The Editor's Favorite

Chapter 2

By the time we arrived at the club, it was barely 10 pm and I was feeling a little tipsy in my heels. We made our way to the bouncer, bypassing the line that was literally down the block and around the corner. 

"Lindsey Schumer, Samantha Telesca and Claudia James." 

The bouncer waves us in after checking the list, a quick pat-down, a hand stamp, and a wristband.

"Honestly," Lindsey says in a huff. "My 'purse' is barely big enough to hold a tampon, let alone a bazooka. Bouncers are always so over the top. POTUS isn't here guys." She finishes her rant as she stomps down the hall and up the stairs in her five-inch heels.

As we stepped inside the club, we're hit with a wall of loud music and humid air. With the bass rumbling in my chest, I followed the girls deeper into the club to our VIP table that already had a bottle of champagne chilling on it. Grateful for the electric blue velvet couch, we all sat down and started checking out the scene while Lindsey started working on the foil on the champagne bottle. 

As the waiter came by the table to make sure everything was in order, I caught the tell-tale sign of men enraptured by the sight of my best friends. I agreed with their assessing looks. On a good day, they're beautiful but tonight - they were dressed to kill. 

Lindsey is rocking this tube dress that I could never wear,  but she doesn't have to worry about DD's. Her B cups are cute and perky in her dress. The dress shimmers in the lights thanks to the beading and pattern, but it's how she accessorized that's eye-catching. Five-inch platform Christian Louboutin's perfectly showcase all the leg that is on display as the hem of the skirt stops mid-thigh. Her arms bear her statement-making bangles and her hair falls effortlessly down her back in smooth waves. 

Samantha, never one for heels is wearing her trademark "going out" wedges, leather leggings that look painted on, and a sexy blazer with nothing underneath except for a body chain. I'm sure men are praying the blazer isn't glued down in some way. Her hair is up in an intricate top knot that won’t get in her way while she’s dancing and she tops the whole look off with chandelier earrings that catch the light.

As for me, I'm wearing one of Lindsey's longer party dresses - not that the extra length helps because of the way my body is shaped. I’m more of an hourglass than modelesque Lindsey, “nothing but hips and t**s” as my aunt would jokingly say to me. The dress is the beautiful shade of red that compliments the red lowlights in my hair and skims my curves in a way that makes my ten extra pounds look nonexistent. My look is topped off with peep toe nude pumps, a high bun, and dangling earrings.

I sip my drink as I look at the partygoers enjoying themselves. The dance floor is filled with people, every single one seemingly having a great time getting down to the bassy rhythm. My eyes scanned the room, fixating on a table of men seated on the other side of the VIP section. The men were all clearly coming from work, still in their dress pants and white shirts, but most of them had lost their ties and rolled up their sleeves - all except one. 

He leaned against a pillar nonchalantly sipping his drink. He was the kind of man I daydreamed about but didn't think existed. He was tall, at least six-four, and built on powerful lines. He wasn't thin, which was the latest fashion for men who wore pants tighter than mine. No, this was a man who went to the gym regularly and lifted weights - as a result, he was thick all over. He had dark hair that was a touch too long, I could tell from the way he compulsively shoved it back, and I bet that if it got overly long it would be curly. His lips were full, surrounded by a five o'clock shadow that suggested he might need to shave twice a day to keep his face smooth. And his eyes were...staring right at me. 

"Crap." I turned to Lindsey, embarrassed to get caught staring at this man so openly. I took a deep breath and sip of champagne.

"Who were you..." she trails off as both she and Samantha look up as the mystery man makes his way across the VIP section with his two friends in tow.

"Good evening ladies," says one of the other guys. "I'm Tyler. I’m going to be honest - we saw you beautiful ladies from across the room and decided to shoot our shot. Can we buy you a round of drinks?"

"Yes," Sam says, immediately on the tail-end of his words.

Lindsey and I whip our heads in her direction. Hmmm, isn't that interesting. Samantha is absolutely gorgeous and not at all interested in dating, constantly saying that it would derail her stage career. Interesting that this guy has managed to catch her attention.

"Let's do shots!" Lindsey says excitedly, after a quick questioning glance at Samantha. "We're celebrating my girl and while champagne does a great job, shots do a better one.”

"Shots it is," Tyler, the mystery man who has dubbed himself the leader of their groups says. He turns to Samantha and asks, "Want to help me pick out the alcohol?" 

A man clears his throat as Samantha walks off with Tyler. I turn knowing who it is before I see him. 

"Hi, I'm Darien," he says reaching for my hand. 

"I-I'm Claudia," I stutter as we shake hands. God, did it just get hot in here, or is it me? I mentally slap myself on the forehead. No, bad Claudia, no thinking in cliches. 

"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room," he says in my ear. He's moved in close to be heard over the music. The line is kind of corny, but tipsy me is ok with that. God he smells good, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. 

"Shots are here!" Lindsey says loudly and exuberantly as she and Tyler approach the table with a tray full of alcohol. 

We all line up for our tequila with our salt shakers and limes in hand. 

"To friends, fun, and opportunity!" 

"Cheers!" 

We throwback the shots, sucking on limes to top it off.  

"Do you wanna dance?" Darien turns to me and asks, his voice is smooth as ice and sending shivers down my spine. I glance at Lindsey who shoots me a wink and gestures with her head to the dance floor. 

"I'd love to." I grab a second shot for courage and follow him onto the dance floor. 

Honestly, alcohol is amazing. The combination of shots, champagne, and my earlier pre-game session has completely banished my shyness and is emboldening me to dance like I have no inhibitions. He’s a good dancer, finding the beat easily. We danced to a few upbeat songs, moving seamlessly together and feeling the temperature between us rise with every twist of my hips. 

The DJ switches to a slower song and Darien pulls me into his arms, his hands resting lightly on the small of my back. I lay my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat tap a quick staccato under my ear. 

I inhaled his tantalizing scent and I reveled in the feel of his body against mine. This was a night for "opportunity" Lindsey said, so I’m going to go for it. I look up at his gorgeous face, licking my lips and building my courage. My eyes lock onto his and I slide my hands up his chest to his head, pulling him down as I stand on tiptoe to kiss him. Suddenly his lips are devouring mine as his hands glide around my waist and ass, turning needier as the kiss deepens. 

I shift, bringing him closer as his knee finds its way between my thighs. The friction of his pants gliding between my legs causes me to groan into his mouth and I plunge my fingers into his hair. His tongue is exploring my mouth, twirling around mine seductively as he grips my ass. I can feel my thong getting wet.

Someone bumps into him from behind, jarring us from our impromptu make-out session. I stared at him dazed and so horny I could scream. I can't believe that I forgot we were out in public. On the dance floor no less! 

Darien is breathing hard, staring at me with an intensity I can't name. 

"Come home with me." 

"Yes," I say without hesitation.