Scandalous (3 page)

Coop groans, face-planting on the table. “Way too much information.”

“For you?” I snort. “After the stories you told me during your escort days?”

“Hey, that was the old me,” he says, pretending to be offended. “I’m a different person now, remember?”

“Sure,” I snicker. “You can take the man out of the whore, but you can’t take the whore out of the man.”

“What does that even mean?” He laughs, shaking his head.

“It sounded better in my head,” I say defensively.

“So, tell me more about this
club
,” Coop says, shoving a piece of bread into his mouth.

I grin, unable to stop memories of last night filtering through my head. “It’s for ordinary people wanting to hook up with strangers. It’s actually really sexy.” I frown, surprised by his response. “Out of all people, you were the person I expected not to judge.”

“Hey, I’m not judging,” he protests, holding up his hands. “You know my past. I’m the last person who can judge. It’s just…” He hesitates.

“Just what?” I ask suspiciously.

“You just discovered the guy you’re seeing owns a sex club, and that doesn’t concern you? You’re not worried about what other little secrets he’s got hidden? You sure you wanna trust the guy?”

“I didn’t just find out about it,” I retort. “I’ve known about it for months.”

“Okay. And before then? Why didn’t he tell you from the beginning?”

“He didn’t tell me because he didn’t know how I’d react,” I reply indignantly. “Are you saying this because you’re my friend and because you want to protect me, or because you’re jealous?”

“I’m not jealous,” he replies, his voice stiff. “I just think you trust too easily. It’s gotten you in trouble in the past, remember?”

Wow. I can’t believe he’s bringing this up.

“If you recall, it was
Roman
who helped me out of that mess,” I spit angrily. I stand up, throwing my napkin down on the table. “I’m going to go. Call me when you’ve gotten over this stupid…whatever the fuck it is.”

Chapter Four

Coop

That went well.

Sighing, I watch her storm out of the restaurant. That came out completely the opposite of how I intended it. As hard as it might be to believe, I am just worried about her, and how little she knows about this guy. Three months shacked up together doesn’t mean you know someone. I’m sure the guy is hiding something major from her. There’s something about him that I just don’t trust. I laugh at my attempts to convince myself that this is all about her and nothing about how I feel.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, half expecting it to be Beth. I’m disappointed when I see it’s Mia. Almost immediately, I feel guilty. I try to push Beth out of my mind as I read Mia’s text.

Mia: Hey. How’s the studying going? Don’t forget to eat something. See you tonight x

I shove the phone back in my pocket and wave down a waitress. I hand her a bill to cover my drink and then stand up. I’m not hungry anymore and not in the mood to study either.

I hadn’t told Mia I was meeting Beth—not because there was anything to hide, but because it always leads to an argument. I get that she’s insecure about how close Beth and I used to be, but after the way I deserted Beth before and what happened…I refuse to let her down again. If Mia can’t understand that, then maybe she isn’t the woman for me.

You should’ve been there for Beth. Instead you were too focused on yourself.

She deserves better than that and I’m determined to make up for how I messed up last time. I shove my phone back into my pocket along with my hands. I have no fucking idea what I’m doing—today or any day. I don’t want to go home, but short of wandering the streets like a fucking idiot, I don’t have many other choices. Going home means facing my life and admitting how unhappy I am. Admitting that maybe I was happier a year ago, back when the only commitments I had were to my clients. I let out a rumbling laugh, ignoring the strange looks it earns me from bystanders. Do I actually miss escorting? Not really. I just miss how easy things were back then.

**

I pull up out front of the house, asking myself for the hundredth time what the hell I’m doing. I’d had an idea and gone with it, and now I’m wondering if it was the stupidest thing I’d done in a while.

I see the curtains roll back as Luke peers out the window.

Too late now.

“Coop. It’s been a while,” Luke exclaims, opening the door. He claps me on the back as I walk inside. “You should’ve told me you were coming by.”

