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  I twirl my hair wanting to come up with an explanation that doesn’t make me sound like a complete loser. “Well…” my words fade away.

  “Clara, you could find a date easily.”

  It’s true. I could just find any ol’ date. Sure. But, to find someone worthy of taking, now that’s the issue. “I work all the time. I have a job as an HR Director, Carnet Properties of one of the biggest casinos in Vegas. I want to prove to my father that I can make it on my own without his help. But by proving myself, I haven’t had much of a social life.”

  “That’s respectable. See, you should have more men knocking down your door.” He laughs a little. “So, Maureen doesn’t like that you work?”

  “Maureen doesn’t understand why I work, and to be honest neither does my father, but he doesn’t say anything because he just wants me to be happy. But he hates the company I work for. He knows I'm not living up to my potential, and he's right. My boss is a huge jerk who has promised me a promotion for over a year, and never given me one. He gives me menial work when I have my masters in business management."

  "Why don't you quit?"

  "Because I got the job on my own, and like I said I have a plan. I'll just keep working my way up. This way I'll know I did it by myself even if it isn't where I want to work."

  "What does your dad say?"

  "He understands, but he hates it. I appreciate that he won't force me to work for him. He’s the reason I went to Maureen’s bachelorette party. He wanted us to bond and help Maureen spend his money.” I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. I’ve given up the fight with my father and the money-grubbing woman he brought into his life. And her gold-digging daughter.

  “She did seem to enjoy spending your father’s money.”

  “Almost as much as her mother.”

  Ben smiles. “So you told Maureen you had a date for the wedding?”

  “She was pestering me saying she had some friend who was willing to sacrifice his night and take me as his date.” I shudder and tuck my legs further under me. “Maureen doesn’t keep the best of company. I refuse to go with someone she’s picked for me. So I did something stupid.”

  “You lied to her and told her you already had a date.”

  I nod, looking up at the ceiling so I don’t have to see the amusement on his face. “For the record I didn’t tell her it was you. You just happened to be there at the wrong time.”

  Ben snatches my phone off the table and a couple seconds later his phone in his pocket pings. “There now you have my number.”

  “Were you really here to get my number, and not back out of the wedding? I notice you seem to have some rescue OCD, especially with me, but I won’t hold you to it.”

  “I’m going to the wedding with you.” He stands, moving across the hardwood and sitting next to me.

  “Ok,” I say on a whisper.

  “Good, I’m going to kiss you, and then I’m going to get the fuck out of here before I do even more.”

  “Ok.”

  He smiles as his lips graze over mine, just a whisper of a touch. I raise up on my knees. Ben’s hands brand the back of my thighs before he takes them away.

  “I’ll call you and we’ll work out the details.”

  “Ok.” I’m not even sure if I even say the word, or if it’s in my mind. I swear this guy just does something to me.

  Chapter 10

  Ben

  “Down boy,” I say to my cock who’s angry with me for walking away from Clara. “Seriously, down boy.” I hate it when my dick won’t listen.

  But, I wasn’t lying about this woman being different.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  I have a feeling I could have easily slept with Clara tonight if I tried.

  Remember it’s not cocky if it’s true. And I wanted her so bad. And she wanted me too, right? I wasn’t just imagining it all, was I?

  It didn’t matter. I hate to admit this, but there’s something about her that makes me want to make her more than a one-night stand.

  I don’t know what that is yet.

  And she pissed me off when she said the wedding date was a business deal. Like Hell it is.

  And when she told me Maureen wants to set her up with some asshole, yes, I’m assuming he’s an asshole, it pissed me off. Badly.

  Sure, maybe I don’t really want to go to a wedding, but everyone hates weddings, right? Nobody is perverse enough to want to go to a wedding, and my ass was persistent, no adamant on going.

  Axel and Damien are going to have a field day when they find out.

  A business deal. If that’s the way she wants to play it, fine. After this wedding nonsense is over, I’m going back to being the bad boy I play so well.

