Dazzled by Silver by Lacey Silks Page B

my dress showed off my silk bra just a little, enough to catch a man’s eye, although I was only here because of Kendra’s continuous silence. She hadn’t responded to any of my messages since the opening, and it worried me. I followed the line forward three feet and stopped. I pushed up on my toes, but the front disappeared around the corner. At this rate, it would take over an hour to get in.
    My phone vibrated in my purse and my insides flip flopped.
    G.SILVER: You’re on the guest list. Please don’t stand in line.
    I whipped around, searching for my P.I., then quickly typed.
    SAM: How did you know? Where are you?
    His reply was instant.
    G.SILVER: It was an educated guess.
    SAM: Did you get your education at Hogwarts?
    G.SILVER: No, I’m a bit more practical. I like it when you wear dresses, Sam. They have such easy access. Too bad I’m not there.
    I narrowed my brow, turning around, then back and finally looked up at the surveillance camera above.
    SAM: Nice one, Magnum. It’s not fair you can see me, and I can’t see you.
    G.SILVER: It’s still just Gabe. I have one more meeting to go to. Make your way up to the front. And Sam, please try not to have any orgasms without me.
    G.SILVER: Are you asking me not to drink?
    I giggled looking up at the lens as if it was Gabe’s face. He made me feel alive and giddy like no one ever had before.
    G.SILVER: No, I’m asking you to stay clear of Kendra’s bedroom. I’d like to be the only one who makes you come. Got to go now.
    Gabe knew about my night with Kendra? I couldn’t breathe. How could she? And why? All color must have drained from my face as I pushed past the line to the front.
    Inside, the club pulsed with more life than it had two weeks ago. Lights flashed, and blasting music pounded my eardrums as I strolled toward the bar. Girls dressed in provocative outfits moved in waves to the beat. I began to smile and understand why Kendra hadn’t returned my calls.
    I sat at the bar in the same spot I had met Gabe.
    “What can I get you?” the bartender asked, smiling at me.
    His blue eyes reminded me of Gabe’s. There was something kind about his face, unlike the I’m so hot attitude of many bartenders. He seemed like an easy person to talk to.
    “Fuzzy navel.” I left a twenty on the bar.
    “It’s already paid for.” He pushed the money back.
    I wondered who’d been so kind and scanned the partiers to my right.
    “Thank you,” I answered. “Do you know by whom?”
    “It’s on the house.”
    Kendra?
    I turned back to the bar and sipped my fruity drink, lost in the music. The voluptuous blonde bartender worked the end of the bar tonight, lining up more than twenty Sambuca shots. Its anise scent drifted past me as a hint of a rose joined the aroma.
    Kendra held a flaming shot in her hand as she mingled and drank with the crowd.
    I furrowed my brow at her playful attitude. And here I thought she was too busy to call me back! Ready to jump off and grab my friend to have a word with her, I swiveled on the bar stool.
    “Hey, Sam.” A familiar voice froze my blood.
    Casey, my ex-boyfriend stood a foot away, grinning. “I never pictured you coming to a club like this. You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” He scanned me from the bottom up, his gaze resting on my cleavage. His alcohol breath hit me like an oncoming train.
    “Hi,” I managed, holding my breath. I quickly scanned for an escape route and wished Gabe was here. Part of me wanted to flaunt him at Casey. Another part of me didn’t want to talk to the man who made me feel awkward and used. At this point I was sure I’d only stayed with him out of loyalty. And as time passed, he became my mission to make our relationship work. I failed to realize that a dog would always be a dog, and Casey... ...well, he’d still be a dog. “My friend owns this place. I’m here to support her.”
    Casey swayed on his feet.
    “If I had known you like clubbing I would have called. We could have some