“Yeah, sorry, man. Kind of a last-minute thing. I was hoping I could get your help with something,” I say awkwardly. I haven’t seen him in nearly two years, and now I’m turning up asking for favors?

“Drink?” he asks, holding up a can of beer.

I nod, catching it when he throws it to me.

“What’s the deal? Mindy will be thrilled to hear you stopped by.”

He sits down on the armchair opposite me, folding one leg over the other as he gulps down the contents of his can. When it’s empty, he sighs and crushes the can with his bare hands, throwing it over in the direction of the bin. Without taking a breath, he reaches for another can and cracks it open. I grin and open my own drink, taking a sip as I think about the last time I saw Luke.

In the highlight of my escorting career, Mindy and Luke were a regular couple who liked to use my services. Luke enjoyed nothing more than jacking himself off while I fucked the hell out of his wife.

“You still in the investigation business?” I ask casually.

“I’m not,” he says slowly, “but I know people who are. What do you need? Your chick cheating on you?”

I laugh. “No, nothing like that. Just concerned about a friend. If I give you a name, can you dig some shit up on him?”

“Sure, if there’s anything to dig up. Give me a few days and a few hundred bucks and I’ll have something for you.” He narrows his eyes at me thoughtfully. “So, are you back in the business by any chance? I’m sure Mindy would be keen for a catch-up. You know, for old times’ sake.”

“Sorry, but I don’t think my girlfriend would be down with that.”

Luke shrugs. “Bring her along. The more the merrier.”

I lose it, laughing, the thought of Mia agreeing to a foursome too much for me to handle. “I think I’ll leave it, but I appreciate the offer.”

It’s late by the time I get home, and Mia greets me at the door. I smile as she kisses me, throwing her arms around my neck. My hands rest on her back as I close the door behind me, walking us into the living room.

“You’re late,” she observes, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. I caught up with a friend. I knew you wouldn’t be home early.”

“Sounds nice,” she replies, though her expression isn’t conveying ‘nice.’ She’s wondering if this friend was Beth, but she doesn’t ask me outright. “Thought you would’ve been more focused on studying, considering you have exams soon.”

“I studied all morning,” I lie, rubbing my head. “I’m a big boy, Mia. I can work out my own study schedule, believe it or not.”

“That’s not what I meant—”

“Let’s not fight, okay?” I sigh. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, kissing her neck. She shrugs me off at first, until my charms become irresistible. “I missed you,” I mumble, my fingers toying with the bottom of her skirt.

“I missed you too,” she smiles, her lips finding mine. She groans as I loop my fingers around the sides of her panties and slowly roll them down over her thighs. They fall to the ground and she kicks them aside, placing her arms around my neck.

She unzips my jeans and reaches inside gripping hold of my cock. I’m already hard, but the feel of her touch sends my arousal to a whole other level. I roughly hoist her onto my hips, my cock driving inside of her as I press her against the wall. I groan as I thrust deeper inside of her slick pussy.

“Oh!” she gasps as her fingers clutch at my hair. The bookshelf next to us rattles to the sound of our rhythm. I turn us around and throw her against the door, my cock still inside her, letting all the frustration I’ve built up inside me out. I grunt as my length begins to throb and I know my release is imminent.

Lifting on hand up to her face, I press my lips against hers, the kiss desperate and passionate. She cries out, throwing her head back as I thrust harder.

“Fuck,” I hiss, closing my eyes as I coat her. I kiss her neck, her skin soft, the layer of sweat glistening against the light. I carry her over to the sofa and sit down, her in my lap. She smiles up at me, nuzzling into my embrace. I smile and kiss the top of her head, exhausted from my orgasm.

“At least we can always count on great sex, huh?”

I know she meant it as a joke, but the truth in her comment hits a nerve. Guilt overcomes me and I begin to feel sick. I’m not being fair to her. I need to sort out what I want. I need to get over this obsession I have with being there for Beth and I need to do it now, before it costs me everything.