  Ben the Trifecta.

  The Trifecta who brings all the women home only to let them leave when they’re completely satisfied. I’m not the triplet who lets a girl sleep in his bed, pushes her to let him go to her bitchy sister's wedding, and kisses her on the forehead leaving her unfulfilled. That’s just not me.

  * * *

  “The club is kind of slow tonight,” I say, glancing out into the crowd, scanning it with disappointment when I don’t see anyone who catches the attention of my cock.

  And let’s face it, I’m having a hard time trying to find any woman I can entertain tonight.

  “What? It’s all fake tits to tummy tucks tonight. They’re out in droves,” Axel says, pouring more baby oil on his tanned pecs.

  “What’s going on with you?” Damien asks, snatching the bottle from Axel, adding some more to his already slicked body. “Does this have anything to do with Clara?”

  “No,” I say, setting my eyesight on a thin blonde. She’s the complete opposite of Clara, perfect.

  “Whoa, I have a feeling the problem is you haven’t fucked Clara.” Axel crosses his arms, the light reflecting off the baby oil.

  “No, I haven’t but at the wedding.” I don’t finish my sentence. Because what’s there really to say. Yes, every part of me wants Clara, but she wants the wedding to be a ‘business deal.’ So, that’s that.

  “Wait, you’re really going to the wedding? I figured you would have already given an excuse to get out of it by now.” Damien stands next to Axel in the same pose, arms crossed over their broad chests.

  I run my fingers through my hair tugging on it as the frustration of my decision keeps running me into more obstacles. “Yes, I'm going to the wedding. You saw first hand how awful her stepsister is.”

  “We already established she was a huge bitch when we danced in the VIP room. What did she do to Clara that has you jumping to rescue her?” Damien cocks his head and I know I need to explain.

  “Maureen told Clara if she didn’t find a date she would set her up with one of her friends. Clara lied to her and told her she had a date, and when I showed up at Clara’s house Maureen assumed I was the date she was talking about. I didn’t correct her.”

  “So what? Let her take someone she sets her up with.” Axel’s smug face makes Damien laugh.

  I glare at both of them. Fuck that. I can’t even explain how much jealousy is coursing through me at the moment. My brothers would never understand. Hell, I don’t even understand it. All I know is that is not an option, nor will it ever be an option. “No.”

  They erupt into more laughter. “Oh someone has it bad.”

  “No I don’t.” This conversation is proving pointless. “Listen, I’m helping her. And when I’m done, I’m going to go back to my old ways.”

  “Why are you waiting to go back to your ways until after the wedding?” Axel asks the smirk turning into a full blown smile.

  “That’s not what I meant. I’m going to the wedding, but I’m still me. I’m still going to do what I do. The ladies would be so upset if I took this away from them.” I showcase my abs with my hands.

  “I don’t believe it.” Damien glances around. “Take home that girl right now.” He points to some leggy blonde.

  I stare at her for
a moment and then face my brothers. I shrug. “Nah, not my type.”

  “Since when do you have a type?”

  Since I met Clara, I want to scream. But, I don’t say a word, only shrug again.

  “You like her.” Axel says, pushing me with his shoulder.

  “No, I don’t.” I leave my brothers standing there as I make my way over to the blonde Damien pointed at. “Hi.” I lean my elbows on the table in front of my intended target. She flutters her lashes. Her blood-red lips wrap around her straw. The message is clear, the straw in her mind is my dick. Yet, I’m not turned on in the slightest. It appears my taste is for a different shade of red lipstick.

  “Hey Ben. There’s two women here saying they’re your guests for the night,” Tom, one of the newer bouncers says, interrupting me.

  The straw ejects from Blondie’s mouth. I rap my knuckles on the table, giving a nod to the blonde, and following Tom toward the front of the club.

  I have no idea who’s waiting for me, and I hate to admit this happens a lot. Some girls back for a good time, some just looking for some fun, but when I spot the dark-haired beauty near the front I can’t help my smile from breaking free.

