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When they returned to the bar, Scout had declared Patrice an excellent friend. She was in such good spirits she ordered drinks for the two men sitting next to them. The men were very appreciative. The one named Stephen stood beside them and told them about the convention he was attending while in town. Feeling loose and cheery, Scout leaned back in her chair and smiled. He didn’t have such nice teeth, but he was still a very nice gentleman.
A while later she thought she saw Dugan in the crowd, but at that point everything had begun to swirl and blur. Patrice and she sat facing each other. Patrice laughed and placed her hand on Scout’s thigh, little red nails rubbing gently. Stephen stood to her side, arm draped over the back of her chair. She was warm. It was a wonderful feeling, toasty and cozy in her skin.
The soft music that had been playing was turned up and people began to dance. She watched them longingly. Dancing looked fun.
Stephen followed her gaze and shouted over the crowd, “Wanna dance?”
Knowing she’d make a fool of herself if she tried, Scout said, “I—”
“She can’t.”
With a start, she turned and found Lucian and Dugan standing beside them. Patrice looked terrified.
“Hey! Dugan! What is up, my brotha?” The words just came spewing out of her mouth and then she burst out laughing.
Patrice giggled behind her hand, little red nails curling delicately. Lucian frowned and Dugan’s lips twitched, but his expression remained in its perpetual grimace.
“I thought you didn’t drink?” Lucian leaned in and shouted over the noise.
Scout held up her glass in a solute. “I didn’t, but I’m doing lots of things I never did before.”
Stephen smiled boldly and gestured toward Lucian. “Who’s this, Scout?”
Patrice shook her head nervously and Dugan’s deep voice carried over the drunken roar of patrons without having to shout. “This is Mr. Patras, the owner of the hotel. Ms. Keats is his guest.”
Stephen paled and slunk back into the crowd. Patrice laughed. “That wasn’t very nice, Mr. Dugan.”
The chauffer frowned at her. She ignored him and held out a hand to Lucian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Patras. Patrice Devon. I work at your salon. Had the pleasure of waxing Evelyn the other day.”
Scout snorted and felt herself blush. “She did!” She laughed, finding the comment hilarious. “She beat the shit out of my hoo-hoo!”
Pink spread around Dugan’s bushy mustache and that only made her laugh harder.
Patrice pouted, “Hey, I did a good job. You know it’s nicer now. I bet Mr. Patras likes it, don’t you, sir?”
Lucian’s lips twitched. Scout realized she should have probably stopped drinking some time ago.
When no one said anything, Patrice leaned forward and stage whispered, “It’s a very nice vagina.”
Scout knew Lucian was pissed, but she lost it. Pressing her lips together, fighting a losing battle as laughter bubbled out of her nose and she put her head down on her arms. She leaned into the bar hiccupping with hysterics. Her finger shot up behind her head, telling anyone who was interested, that she needed a moment to compose herself.
Patrice fell into peals of laughter right beside her. Scout turned and hugged her. Their arms slid over each other as they continued to cackle. Lucian tapped on the bar and signed something.
He turned and said, “Thank you for keeping Evelyn company, Ms. Devon, but I’m afraid it’s time to call it a night. If you would allow, Dugan here will be more than happy to give you a ride home.”
Lips pouting dramatically, Scout promised Patrice that they’d do it all again soon. Lucian escorted her to the elevators and her feet stumbled quite a bit. She was intensely aware that for as drunk as she was, he was sober. Her lips firmed to school her expression, but everything was making her giggle.
When they stepped into the elevator, she tripped and Lucian caught her arm.
“I know you think it’s the alcohol,” she heard herself slur, “but I swear it’s these shoes. I can’t walk in them.” Her weight deposited itself awkwardly on one foot and she laughed.
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with the alcohol,” Lucian mumbled dryly.
The door opened and she was suddenly lifted off of her feet as her world turned upside down. She squealed with laughter. Lucian’s sweet ass was right in front of her face and her braid hung nearly to the floor. He walked them to the private elevators and she decided she should just hang in there. She laughed.
The door to the penthouse opened, and Lucian carried her to the bedroom and flipped her onto the bed. The world spun. She moaned as it righted itself.
“Shhh, stay still,” she mumbled to the wavy room.
He plucked off her shoes and they hit the floor with a plunk. Her shirt twisted beneath her breasts and the cool air chilled the skin at her belly.
