“Like this.” She grabbed my hand and put it inside her thong. She was drenching. My eyes rose in surprise as I looked down at her. She pressed my fingers inside her slick folds and hummed in my ear. “I need you, Jett.”
I wanted to give her everything she ever wanted but I knew I couldn’t this time. We were so close to the event and we were already late because I found her naked in her bathroom getting ready and I had to take her right then and there, up against the mirror. Her moans rang through my ears as I drove deep inside her. It was erotic, it was sexy as hell and I still wasn’t satisfied. I couldn’t get enough of her once I gave myself over to her.
Cupping her chin, I brushed a kiss against her lips and said, “I want nothing more than to bury my fingers deep inside that sweet pussy of yours but we are almost at the venue. If we weren’t already late, I would ask the driver to circle the block but I can’t.”
Disappointment fell over her features as she started to push down her dress. My heart split in two from the look she was giving me.
“Please don’t think this means I don’t want you because fuck, I want you so bad.” I pressed her hand against my throbbing erection. “I want you more than anything.”
“I know,” she said and then shook her head to clear her thoughts. She puffed her chest and cleared her throat. “Okay, sorry. I can just get carried away sometimes.”
Needing to show her how much she means to me, I pinned her against the side of the vehicle and took her face in my hands. “When you get carried away, sometimes I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I look forward to when you get carried away, I just can’t right now. I’m sorry, Goldie.”
“It’s okay, Jett. I understand.”
I nodded my head and kissed her lips, lightly. I wasn’t into kissing, ever, that was until Goldie came along. It was like her lips were magnets and my lips were metal, I couldn’t stay away now that I had a taste.
The car pulled to a stop and I looked out the window, we were here. The Hopkins Social was one of the biggest socials of the year. It was to raise money for women’s shelters, something I felt strongly about especially since my mom stayed in one for a while. I did whatever I could to help out the shelters around the city because they not only gave people a second chance but they saved lives. When my mom was first thrown out on the streets by my heartless father, after she gave birth to me, she had no money and nowhere to go. The Hopkins Society helped my mom find a shelter and gave her a place to eat and sleep while she tried to find her way on Bourbon Street.
“Ready?” I asked as I turned back to Goldie who was more gorgeous than ever.
“Ready.” She smiled back at me.
Our driver opened our door and I stepped out first, then offered my arm to Goldie to grab on to. She plastered herself to my body as we walked together up the grand marble stairs of the Hopkins House which was also in the Garden District but farther east than my club.
“Wow, this place is breathtaking,” Goldie whispered under her breath as we walked in the entrance. She turned to me and said, “But not as nice as the club.”
“No need to flatter me, little one. You already have my heart.”
Her eyes lit up from my words and she snuggled in closer.
We walked down the hallway to the main ballroom where the social was taking place. The room was lit up in greens and golds which scattered along the walls and the lighting was dim but still bright enough to see everything. The Hopkins Society always put on a beautiful event and they didn’t disappoint this year.
“Mr. Colby, what a delight to see you,” Marcy Ruttherford said as she stepped toward me, wearing a fake mink around her shoulders and a little too much makeup for a seventy-year-old.
“Ms. Ruttherford, I’m so pleased that you were able to make it out tonight. How are you feeling?” She’s been struggling with her weight lately and there was speculation that she had cancer but she wouldn’t let anyone in on her personal life so it was always a surprise to see her at an event and looking well.
“Oh, just fine, dear. Who is this beauty with you tonight?” She looked over at Goldie with a genuine smile.
“This is Goldie, my date.”
“What a beautiful name, Goldie. It’s so lovely to meet you.”
Shaking hands, Goldie smiled and said, “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Ruttherford. This is a spectacular room. The colors are gorgeous.”
“Why, thank you, sweetheart. The committee always puts together a wonderful palette of colors and décor for this event.” She looked around and waved to someone behind us. “If you will excuse me, I need to go play the part of gracious host.”
“No need to play it, Ms. Ruttherford. You are just a joyous host every year,” I replied.
Placing a gentle hand on my cheek she said, “You’re such a lovely boy.”
She quickly took off and left Goldie and I to finish entering the grand room.
“She was so sweet,” Goldie said as we walked toward the bar. The bar was always my first stop at an event. I needed a bourbon to get me through the night, especially when I had plans of talking to the Blarney brothers who were both city officials. I wanted to thank them for putting up an honest bid process for Lot 17. I was still reeling from Jeremy’s information, actually I was elated. My dad tried to work his cruel magic and it didn’t work. Smug bastard thought he could get whatever he wanted and he was put in his place. I couldn’t be happier.
“Jett Colby, what is a sorry son of a bitch like you doing here?” I heard as I put in our drink order. I turned to see Diego standing behind me. He eyed Goldie for a second and then cringed. “Shit, sorry, I didn’t know we were in a lady’s presence.”
“I see that Miss Mary’s classes haven’t been sticking,” I said as I shook Diego’s hand.
“It’s hard holding your tongue for so long,” Diego breathed out.
