George could never get with a girl like that, I thought viciously. That's why he's after me about cleaning up my image; he's just jealous.
I swirled the whiskey in my glass and knocked it back, setting the thing down on the bar and making my way over to introduce myself. It wasn't long before she and I were nestled in one of the cozy booths in the back, just the two of us.
“Come on, order anything you'd like,” I told the giggling girl. “Baby, I've got money, and I'm not afraid to spend it.”
“I said, I just want a glass of wine,” she said. “It doesn't have to be anything fancy.”
“How about this,” I told her. “I have a better bottle of wine than any of these back at my place. Plus, I live up in a penthouse with amazing views of the city. Why don't you come back with me and have a glass of wine there? We can start up the fireplace and cozy up under the blankets.”
“You're so full of it, but maybe,” she said. She didn't seem bothered by me being full of myself. Her smile let me know she was hoping I would nudge her toward coming with me. It would make it easier on her if I pushed the decision a little. Tough luck.
“It’s your call, sweet girl.” I shrugged as if my night would go on perfectly without her, because in all actuality, it would.
“All right,” she said with a soft sigh. “Just let me tell
my friends that I'm going off with you.”
“You do that. I’ll be right here.” I turned and let my eyes move across the various bodies pressed against each other in the club. Funny how people wanted attention and affection so much that they would build a place to congregate half-dressed in hopes of lust ushering in lust. It was what it was, but it was odd.
“I’m ready.” She grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the door.
We tumbled out into the November air, and I wrapped an arm around her bare shoulders. “Didn't you bring a coat?” I asked.
“Of course not,” she said, a challenge in her eyes. “Beauty is pain. I couldn’t have a coat covering up this.” She swept her hand down the front of her body.
She was something to behold for sure.
I laughed and slung my suit jacket over her shoulders. There was a crowd of people out in front of the club, and a few reporters as well. For a moment, I wondered who might be here, but of course, it was opening night, so half the city had probably turned out. I hadn't bothered to look around that night; I wasn't feeling particularly friendly.
“Christian!” one of the reporters called, and I realized it was Kelly from The Latest. Oh, this should be good.
She raised an eyebrow at the woman who was cozied up under my arm and shoved a microphone toward us. “Christian, is this the woman who you referenced during our interview? The one who you're thinking of settling down with?”
You know what, George? Fuck you.
I grinned at the reporter. “Nope,” I said cheerfully. “There never was any girl who I planned to settle down with; you fell for that one, though, didn't you? In fact, I don't even know this woman's name. And you know what? I'm going to take her home and fuck her anyway. Just like I fucked you, and just like I've fucked half the women in this city. Isn't that right, sweetheart?” I slapped the ass of the Girl of the Night, whatever her name was.
“How dare you!” she said, yanking away from me and throwing my jacket on the ground. She scowled up at me. Then, she turned toward Kelly, looking worried. “You aren't going to air that, are you? I didn't consent to giving an interview, and my career-”
“Should have thought of that before you decided to go home with Christian Wall,” Kelly said, a sneer on her face. “He doesn't give a shit about your career. I bet he doesn't even know what your career is or anything else about you. Everything that you told him tonight, he tuned it out. And yet-”
“I knew what your career was,” I reminded Kelly smugly. “In fact, I even knew your name. Does that make you feel special? Because you weren't. In fact, you were the worst lay I've had in a while. And, honey, that’s saying something. Cause I’ve been around the block a few times.” I grabbed my cock just to accentuate what a dick I was. Living my life had grown exhausting. Sex was warmth and it was fleeting, but it’s all I had.
Kelly stared open-mouthed at me. Girl of the Night threw herself at me; what, did she think she was going to hurt me with those plastic nails of hers or something? I easily pushed her away, and she stumbled in those heels of hers and toppled to the ground.
A bouncer grabbed me gruffly by the arm and began hauling me along the street. “I think that's enough of that,” he said in a deep voice as if I’d been the one to start the drama.
“Hey, come on now,” I told him, trying to get away from him. “Look, I'm just heading home, even without the floozy, whatever. You can keep her. Just let me go. I'll pay you $100 bucks.”
“I'm calling the cops,” the guy said grimly. “You can't assault a woman like that and expect to get away with it.”
“She assaulted me!” I snapped. “It's all there on video. Just ask Kelly from The Latest.” The guy wasn't going to give up. “Jesus, I'll give you $750,” I told him.
The man hesitated for a moment, and I knew in his face that I'd won. I smiled smugly, pulled out my wallet to write him a check, and then headed home. I'd just have to make sure to cancel the check first thing the next morning.
Idiots. All of them.
Chapter Four