Page 9 of When Hearts Unravel

But I’m different. I’m sex on a stick.

Murderer.

Chugging down another drink, I relish the burn singeing my throat, and finally, the sharp edges dull in my mind. I close my eyes and let the audience’s roar of approval fan the wild flames licking my chest.

No more thoughts.

Just sensations.

Give people what they want.

The deejay turns up the music, a sexy club number, and a few blinding flashes light up the floor. A faint warning crosses my mind.Paparazzi are here. Get a grip. Everyone’s watching.Lana, my younger sister and chief of public relations, allowed them on site today to generate hype for the cruise.

You’re a fraud.No, stop it. I want the voices to stop.

I’m too far gone, too desperate for relief to care. Instead of climbing down the stage and finding a hole to crawl into, I shrug out of my jacket and toss it behind me.

The heat from the spotlight chars my skin, a surface-level burn that’s nothing compared to the inferno incinerating my insides. The heavy bass, a chaoticthump, thump, thump,deafens my ears.

Slowly, I unbutton my dress shirt, needing to feel the AC because I’m being burned alive.

The crowd goes wild, the women screaming at my striptease. I slide my hand down my chest and abs, gyrating my hips, thrusting to the sensual beats of the music.

Sensations. Just sensations.

Suddenly, two girls appear next to me, security fast at their heels.

“It’s okay,”I mouth to the guards.

Women. Maybe they’ll make me forget.

“Gorgeous ladies, are you enjoying yourselves tonight?” I direct my classic panty-melting grin at the voluptuous brunette, and she giggles.

“The party is awesome.” The redhead from earlier clings to me. “Do you remember me from last time, Rexy?” She bats her fake eyelashes.

If only I could forget.

“You’re Jenny with the best lips from Trésor six months ago.” I pull her closer and whisper in her ear, “You were wearing the red minidress with sky-high heels.”

She also had a penchant for moaning like a porn star when she gave head. Her technique? More teeth than tongue, more slobbering than suction.

I had to concentrate really hard to come that night. My malfunctioning dick didn’t help, but I couldn’t disappoint the ladies.

“You remembered!” She rubs herself all over me, her barely covered tits grazing my abs.

But my dick doesn’t stir.

The brunette, clearly not wanting to miss out, turns my face toward her, and gives me her best come-hither look. “We can get out of here and celebrate your birthday privately. I don’t mind sharing, Rex.”

The three of us are now writhing on stage in a sexy dance.

I should be turned on. I should haul them into a kink room and bury my guilt into their warmth.

But my cock doesn’t twitch. My nerves might as well be dead. The alcohol, the Velowake, the abundance of tits and ass around me—nothing works.

Only darkness pulls me in.

Frustrated, I tear my eyes away, noticing the club goers finally turning their attention away from us.