The club doors opened like the gates to another world.
The moment we stepped in, the bass slammed into my chest. Deep, pulsing, alive. Everything glittered. From the walls textured in gold to the crystal–beaded chandeliers hanging low and moody over the crowd. VIP booths lined the elevated edges, roped off with sleek velvet.
Tables shimmered under soft spotlights, and dancers moved on elevated stages with practiced, hypnotic confidence, every movement sharp, fluid and impossible to look away.
In this space, status faded. What mattered was rhythm, confidence, and how well keep up with the beat.
you
could
Everyone here was someone
And no one cared.
Sophia flashed the bouncer a smile and led me up to the VIP section like she owned it.
I hadn’t even settled into the luxe seating and or taken in the glowing tray of champagne when I heard my name.
“Emily!”
0.00%
08:25
Chapter 12
288 Vouchers
Jay threw his arms open in exaggerated excitement, as if I’d just returned from a decade-long disappearance.
“Look at you,” he said, spinning me once. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“She said she’d spank you,” Sophia added, smirking over the rim of her drink as she took a slow sip.
“Oh right,” I grinned. “Come here.”
I smacked his butt lightly, and he jumped in mock offense.
“You’ve been hanging out with Sophia too long. Bad influence,” he teased.
“And you,” I said, squinting at him with a grin. “Who says you’re a good influence?”
“Gossiping about me, were you?” he asked, sliding back into his seat.
“Of course,” I replied with a smirk. “You’re not the only one with a mouth, you know.”
Sophia snorted and wandered off to request something from the DJ.
13.07%
08:25
Jay leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Seriously though. Are you good? The other day, your vibe was way off.”
I hesitated. “It was nothing, really.”
He raised a brow.
I countered, “Why did you call Mason?”
His grin turned wolfish. “Trust me. I’ve got my reasons.‘
”
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re avoiding the question.” He pointed at me. “But I’m not done.”
I sighed. “Fine. Why did you give Liam my address?”
He winced, dramatically. “What could I do? He threatened, bribed, practically drafted a contract. I was cornered.”
24.79%
08:25
Chapter 12
I laughed. “Cut the act. We both know it was the bribe that sold you.”
“Oh, I can neither confirm nor deny,” he said, flashing a grin before taking a slow sip.
288 Vouchers
I shook my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
He leaned closer, practically buzzing with curiosity. “So… what happened? Give me the full story. No skipping details.”
I took a long sip of champagne. “You’ll die of curiosity, then.”
“Ouch. Harsh. And here I thought we were friends.”
Sophia returned just in time for the music to switch. A bold, high–energy beat dropped and the crowd responded instantly.
“Let’s go,” she said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the dance floor.
I didn’t fight it.
The lights pulsed, the energy soared, and the air crackled with life. We moved with the music, letting everything else fall away. I didn’t overanalyze. I just danced.
33.20%
08:25
Chapter 12
Until I felt it.
That prickle on the back of my neck.
Someone was watching me.
I turned slowly and there he was.
Liam.
Standing by the bar, mid–conversation with Jay, but his gaze was on me.
Piercing.
Steady.
Undeniably intense.
What the hell was he doing here?
288 iVouchers
Sophia and I pulled off the dance floor a while later to rehydrate. The servers brought over chilled glasses, but I barely tasted mine. I couldn’t ignore the way Liam’s eyes followed me. Even as he sipped his drink, even while Jay spoke to him, his attention kept drifting back.
45.74%
08:25
Chapter 12
:
Sophia caught it too. Her eyes met Jay’s. They shared a mischievous glance.
I took another sip. Or two.
By the time we returned to the dance floor, I was more than tipsy.
And I needed to escape Liam Black’s scorching stare before I did something stupid.
So I dragged Sophia with me.
This time, I let go.
Truly let go.
288 Vouchers
The music pulsed through me, and I moved with it. Wild. Loose. Free. The alcohol hummed
in my veins, blurring caution and turning up the volume on confidence.
Sophia eventually excused herself to grab water, leaving me dancing alone.
That was when some random guy slid up behind me, clearly drunk and very bold.
54.28%
08:25
Chapter 12
“Hey gorgeous,” he said, placing a hand on my waist.
I turned sharply. “Back off.”
He didn’t listen. “Come on, don’t be like that.”
“I said no.”
11:288 Wouchers
He leaned in anyway, and I was two seconds from walking off when a voice cut through the noise.
“She’s with me.”
Liam.
The guy took one look at him and disappeared into the crowd.
I stared at him, still catching my breath. “You didn’t have to…but thanks anyway.”
64.19%
08.25
Chapter 12
He didn’t respond right away. Just extended his hand, eyes locked on mine.
“Dance with me.”
Before I could think, the DJ shifted tracks and Rihanna’s “Work” exploded through the speakers.
Oh no, that’s my jam!
The music hit, the alcohol kicked in and my body knew exactly what to do.
And I started dancing.
Like, really dancing.
My back against him.
Twerking. Moving in ways I’d normally never dare.
Liam went completely still.
Then I heard him swear under his breath
70.92%
288 Vouchers
08:25
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: His Private Chef (by Amycee)