PartyStarter Page 3

  Except Stone’s not here to see it. The thought made her smile disappear and a knot of disappointment form in her stomach.

  What the hell? It was good that he wasn’t here! It all but guaranteed that the prize party was in her pocket. He must have realized that he couldn’t win, so he hadn’t bothered showing up. Well. Too bad for him. She shook her head in silent emphasis, her long, dangly earrings catching and playing with the light.

  She fiddled with her hair for a moment, smoothing stray pieces back into the elegant golden twist at the back of her head. A curl of anxiety rolled in her belly. She couldn’t presume anything. The only way she’d know she’d won would be at the end of the night.

  A sharp rapping on the door made Julia start.

  “Miz Red? Time to go,” a bass voice rumbled through the paneling.

  She took a deep breath. “Okay, Randy.” She turned the knob, opening the door onto a brightly lit hallway. She flashed the heavily muscled guy a megawatt smile and headed toward the party room.

  When they reached the closed set of double doors, Julia’s eyes fluttered shut. The hypnotic thump of the bass rattled the frame and echoed familiarly and comfortingly against her chest. She took several deep breaths, willing herself to be calm, to focus. Her toes began to tingle in her black stiletto sandals, and the sensation climbed, crawling through her limbs toward the top of her head. With a large exhalation, she let the last bits of worry and stress go, letting the naughty feeling swirl around her. Oh, yeah. She was so ready to kick some sexual ass.

  Randy’s voice interrupted her moment. “You’re on, baby.” He pulled open the door for her, and Julia sashayed into the room as her theme music began to play.

  The air in the giant ballroom was humid and heavy with sex and alcohol. A mass of writhing bodies churned in front of her, flesh pressed to flesh. A tiny taste of moisture formed between Julia’s legs and she shifted her weight, rubbing her thighs together. Damn, this party was hot and ready for her.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for our special guest, Kitty Red!”

  A scream of excitement erupted from the crowd, and a spotlight found her. Julia held her pose for a moment, letting attention wash over her, and then began her usual sultry slither through the throng.

  The DJ’s voice grew husky. “Jesus, Kitty. You are every man’s wet dream, baby. Show her the love, you guys!”

  Catcalls and drunken shrieks rose almost to the level of the music, and Julia threw an exaggerated kiss up to the platform. A giddy bubble of happiness rose in her chest as she realized Stone was nowhere to be seen. She nearly jumped with the glee of it. The prize was hers and she’d barely had to do a thing!

  A sudden rumble vibrated through the walls, a deep mechanical growl that snagged everyone’s attention. Turning her head, Julia glanced quickly around the room, searching for the source of the noise. The bubble of elation began to sink into her stomach. Something was wrong.

  A pair of emergency doors fifteen feet away flew open, and a blast of cool outdoor air rolled into the room. The roar grew louder and a bright light appeared in the opening, silhouetting a pair of bouncer-sized shapes. An even greater scream of delight grew as the light began to move forward, just inside the doorway, and the source of the disturbance became apparent.

  Julia squinted against the light. Not only was the motorcycle’s rider cloaked in shadow so she could see nothing, but the eager crowd had pushed forward, closing in the gap and effectively blocking her view. The knot in her stomach grew larger. The resounding clang of the service doors closing behind the bike echoed hollowly in her chest.

  “Holy shit, man! What a way to make an entrance! Everybody say hello to every woman’s dream guy, Stone Ridge!”

  All of Julia’s elation deflated like a soggy balloon. “Dammit, dammit, dammit.” She shook her head hard, her earrings banging against the sides of her neck.

  Almost as if in slow motion, the crowd parted. Julia squinted in a vain attempt to see more clearly, but the headlight blinded her. At that moment, Stone turned off the bike’s engine and light, and pushed down the kickstand. As he rose from the seat, the crowd let out another roar of excitement, and Julia blinked, trying to clear the spots from her eyes. She wasn’t going to believe it. No, not yet. She was going to hang on desperately to that last shred of possibility that he wasn’t going to show up…

  And then Stone stepped closer, his attention focused solely on her.

