Page 13 of Reignite Me

“Oh, you know I’ll take part in that, but for now, a drink sounds perfect. Good to see you.” He slaps me on the back then leaves. How he became CEO of the most well-known security company, I’ll never know.

As I take a sip of my scotch, I observe the area around me, finally taking in everything Nick and I have accomplished. The bar is an elegant black and gold, giving it an almost 1920s Gatsby vibe, which is exactly how we explained it to Roxy. She seriously knocked it out of the ballpark with the décor. The perimeter is lined with booths and tables with dimly lit chandeliers.

When Nick and I did our final walk-through the other day, it didn’t feel real. But now that there are people filling up the seats, it solidifies this is reality. I catch a glimpse of Thea across the room laughing as she hugs her brother. Nick has always been protective over her, which is why I’ve never acted on what I feel for her. It’s obvious Nick has always known there’s more to my relationship with Thea, but he made it clear if I tried to go after her, he’d cut my dick off. And I’m very attached to my dick, so refraining from my feelings was the better option. That was, until now.

As if Thea feels my gaze burning into her skin, she turns her head, locking eyes with me. I send her a wink, causing her to bite her lower lip and quickly look away. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my girl shy. That’s a first. Taking a deep breath, I walk across the room towards them. My nerves get to me as I recall the conversation between Thea and me just minutes ago. I should’ve told Nick earlier this week what’s happening, but I couldn’t without talking with Thea first.

“Would you look at that, Nick. Thea actually showed up. And she brought friends,” I say once I’m close enough to them.

“I have to say, I’m honestly surprised she did,” Nick replies, earning him a “Hey!” from Thea.

“Hey yourself, Thea,” I greet her with a sly smirk on my lips. My gaze travels down her body. Fuck, I can’t wait to worship every inch of her. The memory of us in the hallway flashes through my mind, causing blood to rush towards my dick. Shit. Now’s not the time to have the imprint of my cock showing through my slacks. I take a sip of my scotch, my eyes finding Thea’s over the rim of my glass. Her cheeks turn pink as she holds my gaze. I wonder what’s going through her mind right now.

“So, Ryker, this place is…uh…pretty cool,” Thea stutters as she becomes more flustered.

Oh, little tigress, the evening is just starting. Just wait until you see what I have planned for us.

“Thank you, Thea. Though, I couldn’t have done it without this guy. Or any of our crew,” I say, nodding towards Nick.

“I’ll be right back. Lily and Jenny are here,” Nick speaks up before leaving me with Thea, Nina, and Natasha. Nina shares a look with Natasha before they turn and leave, which means I’m left alone with my girl.

“I think I’m going to get a refill,” Thea says, her voice cold as she turns to leave.

I reach out, grabbing her wrist and tugging her back to me.

“You’re not going anywhere, tigress. I want to apologize for what I said in the hallway earlier. I shouldn’t have made that comment. We haven’t had a chance to tell Nick and the opening night of our club wasn’t the way I wanted to tell him.” Staring down into her beautiful hazel eyes, I watch as they soften with each word I speak.

“I'm sorry, Ryker. I’m still trying to understand how this—us—happened. So that comment about Nick really threw me off. I shouldn’t have stormed off the way I did.” She turns her face and looks up at me through her lashes, her voice playfully seductive when she continues. “ Now, tell me… What do you have planned for us tonight? And does it have anything to do with what’s behind the door labeledPrivate?”

“If you’re a good girl, I’ll show you sooner than planned.”

“And if I’m a bad girl?”

Oh God, this woman is going to be the death of me.

“I’ll have to put a red handprint on this juicy ass,” I say, reaching my hand around to slap her on the ass. Knowing that she’s not wearing any panties has me eager to take her back to the bedrooms and fuck her senseless, but I know I can’t. Well, not yet at least. I take a quick glance around the bar to make sure Nick hasn’t returned, which he hasn’t. It gives me the chance to lean to and kiss Thea. Just a light peck, enough to calm my nerves.

“Better be careful, lovebugs. Nick’s coming back.”

Nina’s voice is ice water to the sexual tension radiating around Thea and me. We turn our heads, looking back towards the main entrance to find Nick walking back in followed by Lily and Jenny.Perfect.

Jenny’s head whips around, desperate to find me, which she does. I quickly look at Thea to whisper, “Whatever she says, ignore it. Understand?”

Confusion settles over Thea’s beautiful features, but when she goes to speak, she’s cut off by the most high-pitched squeal, followed by harsh clacking against our floors. I barely have time to formulate another sentence before a petite girl in a black dress latches on to me like a spider monkey.

“Rykie poo!I’ve missed you. Have you missed me? Oh, clearly you have. No one sucks your dick as good as me.” Jenny continues to squeal, clutching me tighter.

“Jen…Jen…Jenny!” The fact that I have to raise my voice to stop her incessant babbling says a lot about her and why I don’t want to see her again.

She stops mid sentence, detaching herself from me to look me in the eye. I notice the waterworks are coming as her bottom lip starts to tremble. You’ve got to be kidding me…

“Why…why did you just yell at me?” Jenny starts to sob.

I glance around the room seeing everyone looking at us.

“Drinks on the house tonight! Head on up to the bar and get something special,” I announce, hoping to turn the attention off us. Within seconds, chatter fills the room once more while people line up around the bar. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Thea trying not to giggle at Jenny, who has tears running down her face. Her caked-on makeup is starting to streak as the tears travel down. I have to fake a cough to cover my laugh.

“Jenny, we’ve been over this. We had one night together, many years ago. And what I’m about to say next, please understand that I mean it with all my heart. It’s time for you to get over me. There will never be anything between us, other than that one night.”

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