Episode Five

Episode five

It looks nothing like a club, in fact more like a top rated restaurant. There are tables scattered all over the room with white liner tablecloths and candles sat in the middle.  Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the lighting is dimmed but gives that relaxed effect. A woman is stood in the corner, dressed in a white ball gown singing the blues. Her voice is low but yet creates a seductive atmosphere.

All the men are wearing suits and they practically scream money. A few women are dressed like me and Rosie, but seem to be sat down remaining quiet and still. Each man oozes some sort of power of them and that is obvious.

Rosie guides me to a bar, my heels click on the polished wooden floor. The place smells amazing. The fear I once had disappears, this place doesn't look scary at all. In fact I love here, its relaxing. As we walk towards the bar a few men look at us and give delightful smiles. I can’t help but smile back.  Is there actually a chance but fit in somewhere?

“Good evening, Ladies” says a warm welcoming voice. I look up to find a man dressed in a black suit, he’s tall and the suit clings to every defined muscle of his body. His hair is a deep black and his eyes match almost onyx. He’s smile is mesmerizing, especially as he has cute dimples imprinted on the side of each cheek. He has to be at least 25-26. ‘I’m really glad you could make it, Rosie.”

I watch Rosie blush under his gaze. Oh, this must be Mr Lawerence. She was not wrong about how good he looks. No wonder she couldn’t wait to get here. The way he stands reminds me of Mr Cole. He has that authorizing stature about him, but doesn’t seem half as intimidating. I am not squirming on the spot or feeling self conscience.

“Who is your friend?” His eyes turn to me and he gently holds out his hand.

“I’m Abby Robinson” I reply confidently, slipping my hand in his.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you” he says in a gentleman fashion and places a sweet his on my hand. He lets go of my hand and turns his attention to Rosie. “We should go and begin, Rosie. Miss Robinson, please order what you want. This shouldn’t take very long.” He extends his arm to Rosie and she jumps to his side. I watch as the pair disappear into the back.

Where are they going? Its then I notice a few other couples also going through a door in the back. I wonder what’s behind there? I look around and suddenly feel like a loner. So much for fitting in? Everyone seems to be coupled up. I let out a depressed sigh and sit up on a stool.

“You must be new” says a charming voice. I look up through my eyelashes and see a man with blonde hair stood next to me. Wow, are all the men in this place good looking. I swear if it wasn’t for the ranges in hair colour they would look like clones of each other.

“Yes” I cringe, looking back down at the bar. “I came with a friend, but she went over there.” I point to the back, where everyone seems to be disappearing too.

He gives a throaty laugh. “I see… As you’re now alone why don’t I buy you a drink?” He clicks his fingers and in a flash a barman appears. “Two rum and cokes.”

“I don’t drink” I almost yell.

“I think you may need a drink in this place… It may help with shock.”

Shock? I think I more shocked that is persisting to give me alcohol. Two glasses rest between us and I stare at the brown liquid. The blonde stranger picks his up and takes a massive gulp. My eyes look up at him as he wipes the resisdue off his full lips. A smile grows across his lips and its infectious.

“Come on” he raises an eyebrow. “One drink isn’t going to hurt you. surprisingly you may enjoy it.”

I think about it. One drink? Its weird that’s its taken me to reach 25 to even be brought a drink. I think about my little prep talk, tonight I am different. I have already boldly walked into some mysterious place, sighed some weird document and now a beautiful man has brought me a drink. Yes, tonight is a night to take all risks.  I pick up the glass and take a little sip. The sweet liquid runs down the back of my throat and it tastes delicious.

“That’s nice” I smile, pleased with myself.

“I know” he winks and leans against the bar. “Do you have a name, beautiful?”

My jaw drops open in shock. No one has called me beautiful before, not even an ex boyfriend. I feel my cheeks slightly flush and I take another sip of my drink. “Abby” I whisper.

“Abby” he whispers back. “I’m Jordan.”

For the next hour me and Jordan sit at the bar chatting and laughing. I feel so relaxed in his presence. He’s funny, charming and easy going. He is exactly what I needed after the intense week with Mr Cole. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or the ego boast, but I feel great and ready for anything.

“You’re curious, aren’t you?” He is now sitting really close to me, his hand almost touching my arm. I like it, I have never felt so confident around a man before. Especially when he’s a good looking man, the type that don’t give me a second look.

“About what?” I cheerfully ask, turning to face him.

He reaches out and places a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. His eyes slowly look towards that door at the back. “What’s back there? I’ve seen you looking a few times.”

“Oh” I giggle, I actually thought I was being discreet about it. “What is behind there?” I ask, leaning a little closer towards him. Wow, he smells fantastic and all I can think about it his lips on me. Our eyes lock and something begins to build down below. My hands have a mind of their own and land on his knee. He doesn’t seem to mind as his own hand rests on top of mine.

