Page 57
talie
I was sitting in the front row between Char and her friends.
The music was blaring, and I glanced up at the DJ booth with a smile.
While I wasn’t the one working tonight, I’d helped with the playlist. The atmosphere was as electric as it was the first night I set foot in Club Facade.
Every seat was full, and the dancers were coming on stage.
I spotted Damian immediately when his eyes found mine.
His mask was in place, but it didn’t hide his smoldering grin.
My stomach fluttered as I appreciated how hot my husband was.
His muscles flexed as he began dancing, and when he turned, my gaze trailed over his back tattoo.
His arm was bandaged since his stitches were still in, but it wasn’t stopping him from working tonight.
It had been a little over a week since Percy had shot him, and the way life had changed still had me in a tailspin.
My father had only called me once, trying to convince me to change Damian’s mind about the contract. When I sided with my husband, he screamed and argued before hanging up. I hadn’t heard a word from him since. Char told me he hadn’t talked about me at all.
He wasn’t intervening, though it didn’t mean he wasn’t watching.
Any time I went out in public, I was sure there were people seeing me and reporting back to him.
It didn’t matter if my father wasn’t speaking to me.
If I was living here, then I would always be worried about him somehow intruding into my life.
“This place isn’t quite the same when I now know your husband and his best friend are on the stage,” Char yelled in my ear before laughing. “I’m sure you’re loving it.”
I grinned. “I am.”
“Are you going to miss it?”
My stomach flipped when I tore my eyes from the stage to look at her. “I’ll miss you.”
She rolled her eyes, knocking her shoulder into me. “Miss me when? Once I graduate, I’m coming to the West Coast to live with you.”
I messed with my black mask, returning my attention to Damian. He’d been talking nonstop about our move, and it seemed like he was more excited than I was. I’d only brought up the idea once, but he began planning immediately, which took me by surprise. I didn’t think he’d want to leave his club.
He was doing it for me .
If we stayed here, his fortune would only build with Club Facade. I was the one who wanted a fresh start.
The women around me started cheering when two masked men sauntered over—one of them being my husband.
I remained leaning back against the cushion until he crouched down, grabbing my arm before throwing me over his shoulder.
I let out a shriek, giggling as he carried me toward the stage.
His hand slid higher up my thighs, over my tight jeans as he held me in place.
He climbed the steps as I braced my palms on his back.
Once we were in the center of the stage, he flipped me over, dumping me into a chair.
The beat of the song changed as Damian climbed on top of me, straddling my legs.
His smooth dance moves flowed perfectly to the music.
He grinded on me, keeping one hand on the back of the chair behind my shoulder.
My heart raced, heat swirling through my veins when he brushed his lips along my throat before nipping at my ear.
“You trust me, Talie?” he murmured.
“Always.”
He pulled back, shooting me a wicked smirk.
I watched him curiously as he slid off me.
Reaching around, he grabbed the back of the chair, a cry escaping me when he lifted me and the seat into the air.
The music and cheers were deafening, and my palms fell on his shoulders.
He met my gaze, his eyes gleaming with heat.
He leaned the chair forward toward him, and a moment later, there was nothing beneath me when he let it drop.
He caught me with ease, his fingers digging into my ass cheeks as the chair clattered to the floor, landing on all four legs.
I wrapped my arms around his neck as he started moving his hips, dancing slowly as we sank lower.
My back hit the smooth wood of the stage floor as he laid me down.
My arms fell from his neck as he perched on his knees between my spread legs, staring down at me.
His eyes fell to my bare stomach where my shirt had risen up.
He bit his lip, his gaze growing hungry as he lowered his head.
I squirmed under him when he kissed me right above the waistband of my jeans.
He was still swaying his hips even as he trailed his tongue higher up my stomach.
My body flooded with pleasure, and I panted out breaths when his hands landed on my ribs.
He climbed on top of me, his body heat seeping through my clothes.
He snaked one arm higher, fisting my hair, tipping my head back.
He settled between my thighs, rubbing against my jeans in a way that had my pussy throbbing. He kissed my throat before sucking hard enough to leave a mark.
“Fuck, Talie,” he rasped in my ear. “I can’t do the rest of the show with a raging hard-on.”
I giggled breathlessly. “No? I’m not even trying to tease you this time. You have to finish the show.”
His chuckle shot a shiver down my spine. “You really think I planned to spend my entire night on this stage when my wife is here, looking delicious enough to eat? I want to fuck you on my desk one last time before we leave.”
I didn’t have a chance to respond before he stood up, pulling me with him.
This time he swept me up bridal style. I glanced around to see dancers still with other women as Damian carried me off the stage.
He strode between two of the rows, acting like he was taking me back to my seat until darkness engulfed us.
“Aren’t the rest of the dances going to be messed up if you’re not there?” I questioned in a teasing voice. “Maybe you should go back out there. I can take care of myself while I wait?—”
“This was planned. I wasn’t going to finish the show,” he interrupted me, turning slightly to push open a door without putting me down. “I’d rather be bending you over my desk, making you scream until your voice is hoarse.”
“Damian,” a voice called as footsteps drew closer. “She’s here.”
With a grumbled curse, Damian set me down when Kal halted in front of us. He pulled off his mask, running a hand through his messy hair. Kal gave me a respectful nod as I slipped my mask off.
“She’s waiting to talk to you,” Kal said, handing Damian a white t-shirt. “Apparently, she has an early flight tomorrow and can’t stay the entire show.”
“She?” I asked, shifting on my heeled boots.
From the way Damian arched his eyebrow at me, my one worded question wasn’t as casual as I thought. With a small laugh, he tossed Kal his mask before grabbing my hand, interlocking our fingers.
