False Lines (Blurred Lines Volume 7) Page 3

She opens the black velvet box. Her fingers run over the pearls. “Put them on me.”

  Her request, so sure, so true, is almost my undoing.

  I take them from the box without a word and clasp the necklace around her neck. The pearls look beautiful against her cream skin. “If you stop wearing these pearls, I’ll know you’re through with me and my bullshit and I’ll stop coming around.”

  She fingers the clit ring. “And this?” Her voice shakes.

  I take it from her and smile, then slide it over her clit. She gasps with pleasure. I flick it and her eyes go wide.

  “You’d better go or I’m going to make you stay.” Her voice is hard and soft at the same time. She’s trying to be strong.

  I lean down and kiss her luscious lips. “I won’t be far.” I touch her face one last time and hurry out.

  Lincoln is waiting just outside the doors. “You’re cutting it close,” he says, and I nod.

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  I watch Cruze return to the main floor of the club from another door. He’s been out smoking and doing God knows what else. I had Lincoln pay the two strippers to keep him occupied. Every time I see him I want to punch him in the fucking face.

  I pick up my pink thong, use it to clean myself up, and throw it in the trash. Cruze comes in as I’m adjusting my dress. “You were gone a while,” I say. “Did you get your smoke break?”

  “I did,” he says, smiling. Both of his hands are full: a bottle of bourbon in one hand and two glasses in the other. Behind him is the waitress carrying a tray of food. The stripper with short, dark hair walks in after her.

  Cruze sees her and his eyes narrow. “I asked for the blond with the red bows on her thigh highs,” he snaps at the waitress.

  The stripper smirks and turns to walk away.

  “Actually, I prefer this one.” I give her a smile and she lifts an eyebrow.

  “Really?” John says, giving the stripper another once over.

  “My name is Beth,” she says, sauntering up to me and running her fingers along my back.

  “Hi, Beth,” I say and walk over to the couch and sit. I can’t help but wonder if Beth coming up here is Zane’s doing. I’ll probably never know.

  Cruze joins me on the couch. The waitress sets the food on the table in front of us. It’s steak and potatoes, and it smells delicious. I realize I’m starved. I pat Cruze’s knee. “Did you want the blonde to come up as well?”

  A huge grin spreads across his face. “Send up the blond too and put it all on my tab.”

  “Yes, Mr. Cruze.” She walks over to a stereo, turns the music up, and leaves.

  Beth climbs up on the stage. She’s dressed in a slutty business suit. She has on stripper heels, no thigh highs, and a dark gray skirt that’s super short. It slits up to her waist on one side. She has on a matching jacket with nothing on underneath. Beth starts to move slowly, keeping her eyes on me. I smile kindly, but I’m more interested in the steak.

  Cruze hands me some utensils.

  “Thank you,” I say, unwrapping them and setting the napkin on my lap.

  He rubs my back, his eyes flicking to Beth. She’s squatted so her panty-less pussy is directly in our faces. “You’re welcome.” He clears his throat and tries to focus on his food.

  I dig into my steak.

  Cruze takes a bite and chews slowly. His eyes never leave the stripper. As soon as the blonde walks in he pushes his plate away.

  She has on a tiny white cheerleader top that’s see through. Her nipples poke through the material. Around her hips is a tiny red and white cheerleader skirt. She still has on her thigh highs and red Mary Janes. In one hand she carries small pompoms.

  Her name is Kiki, apparently.

  When Kiki climbs on stage, she immediately bends over and it’s apparent she’s isn’t wearing panties either. I can’t help but wonder if this is normal for the VIP rooms or if they’ve done this special for The Hottest Man on the Planet.

  Cruze lets out a heavy breath. “Damn,” he says, placing a hand on my thigh. The girls smile.

  Kiki asks, “What would you like us to do for you, Mr. Cruze?”

  I look at him, curious about what he’ll say.

  His eyes meet mine. “This is all in fun, right? That’s what you said.”

  I shrug. “Sure.” I put another piece of steak in my mouth. Chew and swallow. It goes down like lead.

  Cruze’s hand slides further up my leg. “Touch each other,” he commands the strippers. His fingers find the pearl clit ring and his eyes get wide. “God, you’re sexy,” he whispers, kissing the tip of my ear.

