Page 38 of King of Clubs

I’d thought she was an introvert and that she would keep her cards close to her chest, however, she surprised me with her candour. She made me laugh on multiple occasions and I spent more time on the side of the road than I did driving because my thirst for her was unquenchable.

When I finally did make it home, my nightly routine included an extra long shower, my release pouring out of me to images of her bent over my desk at work while I fucked her hard and fast. The insatiable drive to take her and claim getting harder and harder to ignore.

But as I lay in bed that night, it was her mind I wanted to delve inside. It was her quintessential ability to make me eager for the unexpectedness of her retorts which was the greatest surprise. She was sharp, quick witted and unique – all things I was discovering were bringing me a startling amount of joy.

Marlee

Chapter Fourteen

I poured myself another glass of wine and grabbed a bag of plain crisps – the bare necessities for a Friday night in front of the television. I spent far too long scrolling Netflix until I finally ended on one of my comfort movies starring Jennifer Aniston. The familiarity of the predictable happily ever after always hit the spot and for a couple of hours I could live vicariously through her.

When my phone rang some time later, waking me from a nap I didn’t plan to take, I realised the credits were rolling.

God, I was so lame. “Hey, love,” my voice was groggy, sleep lacing my words as I answered.

“Girl, were you asleep? It's seven o’clock on a Friday night! Get your arse up. Tonight, we are celebrating. Andy re-signed with the Hearts and we’re heading toNexus. Be ready in forty-five,” she didn’t need to wait for my reply. The second she said where they were going, I was wide-awake and instantly excited because there was a chance I was going to see Seb.

We’d spent the last three days messaging, most continuing late into the night and I now knew a lot more about the interesting and sexy man with the hazel eyes and those thick delectable arms. I'd also shared small snippets of my parents' passing which felt like a big deal.

I felt free and unburdened. More aware of the little things that I spent so long overlooking and I was enjoying the not so subtle flirtatious tone to many of our exchanges.

But actually seeing him again was different. Without the screen to hide behind or the chance to think before I responded, I was a complex flutter of excited nerves. What if I poured another drink on his shoes or lost the plot and pretended we’d never met? Would I do something like that? What if he kissed me again, or what if he didn’t? Which was worse?

God, I needed a drink before I made myself nauseous.

“I’m running to the shower. See you soon.”

When Arna raced through the door twenty minutes later, I was just finishing my makeup while she was a flash of blonde hair jumping straight into my shower.

“I’m so proud of him, he has never been so confident in himself. In fact, I’m proud of you too. How was today? I’m so glad you’re coming. We’re picking Flick up on the way. Also, Jack said you owe him a drink, so he wasn’t going to let you stay home even if you tried. Said he wants another dance off too. He kills me, that guy,” she was smiling as she reached for my razor and started shaving her legs.

“Firstly, you do realise you have a razor and shower in yourownbathroom? Secondly, take a breath, babes.”

She laughed, flipping me off.

“Thirdly, I’ll pay up on the drink but he is dreaming if he thinks he will out dance me. And finally, as if I’m going to miss a girls night with you and Flickandan opportunity to see the disgracefully sexy owner of that club. I mean I will obviously be too nervous to talk to, look at or acknowledge him in person, but I will enjoy being in his vicinity. And if I can get even the smallest whiff of that ungodly scent, I will survive another week on this earth.”

“Girl, you have it bad,” she turned the shower off, now grabbing my towel to dry off. “They contemplated going somewhere else and I vetoed that right away. I hate new places and I wanted you to be able to see Seb again. Plus, since Felicity resigned, I’ve barely seen her so tonight is ticking all of the boxes.”

“Can you not, you also have your own towel,” I said half-heartedly trying to get my towel from her grip. She ignored me entirely, which was standard, and raced into her room, calling back, “Wear your black leather skirt.”

“Thank you! I was literally just about to ask about my outfit because up until this point I was planning on wearing this dressing gown. I totally forgot about that skirt. Should I wear the emerald strapless top with it as well?”

There was no other way to put it – I was fashion challenged. I had zero interest in clothing unless it was comfortable or purposeful and Arna had always been my sounding board and generally dictated what I wore when we went out. I happily grabbed the skirt knowing she would want me to look as hot as possible and I did too given the company.

“Yes,” she called, “that shirt makes your eyes pop and coincidentally matches the colour of your new bracelet. Sebby poo will not be able to resist you tonight.”

I'd recently taken to wearing a green bracelet, feeling it perfectly represented my growth and new found productivity, and it did match my shirt, I thought happily.

She returned wearing a pair of jeans and a gold halter neck shirt she was tying around her neck. “Does this shirt look okay?” She was using the mirror in my room to judge as I assessed my own outfit next to her.

“As long as you're wearing jeans, I'm happy. Last time we went out Andy couldn’t keep his hands out of your skirt. It was practically a live sex show.” I finished moisturising my legs, laughing at the memory.

“That’s a good point. I’m wearing a skirt,” she ran back into her room to change.

“Oh my god,” I laughed, “On that note, I’m having another wine.”

“Pour me one too, Andy said they’re ten away, so let’s get this party started.”

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