Never Say Love Page 3

  Scanning the place from the steps, Benito observed the place, alive with a mix of people of all ages. A fully staffed bar ran the length of the club, the bar tenders all busy mixing cocktails with the odd bit of flaring for entertainment taking place

  “Fancy some fun tonight?” Benito turned to James, grinning before looking over the dance floor again, he scanned the club taking in the groups of girls dancing together. Nudging James, he raised his voice above the music. “Shall we entertain a young lady or two,” he spoke slowly, waving his hand around, looking between the throng of dancers and James and then pointing at a pretty blonde girl—a petite young woman with a perfect figure. Well, perfect in his eyes, small breasts and a tiny waist, dressed in a bright blue sparkly mini dress, more flesh showing than was probably necessary, something that he could overlook, for tonight anyway. After all, this was only going to be a one night stand and, if all went to plan, that dress would be on the floor before long! “I want to entertain her.” He looked to James. “What about you? Have you chosen your girl yet?”

  Smiling, a delicious grin crossed James’ face—he really did like this game! No commitment at the end of the evening, or the morning, if he was really lucky! Gazing across the dance floor and bar, he tried to single out a girl as he looked across the dancing groups. He liked blondes too, looking left to right at the girls who danced and swayed their arms in the air, their heads thrown back and their eyes closed, lost in the music. “Her,” he pointed to a young woman, fair skinned with the lightest blonde hair, slim but not skinny, “That one! I want that one.”

  Moving away from the exclusive area and as if on a mission, both men made their way through the sea of dancers, turning heads as they squeezed between bodies, smiling politely, seductively at the women who stepped aside, letting them through and carefully extracting themselves from those who pawed at them. Neither Benito or James seemed to object to the groping received from the odd woman as they gained ground on the girls they had singled out—Benito making contact with his chosen one first.

  Approaching her, her back was facing him. She was unaware of his presence until she felt the warmth of his body behind her, and then him snaking his hand lightly around her waist, his touch so gentle yet firm. Initially, stunned at the approach, the shock of being touched from behind, she stopped moving, pleasantly surprised at the softness, the gentleness of the touch around her waist.

  Turning around slowly she found herself face to face with the amazing looking Italian. Stopping her twist directly in from of him she gasped, partly in shock and partly in awe at the handsome face in front of her, standing much taller than her despite her heels. Benito looked down, greeting her with his gorgeous smile. “Hello,” his husky voice raised above the music, the Italian accent evident. Stunned, yet overwhelmed by the man who wrapped his arm around her waist, she smiled back stopping her swaying and her dancing. The blue-eyed girl stood stock still, in front of the man who had purposely selected and picked her out from the crowd.

  “Would you like to join us up there?” he turned and pointed towards the VIP area before looking back at the young girl, his focus drawn straight to her small breasts, no cleavage and what appeared to be no bra, covered in blue sparkles.

  “I’m with my friends,” she shouted, turning as she looked back towards her four or five girlfriends who were dancing, watching her as she talked to the dish that had just landed in their circle.

  Shrugging his shoulders, he looked directly at her, fixing her with his gaze. “It’s up to you tesoro. I’ll be up there with my friend if you change your mind. Join us for a glass of something special and maybe some fun.” Smiling, he winked at her as he turned away.

  Watching him as he turned, she studied him as best as she could in the dark, yet strobe lit lighting of the club. She made out his eyes, the colour of mahogany so very dark, his lips full—the perfect bow at the top, just right for kissing. Oh, he was stunning.

  Benito played it cool; he wasn’t going to beg this girl to spend the evening with him. He would give her half an hour to join him and then he’d select someone else, another girl to have some fun with later on. Allowing the pretty young woman another thirty seconds to change her mind, he added, “Maybe see you later?” before he turned and walked to the bottom of the few steps that led to the luxurious area, taking two steps at a time until he reached the bouncer, one of his employees, and the red rope which sealed the area off from the main part of the club.

