You and I Forever (5 page)

“
Yeah, but it still must be nice knowing he can provide for you beyond what you ever dreamed. I mean come on, the man is building you a house for God's sake. A freaking house Anna!” She shakes her head and takes a long gulp of her drink before turning her eyes back to me.

“
I know.” I shake my head, still having trouble wrapping my mind around that fact. “Doesn't it seem weird to you though?”

“
What?” She asks, clearly not understanding my question.

“
That he would build a house for us when we have spent so little actual time together? Ninety-five percent of our relationship has been spent in separate states. What if he realizes that he doesn't like me?” I speak the real reason why I am having such an issue with this.

It's not because I am afraid to live with him or that I am afraid to commit to him so completely. It's that, at the end of the day, I really don't know how this is going to work. For all I know, two months in he could decide that we aren't right for each other and then where will I be; heartbroken and homeless?

“
Are you kidding me right now Anna? That man worships the ground you walk on. And why wouldn't he? You are incredible. If nothing else, spending the extra time with you, living with you, it's only going to make him fall that much more in love with you.” She smiles at me sweetly and pats my hand.

“
I love you, you know that?” I smile at my best friend, so grateful to have her in my life.

“
And I love you.” She wiggles her nose adorably and then takes another long drink, emptying her glass. Holding it up slightly, the bartender nods and immediately begins making her another.

“
I'm gonna run to the ladies. Do you need to go?” I ask, sliding off of my bar stool.

“
No, I'm good.” She says, smiling at the cute bartender as he hands her another drink.

Shaking my head, I hand her my purse to hold and then make my way quickly across the main floor of the club, crossing through a door that leads to the dancer's dressing rooms. I don't know why but I prefer to use the restroom away from the members of the club. I guess it just stems from the fact that I work at
Allure
and that's just how I am used to doing things.

The young bouncer guarding the door only nods when I pass through, clearly recognizing me considering he barely glances in my direction before turning his attention back to his phone. Not really sure where the bathrooms are, I turn right and decide to look in the same place that they are at
Allure
. Sure enough, there is a door in the same area.

Assuming it is the bathroom, as there is no other signage indicating otherwise, I push my way inside, immediately freezing when I see two people in a passionate embrace. “Oh sorry.” I blurt when the couple jumps apart.

It isn't until that moment that I register the woman. “Shira?” I question, flipping my eyes to the man she was kissing. “Ethan?” I cough, completely caught off guard. I had no idea they were a thing.

“
Anna. Oh God. I'm sorry.” She says, covering her swollen lips with her hand like that will somehow take away my knowledge of what was just happening.

“
No, no. I'm sorry.” I say, starting to back out of the room. “I thought this was the bathroom.” I say, clearly realizing that it most definitely is not.

“
Anna wait.” Shira calls after me the moment I step back out into the hallway. Following me out of the room, she grabs my forearm and drags me into the next room over, shutting the door behind us.

“
You can't tell Bentley.” She immediately blurts the moment the door latches.

“
What?” I question, still confused by everything taking place.

“
Ethan is the head of Bentley's security team. I practically act as Bentley's left arm. He would never be okay with this simply over the concern of what would happen if it didn't work out. Trust me, he is all about how things affect his business. This is not something he will take lightly.” She says, clearly freaking out a bit.

“
Shira. I won't say anything.” I reassure her, not wanting to see her get so worked up.

“
Thank you.” She breathes, leaning against the door. “I'm in love with him Anna. I don't even know if he knows it, but I am.” She admits, hitting me with tear glazed eyes.

“
How long has this been going on?” I ask, just out of pure curiosity.

“
Not long. I mean, I have had feelings for him for a while now but it wasn't until more recently that I acted on them. It was the night of Bentley's birthday dinner.” She admits, apology lining her face. Though I am not really sure why she feels like she should be apologetic.

“
We were both staying at
The Luminous Hotel.
The one where Bentley stays.” She tacks on. “Anyways, he walked me to my room and he was just standing there in the hallway all hot and sexy and I had wanted him for so long. I don't know what came over me. I grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him into my room. Things have only heated up since then.” She admits.

“
Shira, I don't pretend to know how Bentley would react to something like this. But have you ever thought about just telling him how you feel and seeing?” I ask.

“
I can't risk it Anna. If he doesn't agree, it will be Ethan that goes. He would never put him over me, I know that. If it was my job on the line then yes, I would risk it. But I can't put Ethan in the position to lose his job.” She shakes her head.

“
I won't tell him. I promise.” I say, taking a step towards her. “But you know as well as I, that he will find out eventually and it will only be that much worse when he does because you weren't upfront about it. Trust me, I know.” I laugh to myself.

“
And I think it's awesome.” I tack on, pulling her into a hug. “I think you two are perfect for each other.” I say, releasing her and taking a step back. “I have always thought that you two would make an awesome couple.”

“
Thank you Anna.” She blinks rapidly, clearly trying to hold in her emotion. I can tell that this has been eating at her. I mean, I couldn't before. But now that I know, I can see how badly she just needed to tell someone.

