Rose of Thorne Read online

  I nod as I head upstairs to the VIP area. You can’t help but notice the short black skirts and tight shirts that all the waitresses wear. Every single one of these babes is hot as shit. Yep, Jackson is a lucky bastard to be staring at this all night long.

  “Can I get you something to drink, Mr. Thorne?” a short, curvy blonde asks me with a purr to her voice. Her top rides up way above her navel revealing the dragonfly tattoo on her hip above her short skirt. Her legs… well, let’s just say that I can see them wrapped around me tonight if I play my cards right.

  “Just cranberry and soda, please,” I say as I slip her a fifty dollar bill. She winks those long lashes and struts away to get my drink. Two drinks and lots of flirting later, Daisy is more than throwing out the signals for a fuckfest later. Jackson is pretty strict on his fraternizing rules, but I will be the perfect gentlemen as long as I am here. She slides a note in the pocket of my shirt and sucks her lower lip into her mouth as she slowly moves away.

  “Off at 11. Your place or mine?” I fold the note back and smile to myself.

  Yep, like I said… too easy! I’m already forgetting Ms. Rose as we speak.

  Jackson comes by to check on me and sits in the lounger across from me.

  “Whew… we are slammed for a Monday night, man! So… what do you think of the place?” he asks me curiously.

  “I think you landed a great thing here, man! It’s classy, not sleazy, and the women are HOT!” I say nodding in Daisy’s direction.

  He chuckles, “Yes, that’s a must on my interview process, but I must say, you should see my new girl. Bastian, hot doesn’t begin to describe this one! I swear, when I saw her this afternoon, I thought she had walked in from some fantasy of mine. SHIT! I have never got so worked up before,” he exclaimed. “Dude, she was dancing with Megan up on stage, and I about lost it. I hired her on the spot, and she started tonight. TRUST ME, when you see her, you will know. She has gotten quite the attention downstairs. I almost sent her up here, but Daisy jumped the gun when she saw you.”

  He stands up and claps his hands together, “Well, I need to head down, man. The girls are dancing here in a bit, and I need to get the music set up. I’ll catch you afterwards,” he says and I nod, and I watch him head downstairs.

  He makes his way towards the bar where a girl is being surrounded by lots of guys.

  Hmm... nice. REALLY NICE!

  Long, straight, brown hair and legs to die for.

  HOLY SHIT! A fucking body of a goddess, and FUCK ME, a belly ring. I have a huge thing for belly rings, especially Skylar’s. SHIT! Focus, Sebastian, you are here to forget her.

  I can’t see her face from the dim lighting, but judging by the attention she is getting I’m willing to bet the girl is gorgeous. Looking back at Daisy I realize this girl even from a distance makes her look like a damn rag doll.

  Jackson puts his arm around the girl, and I can see her smile when he pulls her close to him. Lucky bastard! I notice the bartender scowl at Jackson from behind his back. Obviously, he is not happy with this move at all and shoots Jackson another heated glare when he guides the girl to the stage. The rest of the girls follow directly behind them. Catcalls and whistles erupt when they begin moving up to take the platform. Bouncers position themselves around the stage and the place remains totally dark while the girls take their positions on the chairs in front of them. Six girls now stand on stage, but I care only about the striking brunette in the middle. Daisy waves up from the stage at me. I pretend not to notice, and she bows her head in darkness.

  Usher’s Lil’ Freak starts to play, and the lights flash brightly, illuminating the girls. With only their silhouettes glowing, the beauty in the middle slides around the chair and moves in sexy slow time along with the other girls. The lights slowly taper down. The girls spin the chairs and lean back in sync. With each perfect glide of her body, I can feel the zipper in my pants tighten as my raging hard on presses uncomfortably against it.

  Fuck me! She is hot as fucking sin! Forget that Daisy chick. I am leaving with this one tonight.

  After what seems like the most torturous three minutes ever, the song now ends, and the lights slowly brighten. The girls turn to sit facing the now standing audience. And as the light catches her beautiful face, my heart sinks. The glass crushes in my hand. Skylar.

  Skylar

  I am so relieved once the performance is over, and we are exiting the stage. The crowd is going crazy.

