Page 14

"Be ready to go in thirty." I called over my shoulder. Fuck, I needed a cold shower.

Thirty-five minutes later, I was pacing in the great room, irritated. She was taking her time on purpose, and I fucking knew it. I rechecked my watch and pushed a hand through my hair.

"Princess! If you're not out here in thirty fucking seconds, I'm coming in there and you're going like you are!" She opened the door a moment later and stepped out.

"Cool your jets, Az. I'm coming." She said calmly, turning to face me.

I felt like someone slapped me, and my breath caught in my throat. Rich and I would definitely be having words later over his outfit choice for her. She looked stunning in a black sweater dress, which hugged her curves tightly and sparkled under the overhead lights. The long sleeves had slits that let her arms peek out from beneath the soft fabric, adding a touch of elegance.

The dress only fell to mid-thigh, so her shapely legs were on full display. Soft ribbons crisscrossed up her calves and tied in a little bow behind her knees. Brown curls were pulled up in a similar updo to how she wore it the first night in the house, with long, curly tendrils caressing her neck.

She looked downright delicious in that outfit, and if it had beenanyonebut her, we likely would never have made it to that club.

"What are you staring at, Az? See something you like?" She gave me a mean little smirk and did a full turn, showing off her very bare back. I had to lock my stance to prevent my body from responding.

"Not remotely." I growled through clenched teeth. I roughly grabbed her by the arm as I made for the door and pulled her toward my cherry red Porsche. "Let's go. We're already late since you had to preen."

"Whatever, asshole." She huffed, sliding into the passenger side and slamming the door in my face.

I slid into the driver's side and glanced at her from the corner of my eye. Her dress had ridden so high on her leg that I had to clamp down on the groan that formed involuntarily in my chest.

"Fucking Rich is trying to kill me…" I muttered under my breath as I put the car in drive and pulled away.

The drive to the club was almost painful. Victoria's tiny dress taunted me the whole way, causing me to nearly bolt from the car as soon as I cut the ignition. I jerked my chin toward the back entrance before storming toward it, leaving Victoria to trot along behind me. I paused long enough for her to pass through the door before continuing to the office where the others were waiting.

"You're late." Rich spoke as we strolled into the office.

"You can thank Her Majesty for that." I retorted. "She decided to disregard my orders."

Rich's eyes flicked between me and Victoria before he blew out a puff of air. "We can discuss that later. Come on."

Rich walked from the room, Joey and Craig hot on his heels. Leighton slowed to grab Victoria's hand, pulling her into a hugand whispering something in her ear that made her giggle. I scowled at him, earning a broad grin in return before he turned and led her down the hall. Taking up the rear, I stomped along behind them, a dark cloud hovering over me and ruining what remained of my mood.

As we entered the club's main room, the first thing that hit me was the thumping of the music. It was so loud the floor seemed to vibrate to the beat. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and perfume. It was a heady mix, and had my mood not been so sour already, it would have pulled me right into it.

The lights were low, with flashes of neon pinks and purples that cast shadows across the dance floor. As we made our way deeper, heading for our private booth, we passed groups of people laughing and shouting over the music. Others swayed and danced to the beat. It was packed tonight.

When we finally made our table, an ear-piercing squeal made us pause. We turned and barely saw the woman before Tiffany rushed Victoria with a hug.

"Girl! You didn't tell me you were coming out tonight! How did these assholes get you here when I barely can?!" Tiffany squealed, obviously already a few drinks into her evening. Victoria peeled herself out of the other woman's grip.

"Easy. We didn't tell her we were coming." Leighton grinned, and Tiffany turned to give him a hug as well.

I exchanged a look with the other guys when he hugged her back and didn't attempt to touch her anywhere inappropriate. Rich raised an eyebrow and shrugged, climbing the small dais into our reserved booth.

"Tiff, babes, drinks are on me tonight. Go get you girls something good and maybe give our girl a lesson in how to let loose."

Leighton pulled a few folded bills from the pocket of his slacks and handed them to her. Tiffany hugged him again,grabbed Victoria by the arm, and pulled her across the dance floor to the bar. My eyes continued to track them across the club as the rest of us slid into the booth.

"A grand says Az is too big a pussy to take our girl for a whirl on the dance floor." Leighton called out over the music.

"I'll take that action. Put me in for a grand." Craig said, laughing.

"Fuck both of you." I groaned.

"Your the one eye fucking her from across the room." Leighton shrugged. "I'm sure if you play it right, you can get laid tonight."

"I don't need to get laid, especially not by Victoria Bristol."