The Private Club 2 (2 page)

“Really? You really think that’s why I was crying?”

“I don’t know. You girls are strange creatures.”

“I know you think you’re God’s gift to women, but you’re not God’s gift to me.”

“Pity.” He laughed. “I’d quite like to give my gift to you.”

“What gift?” I asked him confused again.

“This one.” He grabbed my hand and placed it on the front of his pants. “I’ve been told by many that it’s the best gift they’ve ever received.”

“Is that meant to be funny or cute?” I yanked my hand away from him and tried not to think of the hard package I’d just been holding. “Because it’s neither.”

“What’s got you this way?” He frowned and looked at me seriously.

“I’m just fed up.” I shrugged. “I’m here doing stupid tests for a job I know nothing about
, and it seems like I’m no closer to knowing.”

“Do you really want to know?” He walked toward me again and this time he didn’t stop. I took a few steps back to get away from him, but found myself up against the wall. He walked until he couldn’t walk anymore. His body was pressed against mine and the warmth of his chest heated me up.

“Yes.” I nodded, wide-eyed. This was it, then: he was finally going to tell me what went on here.

“You’re training to be my personal stripper.” He smiled as he leaned in to kiss me. “That’s why I’m taking a very personal interest in your training.” He kissed me lightly on the lips and I groaned as his tongue entered my mouth and I kissed him back eagerly.
Stop it, Meg
. I screamed at myself.
Stop it
. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop my hands from reaching up and grabbing his golden tresses. I couldn’t stop myself from sucking on his tongue and adjusting my position against the door, so that I could feel his hardness pressed against my lower stomach.

“I want to make love to you
,” he whispered against my lips.

“I thought you wanted to fuck me
,” I said in a blasé tone.

“I want to fuck you and then make love to you.” He grinned and kissed my cheeks. “I’m glad you’re not crying anymore.”

“You don’t really care.”

“So you know me
, then?” He chuckled, but his eyes looked sad as he gazed at me. “I do have a heart, you know, despite everything that I’ve said.”

“Really? I thought it was frozen. Or maybe it was taken out.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if my heart was taken out at some point.” He gave me a wry smile. “Maybe when I started high school.”

“Maybe at the same time you realized that you’d never be a comedian?”

“Yeah, maybe.” His eyes lit up and he stared at me for a few seconds. “You really listen, don’t you?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I frowned.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Most women only seem to want to talk about their own issues. I find that they don’t really listen that well.”

“Really?” I was surprised at his comments. “I would have thought every woman would listen to what you had to say
.”

“Really? Why’s that?”

“Because you’re hot.” I laughed. “And you’re mysterious. Women like a mysterious hot man.”

“Is that why you like me?”

“I like you because you’re rich.” I winked at him, but he didn’t laugh. “I’m joking, by the way. That’s not why I like you.”

“So you do like me?” He sighed and took a step back. “You shouldn’t like me.”

“Why?”

“I’ll only hurt you.”

“Are you trying to hurt me?” I looked at him carefully.

“Of course not.”

“Then you won’t hurt me.” I shrugged. “I’m not a fragile doll. I won’t break.”

“Is that an invitation to fuck you?” He smirked.

“Is everything about fucking to you?”

“Isn’t it for you?” He stepped closer to me again and grabbed my hands. “Your fingers are trembling slightly at my touch. I know you’re thinking
,
what is he going to do next?
And that excites you. And maybe it slightly scares you. But, it excites you more than it scares you. And you know why it excites you? It excites you because you want me to do all the things you’ve been thinking about in your mind, but don’t want to admit. You want me to take you back into that room and you want me to fuck you. Long and hard. And I want to. I want to feel more than your fingers trembling beneath mine. But, I’m not going to.”

“Why not?” I whispered, eyes wide and unblinking. There was a throbbing between my legs that told me that everything he had just said was correct.

“Because now’s not the time.” His eyes were dark. “And you haven’t begged me yet.”

“I’m never going to beg you.” I gasped.

“Then we will never make love.” He laughed and his lips brushed mine slowly. “But for some reason, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”

“I’m not going to beg you to make love to me.” I shook my head energetically. “You’re wasting your time if you think I’m going to beg.”

“Do you think I’m sexy?”

I nodded in response.

“Do you think I can give you the best orgasm of your life?”

I nodded again slowly, unable to come up with some witty lie.

“Do you think you’ll be able to resist me, when I take you to the brink of that orgasm?”

I stared at him breathlessly, unsure of what he was saying.

