Vulnerable Pieces (Cape Isle, #4): A Cape Isle Novel Read online

  When we first arrived, I spun around like a kid in a candy store just taking in the view. The walls illuminate red and orange, glowing like flames in a fire. Blue strobe lights above remind me of the Gulf water at night, rippling in the moon light. Every hour, fans blow to create a windstorm. Behind the DJ booth is a set of four giant televisions showing different scenes of each element: earth, air, fire and water. The perimeter of the club is lined with leather, half-circle booths, almost sofa-like, with large oval tables. From the booths, there is still get a great view of the dance floor, so you can people watch or kick back with your friends.

  We’ve been at the club for an hour now. I wore my shortest, curve hugging dress in cranberry red. This is my signature color. It goes good with my bronze American Indian skin tone. My hair looks fabulous – chocolate-brown spirals hang long and loose down to my mid back. My shoes are strappy wedges: I don’t need to be falling on my ass while dancing. Yes, it may provide some amusement for the locals, but my intension is not to be the entertainment tonight. I am looking for my own personal entertainment, someone who can satisfy a certain need. Before you get the wrong idea about me, I’m not the type who sleeps around with random men. I’ve never had a one-night stand; I’ve never even come close. In fact, I have slept with a grand total of two men.

  Tonight is the first night I have put myself out there again. After Travis left, I realized I’d based my life around his. I need my own goals now, a bucket list, although calling it that sounds too boring, like Travis.

  My grandmother, to this day, tells me her stories, she calls them adventures. It makes life seem more exciting calling it an adventure, and that’s exactly what I need…. excitement.

  Slowly, I’ve been forming my own list of adventures. Tonight I am ready to cross some items off that list, and ‘pick up guy at club’ just happens to the item I am focusing on - that is if someone catches my eye.

  Looking for a new man was not originally on my agenda, but I may be persuaded to go to an after-hours party, for two. There is only one requirement…. Must be smokin’ hot.

  For six long years, Travis the Douche (his accurate name) and I went to the same two bars where everyone was his friend. A typical evening’s conversation would go something like this…

  Him: Why can’t you dress more like her?

  Me: Because I’m not a stripper, Travis.

  Him: Why can’t your body look more like that?

  Me: Because I’m not made to be a size zero, Travis.

  Him: I don’t like your hair like that.

  Me: Well, how do you want it to look? This is the hair I was born with, Travis.

  And so on and so on.

  Ok, so I lied… there is more than one requirement for my new guy. He cannot be a douche, like my ex, this means he must know how to have a good time!

  I often wonder why it took me so long to open my eyes and see that Travis is, in fact, a douche. When he told me he couldn’t handle living with me, I was dumbfounded. There was nothing for him to handle. I handled all the cooking, cleaning, paying the electric, and the rent. The only job he had was to pay the cable bill.

  Aly looks at me, knowing my thoughts are drifting. “If you don’t stop that, I’ll slap you upside the head.” Because that’s what best friends say to you when you are being an idiot. I let Travis affect my life for too long. So, that’s it. I am stripping all thoughts of The Douche out of my head and moving on.

  My girls and I are finally letting off some much needed steam. I brought Alyssa, my best friend for life, and Lexi, who is the resident party girl of our group: she only does one-night stands or keeps friends with benefits, saying relationships are too much work. Then there is Dani, my coworker, and Jade, who I met the night of my twenty-first birthday.

  It has been a month since the Douche incident and I feel fantastic. We are dancing, bumping and grinding against anything and everything that is male because it makes us feel sexy.

  Elements’ serves these amazing signature drinks that match their theme, and I plan on trying each one. I make my way to the bar with Aly and Lexi. As we walk, Lexi points indicating options for the night, but before I even consider approaching anyone, I need more courage.

  When we arrived earlier, I started out light: a fruity drink with edible flowers. This time, I decide to go with the Ocean Blue Martini. As we step up to the bar, Lexi has different plans. The three of us partake in her choice of the literally smoking shots. They serve them in a tray of six, each one different. Once we each have our own set, we toast each other, then down the hatch…because that’s how we roll tonight.

