Page 18 of Blinding Lights

“The second guy that hit on me whispered in my ear that he wished we could visit the roped-off area while his palm explored my ass.” She shivers as I stiffen beside her.

“He what?”

“Oh, it’s not his fault. I had my ass on display; it may as well have come with a ‘touch here’ sign. I mean, look at it.” She stands up and moves the wings aside from where they’re falling down her back like a cloak rather than how they were previously attached to her fingers, flapping around when she moved. She wiggles her ass, and try as I might, I can’t stop myself from glancing that way, and...

Fuck me.

I clearly wasn’t paying attention the many times I saw her dancing earlier tonight. I noticed the corset pushing up her breasts—it was hard not to—but the bottom half of the costume is like a bathing suit that barely covers her ass cheeks, and she’s wearing fishnet stockings underneath.

My cock twitches and I bite back a groan, only recovering when she spins around, sitting back down. “See what I mean?”

“No,” I rush out, clearing my throat.

“No?”

Shit. “I mean, I can see what you are referring to, but that doesn’t give anyone permission to touch you without consent, or to insinuate he wanted to take you to a sex club.”

“A what?”

“A sex club. The roped-off part of the…” Shit. I trail off when the whites of Lily’s eyes get significantly wider. “You didn’t know we were in a sex club, did you?”

“That wasn’t… it wasn’t… Henley never mentioned that.”

Fuck. My bad.

Her chest flushes red before she covers her mouth and bursts out laughing, the adorable sound once again making me smile. Momentarily. I’m still pissed about the inappropriate touching.

“Back to the guy. I hope you told him to fuck off.”

“I did, only much more politely. He was just shooting his shot.”

“He was being a douche.”

“He was. One of many. Want me to keep going?” Her confidence wavers as though suddenly wondering if I’m bored. I’m not.

“Please.” I nod. “What did the next guy do?” I’m invested now, and also a little concerned. Henley talks about Lily often, but she never mentioned how innocent she was.

“I know what you’re thinking.” She narrows her eyes, resting her elbow on the counter as she stares me down.

“Ah… what am I thinking?”

“That I’m naïve and foolish.”

‘What? I wasn’t thinking that.” Not in those exact words. “I was thinking that you’re too nice for this place.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Definitely not. If you were naïve and foolish, you probably would have let one of those dicks take advantage of you. Instead you’re here. Talking to this dick.” I point to myself.

“So…still a little foolish?” She bites back a sassy grin while her eyes sparkle, and I’m fucking taken by her. Despite dickishly introducing myself to her tonight, if she hadn’t been wearing that mask, I would have recognized her instantly. Not only do I remember meeting her years ago, but I knew who she was as soon as I saw her by the pool yesterday. I’ve always found her attractive. Like most of the men here, I’m sure.

Tonight, however, it’s different. Talking to her is making her even more beautiful. She has a presence that draws you in. I noticed it the first time we met, but it’s even more prominent now. I can see why Henley loves her so much.

“Sorry.” Lily laughs. “I couldn’t help myself.”

“I get it, I do. I’m the one that said it.”

“You’re not a dick though. Far from it, actually. You’ve never once tried to inappropriately touch me. Or given me a business card and told me to ‘beep you.’”