"The Nutcracker. It's so magical. It's a piece that ballerinas have been spinning to for years. We danced to it every December as kids, and dreamed of dancing to it professionally as adults."

She b.u.t.toned the dress to the top and slipped on the high heels. She sat and pulled a makeup bag from the bottom of the suitcase I had packed. After she had brushed mascara over her lashes and put gloss on her lips, we stood eye to eye.

"Do you want to talk about the nightmares?"

Her eyes moved from mine, and she stared off in the distance before shaking her head. I wouldn't force her to talk about it. I had promised her that. It was time to change the subject.

"Have you ever been to Gerald's Steakhouse?"

She gasped and I smiled. "That's one of the best steakhouses in Houston. How did you get reservations? They are usually booked months in advance. Never mind. I know the answer."

She looped her arm in mine, and we walked out of the hotel room. When we stepped into the elevator, I couldn't take my eyes off her, from the way her hair fell down her back so perfectly, or how plump her bottom lip looked. Every time she licked them it drove me crazy.

"I want to kiss you so badly right now," I said.

"Then do it." When the door shut, my mouth attracted to her like a magnet. She tasted sweet like candy, and was everything I'd ever wanted. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and when the elevator stopped on a floor and an older couple stepped inside, we hurriedly pulled away from each other. We were both disheveled with pink lips, smiling.

The BMW waited in front of the hotel for us, and the valet opened the door for Jennifer. Once he got a good long look at her a.s.s and shut the door, I waited with my arms resting on the roof of the car.

"Like what you see?" I asked with a grimace on my face. He opened his mouth to say something then closed it immediately.

"She isn't a piece of f.u.c.king meat for you to drool over. Got it?"

He nodded and walked away with quickness in his step.

I slipped inside the car, started it, and made sure to leave the treads of my tires behind as I peeled off. That a.s.shole needed to keep his sleazy eyes to himself.

Jennifer glared at me.

"No one openly gawks at my woman's a.s.s. Plain and simple, babe. Gonna have to get used to my protectiveness."

"Oh, I'm your woman now?"

"You've been my woman since the moment I rocked your world."

She couldn't deny it.

"Rocked my world?"

"You know it. And if you keep it up, I'll f.u.c.k your world senseless."

She laughed.

I took an exit and sped down a side road that led downtown. The steakhouse was in a high rise that overlooked the city. The lights of the buildings lit the sidewalks with a warm orange glow.

"Can we park and walk? I kind of want to enjoy the city."

I found the next available place and parallel parked on the street. We got out of the car and noticed a line that wrapped completely around a building. It couldn't be where we were going. I looked over at her, and she shook her head. I smiled mischievously. The temperature had dropped, so I wrapped my arm around Jennifer as we continued forward.

"Is that Finnley Felton?" I heard someone whisper, and I knew I had been spotted. It was hard to go out in public these days without being recognized by someone, and it was a tad annoying. I gave a quick smile and placed my hand on the small of Jennifer's back as we pa.s.sed the hordes of people in the line.

"What's the crowd for?" Jennifer turned around and asked me.

I shrugged.

A woman dressed like a punk rocker openly answered Jennifer's question. "Grand opening of Jackson Square, the hippest club in Houston," she said.

Jennifer turned around and grabbed my hand. "Let's go inside. f.u.c.k dinner. f.u.c.k the ballet. Let's have fun." As soon as the words had drifted from her mouth, the music inside the club rushed through the streets.

I pulled her toward me until her body was against mine. "Are you sure?"

"Abso-f.u.c.king-lutely. I want to let loose. I want to have fun again. I want to dance," she said.

I interlocked my fingers with hers and we turned toward the entrance of the building. We pa.s.sed droves of people. A golden rope separated the regular line from the VIP line of Jackson Square. A tall husky man blocked the entrance with his arms crossed. When he made eye contact with me, he lifted both eyebrows. I gave a small flick of my head and he walked over.

"Can I help you?" His voice was deep and pure husk.

"We'd like to get in," I said.

He looked at me as if I had told the funniest joke in the world, then burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry. What f.u.c.king planet are you from?" He leaned down until his face was level with mine. I ran my tongue across my teeth.