“I don’t think it is something nice girls should see.”

I give a little pout. “What if I’m not a nice girl?” I flutter my eyelashes. “What if I’m the bad one?”

He gives a little chuckle. I know, I need to work on my flirting techniques. Being in his pretence is doing something to me. I’ve never felt as calm and relaxed. His finger brushes along my cheek, he leans closer and his lips gently touch my cheek.

“You need to be bad to go back there” his voice is husky and something shivers through me. He sits back a little as to take me in. His mouth twitches and he slowly stands up.

“Okay,I’ll give you a little tour… Did you sign your NDA?”

“Yep” I smile with delight.

“Good” he holds out his hand and I eagerly accept as he helps me to stand. My whole body sways slightly, but he keeps a hard grip of me. We begin to make our way towards that DOOR, my heart beats fast in anticipation. I wonder what is behind there? We are almost there and I get excited that in a second all my answers will be revealed.

“Wait!” Yells a voice  ---a cold voice. My heart now slams against my chest and I feel the dread wash over me. There is no way. Jordan stops walking much to my disappointment. I don’t want to turn round, I know once I do this good feeling will evaporate and I will become that quivering mess.

Jordan turns his head to look behind us. I swear I him mutter ‘shit’. “Mr Cole” his voice is actually warm and welcoming. Great, just want I didn’t want. He lets go of my hand and spins me round to face Mr Cole. He is in his usual suit, messing hair and icy eyes. Straight away, I look down at my feet.

“Jordan” his tone is clipped.

“I’m sorry” Jordan says, wrapping an arm around me. “I was just giving Abby a tour.”

“That won’t be necessary” His glare turns to me and he looks angry. “Jordan, a word” he snaps and head gestures back to the bar. Jordan nods and walks off. “Stay here” he hisses at me. I remain stood on the spot and watch as he walks towards Jordan. I watch as the two men talk, after first I think they are arguing and Mr Cole is running his fingers through his hair. Jordan begins to nod and the men shake hands.

Mr Cole walks back over to me, while Jordan disappears out of my sight. NO! What has just happened? Why did he have to show up and destroy my wonderful night. I am beyond angry, what is his problem.

“Come” he beckons.

I fold my arms across my chest. “NO!”

A little smile grows across his lip. “Did you just say no to me?”

“Look Mr Cole” I begin, pointing my finger at him. “I spend every week day dealing with your lists and weird requests. It’s the week.” I pop out my hip and rest my hand on it. “If you didn’t realise it’s Saturday and I don’t have to be ordered around by you.”

He raises an eyebrow, gives a little chuckle and rubs his brow. I feel a warm glow from my brave attempt at standing my ground. However, that is short lived as he pushing me up against a wall. His hips pinning me in place, his forefinger and thumb gripping my chin, making me look into those icy eyes that send my body into an frenzy. I swallow hard; I’ve never been this closer to him. His body feels hard and he’s so strong.

He inhales deeply. “It would seem alcohol becomes you, Miss Robinson” his voice is almost a growl. His free hand runs up my arm and locks into my hair, pulling my head back. I’m trapped. He looks dangerous and very threatening. If anything his eyes are darker with something I can’t explain.

“Okay” I whimper, swallowing back my pride.

“What are you doing here?” His finger brushes along my bottom lip and I blink up at him. “You shouldn’t be here…” His voice is soft. “This isn’t the place for you, Miss Robinson. Jordan isn’t good for you.”

His words cause something to stir inside me and I remember that message or warning as it was intended to me. “You’re not good for me” I whisper back.

I watch as he tilts his head back, his neck is strained and he hisses out a deep breath. When he looks back at me his eyes are wide and the ice has melted. His hair falls around his eyes, as if framing them. The desire I wanted to forget is beginning to build. Jordan is a distant memory and all I want is him. I have done for the moment I walked into that office on Monday.

“Control your thoughts, Miss Robinson.”

What? He slowly moves away much to my disappointment. Like a switch he flips, back into that cold ruthless man I first met. “I can’t concentrate being here with you. I’ll take you home.”

Its then for the first time I remember Rosie. “I can’t” I quickly say, he looks at me confused.  “I came here with my room mate.”

“And where is she now?”

I point to that door. “She went in there with a Mr Lawrence.”

“Then she is fine” he quickly says as he grips hold of my hand. “Let’s get out of here.” He begins to walk me towards the exit, not once letting go of my hand. I like having this physical connection with him. His hands are big, warm and soft. I begin to wonder what they would feel like on the rest of my body. I bite down on my lip as I get lost in an erotic day dream.

“I don’t like you dress like that” he blurts out, my day dreaming halting at a rather good bit. “You’re too innocent to be dressed in that manner.”