Page 24 of Dirty Little Secrets

XAIDEN

“ W ill that be all, Mr. Drazen?” the waitress asks.

I swirl the scotch in my glass wanting nothing more than to ditch my date and head home. “Yes.”

I slide a generous tip—probably worth two months’ pay in cash—onto the check.

She practically bows like I’m a fucking king.

Because in her eyes, I am. But I know the truth: you’re only a king if you have money, power and control.

Without that, I’d be just another man sitting with a blonde currently talking my ear off with non-sequential chatter about filming her latest commercial.

I’ve been enduring her word salad all night trying to distract myself from my current secretary.

Yes, she’s gorgeous. But she’s also boring.

The more time I spend around Nori, the more I find myself getting in her personal life, like some love-sick boyfriend who wants to protect her from her ex. She’s my employee. I need to set boundaries.

Same goes for Red.

I never sleep with the same woman more than twice.

It should be once, but the second round is in case I missed something.

The woman next to me? A whim. I met her at a fundraiser last month.

She slipped me her number when she saved me from my last date, who was telling everyone we were getting serious.

Serious to her meant she let me take her from behind.

It’s why I prefer the club. No expectations. But it’s also a risk because I keep picturing Nori’s face when I fuck her. I was hoping I could fuck someone without a mask and I would be able to stop but so far, I haven’t had any luck.

“Oh my God. How do you even dance to this?”

I blink hard, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. Not everyone can handle Spanish hits. But this is New York. Like the Kings in Seattle, my clubs are exclusive. We cater to all people, all cultures. That includes all kinds of music.

“It’s not that hard.”

“I guess not. That girl and that guy seem to dance to it well,” she says, pointing toward the dance floor.

At first, I don’t register who she’s pointing at, but the way the girl moves her hips draws more than just her partner’s attention. And when she turns around, my blood turns to ice.

It’s Nori. More than a few drinks deep.

My blood turns to lava when my gaze slides down her body. I knew she had curves, it’s hard not to notice when she wears pencil skirts to work, but tonight, she’s offering a lot more than curves. The knock-off twin she’s dancing with can’t stop salivating every time she rolls her hips.

I tell myself to look away. It’s her Friday night.

She can do whatever she wants. I’m her boss.

It’s not uncommon to run into employees in the city.

But not the kind you think with your dick when they’re around.

For some reason, Nori has that effect on me.

Maybe I should date more. Fuck nameless women and the thoughts of her would disappear.

It’s why I invited the blond out tonight.

A pretty face I could replace with the one that tortures me but can’t seem to let go.

I’m not sure if I’m more pissed that she chose tonight of all nights to show up here… or that she’s dancing with that idiot.

When the guy waltzes off to the bar and signals the bartender with two fingers, all bets are off.

“I’ll call you,” I say as I stand.

“Wait… you’re not taking me home?”

I’m surprised she caught on that fast. Probably not the first time someone’s said it to her.

“My driver will arrange a ride. I was never going to drive you.”

“Where are you going?”

I glance at her, annoyed she doesn’t just let it go. I know I’m being a dick, but I can’t stomach one more second of her vapid conversation when all I want to do is throw that asshole into traffic for trying to get Nori drunk.

“I have a meeting.”

“At 1 a.m.?”

I leave her at the table, mouth open. She’s lucky I didn’t tell her the truth and ruin her chances with the next poor bastard that has to endure her.

I pull out my phone and call the bar. Ronnie picks up.

“Drazen’s, this is Ronnie speaking.”

“Ronnie, this is Xaiden. The guy who just ordered two drinks…black polo, slicked-back hair.”

His eyes scan the bar and land on the only one that fits the description. “Yeah?”

“Don’t serve him.”

“No problem, sir. Anything I can get you?”

A cross and a Bible to keep me from corrupting my innocent secretary in that skirt.

She has no idea that idiot’s trying to get her wasted just to slide between her thighs. Not on my watch.

“Have two water bottles chilled and waiting for me.”

“Right away, sir.”

“Ronnie.”

“Yeah?”

“The two girls he’s dancing with.”

“The one in the dress is my friend. I think she works for you. I put them on the list—it’s my fault.”

“I’m not mad at you for that, Ronnie. It’s cool.”

He sighs in relief. “Damn, ese. I thought you were gonna fire me.”

Ronnie got into some trouble in California. The Kings called in a favor, and I flew him out here. Took him under my wing. He runs the bar. Keeps it clean, no complaints.

“Not at all. You’re doing great.”

“What about Kristina?”

“The girl she’s with.”

“The fine one in the tight little skirt?”

“Careful, ese.”

“Shit,” he mutters. “Sorry if I overstepped. She had a couple of drinks with Kristina and started dancing with the guy. He came up to order a couple of drinks I thought it was cool.”

“It isn’t.”

“I can handle it if you want. You know I’m down.”

He means take the fucker out back like we used to.

“You know that’s not how I do things.”

“Right, right. Whatever you need, just say the word. You know where to find me. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Don’t serve Kristina or her friend any more alcohol. They’ve had enough for the night.” I end the call and watch with a satisfied grin as I watch Ronnie tell the asshole he won’t be getting his drinks. The guy looks confused, but Ronnie’s firm.

My gaze shifts to Nori, just as she walks toward the bar, her perky ass practically bouncing with every step, barely contained by the scrap of fabric she dares to call a skirt. Every sway of her hips tightens something in my chest and does wild things to my cock.