  I can’t help but smile. “So are you,” I say, noticing the bulge pressing against his jeans.

  Kiki giggles, her eyes on Cruze’s hand—the one that’s up my dress. I’m guessing she’s imagining his hand up her skirt. Beth rolls her eyes, but Cruze doesn’t notice. His eyes are on Kiki’s enormous breasts.

  The strippers touch their chests together, nipples touching nipples through their clothes and they cup each other’s asses and grind their pussies together to the music.

  It’s erotic, even a little hypnotic. Cruze is playing with my pearl clit ring. I don’t even think he realizes the sensations he’s sending through my pussy.

  Kiki undoes Beth’s jacket and takes one of Beth’s nipples in her mouth. Beth gasps and grabs hold of Kiki’s pigtails.

  The air in the room suddenly changes. It’s charged with sexual tension. Kiki looks up. Beth smirks and pushes Kiki to her knees: Lick my pussy. Kiki rips off Beth’s skirt, then she leans forward and lick’s Beth’s slit. Beth pulls on Kiki’s pigtails, egging her on. Kiki slides her tongue down Beth’s slit and back up. Cruze and I are watching, mesmerized. My pussy is wet and I’m surprised I’m so turned on by the strippers.

  Beth reaches her hands above her head and grabs the pole. That spreads her thighs wide, giving Kiki easy access. It also gives Zane and I a clear shot of her pussy. It’s creamy and pink.

  Beth looks at Kiki and then at Cruze. “Do you want Kiki to fuck me with her tongue?”

  Cruze groans and slides a finger inside me.

  I gasp.

  “Yes,” he says, his voice hoarse.

  I spread my thighs wider, giving Cruze easier access to my pussy. Beth notices. Her eyes get wide and she licks her lips.

  “Kiki, fuck me with your tongue,” she says, her eyes never leaving Cruze’s hand and my pussy.

  I spread even wider as my thighs begin to ache.

  Kiki leans in and sticks her tongue inside Beth’s opening, her head moving in a rhythmic motion. She grabs Beth’s ass and pulls her closer. Beth moans. I stifle a moan. I’m so fucking hot. I peel my eyes away from Kiki and Beth. Cruze is fucking me with the finger of one hand and rubbing himself with the other. I move my hand over to him.

  He unbuttons his pants and I stick my hand inside. “Fuck,” he says, when my hand closes over him.

  Beth smiles and bites her lip harder. “What else would you like Kiki and I to do?” She glances at me. “We could fuck your friend.” Her voice sounds hopeful.

  Cruze looks at me. I shake my head. It might be fun, but my rules are still deeply ingrained and I have no idea where those mouths have been. I don’t want them on my pussy. I don’t want their tongues inside me. But fuck it’s hot.

  “I want you to undress Kiki and tongue fuck her,” Cruze says. His cock has released precome and I use it to make my hand slippery so that I can slide my palm and fingers around his cock.

  Beth and Kiki stand. The song changes to one that’s slower. They move to the music. Beth helps Kiki out of her see through top and skirt. She moves over to the pole. Her eyes are on my hand and Cruze’s giant cock. She gives him a sultry smile and spreads her thighs. Beth moves in to tongue fuck her.

  Someone lets out a cough-gasp behind us. “What the fuck is going on? And why wasn’t I invited?” Her words are slurred.

  The strippers stand. Cruze and I remove our hands from each othe
r. I turn just in time to see Jessica trip over air and fall into the room. Behind her are several of our friends. Two help Jessica stand. I readjust my dress. Cruze zips his pants and pulls his shirt over himself.

  “Hey, Jessica,” I say, smiling sweetly. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

  She wags her finger. “You two.” She takes a wobbly step toward the couch. “Are total sluts.” Then she gives Cruze a hard stare. “And you’re a lot more fun than I thought.”

  Cruze clears his throat. “Of course I am,” he says, giving me a sideways glance.

  Jessica smirks, takes another drink, looks at the strippers, and says, “Ladies, don’t stop on my account.” She tries to climb on stage and nearly falls.

  Kiki reaches out and grabs her. “Steady, girl. I’d hate it if you hurt that gorgeous ass of yours.”

