“Hey, gorgeous,” the guy at the door said and waved me inside. “Be good tonight.”

“You’re no fun.” I winked. From outside it seemed quiet, and then I pulled the main door open and immediately felt the pounding of the bass through my chest. I glanced around looking for anyone familiar. At the end of the bar, Jenny and Lily were huddled together talking with drinks in their hands.

When I was about two feet away from them, Lily lifted her head. “Zoe,” she said and ran over to give me a hug. “How is it we arrived before you?”

“I love to be fashionably late,” I teased and shrugged my shoulders.

“Well, you’re looking hot, girl.” Lily grabbed my hand and spun me around. “What’s this all for?”

“You never know, the man of my dreams could be here right now.”

“And you’re locked and loaded with this get-up.”

I touched my finger to my nose and pointed at her. “Now where is my drink?” I walked closer to Jenny. “It’s good to see you.” I bent to kiss her check and whispered in her ear. “There are a pair of eyes staring right at you.”

Jenny lifted her head and looked around. “What? Who?”

I patted her forearm. “Relax. His name starts with M and ends with K.” The bartender leaned my way. “Can I get a dirty martini? Extra dirty.” I leaned my elbow on the bar and glanced toward Lily. “Did Julian join you tonight?”

“No, he’s not into the club scene.” She paused for a beat and then continued. “Come to think of it, I don’t think I am either.”

“You’re not leaving already are you?” I was a little bummed by her words.

“Soon,” she said and took a sip of her cocktail.

The nightclub was always dark. Some nights it was hard to see two feet in front of me. The neon lights provided minimal lighting and always fucked with my eyes. In the center of the room was the dance floor. There was a DJ on a stage to the right of the dance floor. He had headphones on and was bobbing up and down to the music. Noir nightclub played a good mix of music. Most nights I wanted to let my emotions out with some serious moves. The problem was, dancing alone wasn’t my thing.

I grabbed my dirty martini the bartender had just set in front of me. When I turned back, I was the only one standing at the end of the bar. There was a small table tucked away in the corner of the bar. Jenny was holding her drink with both hands and looked extremely uncomfortable. Lily was chatting it up with Malik. I noticed the look on Lily’s face and quickly headed over to them. “Is there room for one more?” I sat down beside Jenny. “Need a refill?” I pointed to Jenny’s glass.

“What? No. Thank you, though.”

Lily leaned over and tried to whisper in my ear. It was more like a loud whisper. “I’m going to head out. You need to enjoy the dance floor for a bit.”

“Um, am I missing something?” Then I looked over at Malik and caught his eyes locked onto Jenny. “Oh, reading that one loud and clear.” I took a huge sip of my drink and stood up. Lily was encouraging me to dance alone, yet I hated the idea. My eyes caught site of a man in the center of the dance floor. For a moment it felt like he was the only person in the bar. As his body swayed to the music, I felt my body being tugged closer to him. When I was only inches from the mystery man, something came over me, and I placed my hand on his side. Instead of stepping away, he turned toward me and pulled my body close.

The song stopped but the man didn’t let me go. He bent his head and brushed his lips against my ear. “One more?”

I nodded. Something about his actions caused my insides to come alive. The next song was not as fast this time, so he pulled me closer to his body and took control of every movement. I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes. I thought his hands were moving up and down my back, and then someone pressed up against me.

I had to remind myself this was Noir; anything could happen. There were tales of couples having sex in bathrooms. The possibilities were endless.

I reached my hand back still unsure who was behind me. It was a man. Well, at least I knew that much. Somehow all three of us had managed to find the same rhythm. Our bodies moved together so beautifully. I had never experienced something so sexual. As the song started to end, the man behind me disappeared. I felt a pang of sadness by the cold draft that hit my back.

“It was lovely dancing with you.” The mystery man bent and kissed my cheek. Before I had a chance to say a word, he disappeared through the throng of people. I was left alone in the center of the dance floor while everyone continued to move around me.

I glanced toward the tables, wondering if I could figure out who had just rocked my world. It was impossible to know. Then my eyes locked onto him. He was leaning back in his chair with his hand around a glass. Before I had even noticed him, I could feel his eyes on me.

He had this look of intent.

Want.

Why was Tyler staring at me that way?