NINE
Yalda was enveloped in the LED glow of the luxurious nightclub. The ambiance was just what she needed, and the almost palpable energy that pulsated through every corner had her wanting to relax already. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of premium cocktails, soft murmurs of conversations, cool music, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter. The sultry voice of the DJ had her smirking as she made her way over to one of the lounges by the corner.
The plan was simple; she would have some cocktails, join the others on the dance floor, and have as much fun as she needed to unwind. Her smirk remained in place as she caught sight of quite a number of eyes watching her with interest. Every now and then, it was good to be reminded of how hot and wild she could be.
She settled down, one shapely leg crossed over the other, and her teasingly short dress rode up her thick thighs almost provocatively. Her gaze traveled around with interest as she waited for her order to arrive. She had only just arrived, yet she was feeling rather relaxed; even the sight of hot ladies being felt up by even hotter men didn’t bother her much. Perhaps she was contented with just watching.
“Waiting for someone?” An unfamiliar masculine voice spoke smoothly.
She inclined her head to see who it was; a devastatingly good-looking man with blue eyes which reminded her of obsidian. He had dark brown hair which was almost black, and a chiseled jaw that seemed almost impossible. He was handsome, yes, and he was dressed well, but it didn’t mean she would swoon in his presence.
She shook her head. “No,” she replied simply.
“Your company left then?” he asked.
She didn’t like how he loomed over her; she didn’t like how it made her feel small and almost…inferior. She didn’t like that it stirred something within her; something that had to do with the volatile area between her legs.
“No,” she replied once more, her tone sharper than she intended it to be.
A smirk curved his lips, and he regarded her with those eyes of his. “You’re alone,” he said as though he found it hard to believe, “May I join you then?”
She considered her options; she could turn him down and he’d leave her to enjoy her evening on her own, or she could simply let him join her since something about him intrigued her. Now that she thought of it, her plans were rather crappy; there was no fun dancing on her own.
She nodded.
“Where’s your company?” she asked as he took a seat beside her.
The fragrance of his expensive cologne snaked its way into her nostrils, and she found herself subconsciously dragging in a deep breath. He glanced at his wristwatch as he crossed one leg over the other elegantly.
“On their way,” he replied. “As a matter of fact, they should be here anytime soon.”
She nodded simply.
“So, what do you drink?” he asked her as he inclined himself to face her fully.
She smirked. “I ordered already,” she replied. “As a matter of fact, my drinks should be here anytime soon.”
He chuckled, and the fact that it didn’t sound humorless caused her to smile.
“You know, you seem very familiar,” he said.
She rolled her eyes lightheartedly. Was he really going to ruin his charms by using such cliché lines?
“You and I both know that’s not true,” she said.
He laughed. “No, really. I think I’ve seen you before,” he told her.
She shrugged. “A lot of people look like me,” she told him.
A sinister smirk curved his lips. “I know a lot of people,” he replied. “And I never forget a face.”
How long did he intend to go on with this?
“If you say so,” she said simply.
He waved his hand dismissively, and she couldn’t help but notice the prominent veins on his very masculine hand. She found herself squirming slightly.
“I’m Jaxon, Jaxon Cole,” he said. “Let me guess, you’re Laila.”
She was about to say something when an all too familiar voice spoke first.
“Try Yalda.”
Her head whipped around immediately and her heart stilled on seeing Alexander making his way around the seat with a pretty redhead hanging on his arm wantonly. His cold gaze locked on her, and she felt frozen; she felt her breath faltering.
What was he doing here?
“Ah, Ander, took you long enough.”
Her gaze snapped back to Jaxon’s when he spoke again. They knew each other? Was this some sort of joke?
“Why Yalda though?” Jaxon asked unsuspectingly.
“Because it suits her perfectly,” Alexander replied as he settled down beside Jaxon. They shook hands fondly before his gaze snapped back to hers. “Don’t it, Ms. Harris?”
Realization dawned on Jaxon, and he laughed while shaking his head. “The world is either really small or I just know everyone in it,” he said. “I knew you looked familiar.”
Yalda forced down the lump that had formed in her throat before breathing in deeply to regain her composure. “You two know each other?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes. We went to Cambridge together,” he answered. “And if I remember correctly, you’re his secretary.”
Fuck…
It seemed the whole bloody world was against her having fun and unwinding.
She nodded.
“Pleasure making your acquaintance, Yalda Harris,” he said as he offered his hand for a handshake.
She cleared her throat quietly as she reached out and shook his hand almost awkwardly.
Her gaze flickered back to Alexander’s, and she found him watching her with those dark and demeaning eyes of his. Beside him was his whore for the evening, glaring daggers at her. She lowered her gaze to her thighs as she tried her best to get over the sudden encounter.
“Well, the evening just got better. Let’s drink,” Alexander said. “It’s fucking Friday night.”
As if on cue, a waiter came bearing her drinks. He set them down efficiently before straightening up to face Alexander and Jaxon.
“And what will you be drinking, sirs?” he asked them.
“A Diamond Martini.”
“Millionaire’s Mojito.”
Alexander and Jaxon replied respectively.
“And what will the lady be having?” he asked.
“I’ll have what she’s having,” the redhead replied. Yalda found her drawly tone disgusting.
“Great. Diamond Martini, Millionaire’s Mojito, and a Cranberry Spritzer coming right up,” he said before he turned around and walked away.
A moment of heatedly awkward silence stretched before Jaxon spoke again. “It’s fucking Friday night indeed.”
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