Page 60 of Casualties

THIRTY-THREE

AINSLEY

Anna James—I can work with that.At least it’s not some old lady name like Agatha or Marjorie.We head to the hostess podium to enter the secret, but not-so-secret club upstairs.The hostess towers over me in sky-high black pumps and a short black dress that’s far too revealing.

“Hi, welcome back.”Her seductive tone, and the fact that she is only making eye contact with my boyfriend, is pissing me off.I've never been here before, I’m not sure what to say other than “eyes off my boyfriend.”I refrain from doing so—we technically aren't supposed to be here.

Jackson scans his card and looks at me, nodding his head toward the scanner.I scan mine, as well.Once my black card is accepted, the large-breasted leggy blonde moves around the hostess stand to Jackson’s side, opposite from where I'm standing, and links arms with him.

Is this bitch for real?

I’m not jealous; I’m really not.My anger is coming more from a respect standpoint.She's definitely not a girl’s girl.

“Right this way, sir.You and yourguestcan enter through this door.”His guest?I’m pretty sure I scanned a black card as a member, too.Ew, this is just bad behavior.I wouldn’t want some tramp disguised as a hostess hitting on my partner in front of me.Why would I stay a member of a club with slutty staff that know no boundaries?

Jackson and I walk through the door.I notice his head turn back for one more look at the hostess before he quickly faces forward again.God, he could have been a little more discreet.

“Are you ready for this?I heard the parties get pretty intense,” he says nonchalantly.

“Intense?Intense how?”I ask nervously.

He made this masquerade thing sound like a club full of snobby rich men smoking cigars and listening to jazz music while their trophy wives sip martinis.

“You’ll see, Toots.I want it to be a surprise.”He gives me a cheeky grin, and I’m not sure what to make of it or the way he's acting.And to think, I could be at home, snuggled up on the couch with my family, in cozy jammies watching Elf.But no, Jackson’s not-so-traumatizing accident brought me back.I don’t want to be partying, I want to be with my parents and Morgan, sipping hot chocolate and eating my weight in mom’s cookies.It is what it is, I’m here, so I might as well make the best of it.

At first glance, the club is gorgeous.Gray industrial concrete flooring, with long black booth-like seating against the entire length of the wall we’re facing.The walls are covered in mirrors.

Why so many mirrors?

I start to people-watch.Everyone is donning fancy attire, with gold masks similar to what Jackson and I are wearing.For the most part, everyone has a drink in their hand.It's rather mellow in this part of the club.It’s mostly just people gathered around conversing, enjoying their cocktails.

Jackson sits me at the bar and orders us a drink.Vodka on the rocks for him, and a glass of champagne for me.I turn to face the crowd, and my gaze steers toward what looks like a stage of some sort.Do they have live music or something?

“Toots, I need to use the restroom.I’ll be right back, but go explore, and I’ll come find you.”He rubs my back, then walks away.I decide to do as he suggests and explore, but stop when I see a woman walk on the stage with a man following close behind her and?—

“Oh.My.God.”

She’s naked, and the man is shirtless, wearing only black fitted slacks.The lighting starts to dim, and the music changes from soft mood music to something darker that has a deep bass vibrating off the surrounding walls.

What is this?

I continue to watch the couple move to the center of the stage.I’m not even sure they are a couple.This may be a show of some sort—they look like runway models.When the rich notes of the song deepen through the speakers, the woman starts to dance with her partner.The man roams his hands over her body in a slow, teasing way.Their bodies move so effortlessly to the music.

I have a hard time looking away; their dance is mesmerizing to watch.The way their bodies move, so in sync with one another.The spotlight on them moves toward the back of the stage.They follow it to a vintage black chair with gold accents detailed in the wood.It’s a chair fit for royalty.

The woman guides the man backward to sit down, but he stops her by pressing his index finger to her lips.The tempo of the song picks up right as the man changes places with her and presses her down into the chair.She drops down onto the velvet seat, rubbing her hands along the arms of the chair.

What.The.Hell.He aggressively spreads her legs wide as she licks her lips, biting down on the bottom one.She's into this as much as he is.The entire room can see her downstairs, and my eyes go wide at the sight.Did Jackson take me to a strip club?This place gives off more class than a strip club, but then again, I have nothing to compare it to.

I assumed this was a strip dance—even though she was naked from the start—until the man shoves his face between her legs and starts licking her pussy.Jesus!What am I watching?My eyes are glued to them, but it now feels intrusive.Although, the other patrons are just as focused on them as I am, so they are obviously putting on a show.

A sex show.

* * *

I stopped watching the performance to find a bathroom after downing my glass of champagne.That was…interesting.I should feel embarrassed for witnessing what is usually a private moment, but instead my skin is flushed red, and I'm burning up.I’m trying to ignore the throb between my legs after watching them.

The restroom attendant hands me a hand towel.I thank her with a polite smile.

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