Читать книгу Designed by Desire - Pamela Yaye - Страница 13

Chapter 5

“Collin, darling, how wonderful to see you again,” gushed the hostess standing at the entrance to Nouveau, her slender hands outstretched in greeting. Smiling from ear to ear, she leaned in and kissed Collin on both cheeks. “The VIP area is jumping tonight.”

Collin addressed the hostess, but his eyes were glued to Brianna. “We want to be alone. The farther away from the crowd, the better.”

“I could set you up in one of our themed party rooms, if you’d like,” she proposed. “Would you prefer the disco room or the safari room?”

“The disco room sounds like fun,” Brianna said, raising her voice above the music playing in the lounge.

The hostess led them past the bar, down a narrow corridor to a door left of the coat check room. She opened it and pushed aside the beaded curtain. Brianna stepped inside, took one look at the strobe lights and shag carpeting and felt as if she’d stepped back in time. Amused, Brianna moved slowly around the room, taking everything in.

A glittering, metallic disco ball hung from the ceiling and large potted candles cast a soft glow across the room. Glass bowls filled with condoms sat on one end table, and a bucket of Cristal sat on the other. Incense sticks were burning inside a boot-shaped vase, and the heady eucalyptus scent overwhelmed her senses.

I hope incense is the only thing that’s burning, Brianna thought, admiring the framed poster-size photographs on the wall near the pool table. I am way too old to be getting high for the first time.

“This is some room.” Collin opened the minibar, grabbed two wine coolers and, after unscrewing the cap, handed one to Brianna. “I’m glad you talked me into coming here. I would’ve hated to miss all this.”

Brianna raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that what happened?”

“It sure did. I was perfectly happy sitting on the tour bus sightseeing, but you just had to see Rashad J.” Mischief glimmered in his deep-brown eyes. “I didn’t have the heart to disappoint you.”

“You’re as noble as a saint. I wish there were more people in the world just like you.”

Collin tossed his head back and chuckled a hearty laugh.

“I still can’t believe we’re here.” Brianna shook her head. “This is crazy and so not me. I haven’t been to a club since I was a teenager—”