I shook the man’s hand, narrowing my eyes as realization dawned. “As in oil?” I asked, shocked again.
The Guillorys owned half the oil rigs in the Gulf.
He winked at me, clearly interested in neither confirming nor denying it.
He slapped Tyler on the arm. “Keep in touch,” he told him, and walked back to his table, packed with his buddies and their ladies.
Tyler led me to where the host had stopped and let me slide into the booth first. Our table was set in a semiprivate space with drapes on both sides, a three-sided couch, and a low glass table, making it easy to get up and move around.
Tyler sat down, ordered some champagne and began to relax, resting his elbows on the back of the sofa.
“So this is where the millionaires come to play with their secrets?” I looked around at the heavy flow of liquor and the pretty women who probably weren’t their wives.
But Tyler had a different take on it. “It’s where men and women who lead very controlled lives come to lose control,” he clarified, looking around the room. “Everyone here is in the same position, Easton. They want to cut loose once in a while like everyone else, but someone is always watching.”
And then he locked his eyes on mine. “This is one place where no one cares. We all have something to lose, so privacy is respected.”
“I hope,” I added with a smirk.
No one knew who Easton Bradbury the schoolteacher was, so I was grateful he’d brought me here. I was tired of quiet, secluded dinners and catching stolen moments whenever we could. It was fun to be out with him in public and in plain sight.
“Do you like the dress?” he asked.
I set my drink down and nodded. “Yes, I do.”
“I’m surprised you weren’t insulted.” He laughed. “You always dress beautifully, but this place is a little different. Not to mention I wanted to see you in something short again.”
Yeah, again. Every time I wore a short skirt or dress, he ended up inside me.
I leaned in, taking advantage of being with him somewhere where I could openly touch him, and slid my hand inside his jacket, rubbing his chest.
“I’ll tell you what,” I bargained. “You can dress me as long as you promise to undress me.”
And I slipped my leg over his and kissed him, holding his smooth face in my hand and shivering when he ran his hand up my thigh.
“Do you like to dance?” I whispered against his lips, having seen a few couples and some women on the floor.
He ran a thumb over my cheek and held my face. “It’s been a long time,” he admitted. “College, I think.”
“You were a lot different when you were my age, weren’t you?” I pressed.
He shook his head, smiling as he took the champagne the waiter handed to him. “When I was your age, huh?” he repeated. “Way to kill the mood.”
I shrugged. “Just keeping it real. You’re only ten years younger than my father would be.”
His eyes flared, and I gasped as he grabbed me, planting me in his lap so that I straddled him.
Gripping my hips, he growled against my mouth. “You’re going to pay for that,” he threatened.
I laughed quietly, meeting his lips as he dove in.
“Such a brat,” he whispered before going deep and swirling my tongue with his.
I could feel him everywhere, and even though I liked being out with him, I felt a sudden need to leave.
“Easton?”
I pulled back and looked up, feeling my heart crash into my stomach.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Oh, no.
“Kristen?” My voice was barely audible, and I licked my parched lips.
This isn’t happening. Of all the places to run into someone. Here?
“What… what are you doing here?” I blurted out.
Her eyebrows shot up, surprise written all over her face. “Um…” she stammered, looking like she was searching for words as she bit back her smile. “I’m tagging along with a friend who’s here for a private party.”
I looked at Tyler and slowly slid off his lap much too late to hide what had been going on.
“It’s okay.” She nodded, holding up her hands before I had a chance to say anything. “I actually think I’m too shocked to see you at a club to worry about who you’re with.”
Tyler snorted, and I scowled.
I know how to have fun, thank you very much.
“Mr. Marek?” Kristen put her hands on her hips. “I’m taking Easton onto the dance floor. You stay.”
She reached over and grabbed my hand, and I stumbled over Tyler’s legs, trying to keep up with her as she pulled me out of the booth.
What the hell?
I cast a worried glance at Tyler, but he just jerked his chin to the dance floor. “Go ahead. I want to watch you.”
As I followed Kristen, the slow beat of “You Know You Like It” vibrated under the floor and through my heels. There were only about six other people on the small floor, so we had plenty of room. I stood tall, smoothing my hands down my waist and thighs, suddenly a little nervous. The dance floor sat in the center of the room, so we were on display for anyone who cared to look.
Kristen turned around, facing me, and immediately began moving her hips and flipping her hair as she raised her hands into the air.
I looked down at my heels, arching an eyebrow, and then turned, kicking my shoes off to the edge of the floor. Glancing up at Tyler several feet away, I saw a smile spread across his face and his chest shake.
Laugh it up, dude. You’ll be thankful you aren’t carrying me out of here with a broken ankle.