Page 19 of Control: XXX Vadim 1
He’s tall. Blond. Not my type, but why does it matter? His body isn’t bad to look at, and when he smiles, he’s easy on the eyes if a bit older than I would have aimed for.
“I’m Tiffy,” I tell him, extending my hand.
“Geoff,” he replies in a husky baritone. “Pleased to make your acquaintance—” He breaks off suddenly and smoothly withdraws his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were here with someone.”
“Huh?” Following his alarmed gaze, I look over my shoulder and stiffen. Perched on a black couch nearly halfway across the room, Vadim sits facing my direction, a whiskey glass in hand. Judging from his casual, relaxed position, I don’t think he’s moved or said anything to give the impression we were together—but the expression on his face…
I feel a tug in my belly as if an invisible hook has caught the flesh and yanked. It’s certainly not how he looked at me in the Six lounge, that’s for darn sure. Mocking. Daring. …Possessive?
Easy, Tiffy,my inner bitch warns.Eye on the prize.
I blink innocently and squint at the aloof billionaire. Then I sigh and shake my head. “I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken,” I tell Geoff, turning back to him. “I’ve never seen that man before in my life.”
“Oh.” He frowns, confused, only to blink in shock when I palm his bicep, testing the give of the muscle. He’s no surprisingly-built, slender waif, but he feels solid enough. Satisfied, I shift toward him and let my eyes glaze over, my smile warm.
“I’m here all alone,” I tell him. “Keep me company?”
He grabs a nearby stool and pulls up beside me while I sip frantically on my sangria. By the time he brushes my hand, drawing my attention, my confident grin is back in place.
“Come here often?” he wonders, while internally, I cringe at what had been my tired and worn pick-up line not too long ago. Had it sounded so darn cliché when I said it?
No wonder Vadim lost interest.
Still smiling, I shake my head and eye him through my lashes. “This is my first time,” I say, utilizing my sexy purr once more.
He falls for the bait hook, line, and sinker. His hand grazes my thigh as he grips the edge of my stool and tugs me closer to his.
“I could tell,” he says confidently. “You look fresh. There is nothing like your first time, eh? I’m curious as to how a girl like you even found your way in a place like this.”
Gag.Maintaining my simpering grin suddenly takes more effort, my teeth clenched. “I know a guy,” I say.
Geoff raises an eyebrow, impressed. “You must have friends in high places. I feel like I had to sell my soul just to get an invite. The owner is selective as hell.”
I file away the information for later. For some reason, I suspect he isn’t referring to Vadim, given he didn’t seem to recognize him. Who could his business partner be, I wonder?
“There are several owners actually,” Geoff adds. “But Maxim runs this part of the club. If you’re here, I assume you’ve heard of its reputation?” He glances me over, lingering on my cleavage while I take another sip of wine to disguise my shock.
Maxim owns this? His brother. I risk sneaking a glance at Vadim, more confused than ever. Zap! Our eyes meet with a jolt—it’s like he knew I’d look at him. Knew I’d jump and turn away just in time to catch him sipping from his glass.
Damn it.
“Are you alright?” Geoff tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, his tone concerned.
I nod, fighting to stay focused. “I’m fine.” To prove it, I fixate stubbornly on his mouth, refusing to look anywhere else. Even as the back of my neck prickles with the uncomfortable knowledge that someone is watchingme, daring me to notice.
“I’m looking for a teacher,” I murmur, inclining my head to display my throat. “I’m very,veryeager to learn.”
“Good,” Geoff murmurs, his smile dashing.
This is good. Better than good. Barely ten minutes in, and I’ve successfully infiltrated my first sex club. I even scored my first test subject. All is well.
As far as my list is concerned,check, check.
So why the hell am I shaking?
“I could oblige you,” Geoff says with a resonating laugh. “I take it you don’t have a private room yet?”
I sit forward, curious enough to ignore everything else. Private, he says? Whatever it is sounds absolutely delicious. I decide on the spot that I must experience one before the night’s end. “No,” I say. “For now.”