  The effects of the alcohol are definitely kicking in, and I’m ready to hit the dance floor again. The DJ is playing a Ke$ha mix. Blow comes through the speakers. Instantly, I start scanning the crowd for Jade. She points to me from across the dance floor. You know that one song, the one that makes you happy no matter what kind of mood you are feeling, the one that has you turning the volume up full blast in the car so that all the men honk, while the women look at you as if you are completely crazy? That’s what this song does to Jade and me. We first heard it on a road trip together. When I reach her, I start my best hip shake. I’m not a dancer by any means, but I know how to shake what God gave me. He blessed me with hips and a set of boobs to match. For the first time in my life, my five foot seven, size ten frame feels sexy.

  The DJ goes straight into the hot song of the summer, one with a sensual beat behind it, and while getting into the groove of the music, I suddenly feel two hands on my hips.

  I don’t look back yet, because I can’t bear to be disappointed. I look at Lexi and she does a double wink, our signal that he fits requirement one. A single wink with a hand sweeping the shoulder means ‘do the spin and leave now’.

  I continue shaking my ass against his length.

  The longer we grind, the more I feel him growing, harder and harder. His arm snakes around my waist pulling me tight to his chest, which feels like a brick wall of solid muscle. I move my hands up around his neck into his hair, loving the length: short, but just enough for me to grab.

  Please let him be hot.

  I don’t think my girl would lie to me, and I’m not in the mood for being teased.

  Maybe it’s the alcohol, but who cares? I never get to act like this. I’m twenty-six and SINGLE.

  He moves my hair over my one shoulder. I can feel his warm breath on my ear.

  “You having a good time tonight?” His voice has a deep rasp to it that goes straight to my panties. I glance over my shoulder to see the face behind the sexy voice. What I notice first is the full set of kissable lips, and then I see his eyes. They don’t disappoint. Green with rim of hazel around the edge, they are surrounded by thick lashes.

  Yes, eyes are my weakness.

  He gets close to my ear so I can hear him over the music. “What’s your name, baby?”

  Once again, the sound of his voice affects me, and for a moment I forget my name. It feels like an eternity has passed before I finally lean close to his ear to tell him.

  Get it together, Katerina, you got this girl!

  “Why don’t you turn around so I can properly introduce myself?”

  I turn, staring at the wall of hotness in front of me. He is wearing a dark t-shirt that is tight against his chest and arm muscles. His jeans are a dark wash, and I bet they hug his firm ass. I may be a sucker for eyes, but a sexy ass will get me going every time! I think I had a mini orgasm just looking at him. He pulls me hard to his body, thrusting his leg between mine, grinding against me.

  Damn, this is hot.

  “I’m Caleb. Nice to meet you, Katerina.”

  The way he says my name instantly, has my body on fire. “My friends call me Kat.”

  Caleb pulls my arms back around his neck, and they instinctively move into his hair again. Now that I know what he looks like, it is even nicer… so freakin’ soft, and I momentarily wonder what shampoo he uses.

  Either he forgot to shave today,
or he always has scruff, giving him that sexy masculine look. His scent, Old Spice Fiji, is driving me crazy. I know it well, from smelling the bottles at work. Definitely all male.

  “I guess we will have to become friends then, Kat.” Caleb says back to me.

  The song ends, but we continue dancing through the next few.

  God, it feels so good to be held like this.

  He turns me around again, so my ass is snug against his front. My body feels as though it’s molded into his.

  “Put your hand in my hair again, baby. I liked the way you were touching me.”

  I’ll do whatever you want. Keep it together, Kat.

  Caleb puts his hand on my chin, tilts my head to the side so he exposes my neck, dropping his lips first on my shoulders.

