Niki

“Kid! Time to get your ass up and kick it into gear!” Gavin comes barreling through the door, shouting. “You won’t believe who is going to be at the club tonight!”

I sit on the couch, holding a tub of my favorite coffee ice cream, just watching him. I don’t have to say a word because this guy gets excited over everything.

“Cash Knight, that’s who.”

Blink.

“I’m so in love with this ice cream.”

“Nik, come on now. I know you know who Cash Knight is.”

Blink.

Lick spoon.

“Okay, that’s it.” He comes over and takes the carton from me, but not before I can get another spoonful.

“Ah-ha! I won!” I shove the bite into my mouth before he can tackle the spoon out of my hand.

“You’re crazy. You know that?” He holds out his hand for me to surrender the spoon.

“Fine.” I give it one last lick before I hand it over. “I guess that makes you crazy by association,” I tease.

“Come on.” He’s practically begging now. “There are only a couple more weeks before school starts. You need to let loose, and tonight is the night. Cash Knight, that is.” He chuckles. “You caught that, right?”

“I guess it was funny,” I say with a straight face.

“Get up, Nik. Let’s go get our groove on. Maybe do a little bumpin’ and grindin’?” He thrusts his hips back and forth.

“Calm your tits, Gav. I’ll go. Just stop doing all that.” I wave my hands in his direction.

“Perfect! Be ready in an hour.” He plops his butt down on the spot I was just in.

Heading down the hall, I turn around and look at him. “Hey, Gavin!”

“What, kid?”

“CASH FREAKIN’KNIGHT is going to be at the club!” I scream, suddenly realizing, running back down the hall. I hop over the coffee table and tackle him on the couch, once again causing it to flip over.

“I knew it!” He points at me.

“He’s soooo hot; and holy hell, can he make me hum in all the right places.” I climb over the top of the couch and help pick it up.

“Hey now, there will be no humming in any of those places unless it’s caused by me.” He winks, and my body reacts.

It’s been a few weeks since he confessed his feelings, but I have yet to tell him exactly how I feel.

Tonight.

Gavin

“Hey guys! Good thing you got here when you did. The VIP area is filling up fast,” Chloe greets us as we walk in.

“Perfect. That’s what we want.” I guide Niki through the crowd in the direction of the bar, where I see Cindy and Kara working.

“Want a drink?” I pull Niki into me, whispering in her ear.

“I want a drink. The question is do you want a drink?” She winks, continuing to the bar and getting us a spot.

“Again, margaritas have tequila in them.” I pick her up and set her in a now-vacant bar chair.

“Still a pussy.” She looks up at me, licking her bottom lip.

Bending down, I push her hair to the side, whispering with a gentle blow, “You’re killin’ me, kid.”

“Good.”

“Hey, Niki…Gav.” Cindy comes up, greeting us. “What can I get you two?”

“Two margaritas and a shot of tequila.” Niki says leaning over the bar, hollering, “Make sure you put extra salt on the rim for pretty boy here.” She shoves her thumb in my direction.

“Hey, Nik.” Jake walks up behind Niki, massaging her shoulders “Good to see you again.”

“You too.” She smiles. “That feels good.”

“Hands off my girl.” I growl.

“Whoa, Shaw!” He holds his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t know it was official.”

“Working on it bro.” I flash Niki my panty dropping smile.

“Hey, Grady James and his lady are up in the VIP area tonight. He was asking if you were around.” Jake continues. “Apparently, he’s pretty tight with Cash.”

“I think I read that somewhere this summer.”

“Here you guys go.” Cindy slides the drinks down the bar. “I switched your tab to VIP Lounge. Enjoy.”

“Gav?” Niki tugs on the hem of my shirt.

“What’s up?”

“I think you should go talk to Kara. She looks upset.”

I have no desire to talk to Kara. Truth be told, after I heard she called Nik, I began to question anything good about her. Who does that?

“It’s nice that you want me to do that, but here is not the time and place.” I bend down, my lips hovering over hers until she gives me what I want.

Her lips parting, she leans in so close our lips brush, “You know…you can kiss me whenever you want.” Her lips play with mine.

“That’s all I needed.” I pull her bottom lip in between mine, giving it a little tug.

“Mmm…another.”

“Shot or kiss?” I tease.

“Shot!” she yells, causing the bar to stir. “Kiss.” She breathes the words across my lips, inviting them for round two. “I think we need to dance.” She downs her shot and chases it with the margarita.

“Hey, we didn’t toast or lick, shake, suck.”

“Do what you got to do, but I want you on that dance floor now,” she purrs.

“Let’s go.” I grab her by the hand, and we head down to the dance floor. I slip Jake a fifty to put the spotlight on us for a song.

A few drinks and a couple songs later. Niki is in front of me, swaying her hips to the beat of the deep bass. I stay behind her, and as we find our rhythm, I can’t help but reach around, dragging the hem of her dress up enough to feel her skin while pushing myself against her. I know she can feel what she is doing to me, how turned on I am.

Raising her hands in the air, she wraps them around my neck, inviting me for a taste, just for a moment. Everything is amazing, and the promise of what is to come lingers in the background. This is going to happen.

“Hey!” Nicki screeches as she’s pulled away from me.

Aiden.

“Get your fucking hands off her.”

“Niki, I just need to talk to you. Just give me a few minutes,” he pleads his case, but I’ll be damned if I let her go. I’m not going to lose her again. Not to him. Fuck, not to anyone. She’s mine.

“Aiden, I have nothing to say to you. Go back to your wife,” she spits out.

“Niki, please. Just a few minutes. Alone.” He looks over her shoulder at me, daring me to stop her.

I can see her waver. Turning in my arms, she places her hand on my heart. Calming me. “Just give me a few minutes. I promise, I’ll be back.”

“Niki, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” I hold her hand in place. “Stay with me…please.”

“Niki, now,” Aiden barks.

“Don’t fucking tell her what to do!” I lunge forward, ready to knock his ass out.

“Gav, calm down. I’ll be back.” She reaches up, giving me a peck on the cheek.

“If you go, I may not be here when you get back.” Jealousy is making me a dick.

“Are you serious right now?” She fights back.

“Dead.” I can’t help but dig a deeper hole.

And before I know what’s happening, Aiden has her by the hand, taking her outside, and I’m left alone on the dance floor. Spotlight on me.