“Do you?” His voice was urgent. “Do you think you’ll be able to go to the brink of the hottest orgasm of your life and step away?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” His eyes narrowed and he smiled slowly. “You don’t know.” He laughed slowly, the sound coming from the depths of his throat. It was hearty and seductive and I stared at him in wonder. “Oh, Meg. You’re lucky you’re with a man and not a boy. You may not know, but I do. I will have you screaming for me to take you.”

“No, you won’t.” I whispered.

“Are you arguing with me?” He cocked his head.

“No.” I shook my head. “But I won’t be begging or screaming.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“No.”

“It’s a challenge.” His eyes lit up. “I will have you begging me and screaming for me to fuck you. And then I will wait. I will wait until you can’t stand it anymore and then I will give you the best fucking of your life.”

“Yeah right.” I swallowed and stepped back, so that my back was against the door again. “I wouldn’t hold your breath.”

“I can tell you’ve never been with a real man before, Meg. Or you wouldn’t doubt my ability to take you to the brink of heaven and make it hell.”

“So you’re telling me you’re the devil?”

“I already told you, you shouldn’t play with fire.”

“Are you a good guy or a bad guy?” I sighed, suddenly overwhelmed with lust and worry.

“I’m neither. I’m just me.”

“The wannabe comedian.”

“The wannabe comedian.” He smiled and bowed his head. “You sum me up so eloquently.”

“What’s my job here?” I spoke up. “And what are the other girls
’ jobs? What’s going to happen to me, and to Nancy and to Elizabeth and the other girls?”

“I can’t talk about it.” His body froze and a mask fell over his face. “You won’t have the same job as the other girls.”

“Why not?” I frowned.

“You’re special.”

“Says who?”

“Says me!”

“What if I wasn’t special?” I stepped towards him again, fire in my eyes. “What if I wasn’t special? Would I be sent away as well?”

“Who told you that?” His voice was angry and he looked at me with sharp eyes.

“Who told me what?” I trembled with fear. Had David been correct?

“Who told you that we send the girls away?” The smile was gone from his face and all facades of flirtation were gone.

“No one.” I swallowed hard. “But are they?”

“I’ve got to go.” He gave me another look.

“Why don’t you answer me, Greyson?” I reached out and grabbed his arm. “Tell me what’s really going on here.”

“I can’t do that.” He pulled his arm away and stepped away. “This isn’t any of your business.” He gave me a sad look. “I’m sorry, but you don’t want to know too much. I’ve done things, Meg. I’m not a good guy.” He sighed and shook his head. “Look, I have to go. If you don’t think you can handle this...” He waved his hands between us. “Whatever we have, it’s about sex, nothing else. You won’t get anything out of me. We won’t fall in love. You won’t get my secrets and confidences. This is about sex. If you can’t handle that, I...”

“You what?” My heart thudded with pain. His words sounded harsh and cruel. It wasn’t that I thought this was about more than sex. But the way he was speaking to me, combined with the look in his eyes, made me feel sick to my stomach.

“I don’t know what to say
.” He looked away from me. “I have to go, Meg. I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“You’re right. I’m not.” And he turned around and walked away from me. I watched his back as he walked. I couldn’t stop myself from being that pitiful girl. That girl that goes after the bad boy and then wonders why she’s ended up alone and confused. I was that girl. I realized that I was acting like that girl. What did I care if all he wanted from me was sex? Who was he? For all I knew, he was a despicable human being. All signs were pointing to that. I turned around and took a few deep breaths. I wasn’t going to let him psych me out. And I wasn’t going to let him sidetrack me. His whole demeanor had changed when I’d talked about the girls being sent away. His eyes had looked angry, surprised, upset and worried. He’d looked worried. He was worried I’d report him to the authorities. He was worried I’d figure out the truth. He was trying to use my attraction to him to divert me. He’d made a mistake. I was now more determined than ever to get to the truth.

Chapter 2

"How was your day?" I asked Nancy casually as she walked into the room, a good thirty minutes after all the tests had been completed.

"Long." She sighed. "Very long."

"Figure anything out yet?"

"Not really." She shook her head. "This place is like a maze."

"You went exploring
, then?"

"Kind of." She made a face, distorting her pretty features into a grimace. "I got lost."

"I wondered where you were."

"I don't think I can do this." Her eyes looked sad. "I thought I could, but it just seems too hard. I'm no Benson."

"Who?"

"Olivia
," she said, as if that made more sense.

"Sorry, I don't know who Benson or Olivia are." I said almost apologetically.

"Olivia Benson is one person."

"Oh, is she famous or something?"

"Detective Olivia Benson?! She used to be partners with Stabler!"

"Nancy, I hate to break this to you, but I have no idea who
Stable is either."

