“When was that ever a problem?” Colt smirked.
“I don’t mind observing,” Max said coolly.
Colt snorted. “Of course you don’t.”
Nick opened the door, and there they stood, identical buxom brunettes in black outfits that clung to every curve.
“Welcome, ladies.” He ushered the women inside.
Eyes downcast, they walked to the middle of the suite, stepping elegantly on four-inch black patent heels. The men took in their hourglass figures, encased in tightly laced black leather corsets. Nick liked that they were edged in red, matching the color staining their full lips and the bottoms of their shoes.
He turned to find his buddies regarding the women with approving stares full of anticipation. “Which one of you assholes won the coin toss?”
With a huge smile, Jordan stood, his long strides sure as he approached. His mouth curved into a smile, even as his gaze was fire. Jovial Jordan had turned into an entirely different animal, an almost feral one who stopped before them, wordlessly assessing.
The twins stared up at him, their brown eyes wide and worshipful. He cupped one’s chin briefly, then let his hand drop, stepping closer to the other. “Good evening,” he intoned.
“Good evening, sir,” they responded in synchrony.
Jordan let a few seconds pass, watching them lower their gazes to his polished lace-up oxfords.
Nick glanced to the right, noting that Colt was refilling his glass with Grey Goose and Max was already fingering his zipper.
Jordan circled the women like a wolf stalking its prey, his eyes gleaming. Halting beside Nick, he reached into his trouser pocket, pulled out two lengths of red nylon rope, then fixed the twins with a hard stare and pointed to the carpet.
They sank to their knees, their eyes never leaving his.
“Here.” Jordan passed Nick the ties. “You’re the expert.”
Nick hesitated before he accepted the ligatures.
He fingered the smooth rope. Usually, he didn’t mind these so-called scenes, but …
Something was off tonight.
He forced himself to focus on the women at his feet, but their faces blurred before his eyes. The image that appeared, persisting, was that of the girl he’d once desperately wanted and could never forget.
Long, silent moments passed. Those beautiful blue eyes … the way she looked at him … Nick felt himself harden, and it had nothing to do with the women who waited, their expressions growing confused as he stood there, twisting the rope in his hands.
“You OK, man?” Jordan asked.
No.
No, he didn’t want this.
“Yeah.” Nick held out the ties to his friend. “Go for it. I just remembered something I have to do.”
In swift strides, he headed for the door, feeling everyone’s eyes on him as he opened it and stepped into the hallway.
•
Jannie
Jannie gripped the edge of the marble vanity, trying to shake off the sudden queasiness that gripped her. In the corner of the huge mirror that soared to the high ceiling, she saw a red imprint of lips. What was that about? Some woman left Ian a souvenir?
The red lipstick led to thoughts of Blake and what he might be doing right now. The ladies of the night were probably in his room, doing God knows what with Blake.
ToBlake.