Chapter Five

Beth

I smile as Roman wraps his arms around me, kissing me on the neck. Slowly, I turn around, my lips meeting his. His late nights are beginning to piss me off, but all the negativity I’m feeling begins to evaporate the moment I see him.

“You’re home,” I grin, kneeling on the couch. I giggle as his hands ride up under my short nightgown.
God, that feels good
. His lips touch my neck, spreading little kisses down to my shoulder blade.

“I am,” he replies in between kisses. “Miss me?”

“Always. But I managed to fill in my day with shoe shopping and ice cream. I caught up with Coop, too,” I add casually. I don’t mention our argument.

“Nice,” he replies, his jaw tensing. “How is he?”

“Good. He asked about you,” I offer, trying to keep the mood neutral.

“I bet he did,” he mumbles under his breath. “So, what do you want to do tonight? Stay in? Go out? I’m yours to do with as you wish.”

My body tingles as his hands creep around my back, stroking my exposed skin.

“Tonight?” I laugh, looking down at my attire. “It’s nearly one a.m. I’m dressed for bed.”

“So go change. Let’s have some fun.” His grip around my waist tightens as his hands brush over my breasts. “I know you like having fun, Beth.”

“Okay! Let’s go out,” I decide, wanting to take advantage of his happy mood. “Maybe we can grab a snack and then go to the club?” I ask, biting my lip and hoping I’m not too transparent. He spends all his time there, and I want to know more about it and what he actually does.

He laughs, combing his fingers through my hair affectionately.

“You’re quite the little kinky girl, aren’t you?” he teases.

“You’re just figuring this out now?” I joke. “Don’t you read the tabloids? I define ‘kink.’”

“Okay. Give me a few minutes to get changed and we’ll go.” He kisses me on the forehead and disappears up the hallway.

I collapse back down on the sofa, a feeling of happiness sweeping through me. But as happy as I am, I can’t get Coop’s words out of my head. How well do I really know Roman?

Coop I’ve known for years. I know every little detail about him. Roman, not so much. Most of the time we spent living together over in LA was me either on set or sleeping. It’s not that I worry he’s hiding anything from me; it’s more that I know less about him than I do about some guys who I’ve dated for a few weeks.

Remembering I’m still in my nightgown, I race down to my room and dig out a short, strapless black dress with a chiffon overlay. I pair it with some silver heels and jewelry. Next I tackle my hair, which has taken on a mind of its own. I run a brush through it and pile it on top of my head, securing it with a few pins. I dig some lip gloss out of my purse and run it over my lips.

“Beth!”

“Coming,” I call back. With one last look in the mirror, I nod at my reflection and then turn and race out the door.

“You know what?” I say suddenly as I slide into the passenger seat of his sleek black BMW. Roman glances at me with raised eyebrows, waiting for me to continue.

“Let’s skip food and go straight to the club.”

“If you insist,” he chuckles. “I don’t need to be concerned with how much you enjoy watching other people fuck, do I?”

“It’s only fun if you’re there with me,” I say, sticking my tongue out. “I was thinking…I’m not working at the moment. Why don’t I help out at the club?”

“You want to work for me?” he laughs. He glances at me in disbelief.

“I don’t want to work for you. I want to help you out.”
And hopefully find out some more about the guy I’m dating…
“Why not? It makes sense. You seem to be overrun with meetings lately. There must be something I can do there to make things easier for you,” I argue.

“I don’t know, Beth…” He looks unconvinced.

“Come on. Don’t you trust me? Am I that bad for business?” I pout, more than happy to play the guilt card if it means getting my way.

“You know it’s not that.” He sighs and shakes his head. “Fine. If that’s what you want, I’ll have Scarlett find you something.”

“Really?” I squeal, grabbing his arm.

“Really,” he laughs. He shakes his head again, his dark eyes twinkling at me.