  Megan puts her arm around me and smiles. “Great job, hot stuff,” she swats my behind and makes her way back around to where we are all supposed to wait before returning to our stations.

  Brandon is leaning against the wall where we are all heading. He winks at me, and I immediately look away. Sure, he is a decent looking guy, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like I am naked and exposed, not to mention that evil look in his eyes. I know that look all too well because my Uncle Trevor had the same one. Whether this guy is bad or not, I don’t trust him. Jackson makes his way beside me, and Brandon scowls when he sees Jackson put his arm around my waist.

  “Great job, girls! Everyone, make sure you welcome our new girl Skylar. She did fantastic for her first night, and I am happy to say that you guys earned your largest tip total to date tonight with that performance.” He keeps his arm around me as he dismisses the others.

  “Skylar, since you came in to cover a shift tonight, you can go ahead and leave early. But, if you don’t mind, stop by my office before you go,” I nod at him and make my way past Brandon to the dressing room.

  I quickly change into the pair of jeans and sweater I brought and make my way to Jackson’s office door. I am surprised as hell when I see Sebastian standing there waiting to talk to me.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask him angrily.

  “I think I should be asking you that question,” he shoots back at me. I can sense by the way he closes the office door that he is furious.

  “I am here working my second job since I can’t work the hours at the café anymore. This place pays me enough to work part-time during the week.” I say defensively.

  “This is no place for you, Skylar. You WILL tell Jackson that you are quitting.”

  “What are you talking about? I am not quitting this job! You have no right to tell me what to do! Who the hell do you think you are anyway?” I shout at him. I am surprised at the level of anger in my voice.

  “I’m your boss, Skylar! That’s who I am! You work for my company now, and I can’t risk someone seeing you work here. It wouldn’t look good to have my employees working at a gentleman’s club. You WILL quit tonight! Do you understand me? It’s either that or you can just pass on the internship. It’s your choice, Skylar.”

  “But Seb… Mr. Thorne, I have to work. You don’t understand. I have a little sist–” I am interrupted before I can finish.

  “Starting tomorrow, you will be paid for your internship, as well as be provided with a company car. I can’t have what happened to you this morning happen again. I need my employees there and on time. Sara will discuss all of this with you in the morning, that is, unless you choose not to continue with my company. Which will it be Skylar?”

  I am shocked by his offer. Did he just tell me he would pay me and provide a car for me? He is actually MAKING me quit. Honestly, I don’t want to work here, but I don’t like being told that I have to quit. Feeling defeated, I stare at him for a few minutes and nod. Jackson is walking in the door just as I am starting to leave.

  “Ah, Bastian, I see you have met my Skylar,” he winks at him as he places his arm around my waist.

  “Skylar set quite a record here tonight. I already have ten VIP requests for you, my dear, and on top of that, you earned top tips tonight,” he brags as he hands me a thick white envelope. I gulp at the thick stack of money that is inside.

  Sebastian clears his throat as if he’s hinting for me to speak. When I don’t immediately chime in, he speaks for me.

  “Skylar, I believe you s
aid you needed to tell Jackson something. Isn’t that right?”

  I narrow my eyes at him and draw in a deep breath.

  “Yes, Jackson, I’m afraid Mr. Thorne has informed me that I can no longer work for you since I am working for his company during the day. This will be my only night. I really appreciate you hiring me and giving me a chance.”

  “Shit, Sebastian, are you sure she can’t stay on? I mean, who is going to recognize her?”

  “I can’t take that chance, Jackson. My clients might not appreciate her second job here. I am afraid that if Miss Rose wishes to work for me, she will have to stop working here.”

  Jackson surprises me by ignoring Sebastian and turning to face me.

  “So, Skylar, I know I said that you can leave early, but how about you stay for a bit longer and have a drink with me?” he says as he squeezes me tighter around the waist. Sebastian shoots him a spiteful glare and I can’t help how I find enjoyment in the look of jealousy on his face. I know I shouldn’t accept Jackson’s offer, especially since I am not interested in him at all, but before I know it, I am taking him up on it.

  Sebastian frowns at me when I turn away from him and take Jackson’s extended arm.

