Page 20 of Precious Legacy
“I don’t know,” I smirk. “But if I had to wager, I’d say I’m not the only one who needs to fuck someone out of their system.”
NINE
After a week of dissecting the various emotions I’ve been feeling recently, a night out is more than necessary. Sure, it means I’ll be in the same place as Roman, but Gemini Lounge is always busy. It’d be easy to avoid him and hide in the crowd of patrons.
Which is exactly what I’m trying to do. I just want to let loose and enjoy some time with my girlfriends without having to worry about anything. Since my attempt to exercise the uncertain energy from my body epically failed yesterday—no thanks to Roman—I’m even more determined to shove everything to the back of my mind and let loose.
My hips sway as I lose myself to the strobe lights and dirty beat of ‘Buss it’ by Sage The Gemini. The air is thick, swelling with heat as bodies slide against one another. Sweat trickles down my spine as Haven playfully grinds against me, losing her inhibitions to the music and alcohol.
There’s so many people in here that it’s back to back on the dance floor. The place isn’t huge, which means the dance area is restricted to just a corner of the club, but it hosts the best DJ sets in New York City, so of course anyone with decentmusic taste is going to attend one of the most sought after clubs in Manhattan. Add to the fact that this is apparently Roman Genovese’s welcome back party, and it’s no surprise the amount of half-naked women huddling around the VIP section, desperate for a glimpse of one of The Five’s offspring.
Haven and I have done well to remain out of that particular spotlight. Haven uses her mother’s last name regularly to keep a low profile, and I had mine legally changed a while back. In a world full of misogyny, it’s better to keep the family life separate. In this world, names define us. If I went around telling everyone my father was none other than Axel Bonanno, my life would be a hell of a lot different.
That’s the last thing I want.
I shake my ass to the beat while Haven belts out the lyrics shamelessly. She flings her long brown hair over a shoulder, cackling at herself, and I can’t help but laugh back at her. Her penchant for Rap music is a stark contrast to her innocent personality, which just makes her more lovable. She was right to push me to come out tonight. I was considering faking an illness just to avoid Roman, but that was swiftly followed by the thought of him thinking he had gotten to me.
Hehas. I just don’t want him to know it.
So far, I’ve done well to avoid the asshole. Not that he’d ever step foot on this dance floor. It’s too packed, too close for his comfort, which makes it the perfect hiding place for me.
“Gracie’s here!” Haven yells over the music, pointing towards the bar where I spot our perky blonde friend ordering drinks.
Gracie Lucchese spins around as we approach her. With long blonde hair and legs to die for, she makes Barbie look inferior. Her piercing blue eyes and full lips are every man’s wet dream, and her tattoos make her stand out, yet give her just enough approachability. She doesn’t even glance back in any man’sdirection, though. With seven years separating us, she’s got both experience and maturity on her side. Judging from the guest list, she’s not going to be interested in any of the males prowling around the club tonight.
We make our way over, sliding between more sweaty bodies until we’re perched on the small raised platform of the bar. Gracie slides some shot glasses towards us with a grin. “Drink up, bitches!”
Without even looking at the liquid inside the glass, I throw it back.Argh, tequila.It’s not what I would’ve chosen since Vodka is usually my preference, but I’m not going to pass up on any drink tonight. And in case we thought one wasn’t enough, Gracie hands each of us another shot, a mischievous grin sliding across her lips. Despite the age difference, she’s always been the life of the party. In most instances, she could give Haldon a run for his money. She’s always got something up her sleeve when it comes to fun, so when she pulls out a joint and arches a brow in question, Haven and I nod emphatically.
“Let me just grab a drink and I’ll join you!” I shout.When I say ‘drink’, I mean something to kill the burning taste of tequila currently sitting in my stomach.
With a quick nod, they leave the bar and head toward the door labeled ‘Smoking Area’ while I order myself a whiskey sour.
My fingers tap a steady rhythm against the bar top as ‘Animals’ by Maroon 5 plays, my head bobbing while I wait for the bartender to deliver my drink. A heated wariness suddenly prickles the back of my neck, followed by the tightening of my chest in nervous warning.
“You’re just teasing me now, Presh.”
I suck in a breath.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snap over my shoulder. It’s meant to deter him, but even I recognize theweakness in my voice and the way my breath hitches further when a set of soft lips brush over the exposed skin of my shoulder.
“I’m offended,” Roman growls in my ear.
I roll my eyes. The heat of his body pressing against my back tells me he’s not going anywhere.
“Nothing can offend you,” I comment bitterly.
I would say I’m trying to remain impassive, but it doesn’t really matter what emotion I portray, it doesn’t faze Roman in the slightest. At this point, all the bickering between us is both exhausting and exciting. For whatever messed up reason, I’m enjoying getting a rise out of him as much as he seems determined to embed himself in my life. After yesterday, there’s no denying how my off-handed comment about him being a simple lay affected him. Which just makes every comeback I have up my sleeve that much more lethal.
“On the contrary. When my girl doesn’t welcome me back with open arms, it stings a little.”
“I’m not your girl,” I grind out, spinning around to face him with malice in my eyes. “I haven’t been for a long time.” Luckily, the small platform that lines the bar gives me a little more height than my five foot six inches, but not even that can overcome the difference between us.
Roman’s eyes glitter with determination, his lips glistening from where he’s just ran his tongue across them. He reaches out to trace a finger along my jaw, slowly dipping down the column of my neck until it rests on the exposed area of my chest. His eyes wander, and I can immediately tell what thoughts are crossing his mind.
Admittedly, when I chose this outfit, I thought of Roman. The tight, black, bandage wrap-style dress clings to my body, the hem hitting mid-thigh. The halter-neck straps allow the material to plunge to my navel while still covering the mostimportant parts. I’m not ashamed to admit that when I pulled this from my wardrobe, I wanted to tease and taunt Roman. It’s just another immature way for me to stick it to him, because I meant what I said. We’re done.
I never said I was done tempting the devil, though.
