Flashing lights, the scent of alcohol, music loud enough it vibrates the floor beneath my feet was all I took in the moment I stepped in.

Kayla's arm interlocked with my own guiding me through the large crowd and up to the bar.

"What can I get you ladies?" The bartender shouted over the music. He was kinda hot. Early twenties, tall, tan and dark blonde hair. Tattoos lined his forearms.

Tattoos=hot.

Kayla gave him her award winning smile. "Two vodka crans, please?" She ordered batting her eyelashes.

Hook, line and sinker. He was captured by Kayla's charm and it was written all over his face.

"You got it beautiful." He said sending a wink her way before making our drinks.

I nudged her arm. "What was that?"

Kayla smiled. "He didn't ID us now did he?" She asked giving me a mischievous wink.

Oh she's good.

"Here you go ladies." The hot bartender said handing us our drinks, but not without giving Kayla a smile that was more than just friendly.

"Girl, he's hooked." I told her taking a sip of my drink. The cool sweet drink burner slightly as it traveled down my throat.

"Perfect. That means it will be much easier to get drinks tonight." She said swaying to the music.

"So, you wanna tell me how you know the bouncer?"

She stir the straw around her drink. "We actually met in a home improvement store. Mom sent me to get another can of paint for the never ending project. I couldn't find the right type, so he helped me and then starting telling me about his painting project and the differences between flat, semi-gloss and gloss paint. And then he mentioned that he worked at this club and I should check it out."

"And here we are. Look at you with the connections." I teased her.

"You know your girl can hook it up." She said boosting her ego.

"Okay, bring it back down big head."

She pouted and I laughed.

I really did miss my best friend.

Kayla downed her drink and order us two shots of tequila before I knew it.

She handed one to me. "Let's have some fun." She said clicking her shot glass against mine. "Cheers."

Let's have some fun.

I drank the shot in one go causing my face to contour from the taste.

Whoa. That's strong.

I took a few sips of now melted and diluted vodka cran to help.

Kayla grabbed my hand. "Let's go dance the night away!" She yelled and tugged me to the crowed dance floor.

She twirled me around once we were in a space causing me to laugh.

We started to sway our bodies to rhythm of the music. Slowing letting it take us over.

Hips swaying, arms moving, drinks flowing. I don't think I ever let this loose before and it was fun.

Fun to be loose. Careless.

Fun to be a bit reckless.

I felt the warmth of the alcohol coarse through my body. I was probably on my fifth drink in.

Kayla danced her way off the floor to get us another round of drinks.

As I continued to dance, I felt like there were eyes on me. That feeling that someone is just staring at you.

I looked around and were met with a pair of intense hazel eyes.

Everything froze.

For that one moment, everyone froze, the music stopped and I was captured.

Those hazel eyes. Those beautiful hazel eyes. I would know them anywhere.

A devious smile made its way to my lips. I continue to sway my hips to the music in a sensual way.

Those hazel eyes darkened.

He leaned back and took a sip from the drink in his hand. His eyes never leaving mine.

He stood up and slowly made his way towards me.

His arm snaked around my waist. "You shouldn't be here." He whispered into my ear. "Especially when you look like that" He muttered even softer, never meaning to meet my ears. The scent of his intoxicating cologne filled my senses.

A smile made its way to my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"I could tell you the same thing."

Jace's eyes never left my own. His hand slowly moved from my waist to my hips. Every movement sent electricity through my body.

I turned around with his hands on my hips and my back against him. I started to sway my hips to the music and he followed.

Jace dipped his head down tracing his lips against the curve of my neck causing a shiver to run down my body. "You really shouldn't be here." He whispered again.

It's true what they say.

Alcohol is liquid courage.

I turned around to face him. Our bodies were so close not even a pin could make it through.

I leaned forward, our lips mere centimeters away from each other. His grip on my hips tightened.

"And why is that?" I asked running a finger along his clenched jaw.

"Leah." He said softly pulling back slightly to my disappointment.

I masked my disappointment with a small smile. "Love, do you know where you are?" He asked. The look on his face seemed like reality tumbled back to him. His eyes focused on something behind me.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Jace, I may have had a few drinks but I know where I am."

"You need to leave now." He said sternly.

"No." I said standing my ground.

"Leah, this isn't the time to be stubborn."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on."

Jace placed his hands on my shoulders and look me in the eyes. "Do you know who owns this club?"

"No, Kayla and I just came here because it's suppose to be the best new club on the scene. Funny story actually, Kay-." I started to tell him, but he interrupted.

"Leah, Dominic DeLuca owns this club." I froze at the mentioned of that name.

Suddenly all the alcohol I had consumed was drained out of me. "What?"

"Dominic DeLuca owns this club and-" Jace stopped mid sentence. "Fuck."

"What? What is it?" I asked frantically.

"And he just entered."

***

😁