We arrive at Scandalous, parking out back again. Adrenaline surges through me as I step out of the car, letting Roman take hold of my hand. He chuckles and I turn to him, my eyebrows raised.

“I’m sorry, I just love seeing on your face how much you enjoy coming here.” His lips twitch into a grin. “And I mean that in both ways it could be taken.”

I slap him across the shoulder and laugh, and then weave my arm through his. My anticipation heightens as he leads me through the back entrance. It’s dark again—so dark that I can barely make out the lines of the hallway.

He opens a door and I shield my eyes as light spills into my vision.

“Roman, I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.” Scarlett smiles at him, then me. She throws her arms around me, and I return the hug awkwardly. “Good to see you again, Beth.”

Scarlett is Roman’s right-hand girl, and while she’s been nothing but friendly toward me—or more than friendly if you count that very first night in the club where we all but fucked—I can’t shake the feeling that I should be concerned about her. Which is funny, because how I feel about her is exactly how Coop feels about Roman, but I was quick to dismiss his concerns. Are my concerns about Scarlett also jealousy? Maybe. She’s an attractive girl, petite and blonde and it’s obvious she likes Roman.

I stand back for a moment, taking in the patrons as Scarlett and Roman talk work. I hear my name mentioned and I wonder if he’s asking her now to set me up with something. How will she feel about that?

Glancing through to the room adjacent to where we are standing, I see a couple kissing. I lean against the window frame and watch them for a moment. His hands move slowly over her body, which is responding to his every touch. Just watching them is making me wet. Soft music strums in the background, and pretty soon most of her clothing has been discarded on the floor. He remains fully dressed, which for some reason I find sexy as hell. Is there anything hotter than a guy decked out in an expensive suit, roughly fucking a woman who’s wearing little more than a delicate lace thong?

I gasp as I feel Roman press up against my back. His lips meet my neck and I sigh.

“You dirty little thing. Is watching them fuck getting you all hot and bothered?”

I simply groan as his fingers move down the top of my dress. At that moment, the woman in the room looks up and meets my eye. We hold eye contact as her companion pounds into her from behind.

“I want to fuck you, Beth. Is that okay?” Roman pants. I groan in response as he lowers the zipper on my dress. “You’re going to have to get out of this completely. Next time wear clothes with easier access,” he chuckles.

He tugs at my dress, helping it fall to the floor. I stand there, pressed up against the glass wearing only my underwear. I gasp as Roman’s hand moves inside my thong, his other hand wrapping around my waist.

“Spread your legs for me, Beth.”

I shuffle them apart, my eyes still locked with the woman in the room as he slowly removes my thong.
Oh God
. I’m standing in a room with God knows how many other people—naked—and I don’t care. My only focus right now is the throbbing between my legs and satisfaction.

“I’m going to kneel in front of you, okay? I need you to step back about a foot.” I oblige, my body tensing as he drops to his knees and positions himself so he faces my pussy. My legs nearly give way as he reaches out and touches my bare entrance.

“That feels so fucking good,” I mumble. My nipples harden as he chuckles.

“And what about this?”

I gasp as his tongue enters me. My back arches as I press hard against the glass. My skin tingles as I try to regain some sort of control, but it’s no use. I’m completely at his mercy and from the glint in his eye, I know he knows it.

“You didn’t answer me, Beth. Do you like it when I tease you?” he asks, dragging is tongue along my entrance. I nod, incapable of speaking. “Answer me, Beth.”

“Yes,” I almost shout. My cheeks heat up as I become aware of the small audience we’ve summoned. “Yes. I love it. You know I love it,” I mumble.

“That’s better,” he grins. He wets his lips before placing his mouth on my pussy. I groan. The feeling is almost unbearable, but at the same time, I need more. I lower one hand, gripping the back of his head, forcing him deeper inside of me.

