41. Jaxcen

Chapter forty-one

Jaxcen

E verything feels different. The air. The smells. My appetite. My drive. I feel like a very different person to the naive woman I was back in December. But now I live in a world where there is no more Dr Xavier. No more Holly River Estate or depraved male nurses. And no more Eddie.

I was completely shocked that he’d been spying on me from across the street. The police had photos he’d taken of me, and apparently, when he fell to his death on the last night of the year, he’d been spying on me again through a telescope.

When all the chaos across the street erupted, police and ambulances closing off the road, I’d gone out onto Presley’s balcony to try and see what was going on, but with the dark night, and a quickly erected crime scene tent covering the pavement, I couldn’t see.

But it turns out it was Eddie. He fell to his death, too busy stalking me through the lens of a telescope.

He’d scared the hell out of me in Cloud 9, but the moment I found out it was him who was dead, all I felt was relief.

He can’t hurt me anymore either.

Even though my parents still remain, they haven’t spoken to me or Presley since. I’ll be happy if I never speak to them again, but I’m not sure how Pres will go. She had a completely different relationship with our parents, so she’ll probably cave and visit them eventually.

And that’s okay. As long as she is safe .

I spent January trying out different jobs after handing in my resignation at my old one.

I only lasted a day waitressing, and three days in retail. I didn’t like the women. They were too catty and sales-target focused and I’m no pushy salesperson.

The bakery down the road is where I’ve been working ever since. They decided to take a chance on me, even though I didn’t have the experience, and now I’m working five days a week, earning just enough money to start saving a deposit to get my own rental again one day soon.

Dianne and Pete are great bosses, and I’ve made a few friends with the other staff, which is something I’ve never bothered with before. I’ve even been asked out on dates by the coffee cart guy, the postie, and a regular customer.

I said no to them all. I’m not sure why. They were all decent looking guys and seemed nice enough, but they just weren’t… him.

I’ve had the urge to return to Cloud 9 more frequently lately, but haven’t summoned up the courage yet.

When I last went on New Year’s Eve, Eddie had followed me there. He tried to drag me into the centre, but luckily the security guards were on their game, and the ordeal was over quite quickly.

If it wasn’t for their good security, I wouldn’t be contemplating returning to the club at all.

But I am, even though before Eddie had interrupted me, I had decided to leave. I had no interest in anything there. All I could think about was Devon, and it hurt more than I thought it would.

I haven’t seen the devil since he practically banished me from his town. Sometimes I think I can feel his dark eyes on me, but that’s nothing more than hope messing with my head.

He said I’d never return to Woodall Ridge, and I’m starting to believe him.

It’s now Valentine’s day, and Presley has gone out on a date with some new guy she met at a bar last weekend. I kinda thought her and Liam were starting something up, but she hasn’t spoken about him since New Year’s Eve, so I guess I was wrong.

I received a special invitation from Cloud 9, inviting me to their Valentine’s Evening giving me free entry as an apology for what happened with Eddie in their facility.

It’s not necessary to give me free entry, but I’ve decided to take them up on the offer, and slip into my red lingerie this time.

Feeling bolder.

Feeling a little wicked.

Maybe tonight’s the night I’ll step over the line.

The club is packed when I arrive, more people in attendance than any other time I’ve been there. It makes me both anxious and excited. Maybe I can step over the line with someone in the crowd. A gentle caress. A sensual touch. Just… something.

Once my clothes are stored in my locker and my mask is on, I enter the top level, taking my time to watch from the balcony.

There’s a couple below. She’s spread open for him, while he inserts a vibrator inside her.

When she moans and arches off the chaise, I feel the beginnings of pleasure stir between my legs.

Her hair is blonde, and his hair is dark, and for a moment, I imagine it’s me and the devil.

Maybe that’s all I have to do. Imagine Devon is the one pleasuring me, instead of some random guy.

With that thought in mind, I move to the lower level, where the crowd is thicker and I see that many couples are going at it in every direction I look.

Oh.

Wow.

Heat courses through my veins and I pretend every man I see is him. I pretend they are the devil.

To say I’m horny is an understatement. Even if I decide not to touch another person here tonight, I’d have no problem touching myself over what I’m seeing.

Absent-mindedly, I cup my breast as I weave through the writhing couples, wanting to get a closer look at the show in the centre where the lights are bright, and you can literally see everything.

I can feel the heat of the bright lights as I approach the line, not getting too close, my eyes watching the couple.

Now the man is lathering his dick with lube while she uses the vibrator on herself, watching him with hungry eyes. They are familiar with each other, and either the wedding bands on their fingers are for each other, or they are married to others who may or may not be watching right now.

Either way, the fact they know each other, and are so turned on pangs at my heart.

I want that.

I had that for a minute there.

And then it was gone.

The tattoos covering the man’s back are intricate, and remind me of Devon’s, and for a moment I wonder if it’s him up there.

But no. Devon’s taller. And he has a scar on his left hip, where this man doesn’t.

The man presses his dick to the woman’s back passage, and she hooks her arms under her knees and lifts them, opening herself up for him more as he eases inside her, even while the vibrator is still inside her pussy.

Ohhhh. She must feel so full.

My lips part as my breathing picks up, heat pooling between my legs at the sight.

I can feel my cheeks heat in one of my stupid blushes that always gives me away, and for a moment I feel like Devon is here watching me, the familiar sensation making me scan the crowd.

I freeze .

My spine stiffening and my lungs completely ceasing as a dark sinister grin catches my eye across the other side of the podium.

No… It can’t be.

Surely I’m imagining him again.

Surely he’s not really here.

I take a step to the side to see past the couple in the middle, and the bright lights illuminate the man sitting over the other side unmistakably.

It’s him.

It’s the devil.

Heat rushes through my entire body, and for a moment I want to cry. Tears prick at my eyes, but I force them back. I can’t be all pathetic here. This place isn’t about feelings. This place is about sex and exploration.

I don’t know what to do. Should I stay? Should I go? Should I do nothing?

His eyes are on me though. That much I’m sure about, and then he mouths, ‘hello little mouse.’

I spin, giving him my back, ready to walk away but my feet won’t move. They won’t let me run.

They are traitors, that’s what they are!

Glancing back over my shoulder, his eyes are still on me, but a woman is standing in front of him now, partially blocking my view.

I spin back and take another side step, wanting to see what she’s doing, when she leans in close and whispers something in his ear, pointing back over her shoulder at the podium.

Wait… Is she inviting him out there?

The moment he nods and grins, I feel a rush of anger burst through me.

Oh hell no.