“
And I meant what I said; your secret is safe with me. But I really think you should consider telling Bentley. I think you would be surprised by how he would take it if he knew how strongly you felt about Ethan.” I give her a smile.

“
Speaking of Bentley, you should probably get back out there before he comes looking for you.” She takes a deep breath and pulls herself together. “I'm going to go fill Ethan in on our conversation. He's probably going out of his mind right now.” She laughs lightly to herself.

“
And Anna.” She grabs my forearm just as I pull the door open. “I'm so glad Bentley has you.” She says, smiling sweetly at me before releasing my arm.

Chapter
Five

When I re-enter the main room of the club a few moments later, having successfully located the actual bathroom, I find myself having trouble shaking the whole Ethan and Shira thing. I know that I said I wouldn't tell Bentley, and I won't. But I don't like keeping things from him, especially the fact that his sister and friend, both of whom work for him, are involved with each other.

I don't see him right away but I find Andrea still sitting exactly where I left her at the bar. Sliding in next to her, I immediately signal the bartender for another drink.

“
I was beginning to think you fell in.” She laughs, turning to face me.

“
Sorry. I had trouble finding it.” I shrug, turning my head towards her just in time to see Bentley approaching. He smiles when he sees me looking but stops a couple feet shy from where I am sitting. It takes me a moment to realize that he's not alone. Swiveling my stool outward to face him, he speaks before I have a chance to.

“
Anna. I would like to introduce you to someone.” He says, my attention immediately pulled to the man that steps up next to him. “Dax Riley, Anna Blake.” He says, gesturing between the two of us.

I take the hand Dax extends to me and weakly shake it, but my mind seems to be lost in a bit of a fog. This man is gorgeous. Not Bentley gorgeous, but definitely a close second. He stands just an inch or so shorter than Bentley, probably right around six feet, and has a very similar build. Broad shoulders, toned arms, lean waist. I would guess him close to the same age as well. He has dark hair that is pushed half haphazardly away from his forehead and incredible hazel eyes that almost look gray, and stand out perfectly against his light tan. It isn't until he pulls his hand back that I catch sight of the tattoos that line both of his arms and are on full display given that the sleeves of his black button down shirt are rolled up to his elbows.

My God this man is sexy.

“
It's nice to meet you Anna. I have heard a lot about you.” He says, giving me a wide lopsided smile.

“
You too.” I manage to say, snapping out of my haze.

“
Dax is the manager from Philadelphia I was telling you about. He's going to be here training the staff for the next couple of months.” Bentley cuts in.

“
That's awesome.” I observe, not really sure what else to say. “Oh, this is my friend Andrea.” I say, gesturing to the wide eyed girl next to me.

Clearly she is not immune to his looks either. It's strange because I can't really fit him into a category. He's dressed professionally and it's clear to see he takes pride in his appearance, but he also has this bad boy thing going on that I can't quite seem to get past.

“
I was in Chicago a few weeks ago. Bentley tells me you dance there.” His words instantly send my heart into a frantic pound as I re-scan his appearance, realizing almost instantly that he matches the description of the man Lo described perfectly.

“
Did Lo dance for you?” I immediately blurt, not answering his question.

A slow smile pulls up the corners of his mouth, telling me everything I need to know. This is him. The man that Lo was talking about. The man that Lo has been asking about for weeks.

“
Why do you ask?” He finally speaks, humor laced in his words.

“
Just curious. She mentioned someone she had never seen before coming into the club. The tattoos kind of gave it away.” I shrug like it's no big deal, gesturing to his ink covered arms.

“
Yes well, I was in town and thought I would check out the talent.” He says, his smirk still firmly in place.

“
Dax is actually going to be heading up the Chicago club once he's finished here.” Bentley tacks on, not seeming the least bit curious about the conversation taking place.

“
Really?” I say, flicking my eyes to Bentley questioningly.

“
I need Shira available to travel the area. I can't have her tied to one location. But for now, I need Dax here. No one understands the business the way this man does.” He responds casually.

“
I appreciate that.” Dax turns to Bentley, giving him a nod. “Well I should probably get back to it. First night and all.” He says, gesturing his head to the front. “It was very nice to meet you Anna.” He nods in my direction. “Andrea.” He gives her a flirty smile and then turns to Bentley, shaking his hand before spinning and walking away.

“
What was that about?” Bentley raises his eyebrows at me.

“
What?” I decide to play stupid even though I know he knows better.

“
That.” He says, gesturing towards the door that Dax exited through just moments ago. “Why did you ask about Lo?” He cocks his head to the side, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“
She danced for him when he was at
Allure
.” I shrug.

“
And you knew that how?” His smile only grows wider.

“
Because she described him to me in great detail and when he said he was in Chicago, I put two and two together. Apparently he really made an impression on her.” I say, raising my eyebrows suggestively at him.

“
Well if I were you, I would do Lo a solid and warn her not to go anywhere near Dax Riley.” He says, sliding into the bar stool next to me.

“
Why would you say that?” I question, turning my head towards him. Andrea shifts beside me, clearly wanting to hear what Bentley has to say also.