Page 77 of Nothing to No One

Access to such a private world was mind-blowing. She still hadn’t figured it out. In addition to their dance floor, private pods split this side of the VIP area from another. Some in darkness, others light, they hadn’t ventured into them yet, maybe they wouldn’t. Who knew?

Roxie tumbled her way to plant a kiss on her cheek and kept on dancing as she altered course to head for her man. Mieux came to take her hand. Not something the woman would normally do, but with the music so loud, it was difficult to get anyone’s attention without physical contact.

Her colleague called into her ear. “Do you want to sit down?”

She nodded though could’ve kept on dancing. With the loud music pumping her endorphins, and the alcohol taking just the slightest edge of awareness from her consciousness, she lived in the moment. The environment, and company, made such a difference to her nerves, to her needs.

Roxie’s suggestion to toss their worries into the wind seemed wishful and ambitious until they were there, surrounded by friends, in the heady humidity and graciousness of Crimson’s walls. There she could feel safe, like she would back home. Roxie was right. If this was her child, it sure was beautiful.

Mieux led her toward where Roxie was draped against Zairn. The beauty tempted her man’s mouth to hers and he surrendered for a few beats. On breaking the union, he coiled an arm around Roxie’s waist and lifted her as he stood, leaving the blonde’s feet dangling a couple of inches from the floor before he set her on them. Roxie stayed that close and side-nodded with a point that prompted Mieux to adjust their trajectory.

Tripp was somewhere, had been somewhere. He’d flitted around until she lost track. In any other circumstance, she’d know where every member of their party was, so no one would get lost or hurt. That seemed unlikely in Crimson; Tripp should be fine.

The most central glass chamber lit up to reveal what was effectively a living room in the middle of a nightclub, and, ah, mystery solved: Tripp entered from the other side.

“Having a good time?” Tripp asked, wearing a grin that knew the answer.

Hers was maybe just as exuberant. “I’ve never been a VIP anywhere in my life.”

“Get used to it,” he said, dropping into the furthest armchair and smacking his thigh. “Mieux, babygirl, I’ve saved you a spot right here!”

The woman snickered and sat on the opposite armchair. “No, thank you.”

The two shared a smile, maybe it was a private joke no one else got, but it was fun, not predatory.

Tripp moved on from Mieux’s rejection fast. “You got the guys coming over, Z?”

“Soon.”

“Cool. There’s someone else here who needs a minute.”

Zairn sat on the end of the couch closest to Tripp, guiding Roxie down with him by her hips. The blonde crossed her legs toward her love, and he draped an arm across her lap. Ah, swoon, their intimacy—the walls darkened, blocking the view of beyond.

Tripp’s door opened—Struan.

He could be the last man on Earth or her first and only savior, she’d never been so pleased to see someone. She hurried over to throw her arms around him, it didn’t even occur to hershe should hesitate given he wasn’t his brother. Or was he? Who was he playing?

“I’m so sorry about—”

Music started. Not loud but when she glanced back, Roxie was smiling and gave a single nod before returning to distracting her fiancé. The music gave them some cover to have an at least semi-private conversation.

“I was surprised you came here, Fawn. Are you okay?”

“Yes, but I’ve been worried about you. What did Magnus say today? I’m sorry if he reamed you out. He shouldn’t have. You should have put it on me. I was the one—”

“Magnus is family.” He stroked her arms and rested his palms on her shoulders. Fondness still bloomed in them but there was a reticence too. “We should talk about—”

“We have to stop,” she said, reading the truth he didn’t want to utter.

Knowing it didn’t mean she wanted to hear it either.

“Yeah. At work. I agreed at work we would keep our distance. It’s too difficult when so many people know us both.”

“I understand.” Finding errant sanity, she dropped her arms and stepped away. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“This isn’t me. Tell me you know this isn’t me.”

“I know.” The door opened again to someone else, a stranger the world knew. “Sway Sheridan.”

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