"Hey ladies!" He smiled largely.
"Hey," we said in unison.
"Good to see you, girl." He patted my back as I entered the club.
Giving our coats to Nadia, the coat check for the night, we said our hellos and headed further inside.
Easing our way to the bar, we got drinks and chatted with Candy and Tara. They were running the bar tonight. Tara grabbed my hand and pulled it toward her face.
"Candy, check this shit out!"
Candy appeared. "Damn girl! That's a ring! It looks like an antique."
"It was his grandmothers."
"Awwww, that’s so sweet." Tara gave me a sappy look.
After an hour at the bar and quite a few drinks later, Celia and I were behind the bar dancing and making drinks. We were having a great time. Phoebe was singing loudly from her seat atop the bar.
The song changed and we headed to the dancing crowd. Celia, as usual, made the crowd part like she was the queen.
Once we made it to the center, Celia, Phoebe and I began dancing with each other, completely letting loose. Suddenly, Celia's face went from surprise to concern. Before I could turn around, two arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. I flipped around and came face to face with Demitri.
"Hey you," he grinned. I pulled away and his grin fell. I lifted up my left hand. He leaned in to my ear.
"I forgot about that." He kissed my cheek. "Keep in touch with me, okay?" I gave him a look. "As friends, Lilli – just friends." He squeezed my hand and started to walk away.
That's when I saw him, Aidan. Not just any Aidan, furious Aidan. I moved with determination through the crowd. He moved towards Demitri. I reached him just as Demitri was within arm's length.
"Stop," I stood with my hands pressed to Aidan's chest. His eyes stayed fixed on Demitri, anger and jealousy swirling in them. He was still moving, pushing me backward as I pushed against his chest.
"Aidan!" He wouldn't respond.
"Damn it, Aidan!" Shouting, I jumped up and wrapped myself around him. He quickly caught me. His eyes snapped to my face, I was scowling.
"What the fuck was that about?" He jerked his head toward Demitri.
"That was a friend saying hello. I reminded him I was married." I moved to climb off of him, but Aidan wouldn't let me go.
"Let go of me," I snapped.
"I don't want you being friends with him." He furrowed his brow.
"Sorry, but your agreement doesn't dictate my friends, Aidan." I pushed off of his waist.
Walking away, he caught my arm.
"You're with me now." His hand tightened on my bicep.
"No." Pulling away, hurt washed over his face. "I’m with Celia and Phoebe. You crashed my girl's night, not the other way around."
"Wrong. I've been here for almost two hours. And, what do I see? You on the dance floor with your fuck buddy!" He spat.
"Go to hell!" I growled before stalking away. I understood the worry and jealousy, but he didn’t need to treat me like shit.
I found Celia and Phoebe standing at the bar with nervous expressions.
"What happened?" Celia wrapped her arm around me as I told her what went down.
"Lilli, you have to understand, he is –"
"I get it, Phoebe, but he has no right to act like I’ve ever done something that goes against our agreement. And he damn sure doesn't get to claim me on the dance floor of a club." After my tirade, I took a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm sorry, Pheeb, I don't mean to take it out on –"
"I know. It's okay. You're right." She hugged me tightly and handed me a drink.
I downed my drink. Celia pulled us back to the dance floor, even with my reluctant attitude.
Two songs later, I was finally getting back into the mood. When Dixon and Oscar appeared next to Celia and Phoebe, I should’ve automatically assumed Aidan wasn't too far behind.
This time when the arms wrapped around my waist, I could feel the difference; the familiar sexual buzz from where his body touched mine, the lust inducing way his cologne wrapped around me, the way my body responded to his presence.
"I'm sorry," he spoke into my ear, "I'm an asshole."
With a scowl on my face, I turned to look at him.
"I think this might be the first time I agree with you." I smirked.
He pulled me closer to him, chest to chest, and started to move us. No other words were said. We danced and drank. Elora and James arrived later.
Elora joined Celia, Phoebe and me on the floor. We were dancing to one of my favorite songs when Phoebe nudged me and motioned her head my right. All four of the guys were staring at us like we were something to eat. Tossing my head back, I laughed.
Phoebe, then, straddled my leg and ground herself against me. Laughing harder, her motive to drive the men crazy was obvious. Glancing at Elora's surprise filled wide eyed expression, Celia wrapped her arms around her waist and began grinding on her.