“What?”
“Never mind.” He snickers at his own private joke and removes his hand from mine to shake off whatever it is, leaving me to wonder what he meant by that comment.
“So how did everything go with your project today?” I ask once we walk on the elevator, a clear attempt to distract myself from the ride down to the lobby.
“It went okay. We’ve still got quite a bit of work to do, but we’ll get it done.” Matt’s got a wicked grin on his face and I need to know what’s behind it.
“What’s the look for? Something you need to get off your chest?” I ask, pushing my hair over my shoulder.
“It was hard today. I was distracted,” he admits, suddenly unable to meet my eyes.
I cock a brow, placing a hand on my hip. “I bet,” I tease with a flirtatious smile, thankful he can’t see my gaze raking over his body.
“Let’s go, feisty,” he says, as the elevator doors open to the lobby and we spot Peyton and Caleb just beyond the entrance to the hotel.
“Hey, kids,” I utter once we get outside, interlocking arms with Caleb and Peyton as Matt waits on the valet. “Ready to party?”
“I’m always ready to party,” Caleb retorts, “and I heard this bar we’re going to is pretty hoppin’. It’ll be a bit of a change from Manhattan, but I think you’ll like it. LA is where it’s at, after all.”
“Ha!” Peyton returns his jab. “Dream on. New York City is where it’s at. You guys should know that.”
When the car comes into view, she leans over to whisper in my ear. “Sit in the back with me, okay.”
I nod and when Matt opens the door for me, I point to the back seat with my finger. “I’m going to sit in the back with Peyton. You know, girl time,” I add.
“Okay,” he responds, but drags a hand through his hair and presses his lips together tightly, in disappointment maybe?
He closes the door behind me and as soon as it shuts I turn to Peyton. “So what’s up? Are you okay?”
“Caleb turn up the music,” she says, before focusing her attention back on me. “So remember that guy Nick I dated, the son of my mom’s friend? Well, I guess he’s been looking for me. My mom called and said he came around for a visit and asked about me. You know how my mom just adored him,” she says sarcastically. “Lawyer, loaded, comes from a well-to-do family, none of which I’m interested in. I keep telling her I can make my own money. Do you know what she said to me?” Her nostrils flare and she fists her hands in her lap. “She said, ‘how much money do you expect to make as a graphic designer?’ To which I replied, ‘Design Manager, Mom.’ Ugh. She’s so annoying.”
“I’m sorry. I wish she paid more attention, Peyton. You deserve that. I do remember Nick though and you weren’t into him, anyway.” I sense eyes on me and peek up to see Matt glancing in the rearview mirror. I give him the Queen’s wave and he laughs. “So who are you into?” I poke her with my elbow and she smiles, gesturing a finger at Caleb under the radar.
“I want to be into him, tonight,” she whispers, “or maybe I want him to be balls deep into me.”
I throw my head back as I shake with laughter, the volume on the music suddenly lowering around us.
“What are you two cackling about?” Caleb asks, angling his head to get a better look at us, his eyes flicking back and forth between Peyton and me.
“Balls,” I reply, and we both hunch over practically spitting out a laugh.
“Well, that sounds like a conversation I can participate in,” he says in that cocky way of his and that makes Peyton and me lose it a bit more.
By the time we arrive at our destination I have a cramp in my side from laughing so hard. We climb out of the car and get in a line that’s practically wrapped around the block. There’s an eclectic group of people waiting, some dressed in jeans and t-shirts, others in what looks like couture fashion, and some even in leather. It makes for good people watching.
Caleb cuts in line and walks right up to the bouncer who stands about six-foot-four and is covered in tattoos, with bulging biceps and a shaved head. He’s built like a brick wall and seemingly not one to be reckoned with, although that doesn’t stop Caleb who slaps him on the shoulder. “Leon, what the hell are you doing here?” he greets, and I smile because I can’t help thinking only Caleb could get away with that.
“Caleb, my man, what’s up?” He lifts Caleb off the ground into a giant bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out of him.
“I thought you were working over at Tundra?” Caleb asks when his feet finally hit the ground again.
“Yeah, I was,” the baritone voice responds, “but I wasn’t happy with the management so I came here.”
“Cool. So can you do me a solid and get the four of us in?”
Leon nods at the door and opens the velvet rope so we can pass. “Enjoy.” He tips his head and gives us the once over as Peyton and I walk by. “Ladies.”
“Caleb, your connections never cease to amaze me,” Matt screeches over the roar of the music as we enter the bar.
It’s really dark in here with the exception of dim lighting, allowing me to make out silhouettes, glasses being raised in cheer, and round booths in crushed, red velvet upholstery along the walls. Various tables in crimson surround the dance floor. There’s a lot of red in here and I blink several times to shake off the color and the sharp pain piercing my stomach at the sight of it. Matt’s protective hand goes to my back and it steadies me.
Caleb says something I can’t make out and we continue to follow him past the dance floor and through a door leading into another space. It feels as though I’m no longer at the club. The area we entered has more of a lounge feel. A full fireplace takes up one wall and facing that are various booths and tables in, you guessed it, more red. My head is spinning and my fight or flight instinct is kicking in. I need to stay and fight this. That’s the only way I’m ever going to win.
Caleb snags us a booth against the wall and I slide in first with Matt right behind me. I rub my temple and force my eyes closed to alleviate the buildup of pressure until I feel Matt’s warm breath in my ear and it startles me.
“You okay, sunshine?”
“Yeah. I’m good, thanks, I’ve just got a bit of a headache,” I lie and feel horrible about it, but I’m trying to protest against my overwhelming desire to run.
“Do you want me to find you some Tylenol?” he asks sweetly, even though I’m not sure where the heck he’d find that here.
“No, thanks, really, I’m okay,” I reply, clutching at the table, but the moment his hand touches my back I begin to relax.
“Shots for everyone!” Caleb calls out, and he and Peyton head to the bar.
“So how was the conference today?” Matt asks, one arm draped around the booth while his other hand continues to sketch pictures on my back with his finger.
“It was pretty boring. Honestly, I think they could’ve condensed it into three days, I don’t think they needed four whole days for it. I can’t believe tomorrow’s the last day already. It went by fast.” My eyes lift from a spot on the table and I chance a glimpse at Matt.
He’s quiet for a minute, a pensive look scrolling across his features. “When do you go back to New York?”
“Next Friday. Remember I’m taking an extended vacation.”
His face brightens and his dimple appears. “Good. I can show you around LA some more.”
“On the motorcycle?” I ask, nudging him in the ribs and edging closer to him. I’m anxious to experience that freeing sensation again and be wrapped around him at the same time. It was seriously hot.
“Motorcycle? I thought you were terrified,” he muses, taking a drink of water, and my eyes are glued to his lips as they surround the glass. I need to feel them again.