  He begins trailing light kisses all the way up to my ear. I can feel his tongue making contact with each kiss, leaving my skin slightly dampened. When he hits each sensitive spot, goose bumps form on my skin. The way he touches me has me wanting more. I grip his hair tighter, pulling his lips to mine, and he teases them with his tongue before gently biting, which causes my mouth to open. As if he’s tasting me, he grazes my tongue lightly before entangling it with mine.

  This is the sexiest kiss I ever had. Panty-melting, toe-curling, chills-down-my-spine kind of sexy good. My ex never kissed like this.

  Check on my list, kiss someone who makes your knees go weak.

  My grip on his hair tightens as Caleb deepens the kiss, rolling his tongue against mine with each stroke in. My stomach and other female parts quiver in response.

  Just when I thought my panties might melt off, I feel someone bump against my side… Aly.

  Her eyes are bugged out, giving me her best ‘what the fuck gesture’ because, hello, I don’t know this guy! Her bumping into me forces me to stop kissing Caleb, which in turn causes him to groan and squeeze my hip. I look at Aly. I mouth “cock blocker”. She just smiles and keeps dancing next to me.

  Aly’s man, Mike, is with us tonight. He rarely comes out with us, so to Aly this is a special occasion. Tonight they seem to be having a good time. Mike is actually dancing with her. Usually, he sits at the bar drinking and staring at other women. Can you tell I’m not a fan of the jerk? That’s a whole different story, and its Aly’s, to tell.

  I need a break from the dancing. My body is sweaty and sticky, and I need to cool off. I’m not sure if it’s the dancing or the man beside me has me feeling like this.

  “I’m going to get a drink.” I motion to Aly to see if she wants to join me but she waves me off. She’s busy bumping on her man. Mike looks like a fish out of water dancing with her. Aly is all fluid motion, while he is stiff as a board. All my other girls are dancing together, giving me the thumbs up for the hottie next to me.

  I make my way up to the bar and Caleb follows beside me. I’m shocked that he does. I figure a guy that looks like him would just dance with the next chick on the floor, but he walks close to the bar ordering our drinks almost immediately from the female bartender. I put the emphasis on female, because she is eyeing him like he’s a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and two cherries on top. He didn’t ask what I want, but he orders me the last drink on their menu that I haven’t yet tried. It’s some red liquid, lit with a flame, and before handing it to me, he blows out the flame, winking.

  With our drinks in hand, he motions for me to follow, leading me to a table at the far end of the club so we have a better chance of hearing each other. I’m terrible at the small talk thing. Like I said, I haven’t been out in forever. I close my eyes and take a sip of my drink, letting the liquid courage run down my throat. I take the cool glass, running it over my overheated face, then lick my lips clean. Caleb is staring at me.

  “You are beautiful, you know that, baby?”

  Yeah right.

  “How many other girls did you say that to tonight, handsome?”

  He pauses for a moment. “I called one other girl beautiful tonight, but I don’t think my mother counts. As for the baby, no one, ever.”

  Once I feel the alcohol kick in, my words come a little easier. “What do you usually call your women?”

  “Never gave it much thought before. I guess I go with the standard ‘sweetheart’.” He says as he runs his hands across his jawline.

  “Well, I feel honored for the upgrade in status.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. You are definitely an upgrade from the usual women here.”

  “Good line, very smooth.”

  We finish our drinks and he pulls me up to him.

  He smiles. “Well I am saving a few more of those lines for later. Want to hit the floor again, or would you like to get out of here? It’s your choice, baby girl.”

  Can I do this? It’s been so long.

  I know what my original plan was for tonight, but I also know once we leave, there is no turning back. I fight a war in my head. The good girl says, ‘stay, you don’t know a thing about this guy; party girl says, ‘go, get dirty, let’s party. And by party, I mean get laid.’

  Who do I listen to?

  “Let’s go, I just have to tell my girls.”

  He pulls me back to his front. “Lead the way.”

  He never breaks contact with my body, the whole way to my friends.