  Instantly, Julia’s brain began to wage war on itself. Disappointment and anger battled with a surge of lust. He wore tight jeans and leather chaps, topped with a form-fitting black t-shirt, his hair mussed by the wind. She couldn’t make out details in the dim light, but some sort of heavy boots completed the outfit.

  Realizing her mouth was gaping, Julia shut it with a snap that clicked her teeth together.

  “What the hell are you doing? What’s this all about?’ she ground out, her jaw clenched tight.

  Stone’s gaze traveled all the way down her body and back up, pausing here and there for an extra-long look. Julia studiously ignored the fact that she could have sworn she felt a touch along the same path.

  “Stone? Answer me,” she hissed.

  Stone leaned in close, his lips brushing her cheek as he whispered, “Now, now, baby. Not in front of the kids. Remember, big brother’s watching.”

  Julia forced her mouth into a smile. Damn, but the man was right. She exhaled sharply and allowed her body to fall limply against his. Pressing her pelvis against him, she wiggled a little and was rewarded by a slight stiffening of his frame. Her artificial grin became real. Well, all right. He might have won the first battle, but the war wasn’t over yet.

  She turned her head, bringing her mouth up to his ear. She gave his lobe a slow lick. “This isn’t done, Stone. Not even close.” She pulled the tip of the lobe into her mouth, sucking gently. “Now,” she whispered, “I’m going to win this competition. Just watch.”

  Julia pushed herself back slightly, raising her arms sensuously above her head. The movement brought her breasts up, the tips straining against the fabric of her top. She met Stone’s gaze and watched his eyes darken. Good. He was human, after all.

  Glancing toward the DJ, she gave him a wave. At the signal, he came back onto the mic.

  “All right, party people! Now that our special guests are here, let’s get you all rockin’ on the dance floor!” A new track started, a sexy, heavy bass beat, and Julia’s hips began to sway in rhythm. “By special request. Kitty baby, this one’s for you.” The sea of bodies surrounding them began to move to the music as well, though they kept a small circle of space around Julia and Stone. Julia could feel dozens of pairs of eyes on her, the attention ratcheting up the already-warm temperature in the room.

  Letting the music wash over her, she began to pull out all the stops. Every dirty, sexy, bad-girl dance move she knew was now part of the performance. Putting a hand on Stone’s chest, she sashayed around him, trailing her fingers over his body. She couldn’t help but notice again just how warm he was, how firm his muscles were. Sliding up behind him, she pressed her length against his back, wrapping her arms around his chest. She stroked his pecs, feeling his nipples under the fabric, and slipped her hands down his rippled stomach. The observing crowd roared its approval, and she teasingly slid her hands farther, to the waistband of Stone’s jeans. Cries daring her to go farther rose over the music, and in response she dropped one palm onto his fly. A very satisfying firmness lay beneath the denim, and with exaggerated motions, she rubbed the length of his cock.

  Julia pressed her cheek into his back, between his shoulder blades, and groaned softly. Competition or not, there was no denying that Stone was fucking hot. If the slowly stiffening bulge in his pants was any indication, he had one hell of a cock, and Julia was suddenly craving it. Damn.

  Amid cheers and whistles, Stone’s hand appeared atop hers, pressing her palm down more firmly. His hips shifted, and he began to grind against her to the beat of
the music. Indignation flared in Julia. What the hell? He was trying to take control of the situation back, that’s what it was. She tugged her arm, trying to pull it free, but Stone gripped it even more firmly. Forcing her mouth into what she was sure was a painful-looking smile she rose on her tiptoes to yell in his ear.

  “Hey, let go of me, already. What are you doing?”

  At that moment, another body pressed against Stone’s front, effectively trapping Julia’s arm completely. What felt like hot, damp bare skin glued itself to her forearm, and a pair of delicate arms came flying around Stone’s neck, accompanied by a waft of floral perfume.

  Great. Just great. Julia fumed silently. She was well and truly stuck, and even worse, some bimbo was pressing herself all over Stone, dirty dancing with him. The crowd was in hysterics over the Stone sandwich, but Julia ignored them. She felt off-kilter and out of control, and that was unacceptable. She had to get out, get things back to normal. Her normal.