  “Maureen, let’s go. This is Ben’s job. I’m sure he doesn’t need any distractions,” Clara says to Maureen, not noticing me.

  “Clara, if he’s your date to my wedding I want to get to know him. I don’t need drama on my day. Besides him and I had chemistry."

  “Clara, Maureen,” I say, interrupting Maureen’s selfish rant.

  “Ben,” Maureen says, turning around with a fake smile plastered on her face.

  Before I can say anything, Clara launches herself at me, hugging me so she can whisper in my ear. I grab her ass instead.

  It’s a nice fucking ass.

  “I’m sorry, Ben,” Clara whispers against the shell of my ear. “She insisted on coming and seeing you. I’m sure she wants to humiliate me. I tried to text you, but you didn’t answer.”

  My hands brand her perfect ass as she clings onto me, and for a second I forget where I am. I don’t want to let her go, but as my cock ticks to life, I whisper back into her ear, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you, Clara.” I step back, my eyes meeting hers, and then I face Tom “Put these two lovely ladies in the VIP section.” I tug Clara close again. “I have to get back, but I’ll see you tonight. Oh, and one more thing, every dance I do tonight I’ll be thinking of you.”

  Clara’s cheeks burn bright red as I step back, studying her. I know she wants things all business, but fuck, I can’t help myself when she’s around.

  As I walk away, I overhear Maureen saying, “Oh VIP section, I guess you can do some things right.”

  I turn around, walking backward with a big smile, my attention all on the girl who is slowly crawling into my system. “Clara, you look sexy tonight. I’m glad you came to see me.”

  Maureen scoffs and my chest fills with pride.

  “You look sexy too.” Clara smiles and winks. And I have to stop myself from wanting to strip her down naked and explore the curves I know she has underneath that tight-green dress.

  “Is that Clara?” Axel asks when I open my locker to pull out my phone. I grin when I see the frantic text messages from Clara. Her panic is kind of adorable.

  “Maureen’s attempting to prove Clara’s a liar by showing up here unannounced. Also, Maureen thinks we have chemistry.”

  “She thinks you and Clara have chemistry?”

  I give my brothers my full attention. “No, she thinks there’s some hidden spark between me and her… Maureen.”

  “Isn’t she getting married?”

  I shrug.

  “But, doesn’t she see the real chemistry between you and Clara?” Axel asks.

  I shrug again.

  Wait.

  “There’s no chemistry between Clara and me,” I say, thrusting my phone back into my locker and slamming the door. “It’s complicated.”

  Damien and Axel laugh. Then they face each other, having their own private conversation. “He’s more fucked up than we originally thought.” They laugh, and laugh and laugh.

  And everyone thinks it’s all so fucking funny.

  Jokes at my expense.

  Well, I know the truth. There’s nothing going on between Clara and I. In fact, the only reason I want to kiss, and a whole laundry list of things, to her is because...is because...well I don’t fucking know.

  All I do know is she’s different.

  “Look at Rick,” Axel says with a laugh. He’s talking more to Damien, but I push my way to the door to peek through the peephole.

  Because I just have this feeling.

  “What the hell is he doing?” My eyes narrow as I watch Clara and Maureen blink up at Rick as he flexes his arms, trying his best to put them in a trance. I knew he’d be going after them. “I’m going to rip his arms off his body and shove them up his ass.”

  I rock my neck from side to side, cracking it in the process and breathe deeply. I’m ready for war.

  My heart’s a battledrum, banging against my chest, leading me in the march across the floor.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Damien’s hand reaches out and grabs my wrist, stopping me before I leave.

  “I was thinking about ripping his arms off first, maybe poking his eyes out. I don’t know, I was going to wing it.” I shrug out of Damien’s hold and continue to move toward Clara and the dead man.

  “You can’t go after, Rick. He doesn’t know Clara’s yours.”

