Upon reaching the door we each pay the hundred-dollar door charge for entry to be told that the main floor has poker and blackjack. Larger table games such as roulette and craps are in the basement, and two large bedrooms on the second floor have an assortment of slots that were rented out for the occasion. The house is packed and everyone is dressed to the nines.
No sooner had our heels touched down over the threshold of the door, than Jade and Colette headed towards the kitchen for food and drinks waving to Daria and me as they slinked through the crowd. Daria looked at me as a bright smile grew across her face. "Ya hungry? Or do you want to check the blackjack tables with me?"
My nerves were insisting to me that I most definitely wasn't hungry, but needed to find alcohol - stat. I just nodded the affirmative while pointing across the room to where six blackjack tables were set up. Five were already up and running with cards being dealt. A cacophony of cards shuffling and chips clacking filled the air layering over the low murmuring voices at the tables. The boys undoubtedly nailed the ambiance of a casino. Color me impressed.
A dealer was just setting up chips at the sixth table where Daria and I chose to take a seat. The dealer offered their welcome, finished filling their chip tray, and started by asking to change our bills. The table limits were set at twenty-five dollar hands. It was the lowest minimum of any of the tables I could see - the highest being five hundred. It seems the boys were expecting some whales, but I was just here to have a good time.
I threw five hundred on the table and waited patiently for the dealer to count me out my chips while Daria did the same. I was just placing my bet when I was ensconced by the scent of fresh tobacco. I felt a warm hand on my waist while another snaked in front of me to set down a gimlet. I looked up into the smiling eyes of Bradley. While it certainly wasn't who I was expecting I can't say I was completely surprised. It is his party. I also wasn't disappointed.
"Hello, gorgeous. Having a good time?" he asked, shooting me a quick wink. He was all Gatsby in his fresh tux and I found myself wishing that I felt more than I did from his touch.
"Yeah, we just got here, but you guys did an awesome job. Have you met Daria?" I tapped the fiery redhead on the shoulder and stole her attention from the deal for a moment. I took a beat to gather my winnings from my last hand and place a new bet.
Daria turned to offer an appreciative smile Bradley's way. "We've never been officially introduced," she said in a deep and sultry tone offering him her hand palm down. Bradley, ever the charmer, picked up quickly and kissed her knuckles.
"Let me show you ladies around the house. Introduce you to a couple of my brothers."
"Sure." I had just lost my hand which puts me at even money over the two hands. I opened my clutch and threw my chips inside, getting up to join Bradley who quickly wrapped his arm around my waist resting his hand on my hip. The gesture was more familiar than he's earned but I'd be lying if I said I didn't find him the least little bit alluring. He offered his other elbow to Daria who was all too happy to oblige. I was surprised she managed to stop herself from drooling on his tux because she was looking at him like he was water in a desert.
Bradley led us through the crowd, across the foyer into another room the same size as the one we just came from where four poker tables were set up. He brought us to one that was set up for Hold 'Em and stood between two other men. On the left was a classically handsome frat bro. A la Zach Effron, but with perfect blonde hair. The man on the right was all Viking glory with a clean beard and non-ironic man-bun. In short, he was beautiful. "This is Zeke and Brady," he said gesturing from left to right, "they live here too. Both seniors this year."
Zeke offered a curt nod as he was evidently playing the stern and quiet poker phenom in this scenario. Brady, on the other hand, offered us both a flirty smile. "Daria! You made it!" he exclaimed, standing to give her a hug and a slap on the back as if she were his long-lost frat brother and not a buxom babe. He looked at me, offering a handshake, "You must be Ellie. I've heard so much about you."
Too stunned to ask him to elaborate further I took his outstretched hand and opened my mouth to spew the most common phrase ever to follow that greeting, "All good things, I hope."
I cringe inwardly. Kill me, someone, please.
Luckily I heard my name spoken from across the room with so much warmth and excitement it simply could not be ingenuous. "Ellie!"
Turning on my heel I see Brooklyn and the J's coming my way. Brooklyn turns heads with each step she takes in her patent nude Louboutins. I'm wearing the same pair but in black. The red bottom soles perfectly compliment the red of the fringe flapper dress she's wearing. Her long copper hair was left down, cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. I'm almost certain that every man in this room stopped what he was doing to give her at least a glance as she strolled by them. She notices none of them, instead of coming straight for me. She stops and gives me air kisses. Evidently, I've leveled up. Time to turn it on.
"Brooklyn, oh my God! You look amazing!" I gush outwardly. She skips right over Bradley to Daria at the other side of him, giving her the same treatment.
"You remember Jessa, Jules, and Jenna, right?"
"How could I forget? You ladies look amazing as well!" I smile broadly. I will never remember which one of these is which. They're like the Chanels from Scream Queens or something.
Coming in the door behind Brooklyn, I see Lex in an Armani tux and patent leather shoes. His gaze catches mine immediately and I feel a chill run up my spine. His eyes flit down to Bradley's hand on my hip before moving back to my face. There's a hardness there that wasn't there only a moment ago. I'm not sure if it's because of me, or Bradley, or both.
Lex comes around the J's as though they were nothing more than Brooklyn's accessories and steps right in front of me. His mouth sets a hard line before greeting Bradley with a single acknowledgment, "Brad."
Bradley returns the favor with a matching expression, "Lex."
