Page 14 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

Jake

Music thumps loudly above. I can feel it thrumming through my body with each beat. Relaxed in a booth with a blonde on one side and a brunette on the other, I fight the urge to yawn.

The club is the worst place to fight sleep. To think it’s not even ten yet. There’s far too much life left in the night.

I shouldn’t feel this bored. Even when I’m surrounded by people, listening to them share gossip about people I’ll never meet, there’s this hole that’s always there. Always empty and waiting to be filled with something I don’t have the slightest clue about.

Sighing softly under my breath, I don’t think either woman notices as I grow more and more distant from whatever in the hell they’re talking about.

I could distract myself by squeezing one of their thighs, making them squirm with desire. Make them forget all about their problems and ask me to help take care of them. Normally, that sounds like fun.

Instead, with another sigh manifesting in the pit of my stomach as I take in the room.

Bodies swarm the dance floor, their silhouettes coated by the mix of colors moving above them. Lights weave through the crowds, flashing to the beat of the music.

Every weekend, I’m normally found in the middle of the crowd. All the stress of my life bleeds right out whenever I dance.

Before these two women coaxed me to join them for a drink, I was already out there having one hell of a time.

Now I’m here with an empty glass on the table while hearing all about a cat named Freddy. What could I possibly ask for to make this night even more enjoyable?

God, I don’t think I even remember either of these women’s names. They introduced themselves, didn’t they? If I have to guess, I simply agreed to join them because of their beauty. Bad call on my part.

Looking toward the bar, I immediately start planning my escape. If I send an excuse their way for a refill and they stay right here, I can get back to where I’m meant to be.

My planning goes to a halt when I see a familiar frame taking up one of the stools at the bar.

I’ve watched Eloise enough while she’s buried in her baking to know what the back of her head looks like.

Color me surprised. Instead of begging Rhett and Nicolas to join me, I should’ve put my attention elsewhere. Toward someone who’d say yes, someone with a hunger for the nightlife.

I would never have pictured this woman going out like this. Hell, I’m delightfully surprised. And now, my evening is about to become a bit more interesting.

No longer wanting to feel bored, I uncurl my legs and move to stand much to their dismay.

“Please, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve spotted someone I recognize.” Giving an apologetic smile to save face for disrupting their pointless conversation, I pull away and make my way toward my next target before I lose sight of her.

As I approach the bar, I’m quick to realize Eloise isn’t going anywhere. From the way she’s cradling her glass, swiping the moisture with her thumb rather than shooting down the liquid, I can see she’s in no rush to join the real fun out here.

Pausing for long enough to appreciate her appearance through the mirror across the bar, I take in her beauty. From the faraway look in her eyes, it seems she’s even hardly here at all.

Looking like she could use some company, I eliminate the space between us.

Appearing behind her, I have to lean in close to be heard over our environment. I don’t expect the sweet smell radiating off her neck, but it’s not unwanted. Even when she’s not slaying over her pastries, she carries around such a mouth-watering scent.

“It seems someone has good taste on what to do after a long day of work.”

The way her shoulders jerk and she turns to look at me, I have to admit, I’m taken back a bit by seeing her up close. Inhaling sharply, I watch the way her expression turns to shock. Her lips form the perfectOas she realizes who’s caught her.

“It’s a shame you aren’t already on the dance floor. Or, are you waiting to be invited?”

I shouldn’t, not when I only brought her here for Nicolas. At the same time, I’m a man who can’t help himself.

Sheisalone. If Nic wanted her as bad as he should, he’d be at her side or stalking some dark corner at least. Instead, Eloise is by her lonesome.

A rich laugh leaves her lips as her hand hovers over to her chest. “I don’t dance.”

“Yet, you came to one of Seattle’s biggest clubs?” Taking in the empty seat next to her, I lean back and take in the crowd of people pressed together while enjoying themselves. “I may have to sway you otherwise. It would be a shame to miss such an opportunity.”

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