The VIP section was like nothing Jade had ever seen before. The velvet ropes had opened for them as if they held some divine right to the club, and now she sat nestled on a luxurious leather sofa that probably cost more than her entire paycheck for the month. It was quieter here, the pounding bass of the dance floor muffled by the glass walls, though the energy of the club still pulsed all around them.
Jade’s wide eyes roamed the space—the crystal chandeliers that hung low with a golden glow, the sleek marble tables adorned with lit candles, and the perfect view of the chaotic dance floor below. She felt completely out of place, like a sparrow in a lion’s den, but Mia’s excited grin and the three men lounging around her like kings made escape seem impossible.
“Drinks?” Enzo’s deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts. He leaned toward her, a teasing glint in his dark eyes as he handed her a gold-embossed menu. Jade hesitated, her fingers brushing the smooth cover, unsure what to even pick.
“I don’t know what half of this stuff is,” she admitted with a nervous laugh, biting her lower lip.
“Then we’ll keep it simple,” Enzo replied, signaling the waiter. “Bring us a round of shots.”
“And a bottle of your best red,” Thiago chimed in, flashing his signature lopsided grin. “Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.”
Jade glanced between them, her nerves rising. “I—I can’t really afford to drink anything fancy.”
“You’re not paying,” Milan said smoothly, his icy-blue eyes locking onto hers. His voice was calm, almost too casual, as he leaned back into the plush sofa, one hand lazily draped along the backrest. “Drinks are on me tonight.”
Jade blinked. “Oh, no, that’s—”
“Non-negotiable,” Milan cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument. “So relax, Jade. Enjoy yourself.”
Mia gave her a nudge, grinning like she was in heaven. “You heard him, girl. Don’t fight the free drinks.”
Before Jade could respond, the waiter returned, carrying an elaborate tray filled with shot glasses of glowing liquid and a bottle of wine that looked too fancy to touch.
“To new friends,” Thiago said, raising his shot glass, his dark eyes sparkling mischievously.
“To Jade,” Enzo added, his voice low, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.
Milan’s lips curved into a smirk, his glass held with quiet authority. “To a night you won’t forget.”
Jade flushed under their combined attention, but she forced a smile, raising her glass. “To… not embarrassing myself tonight.”
They all laughed, and she downed the shot in one go. It burned going down, and she coughed slightly as Enzo chuckled beside her, patting her back with a teasing grin.
“Go easy, princess,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
But after a few more rounds, Jade’s inhibitions started to slip away. The wine Thiago had ordered—rich, smooth, and far too expensive for her taste—had warmed her chest, while the shots made her limbs feel light and free. Her laughter came easier now, loud and unrestrained as she leaned into Mia’s side.
“That’s it!” Mia shouted over the music as the opening notes of a familiar song filled the air. “Gasolina, baby!”
Jade perked up immediately, the song igniting something primal and playful inside her. “Oh my God, I love this song!”
Before she even realized it, Mia was tugging her toward the center of the VIP section where there was just enough space to dance. Jade didn’t resist. The beat hit hard—fast, addictive—and the tequila made her body move like she didn’t have a care in the world.
She swayed her hips, her hands in the air, completely losing herself to the music. “Dame más gasolina!” she shouted along with the lyrics, laughing wildly as Mia joined her.
“You’re killing it!” Mia yelled encouragingly.
Jade felt eyes on her, heavy and intent. She turned her head to see Enzo leaning forward, a dark, lazy grin on his face as he watched her. Thiago had abandoned his wine and was now sitting on the edge of the sofa, his arms resting casually on his knees, but his eyes were sharp, following her every move. Milan, meanwhile, hadn’t moved, but his gaze had darkened, his lips curling ever so slightly, like he was enjoying the show far more than he let on.
Emboldened by the alcohol and the attention, Jade let the music take her further. She moved closer to Enzo, her hips swaying in rhythm as she turned her back to him. She felt his hand graze lightly against her waist, his touch electrifying but fleeting.
“Damn, Jade,” Enzo muttered, his voice low and appreciative as she twirled away, laughing.
Thiago wasn’t spared either. She danced her way toward him, grinning as he leaned back with a mock-surprised expression. “Oh, you’re dangerous tonight,” he teased, catching her hand as she playfully spun around him.
“And you’re slow!” she shot back with a giggle, the flush in her cheeks now from both dancing and the wine.
Finally, she found herself in front of Milan, who was still seated, watching her with that unreadable expression. For a moment, she hesitated, feeling her heart stutter.
But then the song surged again, and she let herself go. Turning around, she swayed her hips right in front of him, her hands brushing against her knees as she dropped lower to the beat.
Milan’s sharp intake of breath didn’t escape her notice, though he stayed perfectly still, his gaze fixed on her like she was something to be studied—dangerous, intoxicating, and completely out of reach.
“You’re full of surprises tonight,” Milan murmured, his voice so soft that only she could hear it.
Jade straightened, flashing him a cheeky grin over her shoulder. “You’ll have to keep up, then.”
The song ended, and she stumbled back toward the sofa, breathless and laughing, collapsing next to Mia.
“You are trouble,” Mia teased, bumping her shoulder.