“Holy shit, she looked ready to gobble you up,” Nate muttered, releasing her hand.
Janelle pushed away from him, grabbing the martini and drinking half of it in one gulp. She needed the alcohol if she was going to be able to make it through tonight. “This place is intense.”
“Sorry.” Nate winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t. You’ve been nothing but a gentleman.” And it was true, he had been. For the most part.
But the look he just shot in her direction made her think he had other, less-gentlemanly intentions toward her. “I should’ve warned you.”
“I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” She lifted her chin, hoping she looked strong.
Nate chose to ignore her last statement. “Are you ready to go look for Ginger?”
“I’m a little nervous now. That woman was ready to attack me.” Janelle smoothed the synthetic hair away from her face, trying to calm her frazzled nerves.
“You’ll be fine. Just put on the mask and look around for a few minutes. She’ll leave you alone, don’t worry about it.”
Janelle slipped the mask on, adjusting it so she could see. Nate watched her, eyes smoldering. He licked his lips, his tongue dragging across his lower lip doing strange things to her insides. She scrambled out of the booth, desperate for some distance.
“You look like a completely different person,” he said, his voice husky, his gaze drifting over her. Prickles of awareness washed over her heated skin at his unabashed appraisal and she wished she’d had more to drink.
She was in for a long night.
“Is it true, what you said to her earlier?” She didn’t know why she asked.
“Is what true?” He glanced up, his dark brows drawn together.
“That you don’t share.” She’d enjoyed hearing the possessive tone in his voice, the way he drew her to him and held her close, though she knew it was faked.
Would he be possessive in bed, demanding? Would he consume her, show her in no uncertain terms that she belonged to him and no one else? The idea of belonging to him, being possessed by him sent a thrill coursing through her that was hard to deny.
His eyes flared, never leaving hers as he shook his head slowly. “I never share. What’s mine is mine.”
“Right. I get it,” she said weakly, aroused beyond belief. Her nipples were hard aching points, rubbing against the silk of her dress since she wore no bra and her panties were soaked. All because of what he said, how his demanding words made her feel. “I’ll be back.”
Janelle rushed away before he could say anything else. Not like she’d become his. No man had ever tried to take over her life—she wouldn’t let them.
Her earlier thoughts of Nate possessing her dissipated and logic set in. She wasn’t a piece of property to be bartered over and traded at whim. She left that sort of thing up to her sister and a long time ago, her mother who’d believed the promises every sleazy man had made her.
Not Janelle, though. Never her.
The club buzzed with the low murmurings of conversation, the clinking of glasses accompanied by the sexy beat of the music. Janelle headed toward the bar, her gaze darting in scattered directions, hoping for a glimpse of Ginger.
Everyone was dressed up, especially the employees, making it hard for her to truly see anyone. Women wore elaborate masks covered in glitter, sequins and feathers, clad in revealing lingerie, Janelle felt downright overdressed in comparison.
Approaching the bar, she pasted on her most seductive smile, flashing it at the bartender when he turned.
“Hi, there.” He winked, propping both hands on the edge of the counter. “What can I get you?”
“Oh, I’m not thirsty.” She threw back her shoulders and thrust her chest out. His eyes dropped immediately to her displayed cleavage. “I’m looking for someone.”
“Honey, I can be of service to any of your needs.” The bartender grinned and Janelle had to admit he was cute.
Though he wasn’t nearly as gorgeous as the man who waited for her.
“I’m looking for a woman. I think she might work here.” She caught a flicker of disappointment in the man’s eyes.
“Go on.” He nodded his encouragement.