Best of 2017

Clearly annoyed, the man smirked and proceeded to move forward and force a hug. “Isn’t that why you came tonight? To not be alone? To have some fun?”

“No. And even if I wanted to be with someone, it wouldn’t be you!” I struggled to undo the asshole’s hands that clasped behind my waist. And then, suddenly, the man was yanked off me. It took me a moment to understand what just happened before I realized someone had shoved him out of the way. To my surprise, my rescuer was Axel Rye.

What the fuck? Was this really happening?

“Get the hell away from her,” Axel demanded, his eyes dark with fury.

The man’s face went pale as he looked around to see who was watching. “Just a misunderstanding, dude.” He quickly backed away and disappeared into the crowd without protest.

Axel turned to face me. I stood there wide-eyed and embarrassed by the commotion the incident had caused. “Are you okay?”

A few people noticed the scuffle and slowed as they walked by, but the disruption was not enough to call the attention of security. Thank God. The stares made me want to crawl off into a hole. I hated being the center of attention, especially negative attention. The entire night had just been one fuck up after another, and once again, I looked like an immature and stupid girl in front of the coolest man in the room.

I nodded. “Yes, thank you for being my knight in shining armor.” I attempted to smile and wash away the fear. I was embarrassed to have so much attentiveness shown to me by Axel. I also hoped my boss wouldn’t get wind of this. Off duty or not, I didn’t think he’d be too happy about it. It would just be my luck to be fired in front of Axel to really add to my shame.

He chuckled. “I’ve never been called that before. More like a knight in fucked up armor.” He took a minute to glance back at his buddies before staring at me. “But you are welcome.”

An awkward silence sat between us. But everything about me felt pretty damn awkward.

“I feel bad for getting you involved. You didn’t have to do that. He was just being a little too forward. I could’ve handled it.” I craned my neck, looking for Felicity who had disappeared and missed the whole incident. I was trying my best to play it cool, even though I felt anything but.

“I’m sure you could’ve. I just don’t like seeing men treat women like that. Women deserve respect. Sometimes in places like this, men can forget that simple fact.”

I nodded, shrugged, and started toward the restrooms. I needed to get out of there fast before my failed attempt at small talk made me look like even more of an idiot. “I need to find my friend. I really do appreciate your help.”

Axel followed beside me, walking close. My heart skipped when our hands touched for a mere moment. I tried to refocus my attention on finding Felicity and heading home. The night was long overdue to come to an end.

“Let me help you find her.”

I noticed all the people in the VIP section now stared at us, especially Jillian. Axel seemed oblivious to the group. His eyes were fixed on me now. “No, it’s all right. Really. I thank you for helping, but I don’t want to keep you.”

Axel reached out and softly placed his hand on my arm. The touch sent a shiver through my body. “If you are sure…” He paused and smiled. “I really hope to see you around.”

I nodded, never looking Axel in the eye for longer than a moment. I worried I would say or do something stupid. “Thanks again for helping back there. I really appreciate it.”

AXEL

I COULDN’T HELP but stare at Quinn’s eyes. No way was I letting her slip away. This could be my only shot, and I would kick myself if I let her walk away and then never saw her again. From her appearance and her overall vibe, she didn’t seem like a club goer and this night was different for her and completely out of her norm. It was likely I would never see her again unless I did something about it. I don’t know what it was, but something about this woman made me feel the need to be near her. I grabbed her hand as she turned away from me. It was soft and small, her fingers intertwining with my own. My heart pounded as she turned towards me. I tried focusing on something other than her eyes but found it impossible. She had the power to captivate with one simple look, sobering me with her stare.

“Would you like to go and hang out tomorrow night? I need to show up at another club called Gaslight, and if you and your friend want to come, I would love to have you come along. It’s an invite-only party, but I’ll add you two to the list.” I was sweating, nerves a foreign sensation for me. Maybe it was the coke, though deep down I knew my anxieties had nothing to do with what I snorted up my nose. “It’s pretty hard-core, though. So I hope that doesn’t bother you.”