  In a flash of inspiration, Julia reached for a firm buttock with her free hand and gave it a serious pinch.

  Stone leaped away from her as if he’d been scalded, releasing her arm in the process. He turned to look at Julia, the momentary surprise on his face quickly morphing into amusement. She smirked at him, dropping her hands onto her hips and raising her chin determinedly.

  Take that, you jackass! she telegraphed.

  Stone quirked an eyebrow, message received. His expression replied, Nice try, sweetheart, but you’re going to have to do better than that.

  As if on cue, another woman took what had been her place behind Stone, pressing her full length against him. The smirk vanished from Julia’s lips as Stone returned to grinding with both women, at the same time reaching back with one arm to stroke the brunette’s ass. A crowd of mostly women surged around the trio, and very quickly Stone was engulfed by a sea of breasts and long hair, until all she could see was his head, which towered over the female crowd. Meeting her gaze, Stone gave her an exaggerated wink and returned his attention to the women around him, stroking hair here, bestowing a kiss on the back of the hand there.

  And those damn fool women are eating it up.

  Suddenly aware that she was scowling very unattractively, Julia turned and headed to the bar. Time to regroup, rethink and redo.

  She ordered her usual mineral water with lime, and stood there pensively, waiting.

  “You’re off your game tonight, Red,” a voice rumbled next to her.

  Glancing at the man sitting at the barstool, she recognized Curtis the bouncer, dressed in his civvies.

  Julia took a quick, deep breath, keeping her expression neutral. Thankfully, her brain still seemed to be working a little bit because she held her tongue and didn’t blurt out the first thing that came to mind. It wouldn’t have been polite.

  “Curtis. What makes you say that?” Julia accepted her glass from the young bartender and took a long sip.

  The big man gave a brief nod toward Stone. “‘Cause that guy’s got ’em all eating outta the palm of his hand. The way you usually do, but even better. He’s smooth, Red. You gotta crank it up.”

  Julia frowned Curtis was right. She had to take it up to eleven, so to speak. Sitting here and pouting wasn’t going to win her any contests. She nodded her head at the man, indicating his clothing. “You’re not working tonight. Are you here for Ricky?”

  Curtis gave her a what-do-you-take-me-for look. “If I was, I couldn’t tell you. Maybe I’m just here ‘cause I like to watch you dance.”

  Julia blinked as the light bulb blazed in her brain. Damn. The man was right. She was as good of a dancer as Stone—in fact, even better. She just needed to get everyone’s attention again. Filled with a rush of renewed energy, she leaned over and planted a kiss on the bouncer’s shiny, bald head.

  Curtis let out a groan of pleasure. “Now what was that for, baby?”

  “Because you’re brilliant and I love you.”

  He chuckled, deep and dark. “Love you too, hot stuff. Now go. Show me what you got.”

  Abandoning her drink on the bar, Julia headed toward the DJ platform. Looking out over the dance floor, it didn’t take her long to spot Stone, still surrounded by women. She rolled her eyes, ignoring the stab of discomfort in her belly. He was just doing his job, messing with all of their heads, just like he’d tried to mess with hers.

  Now it was time to mess with his right back.

  Max the DJ glanced up from his laptop when she approached. “Hey! What can I do for you?”

  Julia gave him one of her flirtiest smiles. “Max, baby, would you do me a favor?”

  “For you, sexy girl, anything.” He gave her a wink.

  “Could you switch the track? I want you to play something different.” She named the song, and Max turned to his computer.

  “Yup, got it here. Cueing it up next.”

  Julia grinned, feeling like the Cheshire Cat. “Thanks, Max. You’re awesome.”

  The DJ’s gaze traveled up and down her body appreciatively. “I absolutely say the same about you, Kitty.”

  Julia laughed. “And what does your boyfriend think about that?”

  Max’s lips curved into an adorable grin. “No boyfriend right now. Flying solo, as it were. But if there were a Mr. Max, he’d be hot for you too.” He picked up his microphone. “Hey, party people. We’ve got something special for you now. Give it up for Kitty Red!”