"Which f.u.c.king planet are you from that you couldn't understand what I f.u.c.king said? We'd like in."

"I don't think so, a.s.shole. No one gets in unless they are on my list. Pretty sure you aren't on my f.u.c.king list," he said.

"Come on, Finn. Let's go," Jennifer said, tugging on my hand.

"Who's your superior?" I asked him.

"It's not like you'd know her, you f.u.c.kin' t.w.a.t," he said, then turned his back and walked back to his position against the large wooden door with a J engraved in it.

"We'll see about that." I walked to the car with Jennifer trailing behind me.

"What are we doing?"

"Get in the car. I need to find some information." I opened my phone and did a quick search on the Internet then burst into a heavy laughter. "Oh, this is f.u.c.king great!"

Jennifer shot me a quizzical look.

"Remember the blonde? The tennis player everyone thought I was f.u.c.king a few months back?" I couldn't hold back the bubbling laughter inside me.

Jennifer lifted her eyebrows. "Natasha Dragtonsa? The tennis player? How could I forget?"

"It's her f.u.c.king place. Let me make a quick call," I said, then immediately dialed Natasha's number and stepped out of the car.

FINNLEY.

Seven.

"Hey, babe. So, I'm in Houston tonight and heard you were opening a new place downtown," I said.

"Finnley f.u.c.king Felton. Babe! Wait, you're in town? You better come to f.u.c.king Jackson Square!" Natasha's voice was full of excitement, and I could tell she had been drinking.

"I'm actually standing outside looking at the line. d.a.m.n, girl. You always knew how to throw a party."

"I'm coming out right now. If you're pulling my leg and you're not really here, you'll be sorry, Felton. I'll chop off those cute little b.a.l.l.s of yours. You know not to get a lady all worked up and then not commit. Meet me up front."

"I've already warned you not to talk about my b.a.l.l.s. I'll be there, just see. Call my f.u.c.king bluff." I ended the call, walked around the car, and opened Jennifer's door. She gave me a so kind of look, and I nodded my head. I always got what I wanted.

I grabbed Jennifer's hand. Natasha stood outside of Jackson Square yelling my name. Everyone in the crowd turned and looked at me as I smiled at Tash. Without hesitation, she walked around the giant bouncer and came to us. When her blue eyes met mine, she leaned in and gave me a kiss on both cheeks like we were stars, then did the same to Jennifer.

"You must be the infamous Ms. Downs whom I've heard so much about," she said to Jennifer.

A hint of pink touched Jennifer's cheeks and I smiled.

"You might not want to say too much, Tash," I said jokingly.

"Oh, I'm sure she knows you think the world of her already."

I nodded my head as Natasha led us to the front door with her arms looped between Jennifer's and mine. The bouncer stood there with a blank look on his face.

"I'm sorry. What f.u.c.king planet were you from again?" I asked him as we approached.

Natasha shot me a look of confusion as the man apologized to me.

"It's nothing, Tash. He called me a f.u.c.king t.w.a.t earlier, but we both know who the real p.u.s.s.y is." I stared him down as we walked into the club. Before we could go any farther, our ID's were scanned and we were asked to sign a black book with gold-lined pages. Tash smiled as golden bracelets were slipped onto our wrists.

The music blasted through the halls. Slow beats drove the small VIP crowd as they danced. I admired the tall ceilings, the bar that outlined the rectangular room, and the dance floor with colorful lights that changed to the beat of whatever song was currently playing. Mirrors lined the ceiling, which reflected the lights that flashed around. An upstairs area overlooked the bottom floor and, from what I could see, black leather couches and tables were scattered around.

"Good f.u.c.king job, Tash. This place is outstanding."

"Thanks, Finn. I'm so f.u.c.king excited the two of you are here. Come upstairs to the VIP area."

Jennifer looked up, and I watched as her eyes followed the staircase that led to the luxury area.

Natasha's long, toned legs led the way, and she shook her a.s.s with every step she took. The woman was on fire in a red, skintight dress. I still remember the night Tash had told me over dinner that she loved women, and since then, she had been one of the guys; she even threw punches like one. Who knew tennis players were so f.u.c.king strong.