"Not
Stable," she smiled, "Stabler. Detective Stabler. He was played by Christopher Meloni. Oh my god, he's so hot."

"Stable?"

"No, Christopher Meloni." she giggled. "Have you never watched Law and Order: SVU?"

"I have
, actually. " I laughed.

"Well, Olivia Benson is a kickass,
fearless detective. I wish I was like her, but I'm not."

"I don't think many of us are as fearless as TV characters always seem to be."

"You are." she stared at me in admiration. "You're strong and fearless."

"I don't know about that." I shrugged, but really feeling quite happy at her assessment of me. Maybe I was stronger than I thought. Maybe I was a warrior princess, just waiting to break out.

"Did you hear about Brandon Hastings?" she gushed in excitement, her eyes alive and glowing.

"No, what about him?" I asked softly, noticing the change in her demeanor. She was upbeat now, and she was breathing fast.

"He's coming to the club."

"He is? How do you know that?"

"Huh?" she looked at me blankly and bit her lower lip. "I just heard somewhere, as I was walking back to the room."

"Who did you hear?" I pretended I wasn't that interested in her answer, but I felt tense inside waiting.

"Dunno, one of the girls." her eyes looked past mine and she shifted uneasily. She was lying go me. I could tell she was lying to me, but I just didn't know why.

"Oh, okay." I walked back to my bed and sat down. "Do you care if he comes?"

"No, of course not." She rushed out quickly. "I don't even know him."

“So he was
best friends with Greyson Twining, huh?” I asked innocently, faking ignorance. “Do you know anything else about them and the club?”

“Not much.” She looked up at me and her face looked pale. She looked younger than her 18 years as she stood there
, and my heart ached for her. Whatever was going on, I had a feeling that, Nancy was not the mastermind. She just didn’t seem to be fully with it. And if she was, she was a mighty fine actress.

“Come and sit next to me.” I sat on the couch in the corner of the room and pat
ted the space next to me. “We should talk now anyway. Try and figure out what information we have and what we should do next.”

“Yeah.” She sighed and walked over to me. “You really don’t have to.”

“I don’t mind.” I smiled at her.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” She looked down. “This isn’t a safe place.”

“I can protect myself. Greyson isn’t going to harm me.”

“I’m just saying there are other people, you know?” She looked around the room. “I don’t think that you’re...”

“Hey girls, do you mind if I come in?” David walked into the room and gave me a tight smile. I smiled weakly and nodded at him. Trust him to walk in at that moment.

“Hi, I’m David.” He introduced himself to Nancy and she nodded and looked away. “What’s your name?”

“Nancy.” She sighed and I could see that David’s face was tense as he stared at her. I stared at him for a moment, wondering what his game was. Earlier he had known exactly who, Nancy was.

“It’s okay, Nancy.” I stood up. “I spoke to David earlier. He may be able to help us figure out what happened to your sister.”

“Your sister?” David’s eyes narrowed and I saw Nancy’s face flush red.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t my place.” I gave David a look, but he just stared at Nancy, who still looked terrified. I was slightly confused and my heart beat rapidly. Hadn’t David and I talked about Nancy’s sister earlier? Hadn’t he mentioned something about knowing she had gone missing? I wanted to slap myself for forgetting exactly what we’d discussed earlier.

“What do you want?” Nancy spoke up finally and I was surprised at the temerity in her voice.

“I came to talk to Meg. Do you mind?”

“Why would I mind?” She glared at him and his eyes narrowed.

“Just keep it to yourself.” He muttered and turned to me. “So, did you get anything from
Greyson?”

“No, I didn’t even see him again.”

“Yes, you did. You saw him in the corridor.”

“Are you spying on me?”

“I have eyes everywhere.”

“Not really.” I raised an eyebrow. “If you did you’d know what was going on here.”

“Greyson’s not dumb.” He shrugged. “He knows the only person he can trust is himself.”

“You don’t think Patsy knows?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed. “Her lips are tighter than a dead Catholic priest’s.”

“What?”

“They’re not meant to share your confessions.” He spoke slowly as if I were slow.

“Okay.”

“It’s okay if you don’t get it. You’re blonde, after all.”

“David.” Nancy’s voice was shocked and she looked more affronted than I felt.

“It’s okay, Nancy. He’s an undercover cop with an ego. I guess you have something to prove, huh? You’ve been here two years and you still have no clue as to what’s going on here.”

“I already told you what’s going on.” He glared at me.

“What proof do you have?” I questioned, really wanting to know the answer to the question.

“Ask him.” His voice was low. “Ask
Greyson and see what he says.”

“Do you really think he’s going to tell me
?” I rolled my eyes.

