Page 4 of Imbalanced Minds
Chapter Two
Iris
When we pull up outside the building, it doesn’t look as appealing as what we originally imagined. When Justin mentioned new, I pictured brightly lit frontage with long lines overflowing the entrance of the building. But there’s no one outside; there’s not even any thrumming bass coming from inside. Come to think of it, the whole area is dully lit and as I look up at the name on this building, I notice the bedazzled neon sign that says Exotic Creatures.
“Damn it, Justin. You are so dead!” I yell in annoyance.
Beside me, Nat’s cracking up in hysterics and I can barely get a word in edgewise. I suppose the joke’s on me. The address he gave me sent us to a freaking strip club.
Deciding to forgo the new club for obvious reasons, we choose to visit our local instead. As usual, Seduction is bustling with activity.
“Now this is what we’re talking about.” Heading Inside, the place is buzzing, and the atmosphere is energetic. At this time of night, it’s busy. It’s just gone eleven and if we didn’t frequent often and know the doorman, there’s no way we’d get through the door for at least another thirty minutes.
Not being able to hear each other over the thumping music, we decide to give up and let our bodies get lost in the crowd to the beat and bass. Admittedly, aside from loving this song, there’s a serenity to it that drags you down to the depths and allows you to forget and just be. Absorbing the vibe as the shockwaves dance through your core.
I wish I could always feel like this.
Coming back to earth as the song blends into a new one, Feel the Love by Rudimental (feat. John Newman) comes in over the DJ’s speaker and I can’t help jumping up and down with excitement and yelling out, “this is my song,” as Nat and I lose ourselves once again. This time we make a show dancing together, or maybe we’re just tipsy and don’t care if we look like two chicks enjoying ourselves a little too much.
It’s somewhere in this carefree moment, that the warmth of a hand smoothly slips around my stomach and pulls me against a hard, muscled form.
Smiling to myself, I stay lost in the music and keep dancing not caring whose attention I’ve attracted. I know I came hoping to catch the attention of one particular man, but a girl can still have her fun. However, as I open my eyes, all bliss gets lost as I see Nat staring behind me with eyes wider than the sun and mouth gaping open—this isn’t her normal reaction, so I slowly turn to see why she’s reacting this way. As I slowly crane my neck, my eyes need to climb the length of the taller man and as they do, I gasp. I’m met with a very familiar face; one only from my happy dreams and one I’ve been obsessed with getting my hands on since we first met.
Cory stands stock still, hand still splayed over my stomach with a giant—and lickable—smirk on his face.
“Don’t stop on my account, sweetheart. I was just starting to enjoy myself.”
Frozen in place, absolutely shocked by his reconsideration toward me, I try to think of something—anything—to say but come up blank. I swear something has possessed me because I can’t seem to speak or move for that matter; this is not the way I saw this panning out and I can’t stop the confusion zinging through my head.
Nat pipes in with her freshly manicured hand waving at us in the air. “Um, what the ever-loving is happening right now? And where is Justin? You know he’ll kill you if he sees you like this with his little sister in public. Dude, you’re not being very discreet right now.” She declares, making an obvious statement that Justin will indeed lose his shit at Cory’s public display of affection toward me.
Me on the other hand, I internally squeal with excitement.
Chuckling, Cory states, “Nat, chill sweets. He won’t find out unless you tell him.”
Gasping, I turn my head back to Nat with a get the hell out of here expression so I can deal with this situation a little better.
Seeing her upturned lips tip to the side I then realise I’m screwed, with a capital S.C.R.E.W.E.D! I’ve wanted this moment so badly and she’s gone and voiced the biggest barrier.
My brother.
“Seriously, shoo,” I whisper yell while bug-eyeing her.
“She’s all yours, Cory. I’m gonna go grab a drink. This is too much, even for me.”
“Get me one too, please,” I yell after her.
After a beat of silence, I finally pull myself together and go straight for the elephant in the room; after all, I’ve been pining for this man for so long and now he decides the tables are turned just like that—I don’t think so.
“I thought best friends’ little sisters were off-limits, as Nat so kindly pointed out. All these years and now you’ve decided it’s okay? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not letting you go easily. Not now that I have you right where I’ve been wanting you, but honestly, why the change in heart?” I manage to stammer before Cory leans in, turns me around so we’re now facing each other and whispers in my ear ignoring my words.
“You have no idea how desirable you look out here, Iris. Do you know how hard it’s been for me to stay away? How insane you make me feel? You’ve been driving me crazy. Watching you out here shaking that sweet body around. You always have put extra effort in for me, haven’t you? Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Do you know how much I want to stab every set of male eyes out here in this place, all of them devouring you like sick pervs?”
I let free a little whimper from his admission.
“What are you trying to do to me?” He says, nuzzling into my neck, almost as if I wasn’t supposed to hear his soft-spoken words.
“I could ask you the same. It’s been no secret I’ve wanted you for years.” I’m nothing but putty in this man’s hands and he knows it.