Page 40 of The Betrayal
“Sure thing,” she winks and pushes up from the sofa. “Well, the show must go on,” she places her phone in her locker and walks out the room and into the busy club.
I take a moment to fold my clothes and get changed. I was over work already and suddenly I felt desperate for a holiday.
Walking the floor, I am a little grateful I’m not on the stage tonight. I honestly don’t think I have it in me. I feel exhausted, my head is pounding, and I am silently praying the Advil I took a while back kicks in soon. Rounding the room, I stop at a table of rowdy football players and give the captain some attention. His hands are on my hips as my body rolls over him, but I am careful not to touch him at all.
His head tips back, his eyes on mine as he leans up.
“Let me pay for a private…” he whispers against my lips, and I stiffen.
“Not working privates tonight,” I smile back at him, then spin so my back is to his front. His large hands back on my bare skin.
Pulling me onto his lap, he tucks my hair over my shoulder and places his lips to the shell of my ear.
“I’ll pay double.”
And my body vibrates in laughter.
“She’s not working privates.” The deep British accent floats across me and my skin pebbles.
Dex.
“Fine, fine, sorry man, jeez,” the football captain rolls his eyes and thumbs behind him to his mates as if to say what’s with this guy.
“She told you once, don’t make her tell you again,” he steps closer, wrapping his fingers softly round the top of my arm as he gently pulls me away.
“You didn’t have to step in,” I half laugh, half scoff in annoyance.
“I know I didn’t, but I can’t stand it when drunk ass fellas ignore when you talk,”
his comment sounded directed towards me specifically, which I know it wasn’t, but still.
I spin to look at him in the dimmed room.
His long, black hair pushed back. High cheek bones, beautiful eyes you could lose yourself in. Broad, lean, tattooed from head to toe.
“That wasn’t aimed at only you by the way,” he chuckles, rubbing his large hand over his chin, Sage’s name tattooed over his fingers on his left hand, a crown on his wedding finger.
“I know,” I sigh, dropping my eyes from him for just a moment.
“I just don’t like guys taking the piss out of young women, I know it’s a bit of a stupid statement to make seeing as this,” he throws his hand around the lavish club, “but still, I’m a little protective.”
I laugh when I see Sage roll her eyes as she stands beside him.
“You? Dex Rutherford, protective?” she snorts a laugh, “Not you babe,” she adds as her arm tucks into Dex’s.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he turns his face down, smiling at her.
“Anyway, I better be going,” I give a weak smile, wanting out of their little PDA and walk past Sage.
“Hey, Ari, wait a sec,” Sage runs up behind me and grabs me by the elbow.
“Everything okay?” my brows pinch for just a moment.
“Me and Dex are flying out to Vegas in a couple of weeks, potentially buying a new club and well, I was thinking why don’t you come with? I would love to get your opinion?” she stands hopeful, her eyes bouncing around excitedly.
“Me? Really? What about Sasha?” I place my hands on my hips and she shakes her head. Stepping towards me for just a moment she leans in and places her lips by my ear.
“She doesn’t have the potential… plus, we’re thinking of replacing her soon…” she pulls away and gives me a wiggle of her impeccably shaped brows. “So, Vegas? With me and Dex? You’re welcome to bring someone with if you want?”