  I find Aly first, and whisper in her ear (more like yell), “I’m outta here. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  She looks behind me asking, “Who’s the stud attached to your back? Are you going to introduce me?”

  “Aly, this is Caleb. Caleb, this is Aly.” I say it quickly because I know what is coming next. Aly will go all ‘protective momma bear’ on his ass.

  She walks purposely next to Caleb and says, “You take care of my girl. She needs to have fun for once, but you be good to her. If not, you will deal with all of us girls. Now go make some noise.”

  “Aly, I promise, I will take the best care of her.” Caleb says and he winks at her. She laughs and turns away.

  Chapter Three

  Caleb

  What I thought would be a usual night out with my boys is definitely turning out to be better than I expected. I’m twenty-eight years old, and probably getting too old for the club scene. Most of the girls here, when they see a good-looking guy, they dance a little harder, let us buy them a drink, and flirt a little. I’m down with the games they play, but I’m not okay with the ones who talk the talk only to end up being a tease. After all, I’m a man with needs.

  Lately, those needs have been put on the back burner.

  Tonight, I have an itch that needs to be scratched, though. It’s time for me to have a little fun – a much needed night out; music, alcohol and women, and I know I won’t have any problems finding someone willing for the evening.

  Just so you don’t think I am a total man whore, I do not fuck all of them. As long as we both get off in some way, shape or form, all parties walk away with a smile.

  While sitting at the bar, knocking back a beer with my boys, three girls come up beside us. My eyes immediately start scanning the brunette. She’s a fine piece. Her body is stacked, all hips, tits and ass like an old time pin up model. Watching her lick her lips causes my dick to jump, letting me know it is still awake.

  When a song she seems to like comes on, she screams, throwing her hands in the air. I take a gulp of my beer to cover my laugh. The girls are unaware that my boys are completely checking them out. Before I know it, Brunette is skimming the crowd, heading back to the dance floor. My eyes follow her the whole time, making sure she is alone and not here with someone.

  My boy, Bentley, hits my shoulder, “Which one you got your eyes on?”

  Without taking my eyes off her, I stake my claim. He seems happy with my answer. “Good, I didn’t want to flip you for the blonde.”

  It’s my lucky night, Brunette is dancing with a bunch of girls. Bentley’s prospect, however, is now in some guy’s arms. “Sorry man, looks like you’re out of luck.”

  Sitting on the st
ool, I watch her for a moment. Damn, the woman knows how to shake it.

  You see, I like women who have something I can grab hold of, and the way her hips move, she has me at half-mast just watching her across the dance floor. Finishing my beer in one last gulp, I place the empty bottle on the bar, and say goodnight to my boys. If I’m lucky enough, I won’t see them again until work tomorrow morning, and with that, I make my way to the dance floor.

  After a few dances and a drink, I’m ready to get out of here. I know I can convince her to leave with me. Her friend stops me to give me a warning before we head out the front door. I like the way she is protective of Kat.

  Grabbing her hips from behind, I pull her close so that she can feel my growing excitement on her backside. “You’re mine for tonight. Where are we going? It’s your choice.”

  Kat looks at me with questioning eyes. “Where do you want to go, baby?”

  “There’s a hotel up the way.”

  I don’t bring one nighters to my place. Repeats and clingers need not apply. I am a tag it and bag it guy. The word ‘relationship’ is not in my vocabulary, and since honesty is the best policy, so my momma says, I will make sure she knows it first and is satisfied in the end.

  I hail a cab for us, not wanting her to have to walk the five blocks in those shoes, and I open the door for her to climb in first. Tilting my head at the delicious view of her ass as she slides in, I climb in next to her, telling the cabby where to go before closing the door. As the car pulls out into traffic, I slide my hand up and down her thigh. Her skin is smooth as silk. Testing the waters, I slide it higher, lightly grazing her panties. The heat that is coming from her has my dick growing excited. She grips the seat, as her head rolls back.

  Already I can tell this is going to be a stimulating night.