Behind The Scene

CHAPTER 26

The mere mention of the club had me frozen in terror, my eyes glazing over as I stared at the window without seeing it. Ever since Ross had gotten back, I'd done everything I could to keep any discussion about my place of work as minimal as possible. As far as he was concerned, I was just a waitress. When he'd pushed me for more details, I'd distracted him as best as I could, keeping it brief and telling him that the place was a Hollywood secret, an exclusive place tailored only to high-powered execs and other VIP's. Though I could tell that he didn't like the lack of more information, I'd been relieved when he let it go, accepting the excuse I'd provided, about making connections there that could potentially assist in my career someday.
"It's demanding," I said simply, trying to keep my voice calm and seemingly unperturbed by the comment.
"With those kinds of customers, I'm sure it is," He laughed, "Probably non-stop Champagne and impossible cocktails."
"Yeah, pretty much," I chuckled distantly.
"Still, would be cool to see the place sometime."
I opened my mouth to answer, not sure what I could say that wouldn't end up sounding suspicious.
"Yeah," I said as brightly as I could, "Maybe you can help me make some of those thousand-dollar cocktails."
"Thousand-dollar?"
"Uh-huh," I nodded, rolling over to face him and filling him in on the contents of some of the most expensive drinks that existed, the knowledge of which, I'd picked up from my various chats with Davey during my breaks at the club.
"Yeah, I think I'll stick to fighting fires," Ross said with disbelief, shuffling closer to me as his head rested on the pillow beside me.
"Sounds like a good idea," I smiled, relief now flowing through me at the narrow miss.
"Tonight's your night off though, right?"
"Yup."
With a sleepy grin, he pulled me closer, his arm resting over my waist as he gently traced sweeping lines up and down my spine with his fingertips.
"Good. Because I wanna take you out."
"You do?" I asked eagerly, "What made you come up with that idea?"
"Everything's been hectic for months. I think we deserve to treat ourselves."
"I like the sound of that."
His chest rumbled with a laugh and he nodded his head slowly.
"Yeah, that doesn't surprise me."
I swatted him across the arm at the mocking tone, but his quick reflexes permitted him the upper hand in seconds, and it wasn't long before he was straddling me, pinning me to the bed and smirking at his triumph.
"Such a sparky little temptress."
"I'm no temptress, Mister."
"Oh, I beg to differ," He teased, leaning over me and briefly kissing my lips, beginning a gentle trail of kisses over my jaw and across my neck making me giggle and writhe beneath him, "After all, it was you who lured me from my job in the dead of night, just to sate your many needs."
"Which you did so well," I chimed in.
He tipped his head to the side in agreement, gently sliding the neckline of my top lower, his eyes glittering with mischief.
"And what are you up to right now?" I asked, narrowing my eyes, unable to keep the smile off my face at his roguish charm.

"I have my own needs too," He grinned wickedly, making a point of grinding his hips against me so that I could feel his hardening length between my legs.
"So you do," I replied cheekily.
"Mm-hmm," He uttered, peppering kisses across my chest, moving lower, "Fancy helping with mine now?"
"Ah, well," I began with mock seriousness, moving to sit up, "I think I'd rather go take a nice hot shower."
The look on his face was priceless as I pushed him aside, and I couldn't stop the laugh that burst free.
"You little-" He laughed.
He caught me with ease, tugging me back to the bed, and trapping me beneath him, pinning me down and making me shriek with laughter as he promised to make me pay for my cheekiness.
Our first proper night out together in LA was deserving of a special effort, and so I made time to venture out and buy a new dress during the afternoon. I must have walked through more than a dozen luxurious stores before I finally found the perfect one. It was more expensive than what I would usually have bought, but I knew that in this city it was better to look overdressed than under. Besides, as I checked myself out in the mirror, admiring the way that the champagne fabric fitted to my frame, and split high up my thigh, I knew that Ross would love it.
Sure enough, having slipped back into my dress that evening, Ross's eyes were practically bulging out of his skull at the sight of me.
"You look... beautiful," He breathed, halting in the progress of buttoning up his shirt.
"Just beautiful?" I pouted.
He chuckled and held his hands out to take mine, drawing me closer and kissing me gently on the lips.
"Beautiful is getting to be a very undervalued word, my love," He said softly, "I could compliment you a thousand ways, but all would falter in comparison to your utter beauty."
My lips quirked up in a smile, my cheeks heating at his heartfelt flattery.
"You always did have a way with words," I muttered.
"I mean every single one of them."
He pecked me again on the lips, then sighed, reaching for his buttons again.
"Uh-uh," I interrupted, tugging his hands away before he could do up the third from the top.
"Really?"
"Yes," I insisted, "You look... beautiful."
He shook his head, chuckling at my turn of phrase and picking his wallet up off of the bed.
"Right, table's booked for twenty minutes, let's go."
I was astounded as we pulled up outside. Definitely glad I dressed up, I eyed the exquisite restaurant with awe.
"Here? Are you fucking serious?" I asked excitedly, re-reading the illuminated sign, unable to quite grasp that I was here.
"Yep." He smiled.
"But, it must be costing you a fortune. This place is huge news right now."
"Don't even worry about that. Tonight is a celebration, just enjoy it."
He climbed out of the car and rounded to my side, opening my door and offering his hand.
"Thank you," I said courteously, accepting his help and joining him on the sidewalk. "Shall we?"
I shuddered with excitement, and together, we made for the steps, joining the cluster of other finely dressed customers entering the garden.
We were seated quickly on the spacious, romantically lit patio. It was a balmy night, and the gentle breeze was welcome as it drifted among the crowd. I accepted the menu which I was offered, and was about to browse it when the waiter drifted off, revealing an unhindered view of the rest of the customers, one of which was staring right at me. I gasped, almost dropping my menu, forgetting for a second that Ross was sitting right there as panic set in.
Dalton.