  “Evening Lee, the usual booth, if we can,” Benito shook the hand of the doorman at the top of the steps, one of his newly recruited security team. Lee liked to vary his work. He was very keen to volunteer for the “hard” jobs but was equally at home with the “soft option” of working the clubs, sorting out the occasional brawls that happened and asking those that had too much to drink to leave the premises.

  Lee looked down at the row of booths, glancing at the middle booth that Benito preferred. “It’s free.” Lee was older than Benito, maybe late thirties, but well built, not an ounce of fat on him. He was ex-military and had an air of authority about him, someone you would most definitely not want to cross. “One fifty boss,” his deep voice rumbled as he held his hand out to Benito.

  Peeling the notes from his roll, Benito paid Lee and headed to the centrally located leather clad booth, the high backs of each area making each one an individual and private pod. “James will be joining me with a lady,” he glanced up at Lee before sliding into the bench seating. “Can you send someone over to take a drink order?”

  Lee nodded, “Sure, I’ll ask one of the girls to come and take your order,” turning towards one of the waiting staff he indicated to her to come over.

  “Thanks Lee,” Benito looked around surveying the area.

  Settling down onto the leather, Benito made himself comfortable as James appeared with a giggling blonde on his arm.

  Standing at the edge of the booth, James began the introductions, “Benito, this is,” he looked at the girl, “sorry sweetheart, what’s your name?”

  The tall slim girl giggled again, she was dressed in a tight black mini dress, square neck and three quarter sleeves showing off a perfect figure. Her palest blonde hair left loose she looked up at James. “Hayley,” her green eyes sparkled, she had perfect, flawless ivory skin, the smallest amount of make-up although she didn’t need it, one of the draws for James, one of the reasons he’d picked her out, he hated the girls that plastered their faces with makeup, preferring the natural look.

  “Hayley, Benito—Benito, Hayley,” he completed the introductions.

  Holding his arm out to the bench seating, Benito indicated for her to sit as the waitress arrived. “What can I get for you?” the waitress asked looking at all three of them.

  “We will have a bottle of your best champagne,” Benito answered before looking to the others, “do you want anything else?”

  “Strawberries,” James grinned before turning towards Hayley, he watched her as she frowned at him, “a bowl of strawberries, for the champagne,” he felt the need to explain his reasoning for ordering strawberries.

  The waitress nodded as if it was not unusual to be asked for such things, well it wasn’t, not from James anyway.

  “I’d really like a Kir Royal,” Hayley purred, pulling her long hair around her shoulder and looking towards James, pursing her lips at him, as if kissing him, the palest pink gloss making them glimmer in the lighting.

  “Well then, a Kir Royal too,” Benito completed the order watching the young waitress move away.

  Glancing sideways at Hayley, Benito eyed her up, James and him really did have the same taste in women. They preferred blondes with a good figure, small breasts and not so thin that they might break when things got, well full on.

  “You couldn’t persuade her to join you?” James asked his friend, his hand on Hayley’s thigh, squeezing it gently, her hand drifting slowly on top of his, running her thumb over his knuckles, she gazed longingly at him.

  Benito
frowned at his friend, “She’ll be here, before long—you wait and see,” he nodded reassuringly.

  James laughed. He knew that Benito was right, well most of the time. As sure as day turned into night, the girls that Benito approached would nearly always appear if they had initially turned him down. He moved his hand further up Hayley’s leg, “They always come for Benito,” he whispered against her cheek causing her to chuckle at his double entendre.

  The two playboys chatted with Hayley, asking her about herself. They soon established that she was a newly qualified lawyer working in a junior position of a firm specialising in criminal law, a point that Benito made a mental note of. She may come in useful, if she’s pliable, and, of course, if she stays around long enough. Like him, James’ conquests rarely lasted more than a day or two.

