Page 81 of A Dark Duet

Her eyes narrow to slits. “I have nothing to say to you. I have no interest in hearing anything you have to say. If you want, I can have the manager of the club find someone to entertain you tonight so you can celebrate your win. He can also include your friends. Would you like one, two, or three girls in the room?”

My jaw clenches in annoyance. “Whatever I can have with you is what I want.”

She quirks a brow. “There is only one person on my list, and he doesn’t share.”

The mention of a man in her VIP list that she must be fucking has me seeing red. Jealousy rearing its ugly head because I know it’s that asshole Ethan Carter.

Giving her a challenging smirk, I say, “Then I guess he will have to make an exception.”

Her eyes flash in a dark challenge.

Jake returns and his eyes widen when he spots Brie. “Hi,” he says to her nervously.

“Hello, Jake,” she says as the man that must be the manager walks up to her.

She looks at the man that must be the manager and then at me, knowing I was already ahead of myself. I’m wearing a black hoodie and I pull my sleeve up and show him a glimpse of my tattoo and his eyes widen. He recognizes it like I knew he would because, like I said, we know who really runs this type of club.

“Coco, Jaden ‘The Destroyer’ Cyprus has respectfully requested a room for a private dance.”

“No problem, Marcus. Please let Ethan know I will see him tomorrow.” My face contorts in rage at her mentioning the man by his first name.

“Let’s go, Champ,” she says.

She doesn’t address me by my first name, and my stomach sinks. Fuck. Rising from my seat, I follow her as she sashays toward a long dark hallway with bloodred carpet and dark-brown wood molding. This area doesn’t smell of stale cigars but like a designer boutique with expensive perfume and champagne.

She opens a discreet room that leads into a comfortable area with a velvet sofa and a minimalistic table. To the left, there is a private dance pole. There is also a chaise big enough to lie down on and my eyes are taking in the room that is also equipped with a panic button. I inwardly sigh with relief that she could at least call for help if she was ever back here and someone was trying to hurt her. She motions for me to sit on the couch and a knock is heard from the door. She walks over to open it and a woman walks in with a tray, placing it on the small table to the side of the couch and quickly leaves.

“Would you care for a drink before we start?”

“No. I want to talk.”

“I’m not interested in anything you have to say unless it’s regarding the rules. If you are not interested in the lap dance. I can fetch someone else, or I can quietly leave.”

The muscle in my jaw tics faster. The blood in my veins boiling, but if I’m to keep her here and not back out there, I’ll take in the pleasure of having her on top of me.

“What are the rules?” I ask.

“Your pants have to be left on, but you can take off your shirt. You can touch me if I allow it.”

“Do you?”

“Do I what?”

I smirk. “Allow me to touch you. You were very jumpy earlier when I grabbed your wrist, and I don’t want to break the rules. Since this is a different setting. I want to make sure you are comfortable with me touching you,” I say, looking around the room at what it has to offer.

Her breathing increases as she contemplates her next answer. Her expression is blank as she stands before me, looking down while I sit looking up at her.

Her light eyes turn dark and it’s not with lust or desire. It’s with the same coldness I saw earlier when she was on stage.

“I would prefer you not to touch me.”

Ignoring her indifference, my fingers grab hold of the hem of my shirt, and I pull it off over my head. Her eyes immediately caress my thick, muscled chest down to my abs. My head tilts when she silently removes the robe and I almost hiss audibly because her body is flawless. Her ample breasts, a small waist I can wrap my hands around with flared hips, the dangerous curve of her ass, and the most beautiful face I’ve ever laid my eyes on. She is even more beautiful than I remember. My cock hardens to attention at the woman it has craved for the last three years.

“Everywhere. I want to touch you everywhere.”

“That’s what they all want.”

Not the answer I expected. Makes me wonder how many have tried to touch her. How many have tried to force her, and the rage I’ve been keeping in chains is close to breaking free. Tempting me to throw her over my shoulder and take her out of here.