We walked past another bouncer in a suit who nodded at us as Tash pa.s.sed him. She elegantly took the stairs, and when we hit the top step, a woman with a champagne tray greeted us. Jennifer took a flute, and so did I. She smiled over the rim and laced her fingers with mine. I'd do anything to make her happy.

Tash waved us over to a group of people standing around, conversing.

"Mr. Jones and Mr. Roboche, this is the infamous Finnley Felton, owner of the Elite and voted most successful entrepreneur of the year."

"Oh, Mr. Felton, I've read about your company. It's very interesting, and I'd love to learn more about it."

"Sure, Mr. Jones. Here's my card. Call me and we will talk business. Tonight, I'd love to relax and enjoy this amazing atmosphere that the beautiful Ms. D has created. Gentlemen." I nodded, shot a smile to them, and downed my champagne.

"You're f.u.c.king brilliant. Those a.s.sholes have been annoying me all night," Tash whispered in my ear, then smiled.

Jennifer gulped the last of her champagne as well, and Tash led us over to a table with a large candle in the middle.

"Hungry? I've got tons of food. Please eat it or I'll have to throw it away at the end of the night," she said.

Tash snapped her fingers, and within a few minutes we had shrimp drizzled in a sauce with a side of vegetables.

"You're like magic, Tash," I said.

"Thanks so much," Jennifer said.

"Let me know if you need anything else, you two love birds," Tash said. As she walked away, Tash mouthed, "She's f.u.c.king hot. A 10!"

I shook my head, picked up a fork, and looked over at Jennifer. The yellow glow of the candle lit her face as she chewed. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and I couldn't stop looking at her with a smile across my face. I loved the way her eyelashes brushed the top of her cheeks and how her plump lips felt against mine.

"You're so f.u.c.king hot, Ms. Downs. I'd love to rip your clothes off and show you what I mean."

"If you rip my clothes off, Mr. Felton, you might get f.u.c.ked," she whispered.

"Oh, touche. You're a feisty little thing, and I love it," I said.

"You've not seen anything yet, Mr. Felton."

"I will, Ms. Downs. I can promise you that," I said. And I knew I would.

We finished eating and had a few more gla.s.ses of champagne. We walked to the balcony and looked at the crowd below us. Jennifer closed her eyes and her body swayed to the beat of the music. I wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her in front of me. The music and lights poured over us, and I pulled her from her darkness. We had found each other, and being with her had made me feel complete again. Our bodies were pressed together, and her hands wandered from my neck, down my chest, then teased at the top of my pants with her cold hands. I threaded my fingers through her hair and pulled her face close to mine.

"Don't start something you can't finish," I whispered.

"I always finish what I start." She turned around and wrapped her arms around the back of my neck as her a.s.s pressed against my d.i.c.k.

Clubs were dangerous. Dancing was dangerous. It was like f.u.c.king with your clothes on, and I didn't know how much more I could take before I took her, took what I wanted, and what my body needed. Though I had a feeling I wouldn't be taking anything. Jennifer wanted this, and maybe I would give it to her. I ran my hands down the side of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, then the side of her waist, and grabbed her a.s.s with both hands. She pushed herself into me harder, then turned around.

I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. The intensity was too much. She gave me everything she had in that kiss-her love and herself-and it was almost too much to handle.

"f.u.c.k, what are you doing to me?"

"The same thing you're doing to me, Mr. Felton."

I groaned and turned her around until her back was pressed against the railing of the balcony. Lights continued to flash as the music changed to a slow pulse. Her hand slid between our bodies, and she grazed my d.i.c.k with her fingers. f.u.c.k.

I shook my head, then leaned in and dragged my teeth across her neck and lightly bit down. She gasped for air and leaned over the railing, her hair flowing down her back. Cool air swooshed around us as the air conditioning kicked in. Then I glanced over her shoulder and thought for a moment that I had seen a familiar face. My face went blank, and I gently moved Jennifer out of my line of sight. My heart raced, and I swallowed. It couldn't be. How the f.u.c.k did Jesse know we were here? Anger rushed over me, and I balled my fists.