Walking into the club was akin to walking through a portal into a parallel universe. The heady mix of loud, upbeat music, crowded bodies, and the pungent odors of alcohol, cologne, and body odor assaulted my senses.
I couldn't remember the last time I'd been in a bar and never one this crowded before. For that matter, I couldn't remember the last time I'd been in a crowd of any variety. Tendrils of panic threaded their way up my throat, but one touch of Bea's hand combined with one of her patented reassuring smiles, and I was ready to follow her anywhere.
As repelled as I was by the cacophony around me, it also enthralled me. Everywhere I looked, people were smiling and laughing. A few people checked me out even as I looked at them. They saw me. The whole concept of being seen was addictive.
Bea took my hand and walked me through the crowd as if it the club was her second home and these strangers her family. She led me to a booth near the far corner of the busy dance floor. The booth was cordoned off with a red rope, but a waiter opened it with a smile as soon as he saw Bea.
Ms. Bea, so nice of you to join us tonight. Will you be spinning tonight?"
"Of course!"
"Teela, this is JJ. JJ and I go way back. If you need anything, he'll take care of you. Isn't that right, JJ?"
"Absolutely." JJ looked me up and down. "Absolutely anything."
"Can you start by bringing her a drink? Something fruity. She's a lightweight. Peach.
"You like peach, right?" Bea asked me.
I nodded, having no idea what to order.
JJ saluted. "I'll be right back. You'll have your usual, Ms. Bea?"
Bea gave him a thumbs-up before turning to me. "Stay right here. I'll be right back with a big surprise for you."
"Bea, I don't need any more gifts. This outing, on top of everything you've done for me, is more than enough."
Bea winked, "I don't think so. Wait here."
She disappeared into the crowd and left me alone in a booth big enough to seat eight. I felt like I must have the plague to have so much space allotted to me when people were literally pressed against one another in the mass of bodies.
A woman in a tight gold dress rubbed up against a guy who looked more interested in a blonde with big, bouncy breasts dancing next to him. The blonde's dance partner was looking at…me.
My face heated at the way his eyes took me in fully. The man had short hair, light brown or maybe a dark blonde. His frame was slender, but he had broad shoulders. He moved easily to the music, his movements complementing his dance partner's.
I caught myself swaying in my seat. There was something life-affirming about being seen, even if it were by a stranger from across a crowded dance floor. But I was married, and for all I knew, the blonde man was with his wife, so all I could do was enjoy the moment of connection.
JJ returned with a tall umbrella drink and a tray of snack foods. He spread the treats on the table before me while I sipped the drink. It was delicious—orange and peach mixed with the tang of soda and crushed ice. Two thumbs up to the mixologist.
With a smile, JJ made sure I was all right before rushing off to his next table. Whatever his boss paid this man, it wasn't enough. I made a mental note to leave him a big tip before I returned to sipping my drink.
Bea returned shortly with four men in tow. "Surprise. This is Logan, Bruce, Alex, and Sup. They're here to help you celebrate your newfound freedom."
These guys were examples of prime male flesh. Tall, lean, model-perfect faces and smiles to die for. Sup wore a skintight tank under an unbuttoned shirt. The shirt was tight enough to trace the cuts in his abdomen.
Bea sat down next to me and put an arm around my shoulder. "I trust them with my life, Teela. More importantly, I trust them with your life. Relax and enjoy their companionship. They won't go any farther than you want to take it. On the other hand, look at them, girl. They are sex on sticks."
I took a long gulp of my drink. Bea was right. There was nothing wrong with hanging out with a group of people, no matter how good-looking they were or how married I was. Besides, my marital status was temporary.
Tomorrow, I would be all business. Tonight, I could live a little.
I enjoyed my drink and relaxed as the men settled in around us. Logan and Bruce sat next to me. Alex and Sup took Bea by the hands and led her off to the dance floor, where they danced together.
Logan leaned close, and I drew back until I realized he was trying to get close enough to talk close to my ear.
"You're so beautiful."
"Um, thank you?" I couldn't recall a man ever complimenting me before. It felt weird. Embarrassing. Good. Unnerving. It reminded me of how Thing One or Thing Two would be nice to me right before they pulled a prank or told me a bald-faced lie.
JJ returned with a tray of drinks, including a fresh one for me. The previous peachy concoction had a blue umbrella in it, but this one featured a skewer of fresh fruit instead. It tasted the same, so I chalked it up to a different bartender.
I sucked down half of the drink and let the music take me away. Before I knew it, I was on the dance floor with Sup, Alex, and Bea. Logan and Bruce joined us. At first, I felt awkward dancing. I was for sure I looked like the biggest geek in the place, but in time, I was caught up in the music and the good company as I danced with first one man and then another.
I returned to the table to hydrate, only to turn back to the dance floor and into the arms of the stranger with the blonde from early. He rested a hand on my waist and pulled me in close as the music slowed. We swayed together, not saying anything but totally connected.
His body was warm against mine, and when he smiled, I reflectively smiled back. How cool was it to be in a room with more people smiling than scowling? I was never returning to the Heavenly household.
I smiled at the song lyrics with my eyes closed when I felt the stranger's lips brush mine. I pulled back in surprise.
A second later, a fist flew into the stranger's face. He fell back, the crowd breaking his fall. Someone screamed. The music ended.
I sought out the source of the attack, but when I found it, I had an overwhelming urge to scrub the alcoholic haze from my eyes. Standing beside me was none other than Ben Heavenly, who looked like an avenging angel.
When the stranger did not attempt to fight back, Ben grabbed my arm. "Come with me."
My eyes widen. My first night out of the Heavenly household, and here was one of the brothers to drag me back. I stood my ground, glad I wore combat boots instead of swaying unsteadily on stilettos.
Bea stepped up, our four male escorts at her back. "Let her go."
"I don't think so," Ben said, tugging at my arm.
I pulled back and tried to remove his hand from my arm. "Ben, no. I'm not going."
"Does King know you're here?"
By now, the club security team was storming through the throng toward us. I didn't want to cause trouble for Ben. After all, he had been kinder to me over the years than any of the other Heavenly adults. It wasn't his fault I'd left his brother or that I'd been so unaware as to let a stranger kiss me.
But I wasn't going back.
"Please, Ben. I don't want to see you in trouble with the club owner. Just walk away. I'll cover for you."
"I'm not leaving you here. King would never forgive me."
King would never forgive me. Gone twelve hours and already kissing someone else.
I was surprised when the bouncers stopped at Ben's back.
The bald bodybuilder in a club T-shirt stared me down but addressed Ben. "What's the problem, boss?"
Boss? I hadn't noticed the nightclub's name when we entered the building. This must have been Well Water.
"No problem. Is there Bea?"
Of course. If Bea worked as a DJ, then she would know Ben.
"Yeah, there is a problem. Teela is my friend. You're not taking her anywhere."
"She's my sister-in-law. She's coming with me."
"You're one of those asshole Heavenlys?"
"Asshole? Bea, you'd better watch what you're saying if you don't want my men to toss you out of here."