My eyes watered as I passed others heading in the same direction, crossed over streets, and turned a corner onto Massachusetts Avenue. The lighted sign for Rumors jutted out from the building. I sniffled as I entered a dim hallway. A burly bouncer sat on a stool at the entrance to the club, checking IDs. According to the club’s website, a person had to be eighteen or older to enter.
I unzipped my jacket, flipped my hair over my shoulder, dug into my jeans pocket, and removed my ID and money. I had two IDs. My driver’s license for Miami had all my real information. I’d also had a fake one made with a picture of me in the red wig and green contacts just in case. Tonight though, I carried my real ID. I handed it to the bouncer.
He pointed a small flashlight at my license. “Ten dollars.”
After I paid and he slapped a band around my wrist, I went in. The beat of the music grew louder. One of the things I despised about nightclubs was the noise level when I wanted to carry on a conversation. I was more than curious how Dillon and I would chat or do business in a nightclub. Although, when I thought about it, a dark, loud, and crowded room was the best place for us to do the exchange. The majority of people at the club were there to party and dance. They wouldn’t be paying attention to Dillon and me.
I held out my wrist to another bouncer who had a double chin, standing guard at the arched doorway. Strobe lights of red, green, and yellow whipped around the packed club. He sized me up, his gaze lingering on my cleavage. I’d worn a simple white V-neck T-shirt over a pair of skinny jeans with army boots laced up over them. I didn’t mind when guys swept their gazes over me. But when they lingered too long on one spot, mainly my boobs, I wanted to tell them to screw off. Instead I scowled.
“You can check your coat right over there.” He stabbed a finger behind me.
“No thanks. I’m a bit chilled.” My body was still cold from the trek there.
I entered the club, merging into the crowd of gyrating people. The beat of the music pounded in my ears while people bumped into me. As I skirted around couples feeling each other up, I scanned the room for Dillon. He’d texted me earlier to let me know he would be in one of the booths. So I slipped through an opening to the perimeter where booths lined the back wall. I passed each one, quickly checking faces. Fortunately, each table sported a lit candle, making it somewhat easy to discern features.
As I approached the last booth nestled in the far corner, Kelton’s voice floated by, extremely close. My heart stopped. I froze with my eyes fixated on a bald guy in the corner booth. His lips moved as he talked to someone I couldn’t see sitting across from him.
Shoot! Would Kelton recognize me after all these years? I wanted to think that he wouldn’t. However, knowing Kelton, he didn’t forget anything. I swore if he examined me up close he would see the gold speck in my left eye. It’s a dark room. He won’t see it. Besides, he’s probably here with his girlfriend, so he won’t give me a second glance. I couldn’t take that chance. Dillon had already questioned if I knew Kelton. If I gave Dillon any hint of knowing the sexy Maxwell, the deal would be off.
Kelton’s voice was practically on top of me. “I’m looking for Dillon Hart. Is anyone in this booth Dillon?” he asked.
I quickly peeked over my shoulder. Kelton had exchanged the tuxedo for a tight-fitting Hinder Band T-shirt showcasing his bulging biceps and frayed jeans that hung low on his hips.
“Thanks,” he said. When he moved to the next table, his eyes met mine.
Shit! Shit! I stood like a zombie in between the table Kelton was about to approach and the corner booth. He held my gaze for the briefest of seconds, cocking his head to one side until a girl skirted between us. I started to duck into the melee of dancing fools when a strong hand settled on my shoulder.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” a male voice said, his breath tickling my neck.
I tensed, ready to kick and punch, only to turn and find Dillon, smirking. His skull nose ring glinted from a strobe light.
Before I could say a word, his hands were in my hair and his mouth was on mine, hot and urgent. I mashed my lips together, about to push him away, as Kelton continued his search for Dillon. “Are any of you Dillon Hart?”
I sucked in a sharp breath. Dillon took that as his cue to push his tongue into my mouth. He pulled me closer to his hard body as he continued to kiss me. If it weren’t for his strength—and my reluctance to make a scene—I would’ve kneed him in the balls. Fortunately, he was keeping Kelton from noticing me.
He explored my mouth as he held my face in his hands. Suddenly, Kelton’s voice dulled as I got lost in Dillon’s sensual web. I began kissing him back, tasting spearmint as my tongue touched his.
He groaned, abandoning my mouth for my ear. “You’re much more beautiful with dark hair.” His voice was husky. “I know you want to crush my balls, but I didn’t plan this. I saw you panic. You said that dude was a creeper.”
“So you’re saving me?” Each word came out on a breath. “Kelton is looking for you. Not me. And news flash. I can handle myself.”
He chuckled. “I don’t doubt that.”