“Come on, my jealous wife.” He led me down the hall where employees were rushing around, getting ready for the second half of the show. “Apparently, you still need a lesson.”
“A lesson in what?”
“To learn that I’m utterly and completely fucking weak for you. There’s no reason for you to ever feel jealous. Because I’m all yours.”
I stared at him, my chest going tight as my stomach fluttered. “I’m yours too.”
He pulled me closer, kissing me on the cheek. “Good.”
“Damian. This is quite a place you have here.”
I raised my eyes to see Georgia standing near one of the stage exits.
She looked as put together as she did every time I saw her.
Her black pantsuit portrayed her as the business powerhouse she was.
Her hair was pulled in a bun, her impeccable makeup enhancing her beautiful features.
Her brown eyes fell on me, and she smiled.
“Georgia,” I said, returning her smile as I snuck a look at my husband. “I didn’t know Damian told you about his club.”
“I invited her to see the show,” Damian explained. “She’s interested in working alongside us.”
“Investing?” I questioned.
“No,” he replied. “She has an amazing marketing business. Something we need to successfully expand.”
“I’m not sure you need my help after seeing your numbers.” She laughed lightly. “I think you’ll do just fine if you open a club in Ember Lake.”
Damian glanced at me. “We think it’s a good choice. We’re flying out there in a couple days to look at a venue for sale.”
Ember Lake was a city like Las Vegas, situated in the desert of California.
The music scene was amazing, and it was an adult playground for those who had expensive taste.
If we opened a club there, it would do well.
Since it was situated in a vacation spot, the clientele would be different than it was here.
Damian would have to change the business practice, but we both believed it would be successful.
The best part? It was across the country from our parents. There would be no feeling of dread when I went out in public, worrying whether my father would approve of my outfit or my activities. No more miserable family dinners with Christian looking at me with disapproval.
“I’m glad you parted ways with your father,” Georgia said, approval in her gaze as she looked at my husband.
“While he and your father-in-law are no doubt very successful, they run their businesses in a way I refuse to be a part of.” She turned her attention to me.
“After seeing how they treated you, I’m sure you feel the same, Natalia.
Will you be involved with this new venture? ”
“More than involved,” Damian spoke up. “She is my partner in life and business. Half of everything will be in her name.”
Surprise shot through me as I snuck a look at him. I knew I was going to be part of the new club, but never thought I’d be on the paperwork. Georgia’s eyes went behind us, and a second later, Rhyett appeared at my side.
“This is who will be running Club Facade when Talie and I leave,” Damian said as she shook Rhyett’s hand. “He and my other partner, Ash, will keep this place as successful as it is now.”
“I can see the potential. If you play it right, you could have a club in every major city. If Club Facade is anything to go by, you know what you’re doing,” she praised. “I’ll be in touch once I’m back from my trip.”
We said our goodbyes before Kal came over to escort her to the employee exit. The music quieted down, alerting us it was halftime. A few dancers entered the hall, and I spotted Ash as he grabbed a bottle of water from a cart. Rhyett called his name as he strode over, pulling his mask off.
“How’d the meeting go?” he asked before gulping down the water.
“Great,” Damian answered. “She liked the show. I think she’ll want to work with us.”
“But you don’t want her to invest?” I countered.
He shook his head. “No one is investing. We’re not doing that ever again. Either we make it work with the four of us, or it doesn’t happen. Our names are the only ones that will be on the paperwork for this club or any others we open.”
“Yup,” Ash drawled. “Don’t need a repeat of dealing with someone like Percy.”
“You two good here?” Damian asked. “I’m done for the night. Talie and I have plans.”
Ash snickered. “What kind of plans? You two were practically fucking on the stage. Next time, find a room.”
“That’s what we’re doing.” Damian grabbed my hand, pulling me away. “If you need me—no you don’t.”
Rhyett chuckled. “We know how to run the club. It’s why you’re leaving us in charge.”
“Wait,” Ash called out. “You’re not going to your office, are you? I already called dibs after you leave, and I really don’t want to buy a new desk.”
I glanced over my shoulder, giving him a grin. “You should start shopping now.”
Damian laughed as Ash cursed under his breath. He tugged me closer, putting his arm around my waist as we walked down the hall.
“Partners?” I asked, looking up at him. “I didn’t realize I was going to be that involved.”
“Is it what you want?”
I thought about it. “Yes. But I also want to do music gigs too.”
“You can do both, Talie. Don’t want to play at our club every weekend? Then you can go somewhere else.”
I stopped in my tracks, throwing my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. He kissed the top of my head, squeezing me tightly.
“What?” he asked.
“You’re giving me everything I want.”
“Why do you sound troubled?” He stepped back, pulling out of my hold before grasping my chin, tipping my face up.
I blew out a small laugh. “I’m not upset. Just wondering how life would have been different if I never ran away.”
“It wouldn’t be like this.”
“What does that mean?”
“We needed time. Time to mature—to find ourselves.” He brushed his thumb over my lips.
“This strong-willed, beautiful woman standing in front of me wouldn’t exist if you stayed.
Your father and mine? They would have done everything in their power to force us both to do what they wanted.
It would have ruined you. Ruined our marriage. The wait was worth it.”
I raised on my tiptoes, kissing him. “I love you.”
“I’ve always loved you, Talie.”
“Always?” A note of teasing entered my voice. “Even when I made you eat seafood?”
He chuckled. “Even then. I’ll give you whatever you want as long as you’re happy.”
“You’ll never deny me?”
A wicked gleam hit his eyes. “Oh, I’ll deny you. But only in the ways you like.”
“Is that a promise, husband?”
“Yes. And I’ll always keep my promises to you, wife.”
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