  Jessica giggles.

  After Jessica and the others show up, the rest of the night is less sexual but more fun. We dance, drink, and dance some more. By the time I put a wasted Jessica into a cab at two thirty, she’s made out with Cruze twice. He pushes her away both times, but Jessica is persuasive. He tries to apologize but I tell him not to worry. That’s Jessica.

  She takes what she wants.

  When we get back to the hotel I take a quick shower, stow my pearl necklace and clit ring in their box, and fall into bed. Cruze is already asleep. He drank a lot too and he has to get up early for work.

  I lay there, listening to Cruze breathe, and I can’t help but think about Zane.

  “I adore you,” he’d said. And the look on his face? I knew he meant it. I’d told him I adored him too, but it felt like more. It feels like more.

  Goddamn, I’ve never felt like this. I’m not sure if it’s some kind of lusty haze, just me wanting what I can’t have or if I truly have feelings for him. It’s seems impossible. Highly improbable. My heart beats faster and I can’t deny that I’m feeling something, something that has nothing to do with fucking or sex or lust or more fucking. But doing those things with Zane is incredible too. Shit. I think I actually like being around Zane.

  What. The. Fuck.

  When Cruze’s alarm goes off at six in the morning, I’ve decided one thing. I need some time away from Cruze and Zane. I need some time by myself.

  After Cruze showers and is dressed, I break the news over breakfast.

  “I’m going to move into my house today.”

  He stops buttering his toast. “Why? Did I do something? Was last night too much fun?” His face is filled with worry.

  “No. Not at all.” I kiss him as a way of soothing his ego.

  “What then?” He goes back to buttering his toast.

  “So much has happened lately. I feel like I’m just flitting from one thing to the next.” I didn’t say what I really meant, which was that I was flitting from one man to the next. I hadn’t had a chance to really find out what I was feeling. “With my brother dying…” I let the sentence trail off.

  “Okay,” he says, taking a bite of toast and chewing. I watch his mouth move, mesmerized. He is a fantastic lover, a fantastic guy. I wish I knew what the fuck my problem is. Zane is bad. He did something so awful, he’s in hiding. Why would I want a man like him? Not when I have this gorgeous man in front of me, sharing his space, his life, his feelings… all of himself.

  After Cruze swallows, he continues, “I understand.” He stands, brushes nonexistent crumbs off his lap, and gulps down the rest of his orange juice. “We’ve been taking things really fast. It went from a fuck to flirting to a date to living together. How about we go back to flirting and dating?”

  I take a sip of tea. “I’d like that.” I’m not hungry, so I push my scrambled eggs around, moving them from side to side on my plate. “We’ll take things slow.”

  He nods. “By your house, you’re talking about Zane’s house, right?” His voice is harsh and I realize he isn’t being sweet about this, but is actually upset.

  “It’s my house. Zane gave it to me and Zane is gone.”

  He pushes in his chair. “Sure. Whatever you have to tell yourself, Cade.”

  I sigh. “Shit, Cruze. I’m not trying to hurt you or make you mad. I just really need some time to myself.” I throw the napkin in my lap on the plate along with my fork. I’m just wasting time anyway.

  “Of course.” He picks up his cell phone and walks to the door. “I’ll call you.”

  The door to the hotel slams. I know I should be upset. He is a sweet guy. He also has an ego that needs constant stroking. So yeah, he’s kind and caring, but he can also be a self-centered ass. Instead of feeling upset, I’m actually relieved.

  It’s time to live on my own for a while.

  I pack up my stuff and take a cab to Zane’s house. The drive is uneventful, though long. The cab driver has country music twanging through the speakers. He sings along at random moments.

  I’m doing my best to ignore him. My eyes are focused on the landscape beyond the thick traffic. The houses, office buildings, palm trees… a giant billboard of John and Scarlett. His shirt is undone, flashing his perfect chest and abs. Her hand is on his chest and she’s looking up at him like she’d gladly have his babies. Cruze’s hand is bent at the elbow, his hand up like he’s carrying a platter of food. Instead is a ghostly outline of a buxom naked woman. The way she’s sitting and her shape reminds me of those women on the mud flaps of truck drivers. The caption reads: When he isn’t handling his supernatural clients, he’s romancing the world’s hottest women.

