to do anything but serve drinks and I knew it was safe. Discreetness was key. No phones allowed. You needed to sign a contract with hefty provisions. The shift ran from 1am to 5am. But the tips were said to be insane.

“You don’t have to do it,” Max said quickly. “I mentioned you because Rock trusts you, and the money is off the hook. Figured you’d want in.”

“No, no, I can do it.”

He studied my face. “Sure? It’s not too much for you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be stupid—I can hold my own.”

“Yeah, I remember.” He said the words in a sad, gentle tone. A pang of bittersweet pain hit me, but it was more about what I’d believed he’d be than the actual hurt of losing him. Max had been my ideal. Realizing he wasn’t the one who could ever make me happy put me into a tailspin, but also gave me an opportunity to figure out what I really want. And who.

“You still hate my guts?” Max asked softly.

I gave a long sigh. “No. I mean, it still hurts, what you did. Not gonna lie. But I don’t hate your guts.”

“Thank God.” He blinked, and incredibly, I caught the sheen of moisture in his eyes. It really wasn’t an act. Max still cared about me, and in his own way, was really sorry. It eased some of the remaining bitterness from his lies. “Thanks for not breaking up the group over this Landon. All of you are important to me. You’re my family. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Guilt hit. Ah, crap. When this thing with Adam finally came out, Max would take it the hardest. He’d think it was a revenge thing, and I sensed chaos. My heart beat faster but I was too drunk and foggy to deal with any of it now. “Me, too,” I said.

He smiled. I smiled back.

The girls came rushing forward, giggling and hugging me, tearing me away from Max. “Come on, let’s dance. The night’s almost over!”

We spent the next hour partying hard. The tension between Adam and I climbed higher with every lingering look. Finally, we stumbled out. “Meet at the diner?” Gabby asked.

Noah and Daisy begged off. Coop and Elle and Max were in.

I swayed. I didn’t want food. I craved Adam. Craved knowing what happened next between us.

“Landon, you dropped this,” Adam suddenly said, pressing something into my hand and leaning close.

His ragged whisper held the raw edge of command. “ My apartment. Now .”

I pretended to take the offering. “Thank you.”

Adam lifted his hand in the air. “Sorry, gotta get some sleep. See you guys, later.”

They called their goodbyes.

“Landon? Come on,” Max urged, opening the cab door. “Let’s eat.”

I shook my head. “Sorry, I have an early call for the tv show tomorrow. Love you—have fun!” I blew them kisses, stumbling away, waving down my own cab while their disappointed groaned echoed in the air. Then the door slammed and they drove away.

Adam had disappeared. Cursing him under my breath for leaving me alone, I finally hailed a cab. I was about to get in when a firm hand encircled my wrist. I gasped and looked up. Adam’s face was carved in granite, hard and unyielding, his eyes boring into mine with a burning intensity.

I swallowed hard. He pushed me in the back seat and gave the driver his address.

As I was whisked away into the night, Adam leaned down and put his mouth to my ear. Slowly, he nipped by lobe, causing shivers to skate down my spine, then spoke in a rough voice.

“Get ready for your punishment, princess. It’s going to be a long night.”

My belly dropped and one though spun over and over.

Maybe I’d made a terrible mistake.