Page 11 of The Senator: Raphael

I chuckle and shake my head. “Are you taking advantage of the lights out here to scope out the hottest guys?”

“Off course I am. Have you noticed how dark these places are? You can’t tell if someone is really your type until the morning after when it’s way too late to discover you don’t like them.”

She’s right. Every nightclub is so dark you can’t see anything except what’s right next to you. Everything seems perfect and beautiful, but when the lights go on, you see whatever anyone’s trying to hide, guys included.

We make our way inside and are immediately overwhelmed by the loud music, the thick air, and bodies waving and sweating to the beat. While I don’t mind working in a place like this, being on the other side of the bar is not something I crave on my nights off.

“Drink or dance?” Lola shouts.

“Drink!” I need alcohol if I don’t want to punch someone in the face for grinding against my ass.

We head to the bar and push our way to grab the bartender’s attention. Lola spilling her tits over the bar usually does the trick. We order a couple of margaritas and lean against the counter watching people dance. The music is louder and it’s more packed here, but the view is always the same: a bunch of people trying to impress their companion of choice for the night. Some are already making out, others are grinding against a stranger’s ass, but most of them are just hoping to get lucky and get laid tonight.

I sip the margarita the bartender hands us as Lola leans closer. “I’m going to take a look around. See you around or at home?” she asks, and I know she means she’s going to walk around until she finds someone to hook up with.

“See you in the morning!” I smirk at her. If she finds someone, she’ll be too lost in the chase to remember to tell me she’s leaving, so I just go ahead and say goodbye now.

“Call me if you need a ride back, but I hope you find someone to do the honor.” She winks before taking off and scouring this place.

I watch her being sucked in by the crowd, and then go back to people watching.

“I’m here for my drink.”

I turn to where the voice is coming from and find the guy from the line. I smile and beckon him to the bar. “What do you want?”

He grins. “A beer is fine.”

I wave down the bartender, put in our orders, and then hand him my credit card.

“Are you really paying? I didn’t find you to take advantage of your proposal.” He seems genuinely surprised by my gesture.

“I’m not one of those girls who just assumes the guy will pay. I told you I was buying you a drink and I meant it.”

He nods, smiling. “I’m Brad.” He offers his hand and I shake it.

“Silver.”

“What are you doing here, Silver? Besides buying beer to make up for cutting in line.” He smiles again, and those lovely dimples make an appearance. Seeing him up close, he’s even better looking than I remember.

I laugh. “My friend dragged me and then ditched me as soon as we stepped foot in here.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Same here. I hate these places, but my friends wanted to come, and I was in the car so I had no choice,” he confesses.

“Why don’t you like it here?” I’m curious. He doesn’t seem that out of place in a club like this.

“I prefer outdoor activities. And you? Why don’t you like it?” He leans closer and the air seems to ignite with electricity around us.

“I work in a nightclub, so it’s not where I want to go on my day off.”

He barks out a laugh and shakes his head. “I can understand that.”

I study him for a few seconds then look down at my margarita. He seems like the kind of guy who’s not here to pick up someone, at least not in a pushy kind of way, and I appreciate his presence.

“What do you do when you’re not forced by your friends to go club hopping?” I ask when the small talk dies down.

“I’m a marine biologist.” He grins but not in a bragging way. Nothing about him gives me a show-off kind of vibe.

“That explains the surfer look.” I wave a hand in front of him.

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