Page 24 of Double Take

“Forget I said that.” The swirl of cigar smoke spins above our heads as a group of men talk at a table near the bar. They didn’t bother wearing masks and are some of the most breathtaking, powerful-looking men I’ve ever seen in the flesh, and I’d know them anywhere. These men are billionaires who run casinos and other businesses in Las Vegas. What are they doing in the Midwest?

“Nope.” Her smile grows wider. “I’m not forgetting you said that. Let’s go.”

She grabs my hand and weaves through the crowd, waving and making idle chat with other guests as we make our way toward a man in a tuxedo. He’s holding a tablet with slender headphones and a mic on his head. Two other men stand on either side of him in matching suits, but the sleeves of their jackets are missing. These guys are stacked in the muscle department.

“I didn’t expect this level of security,” I mumble as Sage dodges a stunning brunette who stops in her tracks.

“Sage.”

“Everleigh.” The women laugh and greet each other with a hug.

“Give me a minute, and I’ll be back. I’m escorting a friend to my….” She pauses and clears her throat. “To the Ruby Room.”

I don’t belong here. I swallow hard over the dryness in my throat. This is the elite of the elite.

“Okay. I’ll see you in a sec.” The woman smiles at me and squeezes my upper arm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Have a great evening.”

“Thank you.” As we move past security, my knees buckle. I can’t do this. I can’t have meaningless sex with a stranger. It’s wrong. The Ruby Room door looms at the end of the hall. I’ve only been with Mario and wasted years with him. I don’t want to waste another second.

Sage steps in front of the black door and runs the key the security guard gave her over the keypad. It lights up green as I grasp her arm. “Sage, I can’t do this. I don’t want to have meaningless sex with a stranger. I want–”

“Well….” She winks and opens the door. “You’re in luck.”

Axel marches to the door and glares at Sage. “What took you so long? I told you to hurry up, or I was going back out there.”

“Calm down, you’re coming off desperate.”

His eyes meet mine through our masks, and electric jolts shoot through my body. “I am desperate.”

Holy cow. My legs wobble as the heat in his eyes singes my skin. This can’t be real. My eyes dart around the darkened room, and disappointment hits. As much as I want Axel, I also want Oliver. I don’t want to choose one over the other.

“I’ll leave the two of you alone.” Sage steps out of the way, and Axel grabs my hand.

“Come on in, gorgeous. I’ve been dying to get you alone.” As if he holds an invisible connection to me, I follow his command and shiver when the door shuts behind him. “You look stunning tonight.” He cradles my cheek in his enormous hand and strokes his thumb over my bottom lip. “The second I saw you, I knew I had to have you, and that compulsion hasn’t eased for a second.”

“I….” I lick my lips. Does he know it’s me? Or does he just want the version of Jessica Rabbit that walked in the door of the club? I’m not going to lie. I look good. And this is a sex club. Of course, he’s horny and wants to fuck someone. That’s the entire point of the evening.

But I don’t want that if it’s not me he wants. That would make it too hollow. Even half drunk, I want more than that. And we need to discuss the fact I want his brother as much as I want him. I cringe. That’s likely going to be a dealbreaker. But I’m not hiding who I am anymore. I’m saying what I want, whether it blows up in my face or not. I shiver as goosebumps scatter along my skin as visions of the–or not–scenario causes me to hyperventilate.

“You’re such a gorgeous woman and so ripe for the plucking.” His lips cover mine, and my toes curl in my stilettos. The man can kiss like the devil. His tongue strokes mine, and I gasp the lapels of his suit jacket to keep from falling to the floor.

As much as I don’t want to stop, I must. I pull back. “I need to say something–”

“No.” His eyes never leave mine. “I need to say something. Actually….” He swallows hard over his Adam’s apple. “I need to ask you something.”

“Okay.” My heart thunders in my chest.

“Who am I?”

“Axel.”

“Good girl.” His lips curve into a smile that soaks my non-existent panties. “And when did you know?”

“When I walked into the club.” His hands skate along my sides until he’s gripping my hips and steps into me. “And how did you know?”

“I just knew.” I shrug as my breathing becomes more erratic, and I sway against his hard frame, gasping when I land against his thick erection. “It’s like an energetic connection I feel when I see you.” I gnaw on my bottom lip. “When I see you or Oliver….” The words to describe what happens evade me. “I can’t explain it. It’s a pull that draws me to the two of you, and I can’t stop fantasizing about being with you. It overwhelms me until I’m no longer rational.”

“Baby….” Axel’s voice sends a convulsion along my spine as he grabs my waist and runs his lips along the column of my neck. “We feel that same connection and want nothing more in life than to pleasure you.” His teeth skate along my flesh. “Endlessly.”

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