Lex trails his eyes to mine before reaching out one hand to me, tempting me to take it. "Ellie," he states plainly, as though I'm a foregone conclusion. I'm seemingly only deserving of a one-word greeting, too.
I only have a moment to make my decision. Either piss Lex the fuck off and deny him or offend Bradley and close the door on that opportunity officially by taking Lex's outstretched hand. I could also tell them both to fuck off, but that's Genvieve talking.
Honestly, both Genvieve and Ellie would be happy to go to bed with either of them, but the choice is clear. It always was. I quickly take Lex's hand and let him wrap his arm around my waist, snugly pulling me into his side. The now-familiar warmth of his touch is a welcome distraction because I can't quite look Bradley in the eye. Lex spares me by inviting the entire jumble of us to grab some food in the kitchen.
Unlike the rest of the house, the kitchen had undoubtedly been updated with fresh white oak cabinets and black granite countertops. Stainless steel appliances and finishes rounded out the space which was accented by two crystal chandeliers casting shadows across the floor. During the daytime, these would surely accent the walls with rainbows in every color as the sun descended to meet the sea.
The throngs of voices combined from the adjoining rooms as they flowed in from each angle like rivers flowing into a delta. I had claimed station against the kitchen sink, propping my ass against the counter and crossing my feet while I nursed my gimlet slowly. Lex strolled back with a plate in his hand, eyeing my cocktail warily. "Who made that for you?" he questioned, thrusting a plate before me without asking if I wanted it.
"Uh, Bradley."
"You shouldn't take drinks from strangers," he said, setting the plate on the counter next to us and reaching to take the cocktail from my hand. I pulled it out of reach and was met with an immediate warning glance. Despite my better judgment, I found myself rushing to placate him.
"Bradley isn't a stranger, and the drink is half gone. I feel fine." The words fell from my lips with more confidence than they deserved.
I don't know why I feel the need to explain myself to someone I barely know - aside from lust, and I've never explained myself for lust before.
Lex took a calming breath before relaxing his hand to his side, gripping the side of his trousers between his fingers as though he couldn't stop himself from grabbing something. "Be that as it may, you're new here. You've known Bradley all of a week."
"I've known you for a week. Should I decline the plate of food you've offered me?" I watched a muscle tick in his jaw and remembered very quickly that meek Ellie would likely be more accommodating.
I reached to take the fork from him with a smile. "Thank you, for worrying. I'll be more careful."
I'm unsure if I've sold it or not, but I opt not to acknowledge him further while I take stock in the plate of food he's offered me. A quick mental calculation tells me there are at least three hundred calories on this plate, which isn't unheard of for catered food. Most socialites are going to give up their weekly allotment for an event like this. I use my fork to scrape the dijon sauce from my pork medallions before taking a bite and raising my eyes to see Lex.
"You scraped off the sauce," he says matter of factly.
"This party is catered. The pork is seared. A well-cooked meat dish doesn't need sauce," I mumble immediately swallowing my guilt at catching myself in an old habit. Then, I deflected like a champion, "where is your plate, Lex?"
Without skipping a beat, he snatched my fork and knife from my fingers and stabbed a bit of the steamed vegetable medley. "We're sharing. Open."
I accepted the bite without argument letting a melody of garlic and black pepper skate across my taste buds. This is very well prepared and worth whatever absurd amount the frat coughed up to spoil their guests. My sweet grin met Lex's warm gaze. He went to offer me a second bite and I moved to take the fork from him. "I'm sure I can manage, Lex. I'm an adult."
He pulled the fork back, cocking his head to one side. "Did I do something to indicate that I didn't think you could feed yourself?"
I struggled to suppress Genvieve at that moment until he sighed. I acquiesced, opening my mouth hesitantly and chewed over more than my next bite. On one hand, I was more than just attracted to Lex. I liked Lex and an instinctual part of me wanted to please him. On the other hand, I'm a badass bitch that don't need nothing from no man and I can feed my damn self. I took my time chewing, chancing 1a hesitant peek at his eyes.
I sensed that I was at some sort of precipice at this moment and if I didn't play this right the consequences could be dire. Not only could I lose my romantic dalliance with Lex, but I risked exposure. I grinned slowly while considering what Ellie would do. Would Ellie yield at this moment?
"In that case, I'd love some of that pork."
Lex didn't miss a beat, instead slicing me some of the pork. I chose not to insist all of the sauce was completely removed instead accepting the bite enthusiastically. The flavor was explosive and I was unable to suppress a moan as I chewed. Lex's blue eyes darkened as they drifted towards my lips.
"You should have some," I muttered between chews. I watched as he took an entire medallion in his mouth. We laughed together at the obscurity of his gesture. He had to chew with wide-open chomps while sucking in and blowing air out quickly to cool the large chunk of pork in his mouth. The longer this went on the harder I began to laugh, lifting one hand to cover my mouth while the other hugged my stomach. Such a fancy occasion and he looks like a teenager that threw too many pizza pockets in his mouth. He was so young at that moment it took my breath away. My smile was abundantly sincere.
The moment was soured by the sound of my name from across the kitchen. Not my name here, but my name in the real world. "Gen!"
Every part of my body froze while panic rose inside me. A burning tingle began at my toes and gradually rose upwards to my chest. I reached quickly for my mask of indifference and barely managed to stop myself from responding physically - instead trying to keep my fake smile plastered on my face. Lex, however, turned to the encroaching stranger as he came directly to us.