“Oh God,” I cry out, lifting my leg. My hips buck as his tongue circles my spot. I’m so close to climaxing but I don’t want this feeling to end. “Yes!” My legs tremble as I hold onto his head with both hands. I force him against me, and then force him away when I can’t take anymore.

He glances up at me, his eyes laughing as he gets to his feet. He leans in, caressing my face as he kisses me. My taste is all over him and I love it. I bite my lip, unable to keep myself from smiling.

“Can I get dressed now?” I ask, suddenly feeling shy. He laughs and leans down to retrieve my dress. He holds it over my head, helping it slip past my shoulders before he zips up the back.

“These I’m going to keep,” he mumbles, shoving my underwear in his pocket.

**

It takes me a few minutes to regain my composure. I excuse myself for the ladies’ room, making my way across the room. Inside the safety of a stall, I breathe out, my mind still processing the intensity of what I’d just experienced.
I’m about to exit the cubicle when a familiar voice catches my attention.

“Can you believe he’s putting her to work here?” She lets out a harsh laugh. “As if that spoiled brat knows anything about real work.”

“It’s a good thing if she’s here, right? You know, easier to study the competition, find a way to bring her down.”

“Sure, but God, it’s so hard pretending to be nice to her when all I want to do is gouge her buggy little eyes out.”

“Calm down, Scar,” her companion snorts. “She has nothing on you, and eventually he’s gonna realize how much better he can do.”

My blood boils. I have to hold myself back from flinging the door open and confronting her.
That two-faced little bitch.
I
knew
I couldn’t trust her. I hold my breath and wait for them to leave before I storm out of the stall. Turning on the taps, I splash cold water over my face, trying to calm myself down. If I go out there like this, Roman will know something is up.

I reach into my purse and retrieve my phone. Clicking Coop’s number, I go to type a text and then remember our argument. I hate it when we fight. He’s my best friend, the only person I can bitch to about anything. Why do things have to be so damn complicated?

I march back over to Roman, a smile on my face—which falters slightly when I see Scarlett hanging off his arm.

“I’ve been talking to Scar about you working here. She thinks it’s a great idea.”

I bet she fucking does
.

“Great,” I say instead, gritting my teeth. “I can’t wait to get to know you a little better, Scarlett.”

“We’re going to have so much fun,” Scarlett gushes, flashing her huge, fake smile at me. “Roman wanted to put you into accounts, but I told him your talents would be totally wasted out back. You need to be in the front, interacting with people.”

“Well, if there’s one thing I know how to work, it’s people,” I reply, sliding my hand into Roman’s. “Right, honey?”

“That you do,” he chuckles. “Come on.” He bends down, his tongue hitting my neck. “Let’s go have some fun.”

**

I’m in a much better mood after our little adventure, and it barely falters when Roman glances at his phone and tells me he has to take a business call. He seems stressed, but I’m too buzzed to question why. Besides, compared to the last few weeks, his behavior tonight has almost been normal. He walks off in the direction of the back of the club, leaving me alone, sitting by the bar.

I notice more than a few men staring at me, and I do my best to ignore them. The naughty side of me can’t help but wonder if they’re thinking about what it would be like to fuck me. Earlier, with Roman, I couldn’t even begin to describe how amazing that felt, having him inside me with all those eyes on us.

I finish my drink and look at my phone, trying to hide my annoyance. He’s been gone for nearly an hour. All the time he spends at work and he can’t make time for us? Maybe I’m being unreasonable, but it still gets to me.

Pushing my empty glass across the counter, I stand up and head in the direction I last saw him. Given that it’s only my second time here and I have no idea of the layout of this place, I know my chances of finding him are pretty slim, and after walking in what feels like circles I’m beginning to wish I’d just waited at the bar.

I glance around, not even sure what direction the bar is in anymore. People are getting it on all around me, and my heart is beginning to pound. I hate feeling insecure, but alone in this place with all these guys—and girls—eying me up, that’s exactly how I feel. I rub my palms against my dress as I begin to feel dizzy.