  The crowd let out a cheer, and Julia’s chosen track began to play. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the music curl its tendrils around her, feeling the echoing thump of the bass beat in her chest. Through her lids the light began to flash, alternating between red and black as a strobe light pulsed, matching the song’s rhythm. Taking a deep breath, Julia began to dance.

  Chapter Three

  The change in music was smooth, nearly unremarkable, but Jack felt the energy of the room change. It intensified, sharpened. Almost coalescing around him. He slowed in his movements, mid-gyration between a pair of very drunk and very horny blondes, and found his attention turning to the DJ platform, a compass needle seeking out north.

  There she was, at the center of that small stage. Jack let his gaze take a much more leisurely journey over that nearly nonexistent outfit Julia wore. Saliva pooled in his mouth, and the semi-hard on he’d been sporting since he arrived turned hard-core. Jesus, man, that woman was hot. Sex personified. Curvy in all the right places, a mouth made for sin and supremely intelligent eyes that instantly cut through all the bullshit ever slung.

  He watched her move, like silk on water, sinuous and graceful. Every movement an invitation, every movement a promise of the most exquisite pleasure ever known. She offered more than sex—it was more like instant incineration, a white-hot, mind-blowing nuclear blast. A quick glance around the room told him what he already knew—every eye was on her, the partiers mesmerized by the spell she wove with her body. He knew, too, that she didn’t grant that ecstasy to just anyone. She was smarter than that. She let everyone look and see what was on offer, but she wasn’t a smorgasbord to be sampled by the masses. Desired by all, but purposefully untouchable.

  Jack wanted her with a surprising need that scorched a hole in his gut.

  Julia’s gaze caught his, and the air vanished from Jack’s lungs. He read the challenge and determination in her eyes, and his admiration of her rose several notches, along with his lust. Damn. She was good at this. Really, really good. No wonder she had such a big reputation. She deserved it.

  Belatedly, he realized the two blondes were still glued to him, hands stroking his pecs, groping his ass, fondling his fly, and while he hadn’t said no to that sort of action in the past, the idea of it now tasted sour in his mouth. Carefully, he extricated himself from the pair, watching as they latched on to each other, mouths and arms entangling, seemingly unconcerned about his departure. Jack smiled drily and turned his attention back to the stage.

  Julia stepped down into the crowd and a wave of skin engulfed her. Bodies
pressed against her, the enchantment that had held them in thrall now broken. The goddess was among the masses and they could touch her, become infected with her lust. Pressing ever closer, bodies rubbed against each other, the friction driving them all toward madness. Shapes squeezed against Jack as he slowly made his way forward. Hot, damp skin was slick against his own, and he suddenly felt as though his very soul was aflame. Julia’s face was flushed, her eyes closed, her cheeks pink with excitement. Tendrils of hair had escaped the knot on the back of her head and curled damply around her cheeks and forehead. Her shirt clung to her chest like a second skin, and her hard nipples stood out in stark relief. Anonymous hands stroked her arms, her back, a few more daring ones stealing onto her breasts. Her face contorted into expressions of exquisite agony, and a volcano of flame fueled by jealousy erupted in Jack. The surprising sensation stopped him in his tracks for half a heartbeat, but he pushed the feeling away and continued forward, drawn to the oasis that was Julia, like a man dying of thirst.

  The crowd was relentless, moving as though hypnotized, obsessed purely with the physical, the prurient. Jack pressed forward, easing his way through as though he were chest-deep in gelatinous water. Partiers reached for him, male and female alike, stroking him, stoking his own fire. Someone was handing out chemical glow bracelets and necklaces, and the people around him were tinted in surreal shades of green, blue and red. The bass rhythm of the music continued to thump solidly in his chest and the crowd swayed to that same beat.

  Carried along by that wave, Jack found himself wanting to submerge, to drown himself in that sea of flesh, have Julia devour him the way the ocean could swallow a freighter down to her depths. The thoughts running through his head gave him pause. He wanted Julia more than he’d ever wanted another woman. She was headstrong, smart and miles beyond sexy. He had to make a decision here. His insider contact had hinted to him that he was in the lead. He could win this contest if he just played his cards right. But winning would be the surefire way of never seeing Julia again. Never burying himself deep within her, never having her all to himself.