Page 58 of Casualties

He wraps his arms around my waist, then slides his hand down toward my sex.

“I want you so bad.Do you know how hot you are?”I’m going to pretend that was a rhetorical question; I don't know how to respond to that.

“Are you going to finally let me get it in tonight?”he asks cheekily.Ew.Did he just say “get it in”?He doesn’t notice the discomfort his crass words cause.I cut him some slack; he did get into a car accident last night.

“Jackson, I don’t know if I’m ready.You know I’m still a virgin.I love what we have, but I don’t know if tonight is the night.”He moans into my ear, really taking the hint.Thanks to this dress and my love for high slits, he easily moves his large hand under it, cupping me between my legs.I don’t feel any rush of excitement, but choose to let him continue.Who knows?Maybe this will be good, and I just need to get in the right headspace.

I don't get there.For five minutes, Jackson rubs the side of my labia.I know I’m not experienced, but I‘m pretty sure my clit should be receiving the attention, not the lip.I shift my legs with the hope that it helps him readjust to the correct spot, but no, he continues rubbing a place that's getting me nowhere.

I’m getting annoyed—what's the point of this?I’m not touching him anywhere, and he sure as hell won’t be giving me an orgasm with his DJ moves, rubbing me like I’m a turntable.I look at the clock on the wall, and move to stop him.

“Hey, as fun as this is, I think we need to leave for the party.”He stops his attempt to get me off, and thank God.I feel as if the side of my pussy got road rash from him rubbing where he thought my clit was.But seriously, it’s a good thing his GPS was off.My poor little bean wouldn’t have survived his aggressive movements.

“Ah…you’re right.We can pick up where we left off later.”Um, no.We won’t be doing that again.

I brush by him while adjusting my dress back into place and we head to the ordered car.He decided we both are drinking tonight and won’t be driving.I think he needs to be focused, this isn’t a night of fun.He has a job to do, and should be sober.But I don’t want to fight, so I choose to go along with the plan.

The car pulls up to the front of the club.I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.It looks low-key from the outside, but very similar to the abandoned building Ace took me to.Jackson gets out of the car, but makes no attempt to walk around to open my door.How chivalrous of him.

Walking inside, I admire the dark color scheme of the club.There's a large bar that takes up the entire back wall.The wall is stocked from top to bottom with expensive liquor bottles.The LED lights showcase the label of each bottle.Bar staff are dressed in all black, shaking cocktails to pour in fancy glances.You would think this being a nightclub, it would smell like booze and bad decisions, but it doesn’t.I can’t put my finger on the scent, but it reminds me of some five-star hotels we stayed at growing up.

The club-goers aren’t dressed for a fancy party like we are.The women are in trendy outfits and short dresses that hug all of their curves, while the men wear casual button-ups and dress pants.Most of them have a drink in their hand while they gyrate on one another.

A thought pops into my head.I realize Jackson has a black membership card, but I don’t.“Is this an event where you can bring a plus one?”I’m sure it has to be for me to accompany him.

“No plus one.My friend’s cousin has a girlfriend, and you'll be using her membership tonight.Here's your black card, Anna James.”

THIRTY-TWO

ACE

I press the call button and once again hear her phone go straight to voicemail.I know Morgan told me she updated Mrs.Copeland, but I still have that bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.I stopped by her dorm to find it empty, and ran by the frat house to find it desolate as well.She must be at his parent’s house.

“Fuuuck!”I slam my fist against the steering wheel, the horn blaring in protest.She needs to stop dodging my calls and let me know she’s okay.I’ve tried, really tried to accept her relationship with him, but Cassie’s desperate plea for me to check on her keeps echoing in my head.That fucking bastard.Who the hell does he think he is, talking to Ainsley like that?MyAinsley.He’s controlling, manipulative, toxic as hell.I thought I was protecting her from some run-of-the-mill fuckboy—I had no idea it had gotten this bad.Listening to Cassie recite those texts she found on Ainsley’s phone sent me straight into a spiral of rage.

I return to the townhouse by late afternoon, and choose work to keep my mind occupied.I reach for my phone to shoot Denny a text letting him know I’m in town for a few days, and to reach out if he needs me.He responds almost immediately.

Denny

Hey Ace.If you're down to be at Sanctuary tonight, I could use your help with the masquerade party.

Me

Oh shit!I forgot that was tonight.Yeah man…I can head down there.I need to shower and shit, but can be there in a couple hours.

Denny

Thanks Ace.Mostly just working with staff to make sure things are running smoothly.Wally and I won’t be there until much later.

I don’t ask why the owner and his right hand will be late to the biggest party of the year.

Me

Sounds good man.See you later.

After I shower, shave, and style my hair, I enter my closet to grab club clothes.I button up a black long-sleeve dress shirt, leaving the top two buttons undone, and tuck the hem into a pair of black tailor-made slacks.Appropriate enough for the club, but laid back enough for my liking.Miss me with that tie bullshit.The black blazer I pull on fits as perfect as the rest of my suit.I glance in the mirror, smoothing a strand of hair back in place, and grab my keys to leave.

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