I wipe my index finger across my face, flinging a tear off my cheek before turning me eyes to Hugo. He, along with numerous others, are watching the exchange between Hawke and Jorgie with broad grins on their faces. I stare at him while silently pondering will he be that man for me? Will he love me above all others? Will he cherish me as if I am his most valued possession?
Like he can sense me watching him, his head shifts to the side, and he looks me straight in the eyes. He stares at me as if he is seeing me for the first time. My heart squeezes as the corners of his mouth carve into an illustrious and panty-clenching smile, adding potency to my every hope and dream that one day he will be that man for me.
Sixteen
Ava
After paying an exorbitant fee, Jorgie and I amble into a bustling nightclub crammed to the brim with patrons out enjoying their Saturday night. Half-moon suede chairs line three of the outer walls of the club, leaving the entire core of the space devoted to a glass dance floor. A black steel and glass bar is suspended midair by thick twisted steel ropes on my right. A hallway leading to the bathrooms is on the left, and an area devoted to VIP clientele is on my right. The vibe at the club is invigorating, and the mood is sensual.
A gorgeous male host greets Jorgie and me with kisses on the cheek before he leads us to the roped-off VIP section of the club. A space with the ambience of intrigue and sexuality envelopes me. A broad grin stretches across my face, my excitement at spending the night dancing with my best friend clearly evident. I wobble in my stiletto heels when the hostess walks us to a black leather booth and my eyes connect with Hugo.
This is the first time I’ve seen him since our heartfelt connection in his kitchen last week. We live in the same apartment building, and our two best friends are marrying each other and I still haven’t seen hide nor hair of him. Putting two and two together, I came to the assumption he was avoiding me.
Even annoyed from his lack of contact, my eyes can’t help but drink in his deliciousness. As always, he looks deliriously handsome. The darkness of his black cotton dress shirt with printed cuffs makes his eyes even more effervescent and his boyish grin even more prominent. His hair has been recently trimmed, and his face is clean shaven. He looks both classy and roughish at the same time.
My heartbeat kicks up when his eyes drop to adsorb the Lovers + Friends Revolve Riviera strapless dress I purchased specifically because of the asymmetrical hem. The daring cut of the beautiful coral material means the dress rides extremely high on my left thigh. With a heart shape bustier and a high slit, I knew it would be the perfect cock-teasing ensemble for a man fascinated with legs.
My nipples tighten when Hugo’s heavy-hooded gaze scorches every inch of my skin as his eyes run over my body. After he finishes his avid assessment, his eyes lift to mine.
The shift of air between us is so noticeable, the ground moves beneath my feet. Reaching out, I grab Jorgie’s arm to steady myself before taking the final steps into the VIP section of the club. From the corner of my eye, I spot Hawke leaning against the bar, raking his eyes over his beautiful soon-to-be wife.
“Who invites their brother and husband-to-be to their bachelorette party?” I query, my tone rattling with excitement.
Jorgie peers at me with impertinent eyes. “Did I forget to mention we were having joint bachelor and bachelorette parties?” she asks.
Her eyes soften as she tries to make her face appear innocent. It’s a futile attempt.
“Must be those pregnancy hormones playing up again,” she says with a broad smile.
After placing a kiss on Hawke’s cheek and being introduced to three of Hawke’s ex-frat brothers and two of Jorgie’s work colleagues, I slide into the booth as instructed by Jorgie. By the time everyone takes a seat, I’m practically sitting on Hugo’s lap.
“Ava,” he greets me in his deep, rumbling drawl.
“Hi,” I reply, my voice breathy from his closeness.
I swing my eyes to his. “Did you know it was going to be a joint party?”
He smirks while shaking his head. “First I heard about it was when I saw Arthur and Martha walk in the club doors.”
I gawk at him in surprise. “Who?”
He smirks against the rim of his whiskey glass before taking a large gulp. “Sorry, you probably know them as Kerri and Kirsty.”
The light bulb switches on when he gestures his head to Jorgie’s work companions. Although they appear similar in age and are wearing matching black and white polka dot dresses, I didn’t realize they were related.
“Are they twins?” I question.
Hugo throws his head back and releases a boisterous chuckle. I stare at him, more confused than ever.
“No, they are not twins. But their racks are a good set of twin peaks,” he chuckles.
Like a perfectly timed skit, Kerri leans over the table, and I cop an eye full of her more than generous twin peaks. My eyes dart in all directions, unsure of exactly where to look. Noticing my horror, Hugo chuckles even more wholeheartedly than he did earlier. His vivacious laugh makes my toes curl and my womb clench. Just hearing his laugh incites my own happiness.
Once his laughter dies down, I ask, “Does this bother you? Having me here?”
He adjusts his position so he can look me in the eyes. “As long as a group of strippers arriving when the clock strikes twelve doesn’t bother you, we’re all good,” he replies.
I huff and cross my arms, embittered by his words.
