FOR THE REST of the week, Kyle and I had talked at the gym, but kept our interactions to a minimum. “So you’re trying to tell me that the guy who all of your friends hate is going to meet us at the bar tonight? Are you insane?” Nicole shrieked.
I had put off telling her for as long as I could, but now that we were getting ready to go out, I had no choice. I joined her in the bathroom to finish flat ironing my hair. “I’m sorry. It’s just really awkward knowing that he’s the Kyle Andrews. I never knew him like everyone else. From what I’ve seen of him though, he’s really trying to change.”
Nic pinned the last of her curls into an updo and spread on her lipstick. “I sure hope you’re right. The last thing you need is another psycho messing with your head.” She squeezed my arm and I looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had on a skin tight red dress to match her bright red lips.
“I’m not the same Megan as before, Nic. I know this guy’s not bad, or at least not anymore.”
“All right, I believe you. Now finish getting ready so we can go. This is a monumental occasion.”
That it was. I almost forgot what it was like to go out and have fun. As fast as I could, I finished my hair, checked my makeup, and put on some lip gloss. I was ready to go.
By the time we got to the bar¸ it was nine o’ clock and it was slamming. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait outside long. The music was loud and there were a ton of people dancing. I grabbed Nic’s hand and dragged her to the bar so we could sit. The busty blonde bartender smiled and waited for our order. “A shot of tequila for me and my friend, please,” I said.
“Coming right up.” She set two shot glasses on the counter and poured them high.
Nic grabbed hers and tossed it back fast, followed by a cough. “Whew, that shit never gets easier to swallow. I’m surprised you didn’t order your usual.”
“I’m done with raspberry martinis. They remind me too much of Alex. It’s all I would ever drink when we’d go out. I want to start new things, make new habits.”
She slapped her hand on the counter. “You’re damn right. How about another shot?”
“Sounds good to me.” We downed another shot and I was starting to feel pretty good.
“Do you want to dance?”
I shook my head. “Not really. I’m sure there are some gorgeous guys out there who’d be happy to dance with you.”
“You sure? I don’t want to leave you alone.”
Laughing, I pushed her away. “Go, I’ll be fine.”
She pouted her lips, but as soon as she hit the dance floor, two guys sandwiched her and she was in heaven. Instead of ordering another shot, I got water and watched her dance. “Can I get you a drink?” someone asked behind me. I turned around and a sharply dressed man in his mid-thirties smiled at me.
“No, thank you. I’m actually waiting for someone.”
He sat down beside me. “I’ll just wait with you then.”
“Be my guest.” Trying my best to ignore him, I turned my body away so I could focus on Nic and not have to look at him. He was easy on the eyes, but I could smell sleazeball from a mile away.
“So what do you do?” he asked.
I tilted my head to the side so he could hear me over the music. “I’m an undercover agent.”
“Really? I never would’ve pegged you for that line of work.”
I blinked my eyes innocently. “Don’t feel bad, most people don’t suspect it. Do you want to know what I specialize in?”
He licked his lips and moved closer. “Tell me.”
“Women hire me to find out if their husbands are cheating. You’d be surprised the kind of shit I can dig up on a man.” His face turned green and I smiled wide as he scurried off without another word. Worthless jackass.
“Should I even ask what that was about?” Kyle asked, approaching the bar. His face was still bruised from the fight but it was on the mend.
I patted the seat beside me and smiled when he sat. “Oh you know, just your average cheating husband trying to score with a chick at the bar.”
“How do you know he was married?”
“He had a tan line where his wedding band should be. Granted, he could be separated, but judging by the reaction I got from him, I’d say no.”
He chuckled. “Damn, I pity someone who tries to get one over on you.”
If only I’d been like that sooner, then maybe I would’ve seen through Alex. “I try to be,” was all I could say. We both laughed and it was the first time I’d noticed his eyes. “Hey, you’re not wearing your contacts.” One eye was brown and the other green.
“Does it bother you?” he asked in all seriousness.
“No, not at all. I’ve never known anyone other than you to have eyes like that. It’s different. Unique.”
“Most people find it unnerving. That’s why I didn’t wear the contacts. I figured I’d need to be intimidating tonight if I was going to be around you. But it looks like you can handle yourself.”
I bumped him in the shoulder. “I appreciate it. I’m not used to the whole club scene anymore. I’ve been away from it for a while. To be honest, I’m only here for Nic.”
Kyle scanned the crowd with narrowed eyes. “So who’s this friend you always talk about?” I pointed her out and she waved at us; he nodded back. She smiled and continued her gyrating. Turning around, he ordered a beer and took a swig. “I always preferred parties to this scene. I had one every weekend before the accident.”
“I guess now it must seem kind of lonely without all your groupies, huh?”
He took another gulp of his beer and looked over at me. “Actually, it was lonelier then.”
“And now you’re here to make peace with your sister. I hope it works out for you. Kacey has a good heart. I often wondered how someone like her could have a brother like you.”
“Ouch, that hurts, love.”
I cringed. “Sometimes the truth stings. But if the way you are with me is the way you truly are, then I have no doubt you’ll win Kacey over.” I patted him on the knee, hoping to get the frown off his face.
He moved closer and smiled. “What about you? What’s your story?”
“Ah, let’s see. I became friends with Ryley and Gabby. And of course, Matt and Shelby. Speaking of which, I think those two are your worst enemies.”
“As anyone in their right mind should be. I’m hoping one day I can apologize to them.”
“Good luck on that one,” I laughed.
“Yeah. So anyway, what made you move to Vegas? Do you have family out here?”
