Page 55 of Dance for Me

Dressed to Kill

Doug couldn’t stop staring at Vanessa all the way to Jack’s. But she couldn’t blame him really, her dress was a little seductive, fitting her body perfectly. It had spaghetti straps with a V-neck drop down. It was form fitting and hugged her hips with the material reaching down to the floor. It had a slit that creeped up her left leg, ending only at her mid-thigh. With her pumps she felt like a super model. Her hair was flowing down her back and her makeup was painted on as perfect as it could get.

She wanted to make Jack suffer and she was hoping the dress would do it.

When they got there, Jack’s penthouse was packed with people. Handsome men in suits, beautiful women in cocktail dresses such as her own. The lights were dimmed, and dinner music was playing. The bar was lit up in blue and people stood around holding their drinks talking, laughing, seemingly to be enjoying themselves.

“You look hot as fuck in that dress,” Doug whispered to her as he leaned in and her arm was still interlocked with his. She smiled faintly but didn’t say anything in response.

“Holy shit V, this is where you’ve been staying? It’s insane. Like something out of Pretty Woman.” Vanessa chuckled at Michelle but felt Doug tense under her arm. When she looked over, she could see that his expression became more grim. She hadn’t told him where she was staying and Michelle definitely let that cat out of the bag.

Vanessa saw Jazz waving to them over by Owen.

Doug grabbed two drinks off a tray and headed their way. Once he got closer, he put his finger on his tongue and made a sizzling noise. “DAMN! Love, you are on fire tonight. That dress should be illegal.” Owen took Vanessa into a hug with a kiss on the cheek and she heard Doug let out a low growl. Owen rolled his eyes and looked at Doug like he wanted to tackle him to the floor, which if he wanted to, he probably could have.

He was gay for fuck’s sake. So, Doug needed to calm down.

Jazz gave Vanessa the same hug and greeted Michelle and her date. “Hon, every man in this room has been looking at you since you walked in and I’m pretty sure you were even able to get Owen hard.” They all laughed. Except Doug.

“It’s true love, now if you’ll excuse me, I think I have to use the little boy’s room.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Vanessa smacked his arm in a playful manner, knowing that he was only joking with her. “You guys are comedians, truly,” she shook her head. “This place does look pretty amazing. I didn’t expect so many people though.”

“Oh yeah, this party is a huge hit every year,” Jazz said as she looked around but brought her focus back to the man who was now standing behind Vanessa. Jazz smiled and Vanessa felt heat radiating off her back. Knowing it was Jack who was standing behind her because she felt him, smelled his scent that would forever be drilled into her.

“Vanessa,” he said in a stern and professional voice.

C’mon Jack, stop denying yourself, was what she wanted to say but instead, gave him a taste of his own medicine. Vanessa spun and found herself looking up at him because he was standing so close. “Jack,” she said in an equally stern voice.

But he wasn’t looking at her because he was glaring at Doug. Scowling, probably plotting his murder as they stood there. They both didn’t even flinch, but Doug did pull Vanessa closer to him possessively, like he wanted to let Jack know she was with him. The rest of the group just stood there in silence, watching it all play out.

After the men finished squaring up with each other, Jack took his attention back to Vanessa and she saw him double take. He took her in, from her breasts to her exposed thigh. Heat ignited in his eyes. He took a drink of his whiskey, eyeing her from the top of his glass.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” Jack made a glance at Doug. “Make yourselves at home, drinks are on the house.”

“Thanks boss,” Owen said trying to break the tension between the three.

Michelle hooked her arm through Vanessa’s and pulled her away to the sofas by the windows. She would thank her later for the save but everyone, except Jack, followed.

“Okay, now that we’re out of the fire,” Michelle said quietly, hoping Doug wouldn’t hear. “Let’s do some shots.” Michelle waved the man over who was carrying a tray and everyone grabbed a shot. Michelle held hers up. “Let’s make a toast.” Everyone followed suit, holding their glasses up. “To a fucking fun filled night ahead.”

“Amen!”

“Hear, hear.”

Everyone slammed their finished shots down on the coffee table.

“Damn that was yummy,” Jazz wiped her mouth. “Let’s get some more of those.” She laughed and so did everyone else, except Doug. He hadn't said a word to her since they got there. Just attached his arm around her waist, claiming his territory, which she wasn’t his to claim.

Vanessa crossed her legs and Doug placed his hand on her exposed thigh. Michelle caught the gesture and mouthed ‘what the fuck’ to her. Vanessa shrugged and nonchalantly brushed his hand off.

Jazz was over on the sofa across from them laughing with Owen. Michelle was leaning into her date, giggling into his ear and flirting. Doug was trying so hard to place his hand back onto her thigh.

“Excuse me, I’m going to use the ladies’ room.” She made her way through the busy crowd and grabbed a drink on the way. She didn’t have to use the restroom, but she needed to get some breathing room. She caught sight of Jack who was talking with two men and Trixie, who was glued to his arm like a cheap hooker. An arm she wouldn’t mind snapping like a twig. They were all smiling, except Jack, and Trixie was running a finger down his arm.

“Skank,” Vanessa mumbled under her breath and she ducked past a group of men, one caught her eye and he smiled at her. She moved to stand in front of the window, drink in hand and looked out onto the city.

“What is a woman like you, standing here all by herself for?” He was quite good looking with his dapper suit and dark hair.

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