Page 76 of The Thief
This guy was something else. Always going above and beyond for both of us.
How did we get so lucky?
“You didn’t need to do that,” I told him. “She has to learn she won’t win all the time... but thank you. That’s so thoughtful. It’s more than thoughtful, actually, it’s fucking amazing of you.”
Tyler walked me down to his car, and as he opened the door for me to get in, he said, “I know she can’t win all the time, but she’s been through enough lately. I thought she deserved it. And I like treating her. I like treating you both.”
“Thank you,” I said, sliding into the passenger seat of the car.
“My pleasure,” he replied with a wink, closing the door.
I didn’t know where he was taking me, and I didn’t ask. But as the car pulled into the driveway for The Sanctuary, my stomach rolled. We were at his club, and as much as I wanted to see what it was like, I was still nervous.
He parked the car at the side of the building, then shut off the engine.
Turning to me, he said, “We can go somewhere else if you prefer. I just thought maybe you might want to see this place.”
“I do want to see this place,” I told him, smiling as I stared across the car at him.
His eyes twinkled back at me in the darkness, his smile so wickedly enticing I wanted to launch myself across the console and straddle him. This man had a way of making me forget all the inhibitions I’d built up over the last few years. And I loved it.
“Tonight, I want the full Tyler Evans experience. I want to see behind the curtain.”
I gave him my own wicked smile, and his eyes burned stronger, smouldering as he replied, “Let’s get this night started then.”
We got out of the car and walked the short distance across the pebbled path to a side door. As we stepped inside and Tyler closed the door behind me, the thumping bass from the club reverberated around us. He led me down a dark corridor, holding my hand as we walked towards the music. When he opened another door at the end of the corridor, that music intensified as we stepped out onto the main floor of the club.
The dance floor was heaving, people dancing and singing as strobe lights shot across the room in time to the beat. I stood for a moment in awe, staring up at the high, gothic ceiling that gave it a church vibe. Stone and wood blending seamlessly with the lights and sound system. The DJ positioned across the room looked like a vicar at his altar, blessing his congregation. It was impressive, and I glanced at Tyler to tell him, only to find him staring at me with an intensity that made me lose my breath.
He leaned into me, his voice gruff as he asked, “Shall we get a drink?” The feel of his breath tickling my neck sent shivers down my spine, and I savoured it, nodding yes and keeping my hand firmly in his as he led me across to the bar.
“Jake,” he called out, once we were at the bar, and a well-built guy, about our age, with tattoos up both arms came over to us, smiling.
“What’ll it be, man?” Jake asked, and Tyler turned to me.
“What are you drinking?”
“Gin and tonic,” I replied, and Tyler turned back to address Jake.
“Gin andtonic, make it a double, and a beer.”
Jake served our drinks, gave Tyler a wink and carried on serving the throng of people waiting at the bar.
We sipped our drinks, then Tyler leaned into me again, and over the music he said, “I thought we’d have a few here then maybe go into town for something to eat.”
“What happens on the first floor,” I blurted out, ignoring his plan and nodding towards the stairs, where a security guy with a headset was selectively letting people up onto the next floor.
Tyler shrugged it off, saying, “It’s just exclusive rooms for different... music tastes.”
I tried to keep the smirk off my face and failed.
“Let me rephrase that,” I said, taking another sip of my gin and then putting the glass onto the bar. “What rooms do you have on the first floor? And don’t bullshit me with music tastes,” I teased, giving him a seductive smile. “I have friends who’ve been here before. I’ve heard what your first floor is all about.”
He laughed to himself and shook his head. “If you know what it’s all about, then you don’t need me to spell out what goes on in those rooms.”
“I don’t want you to spell it out,” I said, moving closer to him, brushing my body against his as I whispered into his ear, “I want you to show me.”
He lifted his beer to take another swig, and I watched as he swallowed, the thick cords of muscle in this throat working, making me feel a certain way that I was so ready to explore tonight. Then he put his glass on the bar and turned to face me. “I think we might need a few more drinks. Work our way up to it.”
