18. Garret

18

Garret

"Why don't we go back to my place tonight," Felix suggested.

I frowned. "Your place? Why? We're already at my place."

Felix's eyes flickered flirtatiously. "I know… I just figured that you could use some time away from here for a little while."

"How much time?" I arched a cynical eyebrow.

"Not that much," Felix reassured. "Maybe just overnight? Perhaps a change of scenery will do you some good. You have so much negative energy festering here. You need a change of pace."

I wanted to tell him that he didn't have the right to tell me what I did and didn't need, but I held my tongue because I didn't want to argue with him and honestly, his offer sounded incredibly relaxing.

"You're right," I smiled. "I could use some time away, but just overnight."

"Sounds like a deal to me," Felix said, nodding with a pleased smile. "I can help you lock up."

I kissed his cheek. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Felix's eyes flared with satisfaction. "The feeling is mutual."

_____________________________

When we arrived at Felix's house later, he catered to my every need. "Just get in bed and relax. I'll bring you a glass of wine to help you unwind."

"Thanks," I said. "I really appreciate what you're doing."

"I'm not doing anything." Felix shrugged humbly.

"You're making me feel better, and that counts for something."

His eyes sparkled at my compliment. "I am?"

I chuckled, climbing into his bed. "Of course."

He poured us each a glass of wine and set the bottle down on the nightstand next to him.

I patted the empty space on the mattress next to me. "Come, lie next to me."

Felix delightfully obliged and rolled the sheet up to his waist, tossing some on me as well.

"Warm and cozy," he said with a smile.

I chuckled. "My mom used to say, ‘Snug as a bug in a rug.'"

Felix cast me a look of amusement. "That might just be the most adorable sentence I've ever heard."

I shrugged. "I am pretty cute."

Felix leaned in to kiss me. I instantly felt a surge of warmth and exhilaration where his lips pressed against mine. He made me forget all my problems. I was drunk on Felix, not the alcohol. I was drunk on his lust, feeding off of his energy.

He crossed his legs and sighed as we reluctantly broke away from each other. The tingling sensation of his lips still lingered like fire on my mouth.

It was almost as if I could feel his disapproval about the club situation, but I was relieved, and surprised for that matter, when he didn't bring it up.

I didn't want to talk about it. Wasn't that the reason he'd asked me to come to his house to spend the night in the first place? So that we wouldn't be reminded of the turmoil going on around us?

I needed a distraction. I was grateful that Felix didn't bring up the issues with the club. I rested my hand gently on his thigh and gave him my sincerest smile. "The wine is delicious."

"I ordered it from a vineyard in Michigan," he said with an ironic chuckle. "It was anybody's guess if it would turn out to be tasty, but I'm pleasantly surprised."

I swallowed more wine and felt a rush of warmth seeping through my veins. I wanted to make a toast, but I didn't know what to toast to, especially because the outlook of my life seemed so grim. At least I had Felix by my side to keep me company.

I allowed myself to be vulnerable in that moment. I leaned down and nestled my body into the crook of his arm while he stroked my shoulders and arms, gently grazing his fingertips up and down my skin. It was an incredible sensation that made me tingle all over. I felt so alive and awakened when I was with Felix. I melded my body into the grooves of his. We were united without words.

He brushed his fingers through my hair. I was so pacified that I began to nod off. When I was in a full doze, Felix took my wine glass and placed it on the bedside table. He let me fall asleep in his arms, where I felt safer than anywhere else in the world. If he was willing to take care of me, I was willing to let him. It was all a little give and take, but right now, I was desperate to take all the nurturing I could get.

_________________________

The next morning, I tried to dress quickly and leave to go talk to the liquor license investigator, but Felix was determined to prevent me from inviting more stress into my life.

"Just wait until he comes to you," Felix said.

"No." I adamantly shook my head. "I can't do that. I need my liquor license restored, Felix. You of all people know that."

Felix let out a long sigh of frustration. "I don't think you have your temper in check yet. You need a little while longer to cool down."

"I don't have the luxury of any more time, Felix," I said forcefully. "I have to meet with the investigator, today." There were no exceptions. I wasn't going to debate the issue further.

"At least let me come with you then," Felix said. "I can be the buffer, the mediator of sorts."

I contemplated Felix's compromise. "All right," I nodded. "You can come with me. Get ready in a hurry."

Felix's eyes were full of melancholy and his demeanor was subdued. "I'm coming for emotional support too," he said once we'd climbed into his car, heading toward the investigator's office.

"I know that." I gave him a simple smile and reached over the seat to squeeze his arm affectionately. "I'm thankful for that."

I felt like my emotions were all over the place. One minute, I was stewing in unhealthy anger and the next, I wanted to be a tender softy. Unfortunately, there was no happy medium in between. It was just one extreme or the other, and I had a feeling it was going to stay that way until I resolved all the concerns surrounding my club.

On the outskirts of the city, we found the investigator's office and walked in, unannounced, demanding to speak with him.

Much to my surprise, the investigator didn't attempt to weasel his way out of a meeting with us.

