“Who?” Cammy demands.
Tara puts her mouth to her straw and wiggles her eyebrows.
I laugh and wave my hand as I sway to Lil’ Kim and the magical voice of 50 Cent.
And I’m only half-thinking about the fact that Killian said he was coming here because I’m having so much fun. And I’m feeling a little brave about the whole thing as I think on it while dancing with Susanna, Tara, Debbie, and Cammy because he left me alone all week after giving me all that attitude and now he’s coming to get me? Who does he think he is?
A gangster holding me for some ransom maybe?
I scoff.
Is he some sort of gangster?
I don’t really know.
But what I do know is that because of him, I’m up here dancing and feeling lighter than I’ve felt in a really long time.
Did I tell him where I am?
I can’t remember.
***
It’s a Fitty superset I suppose, because after Magic Stick, I get to dance to a super-extended version of Just a Lil Bit that feels like it goes on for forever. And then we get Candy Shop, and more girls join the dancefloor. Men surround the area, watching with avid interest.
And then I see him as I’m shimmying my butt against Susanna’s butt.
Killian.
How long has he been standing there watching me? He has a drink in his hand and it’s only half full.
I blow a stray curl off my forehead and wave at him, excited to see him, therefore forgetting that I’m also annoyed at him.
I skip over to the edge of the dancefloor.
“Hi. I’m still here. I guess you can’t spank me,” I giggle and then turn and strut back to the dance huddle and start swaying some more. I spin and start pointing at him and singing along while I continue wiggling my butt.
The lyrics I’m singing are more than a little suggestive.
His eyebrows go up and he folds his arms across his chest. His eyes are on me in a way that I feel. I feel it between my legs.
Susanna bumps me with her shoulder.
“Girl, you’re gonna get it.”
I laugh. “Right.”
“No - I’d lay money down that you’re gonna get it tonight. What’s goin’ on there? What haven’t you told me?”
“What do you mean?” I ask innocently, but Susanna knows me.
Me. Suddenly, I feel like the old me. Like a sassier version of myself.
I smile as that thought penetrates and I reach for my drink at the sidebar nearby and finish it. I grab my purse and loop it over my shoulder. Liquid courage, I’ve got it in spades.
“He’s just driving me home. You good to get home or you want me to get him to give you a ride?”
”I could use a ride,” Cammy says, sidling up to us. She waves at Killian with a big smile. And then her eyes move to me and grow larger. She’s impressed with the sight of him. How could she not be?
He doesn’t react. He finishes his drink and sets it on the bar. Then he’s got his eyes on me again. He folds his arms across his chest. He’s wearing an eggplant-colored button-down shirt with a black leather jacket that’s wide open. He’s got on dark jeans and black boots. He hasn’t shaved in days and it looks good on him. The dark and serious expression on his face is aimed at me and gotta say, I kind of dig it.
“Same,” Tara says. “If it’s not a hassle. But, you know… if you need to get home sooner and get your spanking, I can get my sister to pick us all up. She has a minivan.”
I laugh and say, “One sec,” then I head back over to where Killian is and that’s when the bartender is suddenly between us, smiling at me.
“Come chill with me while I’m on a break?” he suggests.
I’m just about to speak, but I don’t need to, because we hear, “Not likely.” Killian says this from behind him. He’s moved in closer and is giving the bartender a look I can only describe as lethal.
Killian hooks an arm around my waist and I’m cradled into his side.
Gulp. Alrighty then. That’s kind of proprietary.
“Thanks, anyway,” I say to Corey and then look up. “Killian, did you bring your SUV or your car?”
He frowns. The bartender, still standing there, is forgotten.
“My friends all need rides too,” I explain.
Killian rolls his eyes. “I’ll put them in a cab. You and me are outta here. Now.” He crooks his finger at Susanna.
She comes right over and is all smiles.
I put my arm around his waist and sort of snuggle in.
“You smell good,” I tell him.
He looks down at me and his lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile.
“Hey, Killian. How are you, Hot Stuff?” Susanna asks.
“Hey,” he replies and lets me go so he can get his wallet out. “Here. Cab fare for you and the other girls to get home. Me and Violet gotta split.”