  Staying with his thoughts, trying to ignore the tangle of arms opposite him, Benito started to mentally map and plan how the UK operation would expand even further—the positions that still needed to be created and filled and the work they will do. After a few months here in the UK, he had developed the organisation considerably, but it needed to grow more, his father was already breathing down his neck. The arrival of the champagne, strawberries and Hayley’s Kir Royal snapped him out of his mental planning.

  Benito watched as James prized himself away from the over amorous Hayley. Settling back into his seat, he slid his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him and leaning towards her he whispered in her ear, she flushed and giggled at whatever James was saying. Whilst Benito had no objection to watching his friend and the girl, he felt awkward. “Excuse me,” he stood, “going for a look around.”

  Leaving the VIP area, he descended the steps into the mass of dancers and drinkers—the place was rammed to capacity. Edging his way around the dance floor, he stood out, his looks, stature and build drawing the eyes of many of the girls.

  Looking over at the sea of dancers he noticed the girl who he had spoken to earlier. She looked stressed, her brow furrowed as she attempted to bat away the hands of two older men whose advances appeared to be unwanted; she appeared to be struggling. One had his hand on her shoulder whilst the other was pawing her backside. Shaking his head, Benito saw red, he’d seen her first. Yes, she hadn’t gone with him, but he’d made the first claim.

  The anger inside him welled as he strode through the crowd, pushing the dancers aside as he worked his way towards the girl, the anger developing within him as he ploughed forward. Approaching them, he could hear her shouts, “Leave me alone, just bugger off!” Appearing to disregard her complaints, they laughed and jeered at her.

  “Come on love, you know you want to. We’ll be very gentle,” one of the guys laughed.

  Moving closer, he watched the men, they must have been in their late thirties, old enough to know better. “Excuse me,” he addressed the girl, “tesoro, would you like to join me now?” He placed his hand on the girl’s forearm feeling her soft skin.

  She turned and looked up at him, nodding her head gently, her big blue eyes slightly watery on the verge of tears. “Please.”

  “Come on then, come and join us,” he suggested as he held onto her arm, before moving his gaze to the two thugs who had been harassing her. Glaring at them and standing at his full height, he looked at them one by one, his dark eyes piercing, his face hardening as he dared them to challenge him. “The lady is with me,” he spoke firmly, his threatening look continuing as he started to guide her past them.

  “Not so fast,” one of the blokes faced up to Benito.

  Huffing, Benito turned towards the girl. “Just wait by the edge of the steps,” he pointed to the edge of the VIP area and standing with his back towards the thugs, he watched as she walked over to where he had indicated. As she continued her walk towards the bottom of the steps, she glanced back turning towards him and frowning.

  Once Benito was happy that she was out of harm’s way, he turned quickly, grabbing one of the guys by the front of his shirt, the fabric clenched in his fist tightly. Pulling the man towards him he hissed in his face. “The lady is with me, and even if she wasn’t, you don’t treat ladies like that you fucking moron, now do yourself a favour and leave, now!”

  Not saying a word, the moron stood, just looking up at the big Italian, “Go!” Benito bellowed over the music at the bloke he had firmly in his hold. Letting go of the moron’s shirt, he stayed rooted to the spot, watching as they turned and left the club, Benito following them to the door.

  Glancing back, he checked that the girl was still waiting, before having a word with one of his employees at the door.

  The gorgeous blonde watched as he spoke to the doorman, his hand on the arm of the big security guy. Who was this beautiful man? She watched as he turned and walked towards her, this guy who had approached and then rescued her from the pawing she had received from those creeps.

  She looked horrified as he reached her. “That was a bit heavy!” she gasped.

  Benito shrugged, “Well they should have left you alone, shouldn’t they? Their choice!” He was so matter of fact with his rationale as he slipped his hand to the small of her back and guided her up the stairs. “Anyway, I’m pleased you can join us. We’re just up here.” Stepping away slightly, he offered her his arm. She smiled and slipped hers through the crook in his elbow feeling the well toned muscles of his upper arm as she did.

  Stood next to Benito she was tiny. Her arm felt so small against his, so light. Turning towards her he smiled, “I never asked your name.” He looked down at her, grinning.

