Page 25 of Forever Desired
Athena turned to find her close friend, Pam, walking toward her table. She was a tall, dark-skinned woman who kept her hair cut short to her head. They had been friends for years, and it was Pam who had left for Vegas first. She was the one who’d encouraged Athena to follow her dream. Pam worked as a server at the Turin and was the one who had brought her the flyer for the audition.
Athena grinned at Pam and stood from her seat. Their squeals filled the air as they hugged.
Athena had invited Pam out for lunch. She didn’t know who else she could tell about her night with Sorin. It had been one she would never forget. She still ached in places she never knew she could. Pam was someone Athena could trust with the news.
Hell, she didn’t even know what this was between her and Sorin. He was filthy rich, and she didn’t imagine it would go anywhere. Deep inside, she knew that, but it still had her longing for more.
One night with him wasn’t enough.
She had woken that morning with the rays of the sun filtering into her room. There hadn’t been any signs of him except a single piece of paper with his name and a telephone number.
“It’s so good to see you. Sit.” Athena waved her to the chair opposite hers.
“Again, what’s up? What is so important that you drag me out my house at one in the afternoon?” Pam grumbled.
“When did you get back into town?” Athena asked.
A server came over and took Pam’s drink order. Athena raised her eyebrow at her friend ordering coffee.
“This morning. I think my flight landed at like five?” She groaned, running her hand through her short hair.
Athena laughed and sipped her iced tea. The restaurant was a little jewel that was located not too far from her apartment.
“Oh, you poor thang.” Athena chuckled. She picked up the menu and browsed. Her nerves were growing, and she didn’t know how tell to her close friend that she’d technically slept with their boss.
“Um, hello?” Pam pulled Athena’s menu down and stared at her. Curiosity burned in her eyes. “Spill it, woman.”
Athena set her menu down and glanced around the restaurant. It was small and cozy. The lunch crowd wasn’t too bad. There were a few people scattered around the establishment. She turned her gaze back to Pam who had her eyebrows raised, impatiently waiting.
“I met someone.”
“Shut up.” Pam’s mouth dropped open. She recovered quickly and leaned forward with a devilish grin. “I’ve only been gone a week and a half.”
“I sort of slept with him already.” Athena covered her face when her friend’s squeal pierced through the air.
“You hussy!” Pam clapped, drawing some attention to their table.
“Calm down.” Athena shushed her friend. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
“This is the first man you’ve connected with since you’ve been here. Of course I’m going to be exited for you. The dry spell is over!” Pam fell back in her chair, laughing.
Athena balled up her napkin and tossed it at her friend. She ignored the chuckles from a few of the other patrons seated near them.
The waitress came back to table and took their orders. Athena had missed breakfast and was famished. She had certainly worked up quite the appetite with Sorin.
For the first time in a long time, she’d slept in. That was unusual for her. Usually she got up early and worked on new songs.
She was lucky the hotel allowed her to have creative expression. She wasn’t like some lounge singers who just covered famous songs. Most of the songs they performed were the ones she and Nick had composed.
“I don’t know what to make of him,” Athena began, staring across the table.
“What’s wrong with him? Ugly, but good in bed?” Pam asked, resting her chin in her hand.
“Pam!” Athena barked a laugh. Of course her friend would find humor in her dilemma. “I assure you he’s very good-looking. Like, I couldn’t stop staring at him when I first saw him.”
“Okay. You have my attention. I want all the details, and don’t hold back. I want all the dirty, nasty playback,” Pam gushed, sipping her coffee. “Leave nothing out.”
Images of the night rushed forward, and Athena’s body heated.