“I understand,” Goldie said, drawing both of our attention. “You have no clue how bad I want to rip this dress off, spread my legs and chug this drink while spouting out fuck in every different language.”
Shock crossed Diego’s face right before he threw his head back and full belly laughed. He clapped me on the shoulder and said, “Holy shit, where did you find this treasure?”
“Diego, this is Goldie. Goldie, please meet the very well-spoken Diego Muenez.”
Grabbing Goldie’s hand and kissing the back of it, Diego said, “Goldie, you look awfully familiar.” Diego eyed me and at that moment, I knew he knew Goldie was a Jett Girl but where I should be concerned I wasn’t because even though Diego had a little too much swagger for my liking, I could trust him, whole heartedly.
Goldie on the other hand, was like a deer caught in headlights, not knowing what to say.
I pulled her hand away and entwined it with mine. “Ignore him,” I said into her ear. Turning back to Diego, I addressed him. “What brings you here?”
“Same thing as you, man,” Diego spoke honestly. He never met my mom but he heard me talk about her when I was trying to help him move off the streets and start a new life. He would pay his respects when he got a chance and I felt honored that he came tonight.
I nodded in appreciation and surveyed the room. “Anyone I need to look out for?”
“Coast is clear,” Diego responded as he looked back at Goldie who was completely confused from our elusive conversation. “Now, how did you get wrapped up with the likes of this guy?”
Looking up at me with adoring eyes she said straight faced, “The tree trunk between his legs tricked me.” She was clearly feeling comfortable around Diego and knew she could be herself around him.
Diego slapped his hands together and said, “Damn, I like you.”
“Easy,” I warned him.
He put his hands up in defense but still smiled.
“What do you do?” Goldie asked, being herself and I loved it. I hated that she had to suppress her personality around the other assholes.
“I’m actually opening up a kink club. We a
re a couple months away from opening and I couldn’t be more excited. Still trying to find someone to help me paint some décor on the walls and I have to train the performers but other than that, we’re going to be ready for opening day.”
“Wow, a kink club. That sounds like fun,” Goldie replied while she tugged on my arm.
“Don’t get any ideas.”
Diego laughed and said, “There are private rooms for you two to hang out in if you don’t want to do anything out in the open.”
“When’s opening day?” Goldie asked, at least I thought she did. I was distracted by the tall, dark figure that just walked in the door. My father.
I stiffened from seeing him and prayed that he didn’t spot me but as he scanned the room, his eyes met mine and his brow creased in distaste. He pulled on his cufflinks and started walking my way.
Shit, I needed to get rid of Goldie and fast.
“Diego, why don’t you show Goldie the paintings over by the garden,” I interrupted.
Diego was about to chastise me for interrupting their conversation when he saw my face and then looked behind me. Realization hit him fast as he read in my eyes what I was trying to convey.
With a gentlemanly smile, he put out his arms and said, “Come with me, sweetheart.”
Looking up at me in question, I nodded at Goldie and encouraged her to follow him. She leaned up for a kiss but I could see my dad out of the corner of my eye so I instead turned toward the bar for a refresh of my drink. I could feel her eyes burn a hole in my back from my rejection but I couldn’t give her what she wanted, not when my dad was watching my every move.
Seconds later, after Diego guided Goldie away from me, I felt my dad’s presence step up behind me.
“Jett, what a pleasant surprise.”
Turning on my heels, I looked my dad up and down and said, “Wish I could say the same.”
His lips pursed as he took in my comment. “That is no way to talk to family.”
“I would hardly call you my family.”
“Apparently, because I thought I taught my son better manners.”
Not wanting to go around in circles, I said, “Is there something you wanted to say to me or can we go our separate ways?”
“I know you have a mole somewhere, digging up my personal business and you’re not going to like what transpires from your meddling.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t toy with me, boy,” Leo, my dad, said in a menacing voice. “When are you going to learn not to play with fire?”
I leaned forward and was smacked in the face by his expensive cologne; it had the ability to choke me with one deep breath. Steadying myself, I said, “When are you going to learn that even though you have money and you think you have power, you can’t get what you want by bribing people? No one likes you in this town and no one actually wants to do business with you. They only tolerate you because of the status you obtained over the years.”
Grinding on his teeth, he looked me up and down and said, “You think you’re so smart, don’t you, boy? Well, you’re not because I have something I can hold against you that can tear you down.”
“You have nothing,” I replied with confidence. “I run an honest business.”
Leo laughed, bordering on crazy as he took a sip of the drink that he was now holding, courtesy of the bartender.
“This has nothing to do with your business and everything to do with that fine little number you brought to this event.” Leo nodded toward where Diego and Goldie I presumed were. My back was turned toward them and I didn’t want to give my dad the knowledge that I knew what he was referring to.
“My date? What does she have anything to do with this?”
“Everything. I see the way you look at her, the way she was holding on to you. She’s everything to you.”