“He’ll come and see you tomorrow, I’m sure of it.” He stared at me. “He’ll come to see you during the tests again.”

“He won’t come and see me tonight?” I tried not to let him see how eager I felt.

“No.” He shook his head. “He would never come and visit you during the night. You’re not that important to him. He’ll only visit you in the day.”

“I see.” I felt hurt at his words, but didn’t disagree. I couldn’t see Greyson coming to the door or window late at night either. He was no Romeo, and I was no Juliet.

“Brandon Hastings is coming tomorrow.” David’s eyes lit up.

“How do you know?” I stared at him and saw, Nancy’s face reddening as she avoided eye contact with me. I looked at Nancy and then at David and realized that there was some sort of weird tension between them. I hadn’t noticed it before, but now I could definitely tell. Something wasn’t right here. It wasn’t a lover’s tension either. It was something more than that. Something impenetrable. I shivered as I realized that they knew each other. I was sure of that. But I was also sure that they were keeping it a secret. My head started pounding again as I remembered seeing Frank and Elizabeth talking as well. What was going on here?

“I told you, I know everything.” His eyes sparkled. “I know that you haven’t succumbed to the Twining charm.”

“What charm?” I looked at him with questioning eyes.

“You haven’t fucked him yet.” He said bluntly and both, Nancy and I gasped at the crudeness of his words.

“I’ve barely been here two days.”

“It doesn’t take most women t
wo minutes to rip their panties to the side for Greyson.”

“I’m
not most women.”

“That’s why I like you.” He winked at me and I tried to not show him my disgust. I didn’t like David and the liberties he took with me. I was still angry about the kiss. Part of me felt that I was a hypocrite. How could I feel so uneasy around David when I craved being around
Greyson? I was angry that David had kissed me without my asking, but I was craving for Greyson to do so much more. And I didn’t know either of them.

“We’ll talk tomorrow.” I dismissed him. “You should go now.”

“Don’t you want to hear more about Brandon?”

“Not really.” I sighed. “Not right now.”

“Shit’s going to go down.” David smiled maliciously. “It’s all going to go down now. Brandon is going to lose the love of his life.”

“I thought you wanted to get Brandon and
Greyson for prostitution or trafficking or whatever.” My voice rose suspiciously. “Why do you care about his love life?”

“Because he doesn’t deserve to be happy.” David’s eyes were lifeless as he looked at me. “A man like him doesn’t deserve love. Neither does
Greyson, but he knows it. He knows who he is. Evil bastard doesn’t have a heart so he doesn’t even try.”

“You really hate him
, don’t you?”

“I hate both of them.” David looked at me for a second and then his expression changed. “I can come back later tonight if you want.”

“I don’t want you to.” I looked at, Nancy and she was staring at the ground. I could tell she looked uncomfortable and she was doing everything to avoid eye contact with me.

“If you change your mind, just go to the
courtyard.” He licked his lips. “I’ll come and find you.”

“Sure.” I turned away.

“Have a great evening, girls.” He nodded at us and left the room.

“He’s creepy.” I whispered to Nancy a few seconds later and she looked at me with sad eyes.

“Everyone acts differently when presented with tragedy.” She shrugged and sat on her bed. I watched as she lay back and closed her eyes. “I could sleep for a month.”

“Long day
, huh?”

“More like a long life.” Her voice cracked and she rolled over to face the wall. I took that as a sign that she wanted to be by herself.

“I’ll let you relax, then. I think I’m going to go and have a shower.” I spoke to her back softly. “A long hot shower.” She didn’t answer and I left the room to let her be by herself. Even though I didn’t trust that Nancy was being 100% truthful to me, I did still believe that she was legitimately trying to find out what happened to her sister. Or at least that she was here because of her sister. My heart pained for her. I wasn’t sure what I would do if someone close to me disappeared. What if Katie just disappeared one day and I never knew what happened to her? I’d die. I’d move heaven and earth to find her. As I walked down the corridor, my heart skipped a beat. What if, Brandon had been part of the reason why Maria had disappeared? Was he planning on doing the same thing to Katie? I’d never really liked Brandon for what he’d done to Katie. He’d broken her heart, and I’d always secretly thought he was too old for her. I mean, what 35-year-old dates an 18-year-old? Granted, he supposedly had thought she was 21, but still! Why would he date a 21-year-old if he wasn’t a creeper? I found myself in the corridor of test rooms and quickly walked to the door that had housed the office. I’d seen a phone in there. Maybe it was actually plugged in and working. It was likely not working, but it was worth a chance. I needed to call Katie. I needed to make sure that she was okay.