15
Henley
The bright red dress was a beacon for trouble. Sex… trouble. That I couldn’t even get into because I signed that damned contract. I knew it wasn’t really enforceable in any court, but I still signed it and as a lawyer I respected anything notarized and dated.
But it was so difficult to grasp that they owned me, and I couldn’t even have fun when they were ignoring me.
I matched the sleek, tight red dress by straightening my own red hair, that I usually wear wavy or in a bun. It made my face look completely different, but still with that innocent charm—cute, Jude would call it. I rolled my eyes and packed on makeup and lipstick like I never have before, even putting on mascara. I had transformed and topped it with black heels that made my calves scream.
“Oh my God, babes! You look perfect—I seriously don’t even recognize you.” Denton met me in the living room, already dressed in his club usual of jeans and a blue blazer. He slicked his hair back most of the time, but he left it in disarray instead. My best friend was hot, and he knew it.
“Oh stop… you picked it out.” I slung my chain purse over my shoulder and evaded his whistles.
“Yeah, but its’ your body wearing it babes. Damn. Why are you still single, you must not be showering when you leave the house.” Denton followed behind me and slapped my ass softly as we left the apartment.
“I hate you.” I laughed.
He snickered behind me and we headed out to his car. He drove a pretty fancy sedan, courtesy of all his hard work. Once we got to the club he raved about the whole way, there was a long line out the door behind the velvet rope and rug.
“Wow.” I said as we pulled into the back for parking. It was doubtful we would find anything for at least a block.
“This place is fairly new but it’s part of a string of clubs in some other major cities. It’s pretty successful, and well known too.” Denton explained to me.
“Hmm. I still don’t get why anyone would wait in line just to stand inside.” I scoffed.
“You lawyers, always pointing out random shit.” Denton flicked my nose and I crossed my arms in mock defiance.
“I’m not. It’s just wild to me.” I laughed.
For the first time in a while I actually felt care free. I guess that’s what friends do, and Denton was the best of them. He just always had a way of taking my worries away. Back in college when I would be stressed for finals he would show up and save the day with food and encouragement. Maybe a crazy story or two. And law school… ugh. I never would have slept if he hadn’t helped proofread everything. He has always been there for me, and when he needed me, I was there too. We just always had this easy friendship and living together didn’t mess it up, as some people would say. Even his parents loved me.
He was probably the closest thing to a relationship I would ever get.
“Okay babes.” He managed to find a tight spot and we made our way to the long ass line of the club, except he just skipped up right to the front and went to the bouncer.
“Hey, thought you wouldn’t make it.” The burly guy said. Denton laughed and they shook hands before we got let in.
As we entered, the loud blaring music and the dim blue lights, he had to lean in close and still yell so I could hear him. Every pop song seemed to be on at the same time.
“He modeled with me for this shoot last month. Swimsuits.” Denton winked and we headed right for the bar.
I got a martini to start and could barely sip it down before Denton dragged me to the dance floor. I was laughing before something caught my eye, something that made me turn my head and stare. Private lounges lined the perimeter of the club and in one of them, I saw Maverick and Jude. I knew I wasn’t imagining it—they were there in their black suits and firm expressions but they weren’t alone. They sat opposite two busty blondes—I could literally see their implants from where I stood.
It wasn’t just a conversation, they were leaning in, giving their sly smiles. I didn’t know why I was so hurt—they weren’t mine. Yet I was fuming. I was so mad, because…. Because why?
“Denton, let’s dance.” I tugged him with me instead and found a tight spot on the dance floor close enough to those… assholes.
They wanted to break the contract, then so would I. Erm, in theory of course, since Denton was gay and I wasn’t actually trying to hook up with him. But they didn’t know that and if they saw me, I wanted them to be as pissed as I was.
“You trying to get a man?” Denton shouted in my ear as I turned and grinded against him. It wasn’t anything we hadn’t done before.
“Yeah!” I shouted back.
I felt him laugh as he grabbed my hips. “Not like that you won’t.” He turned and groped me in turn, flashing his sexy smile. Hell, it was sexy to anyone.
We danced for a while and I almost forgot what I was even doing because Denton and I really started to mess around. He was grinding all over me, against me, feeling me up, and I was doing the same. He didn’t even know the whole story and he was just along for the ride. A good friend.
I started having fun until I heard a familiar growl. Everything stopped, I stepped away from Denton only to turn and find Jude standing there like a man truly scorned.
His furious expression hid under the dim lights, all to be seen was his sharp jaw and sneering mouth.
“Who the fuck is this?”