He invited us into his office and gave us a sleazy grin as he sat down at his desk across from us.

"What can I do for you?" he asked in a mocking tone, as if he didn't already know exactly what we'd come for.

"I need my liquor license back," I said. "The clock is ticking, and I literally can't afford to lose any more members. Do you know that people talk? Word of mouth gets around. My reputation is on the line here."

I felt myself starting to get hot under my collar. My blood was going to turn to lava soon, and I'd start spewing it on this fool unless he stopped making asinine claims against my club.

"I can't help you, I'm sorry." His voice was snide, and his expression was patronizing.

I could tell that he very much was not apologetic in any authentic capacity.

I locked my jaw and clenched my fists in my lap. This man had clearly been paid off by either Nelson or Mayor Beech, maybe even both.

"Surely there is something you can do." My voice had raised a few notches, enough for Felix to notice and gently reach for my hand to bridge the gap between us.

I needed to feel a physical connection to him during my internal torment, and he always seemed to know exactly when that was necessary.

The investigator's upper lip twitched subtly, and his eyes flickered with a morsel of resolve.

"There is something I can do to restore the license," he said.

"Then do it," I commanded.

He swallowed hard and squared his shoulders. "I cannot reinstate the license as long as you are operating at your current location."

He paused for effect, leaving me to interpret his implication.

I narrowed my eyes and gave him a degrading look. "Are you saying that if I move my club elsewhere, that you will reinstate my liquor license?"

The investigator nodded, and his eyes shuffled to his desk where they landed and stayed.

I exhaled a heavy sigh and stood up. I needed to remove myself from the situation before I lost my temper on this guy. I had a lot to think about, but I didn't want to do it here, in front of him.

"Thank you for your time," I muttered and began to slowly exit the room.

I saw Felix glance at the investigator. His face was muddled with confusion.

He shuffled to the door to walk out with me. There was nothing left to do but go back to the club with mixed emotions festering inside of me.

_______________________________

Back at the club, Felix led me to our private room. He sat me down on the couch and began removing my pants. He did it in such a slow, deliberate way that it made my heart pound. My cock throbbed with excitement.

I was thrilled that Felix would rather please me sexually than further discuss the idea of selling the club.

"I'm going to take care of you because you work so hard. You deserve a little rest and relaxation. I'm going to please you until you can't take it anymore," Felix purred into my ear.

I was grateful to not have to do any of the work. Felix grazed his fingers softly through my hair as we kissed. I nibbled on his bottom lip as our breathing escalated with more urgency.

I raked my nails up and down his back, leaving red marks of pleasure. "Put your mouth on my cock," I instructed.

Felix was happy to let me verbally guide him in exactly the way I needed. I groaned and leaned back, sinking into the couch cushions as Felix wrapped his mouth around my bulging cock.

I took his head and gently pumped it up and down as Felix swallowed my entire length down his throat, all the way to my balls.

I was slammed with a euphoric sensation. Felix slipped his tongue around the tip of my swollen member, gliding it with delicate precision up and down my shaft as I moaned, unable to hold in my ecstasy.

"Right there, that feels so good," I whined.

My inner thighs began to quiver in response to the incredible pleasure. I could barely breathe as Felix ravaged my cock with his mouth, curling his lips around it tightly while he gazed up at me seductively. I loved it when he made eye contact with me while he was going down on me. I felt his lust in my soul, and it was intense.

I cuffed my hands over his shoulders and buried his head further between my legs. I gently tugged on his hair and continued helping him maneuver my thickness down his throat.

"Felix…" I stammered, barely able to speak through the pleasure now, "it feels so good."

I could tell that Felix was encouraged by my compliments because his motions became more focused. His mouth and tongue worked their magic, and the tingle of ecstasy began to surge through my entire body.

I let out a cry of passion and pleasure as I emptied my hot seed down his throat. Felix guzzled down every last drop that I had to unload, slurping it and wiping the residue off his glistening mouth with the back of his hand.

My body felt boneless. I panted hard, trying to recover from the intensity of my orgasm.

"You're so amazing and talented," I whispered.

Felix's eyes danced with charisma. "I just wanted to make you feel better."

I lightly stroked his cheek. "You did."

"Now that your spirits are lifted, I want you to know that I'm growing increasingly worried about your safety with this Nelson thing."

Felix leaned against me, giving me a look that left him exposed. He had shifted gears so fast that it made my head spin, but I was thankful that he had at least let me come before raising the subject again.

I allowed him to continue talking. He was still on his knees, giving himself to me in a vulnerable way.

"Please reconsider moving the club," he asked meekly, practically begging me.

I reached down and brushed my hands through the softness of his hair. I gave him a tender smile. I didn't agree or disagree, but at least I had my anger in check. There was no reason to take out any of my frustrations on Felix. He brought me pleasure, not pain. Besides, none of this was his fault. It was just the persistent nagging that was bothersome.

"Rest your head in my lap," I told him in a subdued tone.

Felix did as I asked, and I continued stroking his hair. We sat together in a comfortable silence, absorbing each other's energy and mentally contemplating our next moves.