  Hmph! Good enough for you asshat! I do so find his jealousy humoring.

  “Care to join us, Bastian?” Jackson asks.

  Sebastian surprisingly nods his head as he answers, “Yes, I think I will do just that.”

  Jackson puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me up to the VIP level lounge. He motions for me to sit on the red velvet couch, and he scoots near me and puts his arm around me. He whispers in my ear a few flirty comments, and I smile back at him.

  Sebastian is watching us intently and fumes from across the section at us. Daisy, the busty waitress that is assigned to this section, returns and crawls into his lap. She begins licking her lips and rubbing his inner thigh. He returns the flirty looks and groping while he closely gauges my reaction to them.

  Jackson doesn’t correct him on the ‘no contact’ rule, and I assume it’s because these rules don’t apply to the ‘all mighty’ Sebastian Thorne. I have to admit, it’s hard as hell to stomach watching them, and I feel myself getting sick as I continue to sip on my Cosmo. An hour later, after seeing Daisy stick her tits one to many times in Sebastian’s face, I am more than ready to get the hell out of there. I make my apologies, and Jackson offers to walk me to the back door.

  “Skylar, I hope you will let me call you some time because I’d really like to see you again,” Jackson offers. He leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the lips, and then gently brushes my hair aside. I know he wants me to return the kiss, but I just smile back at him instead. I agree to give him my number, which is something that I normally don’t do. He kisses me again on the cheek and watches me exit the back door.

  It is extremely late when I make my way across the dark employee parking lot. I’m digging my keys out of my large bag when I feel two arms come around me and take them out of my hand. I jump as I turn around and meet Brandon’s sly smile. He reeks of alcohol and his eyes look unfocused. It’s as if he is high on something.

  “Brandon, you scared me. I need to be going,” I reply. I hope he will take the hint and leave, but he doesn’t budge.

  “Oh, you’re not leaving until I get my goodnight kiss,” he slurs back at me.

  “What? Brandon, I’m sorry, but I’m not interested. Now please, let me have my keys back.”

  “Oh no, I don’t think so. You see, I’ve been watching you all night long. I’ve seen you giving me clues that you want me. I am not blind, so even though I had to watch Jackson put his motherfucking hands all over you, I know it’s me that you want, baby.”

  He grabs me by the arms, and I can smell the stench of whiskey on his breath.

  “LET ME GO BRANDON, PLEASE,” I shout as I struggle to break free from his hold.

  “Now be a good girl and don’t fight!” He laughs and pushes me against my car before forcing his lips onto mine. When he plunges his tongue into my mouth, I jerk my head away. He grows angry and grabs a handful of my hair to pull my face closer to his.

  “You like it rough, don’t you? I normally don’t like playing these kinds of games, but for a piece of an ass as fine as yours, I will gladly play, baby.”

  He opens the back seat of my car and tries to push me inside. Terrified, I begin screaming and fighting him as he continues to shove me down on the back seat.

  “NO!!!! BRANDON, STOP!!!” I plead and kick at him, landing one hard in the groin. He slumps over in pain. I look at the back door and try to make a run for it. Before I make it very far, I am grabbed by my hair and dragged backwards. He slams my head down on the hood of my car, and immediately, I see stars. Ignoring my injuries, he hovers over me and continues to lean in, kissing me on my neck. I taste the metallic flavor of blood in my mouth as it trickles down from my busted head. Trying to remember some of the self-defense moves I’ve learned, I lift my arm up and jab my elbow into his chest and repeat it again to his face. I manage to bust his nose, and I see the blood seep from his nostrils. I take the moment to try to break away and make my escape, but before I can manage to get free he grabs me by the neck and squeezes tightly. I can’t breathe, and I struggle to grab for his hands.

  “You BITCH! You are not turning me down tonight. I’ll take you conscious or unconscious. It makes no difference to me. Although, I think you want to be awake. You might just enjoy it.”

