Page 15 of Control

I thought it strange that she had asked me to join her and her friends on a night out. She was technically my employer and knowing who her brother-in-law was made tonight even less desirable to me because I didn’t want to risk running into him again. Thinking of him at night was more than enough and seeing him in person wasn’t something I wished to make a habit of. But I liked Amelia, and she seemed like a genuine person. A girls’ night out with her friends sounded safe enough. And surely, Jai wouldn’t be invited to some chick party.

A large man in a black t-shirt and jeans approached us, with an earpiece attached to the side of his head. “You Claire?”

Lana shrank back behind me, intimidated by his massive stature and humorless expression. “Um. Yeah.”

“This way,” he grunted, heading back into the club without waiting for us.

I followed him hastily, pulling on Lana’s arm; at first, she refused to budge, like a scared kitten.

We weaved through the throngs of people on the dance floor. I had been to Nirvana a few times before and it had always been packed, just like tonight. Lana lived for this type of environment and wouldn’t pass up a chance to attend a party. She was the other reason I had agreed to take Amelia up on her offer. When I told her that we’d been invited by the owner of the club, she had damn near lost her shit and grabbed my phone to text Amelia that we’d be there. “Think of all of the free booze we’d get in VIP! Everyone will be so jealous seeing us party with the owners!”

If I had said no, she probably would have stolen my phone to pose as me and accept on my behalf. Explaining Lana’s appearance in my place would have been kind of awkward. Not for Lana, though. No. She’d have been on cloud nine.

The bouncer led us up the stairs to the second level, where the private booths were. Sheer red fabric hung from overhead, allowing for a sense of privacy at each booth. The curtains of most were drawn back so guests could see out to the dance floor on the first level, but some had them closed, allowing for seclusion. Lord only knew what people were up to in those.

At the biggest booth on the end, the fabric was completely pulled back and Amelia stood waving us over. The huge brick wall of a man who had showed us the way stepped to the side, allowing us to approach her.

She pulled me into a big hug. “I’m so glad you made it!”

“Thanks for inviting us,” I said, wrapping one arm around her back before pulling away quickly. Motioning to my squirmy companion, I made the introduction she was dying to hear. “This is my friend, Lana.”

As if on cue, my friend eagerly extended her hand out to shake Amelia’s.

Amelia graciously accepted her hand, giving it a polite shake. “Hi, Lana. I’m Amelia. It’s great to meet you.”

Lana’s voice came out all high-pitched and shaky, like she was meeting a celebrity, and words spilled out at a pace that was too difficult to keep up with. “This club is fantastic! I’ve been here a few times but never in the VIP lounge with the owners.” I needed to get some liquor in her to get her to calm down, and fast.

“I’m just an owner by marriage, but I don’t mind reaping the benefits.” She winked.

“Wow, you look amazing too. Can we talk about this dress?” Lana kept going, fawning over Amelia’s outfit.

She did look amazing in her black halter dress and contrasting red hair. Flirty yet classy. It amazed me that she probably had so much money yet looked like the girl next door. Areallypretty girl next door, but still approachable and kind.

“Thank you!” Amelia beamed appreciatively. “You both look amazing too.”

“Oh, this thing?” Lana brushed her fingertips down the length of her dress. “I made it in school. I’m not sure if you know, but I’m in fashion school.” I scrunched my eyes closed hearing the verbal diarrhea growing worse.

I shoved my shoulder into Lana’s to get her to shut up. I loved her, but she became a chatterbox whenever she was nervous or excited, which was most of the time.

If Amelia was annoyed, she didn’t show any hint of it. “I love it,” she said to Lana. “Come join us in the booth for a drink. Everyone’s here.” She stepped aside to let us through.

My eyes suddenly fell on deep brown ones.Fuck.

Jai sat back in his seat, his arm stretched along the top cap of the booth, body relaxed and free of troubles, as if suggesting I slide in next to him. His mouth was fixed into a sly grin; meanwhile, my belly was full of jitters.

My gaze flicked around the table, desperate to find space anywhere else. Next to him was his brother with Amelia at his side. Beside her was another woman and my traitorous friend, who sat on the end.

My eyes snapped back to the sly playboy who was relishing in my trepidation, once again. This was becoming a regular occurrence, much to my chagrin. And yet again, I lifted my chin up with resolve. Refusing to let him get to me, I slid into the booth. He could have easily reached out to touch me, so I sat as close to the edge as possible, my ass half-hanging off the seat just to put any extra distance I could find between us.

“Everyone, this is Claire and Lana,” Amelia announced. “Claire, you’ve met my husband, Shyam, already. And my brother-in-law, Jai.”

Lana and I greeted them with “Hello,” in unison. I focused my eyes on Shyam to avoid looking at the man next to me, though I could feel his stare burning into my skin.

“And this is my friend, Natalie,” Amelia continued.

“Call me Nat,” her friend said, offering a welcoming smile. Her bright-orange hair and rainbow-colored dress implied that she was going to show us one hell of a party tonight. “Amelia tells me you’re Meena’s ballet teacher? What’s it like getting to boss that little one around? Share your secrets to get her to listen!”

“Excuse me! That’s my daughter you’re talking about.” Amelia smacked her friend playfully on the arm.

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