With my heart beating out of my chest and my blood pumping at an abnormal rate, I tried to even my breathing as I answered my dad. I didn’t want him to make any connection between Goldie and me because he would take no prisoners. I cursed myself as I thought about how I was right at first for not bringing Goldie to these events. I was so fucking right. I knew this was going to happen, that I would run into my dad and he would try to use Goldie against me. I fucking knew it.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “That’s where you’re wrong. She means nothing to me. She’s the one who hit the jackpot tonight and won the honor of escorting me to this event. She is nothing but a cheap whore I found on Bourbon Street.”
Leo nodded his head, with a sly grin. “I’m not buying it. I know she stays with you, shares your bed.”
Trying not to grow agitated, I replied, “Like I said, she’s nothing to me. She is a good fuck that I’m using until I get bored again which frankly I am. She offered herself up to me in the car and I wanted nothing to do with it. She’s washed up.”
Eyeing me like he was trying to see right through me, I held my stance, showing no tells.
Rubbing his chin with his hand, he said, “You surprise me, Jett. Just when I think that you’re nothing like my son, you go and say something like that and I get the sense of pride that you are in fact my kin.” He took another sip of his drink and then eyed me. “Either way, stay out of my business or I will find a way to take you down, even if that means taking care of the girls that you’re…bored with.”
With that, Leo walked away, leaving me with the chance to finally exhale. I ran my hand through my hair and thought about what just happened. Leo was onto me and it was frightening to think about what my dad was capable of when it came to Goldie. He showed no mercy whatsoever and wouldn’t show any when it came to taking me down. If he ever got his hands on Goldie, who knew what he would do.
Swallowing a bit of bile that rose from the thought, I turned to look for Diego and Goldie but when I scanned the room, I didn’t see them together, only Diego who was looking around just like me. We spotted each other and started to converge together in the middle of the room.
When we stood in front of each other, I asked, “Where is she?”
“I have no clue. She said she wanted a quick drink and took off before I could go get one for her. Next thing I know, she disappeared.”
“Fuck,” I muttered as I grabbed the back of my neck and scanned the room again.
Fear pricked my stomach as I thought about where I stood and where the drinks were. Did she hear me talk to my dad?
“Holy shit, I need to find her,” I said, forgetting all my manners. I was usually more eloquent but when I had fear pounding against my chest, I lost all ability to be a gentleman. “Where do you think she went?”
We both looked around the room and then turned back to each other.
“Go check the bathroom, I’m going to run a perimeter around the room and then check outside.”
Diego nodded his head and we parted. I spent the next half hour searching for my little one in the gold dress but came up short. She was nowhere. I sent a text to Diego to let him know that I was headed back to the club to look for her. The short ride back seemed like hours but once we rolled up to the front gate, I blasted through the door and jogged up the sidewalk. I was about to enter through the front door when I saw a movement from the corner of my eye on the porch. I turned to see if it was Goldie and was slammed up against the wall of the club.
“What the fuck?” I shouted as strong hands pressed against my chest.
“I should be asking you the same thing,” Kace’s menacing tone breathed near my ear.
Lifting my knee and driving it into Kace’s stomach, I was able to release myself from his ironclad grip as he buckled over.
“Where is she?” I asked, not willing to be very patient.
“Where do you think? She’s in her room.” Before I could move, Kace grabbed me and said, “Did you mean all that bullshit you said?”
“Are you fucking high? Of course not!”
“Then why say it?”
“I was talking to my da
d. He threatened to hurt Goldie because he thought she was getting close to me which he’s fucking right.” Running my hands over my face, I breathed out. “I couldn’t stand the thought of Goldie getting pulled into this fucked up mess so I did what I had to do, I made it seem like she meant nothing to me.”
“But she does…” Kace stated.
“She means everything to me,” I choked out, leaving Kace behind and walking up to her room, praying that she was still wearing her necklace but preparing myself for the worst.
Chapter Nineteen
“Ghost”
Lo
My face was buried in my pillow as I cried uncontrollably. Babs was rubbing my back, trying to comfort me but it was no good, Jett’s words rang through my head on replay. He actually admitted that he turned me away in the car because he wasn’t interested anymore, that I was nothing to him.
I tried to tell myself that he wasn’t telling the truth, that he was putting on a front because he’s Jett Colby and wasn’t used to being attached to someone but still, the words he spat out were so disrespectful, they hurt¸ no matter what context they were in.
The moment I heard Jett’s words, I spun around, ditched Diego and called Kace to come pick me up. He was less than happy to be my personal chauffer because apparently he was in the middle of hooking up with someone but the moment he saw me, his stern face turned soft and he held my hand all the way back to the club, trying to calm my ragged breathing and saying sweet things to me.
When we got back to the club, he walked me up to my room which was where we ran into Babs. They helped me into my bed as I explained to the both of them what happened. Kace’s face grew angrier each second and when I was done, he tore out of the room and never returned. I was nervous of what he was going to do, especially to Jett but I didn’t care that much because my heart was ripping from my chest.
Once again, I was riding on the roller coaster that was Jett Colby and it just seemed like I kept getting burned.
“I’m going to rip his nuts off,” Babs said as she continued to rub my back. I couldn’t reply because my throat was too tight from crying. I wasn’t much of a crier but when you embarrass me like that, when you insult me, it’s hard for me to control my emotions.