  I am crying hysterically as he rips my shirt off my body and pushes me against the hood of my car. He slides his hands down lower and moves to unzip my jeans. I try to shout, but he increases the pressure against my throat and I feel myself blacking out. I remember thinking he is going to rape me and that my first time is going to be forced. I see the world around me begin slowly slipping away and I struggle as I gasp for air. He is going to kill me; I can see it in his eyes. I can feel myself letting go, I have no more fight in me…and then I see him being thrown off my body. I feel myself giving in to the darkness, and my body gives way. As I hear my name being yelled, I feel my legs go limp. I am falling, but he is there. Sebastian is here. “SKYLAR!” I hear him yelling, and then I feel his arms catching me before I hit the pavement, then there is nothing but darkness.

  Sebastian

  “GET THE FUCK OFF HER!” I roar as I yank the bartender off Skylar. He looks back at me wild eyed and I know he is high, and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. I slam my fist into his jaw, and he falls to the pavement. I hold nothing back as I continue kicking the hell out of his stomach. I look back to see her sliding off the car hood, her eyes roll back into her head and I lunge to catch her. “SKYLAR!” I scream before she lands into my arms. I see the blood pour from her head, and the side of her face is beginning to swell.

  I gently fall to the ground with her. The bartender moans on the ground beside me, and I have to force myself not to kill him because she needs me right now. I yank out my phone and call 911 while holding her, and then I call Jackson hoping that he answers his phone. Thankfully, he does and within seconds the back door flies open, and he and the bouncers come flying out to us.

  “OH MY GOD! Is she okay? OH FUCK! I should have walked her out to her car!” he shouts as he drops down beside me.

  I don’t tell him that I saw him kiss her, or that I saw that she hadn’t returned the affection. It had hurt like fuck to watch him put his lips on hers, and I knew then I had to do something. I know she was hurt by me flirting with that waitress, but she had made me so damn mad. She shouldn’t have been here tonight. Hell, she shouldn’t have to work at all. All of this is my fault, even this. It all comes back to that night so long ago. I can hear the sirens of the ambulance, and I sit helplessly with her in my arms.

  The doctors at the hospital check her over, and luckily other than the swelling in her face, she only has a mild concussion. Relief rushes over my body at the news, and I walk out into the hallway to make some calls. It is then that I overhear the
doctor mention to his nurse that the exam has found her hymen still intact, and that there are no signs of penetration.

  She is a virgin?

  I had suspected with her shyness around me that she didn’t have much experience around men, but I had no idea that she was a virgin. It scares the hell out me when I think about what that asshole bartender had almost taken from her tonight. Selfishly, I am glad she hasn’t been with anyone else. The thought of another man touching her drives me fucking insane.

  The doctor releases her into my care and I can’t explain why, but I bring her back to my penthouse. I watch her as she sleeps soundly in my large bed. I can’t describe how angry I feel as I stand here looking at her beautiful face that is now badly swollen and bruised. Honestly, if she hadn’t passed out when she did, I would have beaten that motherfucker to death. I can’t make any promises that he won’t be dead if I ever get my hands on him again.

  It’s now 4:12am and she hasn’t moved since I brought her here. I haven’t even moved from this chair in my room because I am too mesmerized by her lying in my bed. I will text her sister later this morning and tell her about what has happened. I know from the guy I have following her that she spent the night at a friend’s house like she normally does when Skylar has to work late. Skylar begins moaning and twitching in her sleep. The intense frown on her face suggests that she is having a nightmare.

  “NO! PLEASE NO!” She begins pleading in her restless sleep.

  I make my way beside her and sit on the edge of the bed.

  “Please, don’t Trevor… NO! NO… don’t cut me, please!!! PLEASE! NO!!!!!!!” She is screaming now.

  Who is Trevor? I am terrified to wake her. What does she mean about cutting her? It may not be any of my business, but I will be getting answers about this one.

  I watch as she squirms and cries in her sleep. She grips the sheets and pulls her legs upwards, and I can’t bear it anymore. I lie beside her and wrap my arms gently around her and pull her body into mine. Slowly, the gentle sobs begin to subside, and her erratic breathing begins to calm. I can feel her racing heart begin slowing down and I gently stroke her long hair. She still has not woken, and I can’t help myself. I am spellbound by her. Her sweet breath gently blows upon my face, and I feel something I have never felt before.