  “It’s Lucy. What’s yours?” She smiled back, speaking loudly above the music.

  “I’m Benito. Pleased to meet you Lucy and delighted that you can join us.” He guided her to the booth. He really liked this girl he’d chosen tonight, she seemed different to every other conquest he’d ever had. He couldn’t put his finger on it, just different, almost like an aura about her. He felt different too, feelings in the pit of his stomach that he’d never felt before, alien feelings; good feelings.

  Turning towards Lucy, he introduced her to James and his new friend. “This is my good friend, James, and Hayley, who has also joined us this evening. Champagne?” He picked up the bottle of Krug and a glass; he carefully poured the bubbles before handing it to the awe-struck Lucy, smiling as their fingers brushed against each other. Taking the glass she looked at Benito, feeling just slightly uncomfortable, “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Indicating for her to slide into the cream booth, she sat and slid around the leather, watching as Benito refilled his own and James’ glasses, before sliding next to his “date” for the evening.

  Lifting his glass to his stunning lips, he looked towards Lucy, his arm creeping around her tiny waist. “So, Lucy, what do you do, and what brings you to Henry’s?” he asked, keeping his focus directly on her, looking into her blue eyes, making her the centre of his attention.

  Lifting her own glass and taking a drink of the dry bubbles, she lifted her face towards him, her lips glistening; her gaze was drawn to the Italians’ angular jaw, high cheek bones and those beautiful lips, his dark mesmerizing eyes. Swallowing hard, stunned that this beautiful man had singled her out, she twirled a lock of hair around her finger, “I’m just a secretary, I work for an advertising company. This is a one off for us, we fancied a special night out. You know, something a bit different. This place is new and someone told us how good it was.”

  Benito shrugged, “Henry’s is popular, an up and coming place.” He knew how busy it was, how much it took on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, his security professionals standing in the corner of the office as the takings were counted.

  “It’s pretty good, but I want to know about you.” Leaning towards her he brushed his lips across her jaw towards her ear. “Tell me about you Lucy, I want to know everything,” he whispered, “everything.”

  The closeness of him sent shivers through her, feelings that she also had never felt before, feelings which she was unab
le to comprehend, but felt like want and desire rushed to her core, making her feel all tingly, down there, her insides clenching at the closeness of him.

  Breathing deeply, mentally checking herself, she spent the next twenty minutes telling Benito all about herself, struggling to control those feelings that raced through her. Desperately trying to keep focussed, she told the incredibly sexy man who sat beside her the things he wanted to know. She was twenty-two and had an older brother who was married with a family. She had worked in the secretarial role for the last two years and hated her boss with a passion. She went on, describing her boss as a letch who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Her description of what he had done, and did regularly, made Benito cringe, bringing thoughts of Adrianna’s boyfriend to mind, thoughts that he tried to keep buried deep within his subconscious. “I have an interview next week,” she smiled at the thought of escaping from her current employment, “I really, really want to leave that place.” When Lucy had finished recounting details of herself, or as much as she wanted him to know, she sat quietly for a moment, turning her champagne flute by the stem, staring at the golden bubbles as they weaved their way to the surface of the wine.

  Looking towards Benito, “So, what about you?” she asked, “I’ve told you about me, what about you?”

  “Well, I’m Italian, but you can probably tell that from my accent,” he smiled looking at her. He brushed a lock of blonde hair away from her face, his finger gently grazing over her cheek causing her to close her eyes, she gasped gently at the feel of the lightest touch over her cheek, whilst he watched as his finger drew over the palest blush and softest skin he’d ever felt. “I’m here to grow the UK division of our business. My father and I have a successful business in Italy but it’s not as big here, so I’ve come over to expand it!” He shrugged as he studied her, as he spoke. Shaking his head to himself, What are you doing, talking about business with this beautiful creature? “You’re beautiful,” he muttered, stunning himself at his proclamation.