“You?” The second one giggles.
“He kept coming back for more, didn’t he? Told me I was the best fuck he’d ever had. Coming from him, I took that as a big compliment. I bet he’d still be good for a go now.”
“You think so? From what I hear he’s playing the monogamous card nowadays. Never looks at any other women. He knocked Cherie Walters back the other day and was none too polite about it, from what I heard.”
“Yeah, well, Jake never could say no to me. Especially when I was on my knees in his office, sucking him off.”
I’m going to throw up.
“I knew you were fucking him, but sucking him off in his office? Class!” She laughs.
“I turned up to see him one day at his office, wearing only my underwear under my trench, and I sucked his cock while he sat at his desk. Then he fucked me senseless over it.”
Oh God. I close my eyes and put my head in my hands.
“You’re so bad.” The other one giggles.
“Maybe I’ll go offer my services to him now if that British twinkie isn’t around.” I hear her slap her lips together and then the click of a purse closing. “I’m sure he’ll be up for a quickie in the back. If not, I might just pay him a visit at the label tomorrow.”
Heels click away from me; then I hear the door shut with a bang.
My whole body is shaking. My head prickling. Why didn’t I just burst out there and make my presence known?
Now she’s going to go out there and proposition Jake while I’m here like an idiot with my panties around my ankles.
Hot tears sting my eyes.
Don’t cry. Don’t you dare bloody cry, Trudy Bennett, over a couple of nasty bitches.
It’s at times like this I wish Simone were here. I know she would have marched out there and slapped them stupid.
Normally I would have said something.
But I know why I didn’t.
Because what could I say? Yes, Jake was a whore of the worst kind, but he’s not like that anymore!
They’d have laughed me out of here.
Honestly, part of me fears it’s still in him. That one day soon, I won’t be enough to keep him.
Forcing back the tears, my face burning with the shame of my cowardice, I finish on the toilet, wash my hands, straighten myself out, and head back into the club.
As I come from the archway, I spot Jake across the room still at the bar. Zane’s nowhere to be seen, and Jake is now talking to a stunning blonde. Legs up to her neck, skirt there to meet them.
Bile rises in my throat, alongside an intense shot of rage.
I’m just about to march over there and give the blonde tramp a move-along speech, when I hear my name called from behind.
Turning, I see one of my old journo buddies from the circuit back in the UK, Jefferson Dunn. I’d heard he had come to America to work for a magazine.
Even though I’m pissed right now, a smile still crosses my face to see someone from back home.
“Jefferson!” I beam.
“Trudy Bennett,” he says, smiling. “Look at you. How the hell are you?” He envelops me in a hug. I instantly get a whiff of strong alcohol on him.
“I’m good. Great, actually, thanks. How are you?” I say, stepping back from his embrace.
“I’m great. All the better for seeing you. I heard you’d moved out here—with Jake Wethers, of all people.”
“Yes.” I lift my shoulders lightly, lips remaining in a smile.
I really don’t want to talk about Jake right now.
“Where is the rock star?” Jefferson asks, looking around. “I’d love to meet him.”
Not wanting to point out Jake and the fact that he’s at the bar with a leggy blonde—especially to Jefferson, who’s always on the tout for a story—I say, “Oh, he’s busy right now. Business, you know.”
“Sure…you’ll have to introduce me to him later.” He takes a sip of his drink, which looks to be whiskey. “What brings you here tonight?” he asks.
“The support act is signed to Jake’s label. What about you?”
“Work. I’m doing a piece on Raine.”
“Right, cool.” I shift on my feet, distracted.
I want to go over to Jake and the blonde, who, from what I can see in my glances over Jefferson’s shoulder, is shamelessly flirting herself all over him, but I don’t want to come off as rude to Jefferson.
“If Jake’s busy with business right now, how about I keep you company until he’s done? You want to dance?” He tilts his head in the direction of the dance floor. I see his eyes flicker to my chest.
I’m throwing this bloody top in the bin when I get home.
“Um…”
I really don’t want to dance. I would actually quite like to go home, to be honest.
I sneak another glance over Jefferson’s shoulder at Jake. Jake says something to the blonde, and she throws back her head and laughs, putting her hand on his chest.
I have a flashback to Paris and the redhead. The redhead Jake kissed in front of me, to get back at me for not breaking up with Will, after he’d begged me to.
Jealousy sears through me like a red-hot poker. I grit my teeth.
“You know what? I would love to dance,” I say to Jefferson through my teeth.
Screw Jake and his blonde…and all of his fucking conquests for that matter.
Pulling out the strap on my clutch, I hang it over my shoulder. Jefferson downs his drink, and, taking his offered hand, I let him lead me through the crowd to the centre of the dance floor.