  I snort. The cab driver hears and raised a questioning eyebrow, catching my gaze in the rear view mirror.

  “Don’t worry about it,” I say, turning away.

  He shrugs and belts out the chorus along with the singer on the radio.

  After what seems like forever he pulls up in front of Zane’s house. He puts the car in park and says, “That’ll be sixty bucks.”

  I hand him eighty and get out.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he replies.

  “You’re welcome.”

  The man jumps out of the cab and helps me with my luggage.

  I ring the doorbell and Rita answers. She’s wearing a bright red apron.

  “Hi,” I say, hoping she’s happy to see me.

  A big smile fills her face. “I wondered when you’d show up.” She pulls me into a hug. “Come on, let’s get your things inside.”

  I allow her to help me with my bag even though I totally could’ve handled it myself.

  We take my things upstairs. Rita walks the suitcase into Zane’s room.

  “No,” I say hastily.

  Rita looks at me strangely.

  “I can’t sleep in there without him,” I add, unable to help but remember Zane and me in there. The things we did together.

  Her features soften as though she understands. “Okay. I have the perfect room.” She walks past me and heads further down the hall, stops in front of a door, and turns the knob. “Go ahead.” She pushes the door open.

  I remember this room. I loved it the first time I saw it. It’s filled with light. The furniture consists of clean lines. There’s a bed, a dresser, two small nightstands, and a window seat. The wall the white headboard leans against is painted violet-red. The other three walls are a light gray, as is the ceiling. There’s a chandelier over the bed. The large shade is made of ornately carved chrome. In the center are curved steel bars with lights and shimmering crystal beads.

  The bedding is the shade of the accent wall and is simple. Above the bed is a large painting broken up into four pieces. Together it makes a cherry blossom. Very beautiful.

  “This is gorgeous,” I say, turning back to Rita.

  She nods. “I thought you’d like it.”

  I don’t set anything down. “Who stayed here?” I ask.

  A dark worry quickly crosses her face. “It doesn’t matter. The room has been completely redecorated. No one has even slept on the bed.”

  I want to know more, but it’s obvious Rita isn’t shar
ing. So I set my smaller bag at the foot of the bed and unzip it.

  Directly across from the bed is a bathroom, and to the right is what looks like a walk-in closet.

  Rita follows my gaze. “I’ll have your things moved from Johnny’s room to this one… if this suits you.”

  I nod. “It’s perfect. Thank you, Rita.”

  “Of course.” She rolls the suitcase over to the closet. “When you’re finished, come downstairs. I baked apple pie and you’re welcome to have a piece.”

  My stomach growls. It has to be close to lunchtime and I haven’t eaten. “I’ll be right down,” I tell her, smiling.

  She comes over and gives me a quick hug. I stand stupidly a moment before I remember my manners and hug her back.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she says, wiping a tear from her eye. “I know he’ll be glad you’re here too.”

  I kiss her cheek. She brings out the adoration in me, I guess. “Thank you so much, Rita.”

  She blushes and waves a hand over her face. “I’ll see you downstairs in a few.”

  When she leaves, I quickly unpack my makeup bag. The bathroom has the same décor as the bedroom: An accent wall, a smaller version of the chandelier, and gray painted walls. The towels are a mixture of violet-red, gray, and white. There are three steps up to the oversized jetted bathtub and I suddenly long to soak in it.

  Maybe tonight.

  First, I’ll have pie.

  Then I’ll work a few hours.

  After that, a luxurious fucking bath.

  I’m fucking pissed and I’m not sure why. It could be that Cadence decided to go live in Zane’s house. Maybe it’s because she wants to take our relationship slow. Possibly it’s because I’ve been honest with her. For the first time in my life there’s been no games. I care about her. That in and of itself is a surprise.

  She’s a prostitute. That usually isn’t conducive to relationships. She’s a brunette. Small chested. My past is littered with blonds with big boobs. It’s my thing. Some men prefer the ass. I’ve always preferred the breasts.

  Cadence is everything I never knew I wanted. Her breasts are smaller. She has brown hair. Beyond the physical discrepancies there’s her previous employment and her knack for saying whatever the fuck pops into her head. She doesn’t have a filter.