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“You go on ahead and rejoin the party.” Helen cupped her hands on Monique and gently kissed her lips. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll catch up.”
Monique kissed her again as Helen embraced her.I want to smell like her. Even though Monique had to detach and fix herself up in the nearest mirror before heading out into Midnight, she still wanted to bring as much of her Mistress as she could with her.
Life went on as if nothing had happened in the VIP room. People mingled in the club. A show began on the main stage. Waitresses wearing collars carried trays of drinks. And Monique Grant sauntered to the large table in the back, alone, but not without Helen’s marks on her.
A chilling laugh came from the table.
She stopped. Her legs turned to mush.No.
She’d recognize that laugh anywhere. She had heard it in her dreams. Her nightmares. Sure enough, as soon as she turned the corner and encountered the party, she saw that a newcomer had taken Helen’s chair in their absence. The conversation stopped. A light-haired woman in a tan suit pulled a cigar out of her mouth and looked to her left.
Monique looked right back into the eyes of Jacqueline Love.
Chapter 16
Crossing Boundaries
Everyone was uncomfortable. Save for the woman gazing at Monique over her shoulder.
“Monique.” She stood. Monique took a step back. “Long time no see…”
Yes. A long time, but not long enough. “Jacqueline.”
Her resolve was weak. For a woman who had felt like she was in Heaven only a moment ago, she was now as still as a statue, hoping that the less interesting she was, the less likely Jacqueline might pay attention to her.
Things didn’t work like that.
Jacqueline approached, keeping a respectful distance but holding back what she wanted to do.Hit me, probably.Monique refused to shudder in the presence of her ex.
“How are you doing?” Jacqueline stuck the cigarette back in her mouth like a pompous ass. To think that Monique once found such behavior attractive.What did I know? I wasyounger and dumber.“I’ve been hearing interesting stories about you. If I didn’t think it would make you uppity, I’d come visit that lovely business you started up with Coleman’s money.”
Monique deeply inhaled her breath. “I’m fine.” She didn’t ask how Jacqueline was doing.
Finally, she approached, her scent taking Monique back to those dark days in which she was a prisoner in another’s mansion. “What brings you here? Never thought I’d run into you in one of my… favorite places.”
She's trying to get to you.Monique had to look away before she capitulated to the chills attempting to claim her. “I go where I please.”
Jacqueline tilted her head. “Withwhomeveryou please, it seems like.”
Monique sensed Helen behind her before turning toward her. Helen’s brows were furrowed, her jaw hardened like stone. “Jacqueline Love.”
The woman in question took a long drag of her cigarette before blowing a trail of smoke into the air. “Who are you again? Hattie Wilson?”
“Helen Warner.”
“Oh, right. I’ve heard of you. Well.” Jacqueline winked. Monique wanted to vomit. “I must be going. Merely stopped by to say hello to some friends.” Her wave to the table was a bit too enthusiastic. “Hope to see you around, Monique. Always good to see a familiar face.”
She slowly passed by them, staring at Monique through the corners of her eyes. She stood, stoic, wishing Helen would do something, anything.What can she do?Besides stand protectively near the woman she dated?
“Warner.”
Helen’s hand went to the small of Monique’s back. “Don’t satisfy her,” she muttered into her girlfriend’s ear.
The moment Jacqueline disappeared around a corner, it was as if a fog lifted. People went back to chatting, and the music grew louder. Monique pushed herself from Helen’s extending embrace and cleared her throat. “Can we go?”
“Of course.”
They said curt goodbyes before heading to the coat check and collecting their deposited belongings. On their way toward the door, however, Monique released Helen’s hand and made a detour toward the bathroom. “Sorry. I need to.”
