Page 9 of Conquering Oz

As the fourth man passed, there was a large gap, and she glanced to her left. A member had stopped a few feet away with several bikers at his back. The ginger-haired guy smirked and held out his hand, palm up gesturing for her to pass. Courtesy was not what she’d ever expect from a Drifter.But I’ll take it. She stepped down, smiled up at the man in his late-twenties, and mouthed, “Thank you.” She wasn’t going to strain her voice for something he’d never be able to hear.

He smiled back, licked his lips, and winked. What should have been downright cringy had somehow worked for him. However, she was beyond the point in her life when attention from a bad boy meant anything. Besides, he was way too young. She’d made that mistake once and refused to be a repeat offender.

Given who the men were, most people moved out of their way, and for the few who didn’t, they learned fast. Elodie clamped her lips, refusing to laugh when the man in front of her shoulder punched another in the back. When the Drifter turned right toward one hallway, she slid past him in the oppositedirection. It was a little quieter but not by much. She searched for a bathroom sign, but the lighting was dim.

Isla waved to her from the dance floor and then not so subtly pointed across the club. It was a mistake to look. Elodie glanced over, unsure of what Isla was gesturing to.Oh hell.When she locked eyes on him, she immediately looked away. It was the most immature way to handle the situation.

The situation.It was a lapse in judgment.

Elodie rushed toward the hall, only to be blocked inches from a clean getaway.

“Hey.”

Elodie smiled, feeling the heat rise from her chest to her cheeks. Blushing was rare at her age, but this scene called for it. Some might’ve thought it was brought on by attention from the gorgeous guy standing before her. They’d be wrong. It stemmed from embarrassment. His age played the biggest factor only second to having shared a weekend long, sex-filled forty hours.

“Hi Dalton.”

“The high school graduate,” as Madalyn liked to refer to him.He’s twenty-four!A one-night stand with extended hours. What was the harm? Wasn’t this what young, single guys lived for? Sex with no strings attached. Apparently, not Dalton.

Elodie had thought it was odd that he’d asked for her number when they’d parted ways. At the time, she’d assumed he was being polite and wanting to do what he may have deemed the right thing. Even if he had no intentions of calling her, it was ending amicably, and they’d never see each other again. That’s what Elodie had assumed. Then he called. And called again. Had his generation redefined one-night stands?And why the hell didn’t someone tell me before I slept with him?

His gaze traveled down her body slowly. “You look fucking hot.”

Don’t cringe.She mustered up a smile. “Thank you.”

“Having a good time?”

No.

“Yes, the club is amazing.”

He lifted his chin to the raised seating and their table. “VIP section. That must have set you back, huh? Heard it’s like two grand for two hours.”

What the…She spun around, staring at their table. It was secluded with a bouncer guarding the only entrance to the raised platform. But two thousand dollars for a few hours? At this point they’d already been at the club for over three. Elodie mentally calculated, and her stomach twisted.

“Isla said you guys are celebrating?”

“Uh yes, my” —She cleared her throat— “fortieth birthday.”

Dalton grinned with a small chuckle, eyeing her body. “No shit. My mom just turned forty-five two weeks ago.”

If she needed confirmation her sexcapade with Dalton had been a mistake in judgement, this was it. She’d sunk so low in her mind.I’m pretty sure this is rock-bottom.

“So, what are your plans after?”

Oh hell no.She would not be a repeat offender in the Mrs. Robinson rendezvous.

Elodie forced a smile and leaned closer. “Dalton, I’m sorry, you caught me while I was on my way to the bathroom. Can we finish this when I get back?”

Dalton grasped her waist in a tight squeeze. “I’ll be here, babe.”

Babe?Oh dear God.

Elodie stepped away and rushed past him. She went farther down the hallway, not entirely sure where she was headed, but most importantly in the opposite direction of Dalton. The bathroom excuse had all been a ruse to get Saylor on the dance floor and then served well for Dalton. Truthfully, she didn’t really have to go, but it would kill time. And if I happen to runinto the owner?She tightened her lips, keeping her smile at bay at the ridiculous thought. Although… That was definitely a sex-filled weekend she wouldn’t turn down.Now, that would be a birthday worth celebrating.

As two women walked toward her, Elodie smiled. “Do you know where the bathroom is?”

They pointed farther down the hall. One of the girls shouted over the music, but it was impossible to hear everything she was saying. All Elodie could make out waselevatorandright.

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