Page 26 of Shattering Nash

“Elodie’s guests.” He glanced over to his right when he didn’t get an immediate response.

Ridge’s lips twitched. It seemed Nash wasn’t doing a good job at concealing his interest. He lifted his chin gesturing to the table in the corner.

“Last table in the corner, just as you requested.”

Nash zoned in on the table again. The crowd of people standing had thinned out, giving him a bit of a view. There were two women seated at the table with drinks. But it wasn’t Charley.

“Goddammit! Who seated them?”

Ridge stepped back and gestured to the small bar area on the balcony. “Cy.”

“Cyrus!” Nash snapped and waved his hand, calling him over.

“What do you need?”

“Where are Elodie’s guests?” Nash asked.

“In VIP.”

Nash ground his teeth. “Where?”

Cyrus furrowed his brows and walked to the railing, peering down.

“They’re right there, Nash. Corner table.”

“That’s not Charley.”

Cyrus sidled up next to him, taking in Nash’s view from the balcony. “With all due respect, sir, yes it is. And the redhead’s name is Keely. That one talks a lot.”

Nash jerked his gaze to the table just as the mystery woman in the tight black dress turned her head. Her long hair fell over her shoulder in loose waves. She looked up at the lights giving him the perfect angle of her profile. Soft features, rounded face, and a pointy, upturned nose.Charley.

“She looks a lot different from the last time she came in,” Ridge said, but Nash kept his gaze on her.

Charley had all the same mannerisms, tugging at the hem of her dress at mid-thigh. She smoothed her hand over her knee, and he was drawn to her red shoes. He had never seen her inhigh heels. It was a sight he was sure he’d remember. Nash was getting a profile view, and it was gorgeous. She was a beautiful woman without all the bells and whistles, but this put her on another level. It wasn’t something he’d been prepared for. He grasped the railing in a tight hold, watching her shift in her seat and offer a smile to the waitress dropping off a water.Ah fuck.When she lifted the glass to her lips, his mind was going in places it didn’t belong. Her tongue poked out, gliding over her lower lip. Visions of her mouth over his cock had his blood rushing through his veins.

“Sir?”

Nash whipped his head to his men lined up a few feet from him. They were all staring at him. Caine showed zero emotions, as per usual. Ridge clasped his hands behind his back and flattened his lips. Cyrus was the only man allowing his veil to slip. The corner of his mouth hiked seconds before he bowed his head.

Fuck!

Chapter Five

Loud, flickering lights and wall to wall people.I’d rather be home in my pajamas watching TV.This had been an absolute mistake. This was not her scene. She didn’t fit in and felt like a fraud in her dress and heels. Keely had insisted on doing her makeup. As much as it looked pretty, it wasn’t her. Charley was strictly a mascara and lip gloss kind of girl.

She scanned the area. It was nice to have a separate space. Crowded places like this always amped up her anxiety. It didn’t help matters that Keely abandoned her ten minutes ago in search of the “mysterious” back room. Even after her friend’s explanation, Charley didn’t understand the excitement over an alleged secret VIP room. But she didn’t argue or object. As much as the passes to the club were a gift for her, this night was for Keely.

Charley grabbed her drink and sipped it through the straw. She wasn’t a big drinker, but Keely insisted she try at least one cocktail. So far it was the highlight of the night. The sweet sugary beverage went down faster than she’d expected. On her last sip, she realized she’d finished it.

The waitress, who’d been extremely attentive, walked over before Charley even placed the glass on the table. She smiled and bent down, leaning closer.

“Do you want another one? Or would you like to try something else?”

Another drink? She’d only been at the club less than thirty minutes. It seemed excessive.

“Drinks are completely covered, so if you want to try something but decide you don’t like it, I can get you something else.”

She widened her eyes. “Really?”

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