Tempt Me Again, Stepbrother

The bass hit my chest before I even walked into The club. It was a heavy, thudding beat that vibrated right through the soles of my heels, making my ribs ache.

My best friend Maureen walked ahead of me, cutting through the crowd at the door like she owned the place. I stayed right behind her, clutching my purse like a shield.

“You’re just too innocent, Vee,” 

“You don’t have a wild bone in your body. You’re made for tea parties, not the real world.”

“ don't you think you’d be selfish to keep tying me down with you when you can't match my energy?”

Alex.

Those were the exact words my boyfriend tossed at me when I caught him with another woman.

My heart clenched, not just from the betrayal, but from the brutal weight of his words. Was I really that boring? Was our entire relationship just about sex to him?

“Get out of your head, Vee! Forget that bulldog you know he doesn't deserve you,” Maureen’s sharp, worried voice cut through my racing thoughts as we slid onto two stools at the bar.

She ordered us shots and handed me a glass. Without asking what it was, I took a deep breath and knocked it back in one go.

“Whoo!” the bartender chuckled, leaning over the counter. “Tough day, huh?”

I tried to laugh along, but the alcohol burned so hard down my throat it turned into a fit of coughing.

Maureen rubbed my back gently. “Totally normal, babe. You’ll get used to it.”

“First time?” the bartender asked.

I nodded, unsure if he meant clubbing or drinking. 

Honestly, it was my first time doing both.

The bartender looked to be in his late twenties, tall, athletic, with the kind of smooth smile that had probably won over half the city.

“I bet nobody has ever called you boring,” I shouted over the blaring music, taking in my surroundings.

The club was full of flashing coloured lights, thick smoke, and bodies grinding close together. It felt wild and completely unfamiliar but God, it felt alive.

He chuckled, flashing a grin. “Oh, I am anything but boring, darling.”

Maureen shot me a wicked wink, and heat rushed straight to my face.

Taking another shot from the bartender I gulped it down once more and felt my head sway to the side a little.

“come on, let's dance” Maureen said, dragging me onto the packed dance floor.

I let her pull me along. I closed my eyes, threw my hands up, and just danced.

For the first time, I wasn't worrying about how I looked. The heat of the room was everywhere. I moved to the beat, letting go of years of playing it safe.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed someone watching me.

He was standing near the shadows, leaning against a steel pillar. He was tall, with sharp features and broad shoulders in a dark jacket.

But it was his eyes, light brown, intense and fixed right on me that made my breath catch.

I didn't look away. 

Innocent, right? Naïve?

I stared right back at him, tilting my head with a confidence I didn't know I had.

Maybe it was the liquid courage, or maybe I was just dead tired of being written off as boring.

“Oh, wow,” Maureen whispered, following my line of sight. “Who is that? He looks like total trouble. Go talk to him”

“Maureen, I don’t know…”

“Go!” She gave me a gentle nudge. “Besides, I’m off to ride that sexy bartender anyway,” she added with a wink. “Go prove your ex wrong, girl.”

I laughed as she darted away. Maureen was an absolute rollercoaster the complete opposite of me and right now, I was so grateful for her push.

Taking a deep breath, I smoothed down my short black dress and walked straight into the shadows where the stranger stood.

As I closed the distance, he straightened up, his features coming into full view. He towered over me, sporting the sexiest jawline I’d ever laid eyes on. 

“You’re a little too bright for a dark corner like this,” he said. His voice was a low, deep rumble that sent a shiver straight down my spine.

“Maybe I got tired of standing in the light,” I replied, surprised by how steady I sounded.

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 

“Neville.”

“Gina,” I lied instantly. There was no need for him to know my real name tonight.

“Well, Gina,” he stepped closer “Are you lost, or did you come over here for a reason?”

He was so close I could smell his cologne… an intoxicating, heavy scent that made my head spin.

“I came to dance,” I said, stepping right into his personal space until our chests brushed. “With you.”

“Then dance we will.”

Neville took my hand, his palm was warm and large and led me back to the dance floor.

He wrapped a hand around my waist, pulling me against his chest and we began to move to the music.

I surrendered completely to the moment, riding the high of his presence. Mimicking the couples around us, I slowed my pace and sensually rocked my hips back into him.

Behind me, his grip on my waist tightened instantly. My skin flamed. I needed more.

I threw my head back and pressed deeper into his crotch.

“Fuck,” he growled against my ear. “You’re driving me crazy, Gina.”

His fingers dug into my waist, massaging my hips through the fabric of my dress. A low moan escaped my throat as I arched into his touch.

In one swift move, Neville spun me around to face him.

Before I could process what was happening, he cupped a hand firmly over my ass, wrapped his other hand around the back of my neck, and brought his lips crashing down on mine.

I froze for a split second before melting into him, letting him completely devour me.

He didn't hold back. He nipped and sucked at my lips, and when his tongue demanded entry, I gave it without hesitation. The crowded room vanished around us. 

The kiss was deep, raw, and desperate.

When he finally pulled back just an inch, both of us were breathing heavy.

“Do you wanna keep dancing…” he murmured, his thumb trailing over my jaw, “…or do you wanna get out of here?”