Chapter Two: Scott
I noticed her as soon as she walked in, and I knew I had to have her. She looked so out of place that it was hard not to see her, but there was more that kept my eyes on her body as she made her way through the club. Unlike most of the women who wore short dresses, ridiculously high heels, and lots of makeup to hide their true selves, this one was different. There was no need for the provocative outfits when she filled out a colorful tank top and black jeans so well. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders, and I had an urge to run my fingers through it.
She didn’t have beauty most people would notice right away, but it was one that had a sensual understatement while still making her gorgeous enough to get my cock to jerk in response.
She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. I was so infatuated with her that I completely missed the woman she was walking with until all hell was about to break loose.
Shit. I should have known Julie would get here before I could talk to the manager. Max had completely forgotten to put her on the club’s VIP list, so he sent me to intercede before our sister blew up about it. I’d only been in town a few days and already I was doing sibling mediation. I couldn’t complain after seeing his hands full with his daughters, but this place was far beyond what I saw as fun.
“Is Dayton here?” I asked one of the security team guys.
“Who’s asking?” The idiot smirked and sized me up.
I was used to it when I came face-to-face with guys shorter or smaller than me. They always had the look. It was the look that said they were curious if they could take me down or not. The answer would always be no.
I had been deployed on and off for the last four years. The Marines had broken me and built me back up to be the soldier I knew I was. If this guy gave me shit, he’d be down before he knew what hit him. Good for him, he seemed to know that.
“Max Mitchell sent me to talk to him,” I said.
“Wait here,” he said.
“Better hurry unless you want a problem to break out in the for your VIP clients,” I said. I was careful to stay cool and calm. “I’m sure Mr. Dayton wouldn’t want to piss off the family of his best club promoter.”
He glanced over to where my sister had finally met the security guard in front of the VIP area. He didn’t waste time going up the stairs behind him, hopefully, to get his manager.
I turned to look at the woman beside Julie again. I watched her from a distance without knowing who she was to my sister. Julie had so many friends from high school and college that it was hard to keep track of them, but I knew I would have remembered the woman who was with her if I’d seen her before. Maybe she was a friend from Julie’s job at the boutique or something. I was determined to find out who she was after I kept Julie from gouging anyone’s eyes out.
When the dumbass security guard came back out, he said, “You can go up now.”
He had the nerve to bump me, but I had other things to focus on. Julie wasn’t the only one who carried a Mitchell family attitude. I darted up the stairway, which led to only one door.
The office was big and color-coordinated in burgundy and deep reds, a stark contrast to the neon color madness in the club below. A large, tinted window gave view to the entire club area, while the other side had video screens of different camera angles through the place and what looked like a set sectioned off for VIP footage. Behind the wide wooden desk sat a woman in a burgundy business suit that blended with the office around her. She grinned as I walked in and closed the door behind me. “So you’re Max’s younger brother?” she asked.
“You’re Dayton?” I asked, expecting some millennial idiot to be running such a place.
“Tanya Dayton. I’m the owner, and I take it that’s your sister I see stirring up trouble?” she nodded to the screen, where Julie looked like she was seconds away from exploding.
“Max said he spoke with you about securing a section for her in your VIP area, but he forgot to give her name for your list,” I said. “He sent me to tell you.”
The woman grinned up at me, and for the second time I was scrutinized from head to toe, but this one had a more sensual intent behind it.
“I’m glad he did,” she said. She flipped her blonde hair back while keeping her eyes on me and pressed on an earpiece that was hidden under her hair. “Let them through, Harris,” she said. “Tell them drinks are on the house for their inconvenience.”
My eyes went back to the VIP entrance screen, and I watched as she relayed the instructions to her bouncer. From the looks of it, I was seconds away from my sister taking her anger to level Mach-5. Thankfully, the bouncer let Julie and her friend in. I couldn’t take my eyes off the woman she was with, and I forgot all about the club owner in the room, until she cleared her throat.
“So you’re the Marine?” Tanya asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, standing at rest with my hands behind my back.
“Don’t be so formal. Call me Tanya.” She stood and came around the desk to sit on it, which made her skirt hike up some. “Your name is Harvey, right?”
“Scott,” I said. I knew what was coming, and I wasn’t the least bit interested in what she had to offer.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, Scott?” she asked licking her lips.
I put on the flirtatious smile I used to get women to eat out of my hands and jump into my bed, but this time the object of my desire wasn’t in front of me. She was on the other side of the club.
“I’ll take access to your VIP service, since you’re offering,” I said.
“Sure,” she said. “How sweet of you to check on your sister. I’ll let Harris know to expect you. It’s the least I can do for Max’s brother and a man who serves our country.”
If it was any other time, I would have declined and left, but I was curious about the woman I saw with Julie. I needed to see her up close, craved it even.
“You certain that’s all you need?” she asked.
“It is. Thank you.” I turned to leave.
“Wait,” she said. She pulled out a small, red card from her cleavage. “This is my private number. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call it.” She tucked it in my front pants pocket.
I didn’t say anything before leaving. Calling her was the last thing I was going to do. I had other plans that required my attention.