Quinn studied me for a moment, and then her voice cracked as she answered. “I can’t. I’m working.”

“Where do you work? Until what time?”

“I work here until eleven.”

I smiled, loving what I heard. She must be a new hire. “You work here, huh? Well, I guess I’m going to see a lot more of you. I’m at this club a lot. What about after your shift? I don’t usually show up at the other place until midnight, anyway.”

“Okay, I’m sure Felicity would love it, too.” Quinn broke her hand free from mine. “I really need to go, though. So, I’ll see you tomorrow. Gaslight right?”

I nodded. “Yes, Gaslight. I will put you and…”

“Felicity Dexter.”

“Okay, I will put your names on the list and see you there,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

She nibbled her lip for a brief moment as if she were contemplating saying something, but then she nodded and left.

I stood staring after her as she walked away. Why did I feel like a love-struck schoolboy? Then it dawned on me. I hadn’t actually asked a girl out in a very long time. I’d always just hooked up with someone at a bar or club since all of them sought my attention. I never had the desire to ask anyone out… until I met Quinn.

CHAPTER THREE

DRINK FROM THE FUCKED UP BOTTLE

QUINN

I SAT IN THE KITCHEN, watching the phone, willing it to ring. I needed to talk to Harrison in the worst way. I’d already left a few texts and messages for him, and he still hadn’t called me back. I tried to work on the initial outline of my story to keep my mind busy but couldn’t focus long enough to even write a few words. Not to mention I found describing a club next to impossible. All my attempts kept sounding like some paranormal novel in an underground coven. I glanced at the clock as I typed the word “drug” again. Wishing I could come up with a different word, I realized I’d hit my writing wall for the day.

I jumped when the phone rang, grabbing it as fast as I could. “Hey, Harrison.”

“It’s good to hear your voice. How was your first day of work last night?”

“I’ve been dying to talk to you. You’re never gonna guess what happened.”

“What? You sound really happy.”

I took a sip of my coffee before speaking. “I met Axel Rye last night. Not in the most glamorous of ways, but I met him.”

“Axel Rye? The drug dealer?”

“I think we can say he is more than just a drug dealer, but yes. He wants me to hang out after work with him. He invited me to some exclusive club. I feel like I got the in already!” I continued to explain the details of the night, barely pausing to take a breath. I was more excited than I’d realized. “What if I actually get enough from him for my book? Can you imagine? An instant book deal right?”

“For sure.” Harrison asked, “You gonna go tonight?”

“I’m not sure. I know I should for the book, but I’m scared shitless. To be honest, I feel so stupid around him and that entire crowd. They’re completely above me. But I also know if I want to truly get the meat for my book… I guess I have to. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to dive in so quickly.”

“Are you kidding me, Quinn? Shut up. This is your chance to have some fun out there and make some friends. This is also your chance to get

the information you really need to make your story genuine. Not to mention Felicity will kill you if you say no. Stop living in your white, boring box. Axel Rye invited you, which is something most people would die for. So, you don’t say no just because you are scared.”

I smiled. Harrison was so good for me. He was forever my built-in cheerleader. He always had a way of making me feel good about myself and gave me the self-confidence I knew I lacked. “You don’t understand. I’ve seen the women he hangs out with. They’re so mysterious and sensual and… urban looking. Their style is their own. I honestly worry I’ll look like a Plain Jane compared to them.”

I stood up with the phone against my ear, then walked over and stood in front of the mirror. No tattoos, no piercings, nothing original about me. I looked at my less-than-exciting clothes and grimaced. Although I couldn’t picture myself all tattooed and pierced, either.

“Who cares? Let me tell you something, Quinn. You need to stop thinking so little of yourself. I can guarantee you this group of women would die for your natural beauty. Axel asked you out for a reason. Stop knocking yourself down.”

“I know. You’re right.” Hearing Harrison’s advice caused me to miss him even more.