I nodded. “I have an older brother and some aunts and uncles. I don’t see them much anymore now that I work at the gym all the time. My mother died from drinking and driving a few years back and I never knew my father; he left when I was young.” Kyle nodded, his brows furrowed. “What about yours? Talking about my family can get kind of depressing.”
Before he could reply, Nic barreled into us, laughing. “You guys should seriously be out there dancing.” Grabbing our hands, she pulled us onto the dance floor and pushed us together.
We were surrounded by gyrating bodies and if that wasn’t awkward enough, I had Nic waggling her eyebrows at me from behind Kyle’s back. I stood there like a limp fish, until Kyle grabbed my hands and wrapped my arms around his neck. He then put his hands on my waist and moved me closer, and closer.
“Don’t think about the music, love. Just move at whatever pace you want.”
“I’m not a dancer.”
Smirking, he moved his hips against mine and I shivered. “Neither am I, and you don’t see it stopping me.”
I closed my eyes and concentrated on my body and his. His large hands were splayed on my hips and I could feel the heat of his touch on my bare skin. The techno music that blared over the speakers was kind of dark, erotic. It was perfect, considering it reminded me of Kyle. He had a dark presence to him, but there was also light.
His hands moved a tad lower on my back, pulling me harder into his groin. The way my leg rubbed against him, I could feel him getting harder. I started to panic, but he held me tight. “Don’t stop,” he begged in my ear. “I’m not going to ask you to do something you don’t want to do. It’s just been a while for me.”
I pulled my head back to look at him. Was he serious?
“Since the accident . . . I’ve been focused on walking,” he answered my unasked question.
“Wow, I bet that’s been total hell. If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t been with anyone in over two years.”
“Why is that?”
“Long story,” I shouted.
We continued to dance together and I let go all of my inhibitions and just moved to the rhythm. My body was sweaty and my makeup was probably running down my face, but I had a good time. “Do you want some water?” he asked.
I fanned myself and nodded. “Yes, I’m dying over here. It’s hot as hell.”
Taking my hand, he led me to the bar and bought me a bottle of water. I sucked it down quickly and gasped for air when I was done. I was so damn thirsty. Kyle chuckled and offered me his but I shook my head.
“Meg,” Nicole shouted. When I turned, she bounced up with a guy in tow. It happened to be one of our friends, Greg Mullen. Greg worked at one of the strip hotels as an entertainer and dancer. He was gorgeous and he knew it, but the ladies loved him.
“Hey Greg, I figured you’d be working tonight.”
“Nope, this is my one weekend off for the month. I figured I’d check out the new club.”
“And there’s a party,” Nic cut in. “Greg asked if we wanted to go.”
Greg nodded, looking at both Kyle and me. “Both of you are more than welcome to come. It’s at a coworker’s house just down the street from mine.” Nic folded her hands in front of her heart, pleading.
“You can go,” I laughed. “I’m not really up for a party.”
“Are you sure? What about the car?”
Kyle put his hands on my waist and leaned in close. “I can take you home if she needs the car. In fact, it’d be a pleasure.”
Nic glanced at us both and I nodded. She threw her arms around me and squealed. “Yay, thank you! I’ve always heard there are famous people at these parties.”
We both laughed and Kyle shook his head, trying not to smile. “Good luck with that,” I said. “And be careful. Don’t drink any drinks that a guy gives you.” I tilted my face toward Kyle and whispered, “Greg lives in the neighborhood next to mine. I’ve seen some of his friends and their morals are questionable.”
Nic rolled her eyes and gave me a hug. “I heard that. I’ll see you later tonight.” When she pulled back, she kissed me on the cheek. “You be safe tonight too.” Her eyes snapped to Kyle and I got her point. She had nothing to worry about.
“I know what I’m doing. Now go.”
She disappeared out of the club with Greg and now I was left with Kyle. He dipped down to my ear. “Are you ready to go home now?”
“I’m getting close. I think I’ve danced enough for the night.”
He chuckled. “So have I. My legs still hurt like a bitch from the squats. I wasn’t about to let you beat me.”
“But at least they’re getting stronger.”
His lips tilted up and he held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Let me pay for my tab and I’ll be ready to go.”
He winked and took my hand. “I already did it.”
“What? You didn’t have to do that. I’ll pay you back.”
“No worries, love. But if you want to pay me back I’m sure we’ll figure out something.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I squeezed his hand and slid off the bar stool. Before we could take the first step, the bartender slid a drink in front of me.
“Compliments from the gentleman at the end of the bar.” It wasn’t until I got a good look at the drink that I gasped and stumbled back.
Kyle caught me and the bartender looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Megan, are you okay?”
I slid the drink back to the bartender. “What is it?”
She grabbed the glass and moved it to the side. “It’s a raspberry martini from the guy in the red shirt down there,” she said, pointing toward the edge of the bar.
Kyle snorted. “Please tell him thank you, but it’s not needed.”
The bartender shrugged as if she didn’t care and tossed the drink down the sink before moving along to someone else. Swallowing hard, I glanced down at the guy in the red shirt and breathed a sigh of relief. He waved at me and I nodded, but couldn’t find it within myself to smile. I don’t know what made me think it would be Alex, but the fear of seeing him again always weighed on me. He would get out of prison eventually and then it would be up to me to make sure I couldn’t be found.
We got out of the bar and I could finally breathe when the fresh air blew across my face. I stopped and leaned against the wall, my heart beating out of control. Kyle stood beside me, his arm brushing against mine. “You want to tell me what’s going on? Your face turned pale back in there.”
“I tell you what. Get me home and I’ll tell you all about it.”