Page 126 of Poison and Wine
Although I knew Quinn was right, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “I believe you have a dancer waiting to ride your dick.” Waggling my brows, I added, “Her pole dance was to some shite Taylor Swift song.”
Quinn’s growl echoed through the room. “I’ll pay you back for this, fucker.”
With a grin, I rose out of my chair. “I look forward to it.”
Although my phone buzzed again, I didn’t look to see if it was once again from Caterina. I walked out of my office to the main floor. Even though it was barely noon, the club was packed. Businessmen in three-piece suits entertained clients as well as the dancers.
Just as I started past a table, an arm shot out to grab me. Before I could knock it away, I saw it belonged to one of the local city councilmen. He grinned broadly at me. “Callum, good to see you.”
“Good to see you too, Lionel.” Jerking my thumb at Dare, I said, “Have you met my brother?”
I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.” After Lionel shook Dare’s hand, he motioned for us to sit down. “Let me buy you a drink.”
“Considering how much you helped me with the liquor licenses for Bandia, it’s me who owes you a drink.” I slid into the booth and motioned one of the waitresses over. After ordering a bottle of our finest whiskey, I started talking to Lionel.
Halfway through our conversation, a dancer, whose name escaped me, came by and plopped down in my lap. She wrapping her arms around my neck, her bare breasts rubbing against my face. “Would you or your guests like a private dance, Mr. Kavanaugh,” she purred.
As I brought my hands to her waist and eased her to her feet, Dare groaned. “Oh fuck, brother, the shit’s about to hit the fan.”
Furrowing my brows at him, I asked, “What?”
Before he could answer, a stinging slap smacked against my cheek. I shot out of the booth and whirled around to face my assaulter. To my utter and complete horror, Caterina stood before me. “You fucking bastard!” she shouted before slapping my other cheek.
I held my hands out in front of me. “Kitten, it’s not what it looks like.”
“Spare me,” she spat before shoving me hard.
“I swear it’s nothing.” Motioning her to the back, I said, “Come with me to my office, and I’ll explain.”
“Save your bullshit explanations. There’s nothing you can say that will make up for the fact you not only deceived me about owning a strip club, but that you just had a half-naked woman on your lap doing God knows what.”
“There was nothing happening between us.”
Caterina’s face turned crimson. “She had her breasts in your face!”
Although the music was blaring and women were pole dancing naked, attention was riveted on Caterina and me. I grabbed her arm and tried moving her away from prying eyes. She slapped my hand away. “Don’t you touch me!” she shrieked.
“Caterina, please, just let me talk to you.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I tried talking to you, but you wouldn’t answer my calls or texts. I couldn’t imagine why you would do that to me, but now I see.”
“I’m sorry. I was being a coward because I didn’t want you to find out where I was.” Shaking my head, I replied, “You were never supposed to find out about this place.”
“So I wouldn’t ever have to know you were cheating on me?”
“I swear to God I wasn’t cheating on you!”
She jabbed her finger at me. “Don’t you dare blaspheme at a time like this.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. There isn’t another woman in the world for me.” Grabbing her hand, I brought it to my chest and over my heart. “I swear, it’s only you.”
Tears spilled over her cheeks. “I can’t believe anything you have to say anymore.”
“Dammit, Caterina, I’m not lying.”
She slowly shook her head. “Today was the happiest day of my life, and you’ve spat and trampled upon it.”
I furrowed my brows. “What are you talking about?”