  “She’s not mine.”

  “Well, you’re acting like she is,” Axel says, stepping in front of me.

  “Listen, the deal is almost done. Willie will be pissed if you start something on the showroom floor. Don’t do anything to ruin this chance. We’ve worked too hard,” Damien says, standing next to Axel blocking my way.

  They’re right. And I hate when they’re right.

  But, it’s the truth. We’ve worked way too hard.

  “Ok, I’m not going to beat him up.”

  My brothers relax and move out of the way. I take the opportunity to walk through the hole they made. “Where are you going, Ben?” Damien asks.

  “Don’t worry I’m not going to hurt him.”

  “What are you going to do?” Axel asks.

  “I’m going to show Rick how it’s done.” I grin.

  I cross the club, my destination, the VIP section. “I heard someone requested a lap dance.” I smile at Clara.

  “Oh, I’ll give her the lap dance,” Rick says, grinning at Clara with lust written all over his face.

  “No, I think you should let my brother do it. He was requested.” Damien and Axel pull Rick away, but before he leaves I stop them. “Why don’t you give her lovely friend a lap dance, Rick? It’s on me.” Rick’s smile falters but it's replaced with ease playing the part even though he wants Clara and not Maureen.

  Pfft.

  I straddle Clara’s legs and move her hair from her ear whispering into it, “Get ready.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” she says back with a hitch in her voice.

  I graze my fingers down her cheek, and my body heats up. “Fuck, yeah I do.”

  The music starts. The women and men around us scream as one of the dancers takes the stage. I’m not paying attention to any of it as I grind against Clara, moving around her, giving her the best lap dance I’ve ever given.

  Like a preview of what could come.

  With my lips a hairbreadth away from her skin, I travel down her neck, over her collarbone until she trembles. My cock’s rock hard, something that never happens when I give a lap dance. But the way Clara’s innocent eyes watch me, turns me on. How can I not be hard with that look?

  My pulse kicks up a notch, lighting my blood on fire, heating me up to inferno levels. The club fades away, and all I hear is our hearts beating in tandem.

  She’s hot. And everyone fucking knows it. Rick knows it. My brothers know it. But I’m the lucky son
-of-a-bitch who gets a front row seat to it.

  She’s turned on. I can tell by the way her breathy moans barely leave her lips.

  The deep beat of the song vibrates around us. And Clara’s red lips glisten.

  They're too inviting.

  Too magnetic.

  I sweep in, wanting a kiss, yet pulling away less than an inch before I remember where I am.

  “I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now,” I say into her ear as I put her hands on my chest, letting her feel the hammering of my heart.

  It’s all for her.

  She darts her pink tongue out, wetting her lips.

  “I really need to kiss you.” I lean in and suck on her earlobe, making her moan while her arms wrap around my neck.

  “Then why don’t you?”

  I take her arms and move them back to my chest. “You’re killing me, Clara.”

  She smiles wide. “Kiss me, Ben.” The way she says my name makes me want to say fuck the rules of Big Willie’s.

  Always be attainable.

  Don’t be attached.

  Don’t kiss the patrons.

  And a million others that aren’t coming to mind right now, because my mind is entranced by this rockin’ hot body grinding on me.

  “I can’t kiss you here.”

  “Where can you kiss me?”

  I pull back, gazing into her eyes, studying her. “Do you know what you’re asking me?”

  She bites her lower lip, giving me a tentative nod. “Yeah,” she breathes out.

  I lean in closer, breathing her in, my cock ready to burst free from my shorts. “I can kiss you at your house when I get off work.”

  She blinks, not saying a word. Most likely contemplating on what we’re both saying to each other. Before I can outright beg her to let me come over and rock her world, she whispers a little, “Ok.”

  Chapter 11

  Clara

  “Oh, that was something special,” Maureen says, fixing her lipstick in her compact mirror.

  “Have a good night, ladies.” Rick smiles, slinking off.