My phone buzzes with an incoming text, and it’s my sister to say she’s safely home. I thought it might be Gio, as he’d texted earlier today asking if we could meet. I was tempted to refuse when it’s the first message I’ve had from him in days, and there’re still no calls since he canceled Paris.
My sense of self-preservation is screaming at me not to meet him, but like an addict looking for their next fix, I said I might.
It’s too late to keep my heart safe; I’m already too far in, and that’s probably been the case from the first moment I saw him in his cousin’s pizzeria.
Throwing caution to the wind, or maybe the result of a couple of cocktails, I scroll to his earlier message.
Me:I’m free to meet you now.
Three little dots start bouncing, and then his reply comes through.
Gio:I’m at The Vice Club. Can you meet me here?
The Vice Club. An interesting choice to meet, but at least I’m familiar with it. Not the club itself. I’ve never been to the upper levels, but I’ve visited the members’ gym on level one with Charli a few times since arriving.
Bending closer to Sadie so she can hear me above the loud music, I ask, “Are you ready to go?”
“No, Mark is finishing his shift soon. As the only one of us who hasn’t had hot, steamy sex for nearly a year, I think I’ll indulge in a little fun tonight.”
While Sadie has the looks of an angel, she does have a wild side that matches my own. I give her a quick hug while saying, “You go girl. But stay safe. I’m going to meet a friend, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then, just to be sure, I lean across the bar to say to Mark, “If anything happens to my friend, I’m going to hold you responsible.”
***
The Vice Club is amazing. Bigger, better music, and more vibrant than the club I just left. I’ve not seen so many sequin-encrusted skimpy outfits since the last time I went to Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras. My gold satin halter top, black mini, and ankle boots have me blending in perfectly with the eclectic crowd.
I make my way over to the bar, passing some waiters on the way, who say hi. They think I’m Charli, and with the music pounding, it would be too hard to set the record straight, so I smile back and return the greeting.
At the bar, I slide onto an empty stool and cross one leg over the other, giving my black mini a little tug in the process. A broad-shouldered bartender with a buzz cut turns and smiles.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.” Then, doing a double-take, he says, “Charli?”
“Not Charli. I’m Tori. And you must be Tony?”
He laughs. “I knew Charli had an identical twin, but wow. You really do look so much alike.”
“Not enough to fool you, though?” Most people struggle to tell us apart, but it seems like Tony isn’t most, and even in the bar’s blue lighting, he could spot the subtle differences.
With a wink, he adds, “It’s my job to notice the little things. Now, what can I get you to drink?”
“It has to be one of Charli’s signature cocktails that I’ve heard so much about. But don’t tell my sister that I couldn’t wait for her to make me one.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” he says before turning to make the saffron-infused cocktail.
Taking my phone from my purse, I text Gio to let him know I’m here.
“Are you meeting someone?” Tony asks as he places the pretty tall-stemmed cocktail on the bar in front of me.
“Yes, a friend,” I’m replying when he glances over my shoulder and grins. Firm, familiar hands land on my hips, and I twirl on the stool into Gio’s embrace.
He hugs me close, his hand slipping under my butt to drag me closer as he steps between my legs. My hands stretch up to thread through the hair on the back of his head.
“I missed you,” he murmurs so close to my lips I feel his breath brush them. But his mouth doesn’t claim mine. Instead, he places tiny kisses along my jawline and down my neck. I tilt my head, giving him better access. And dampness floods my panties.
“I missed you too,” I admit breathlessly. “But we should probably take this someplace private before I start stripping you naked.”
“It’s a sex club, bella. It’s what people do here. And if you want to strip me naked, then I’m okay with that.”
