Prologue
“Come on Havana all you do is work girl.”
My friend begged me for what seemed like the hundred time tonight. Trust me I was all about that life but just not at the moment.
Why didn’t I just lock my damn office door?
I had an early morning ahead of me tomorrow at work and me struggling to get out of bed because I decided to stay out all night didn’t make me jump for joy.
“Lisa I don’t know about you but I have to work in the morning so for the last time the answer is no.” I said turning away from her.
I had to place together a couple of surgeries for my patients and I wanted them to have as many options to choose which would make them more comfortable.
All of a sudden Lisa places her hand on mine stopping me from working any further. I roll my eyes as a sign of complete an utter aggravation.
“I need this Havana, you know me and Anthony just broke up and I.........I-I just need something to take my mind off of him please.” She pleaded desperately.
Come on Havana she’s practically on her knees for god sakes
I wasn’t the type to say I told you so because no one wanted to hear that shit but I won’t lie and say that I didn’t quietly say it to myself.
I had warned her about Anthony but of course she didn’t listen. Her problem was she thought that she could change him but nobody could change someone who didn’t want to be changed in the first place.
Anthony was your typical man-whore who couldn’t put his childish habits away because he wanted a bitch to baby him all his life. I’ve had my fair share of men but they were always typically older because I didn’t have time to spoon feed anyone’s immature ass son.
But shit what the hell did I know?
As the years go by it seems like you have to spoon feed the older ones too
I stood quietly for a moment as a smirk rose on Lisa’s face because she knew that I was actually thinking about taking up her offer. “Fine I will go with- I didn’t even get to finish my sentence when she screamed.
“Thank you!” She said squeezing the hell out of my arms by pulling me into a hug. She pulled away quickly grabbing all of her things and scrambling out the door.
“Get dressed into something sexy, I’ll send you the directions to the club!” She yelled blowing me a kiss.
I didn’t know why but I felt like I had just been fucking played. I sigh again falling onto my office chair.
I grabbed the frame sitting on my desk that showed my stepfather and sister. I missed them very much and I couldn’t wait to join them for Christmas.
After graduation I had moved to New York City to begin my dreams of becoming a doctor and running my own hospital. It wasn’t easy with all the tests and completion but I’ve gotten my degree and a place to work however the second part of my dream was taking longer as I expected.
It was hard when Dad realized that I was moving away from home but I couldn’t stay in Jacksonville.
I couldn’t stay in a town where every corner reminds me of her. Especially when I barely even knew her.
Suddenly a text popped up on my phone reminding me of what I had just agreed to.
“Fuck my life.” I moaned gathering my things.
Lisa and I have been friends for almost two years, she was the first friend that I made when I first moved here.
Starting off in New York by yourself was anything less than pleasant especially when you didn’t have any money.
We were neighbors in this shitty ass apartment building for almost a year until I finally got a good actual paying job. I wouldn’t have been able to meet her if I wouldn’t had said no to dad giving me money.
Our family was wealthier than most but we never were ones to brag. As I thought about my family again while driving home I realized that I really did miss them. I wondered did a lot change around the town.
Did it look how it use to?
Did everyone still place their noses in everyone’s business?
When I got to my apartment I opened the five hundred locks that I placed on the door. I’d rather be safe than sorry around here. I didn’t have a clue where Lisa wanted us to go, I’ve never heard of this club in my life.
Well, I guess this will certainly be a night to remember.
God please have mercy on me when I wake up in the morning. I could already see my future lying right ahead of me.
I did the usual taking a shower and getting dressed into a club-like dress. I placed on silver strapped diamonds heels to match my dress.
I check the mirror once more making sure my faux locs braids stayed in placed.
I wasn’t the type to brag about my good looks but I also wouldn’t let anyone have the authority and power to destroy my confidence. So if that meant flaunting assets I would gladly, whenever I felt in the mood.
“Perfect.” I said before leaving my house.
✞
“You look sexy, I’m pretty sure we could pick up few sugar daddies tonight.” I rolled my eyes at Lisa’s logic.
I didn’t doubt her ways of getting her money or her bag as she’ll like to say because who was I to judge?
“I’m telling you it’s the easiest things, some men don’t even want sex all they want is a picture of your feet for a whole grand.” She tried to reassure me about her side hustle. A thousands dollars just for a picture of your feet blew my mind.
Maybe just maybe I should’ve done that when I first started out here.
“Never mind that let’s get some drinks.” She said grabbing my hand and leading me through the crowds of people.
It was very crowded which was something that made me anxious but nevertheless I intend to have fun.
Body’s grind and dance together on the dance floor and neons lights flashed all around giving a small chance for you to actually see.
Where in the hell did she find this place?
“What drink do you want?” Lisa asked yelling over the music but I was too busy taking in my surroundings.
She tapped my shoulder trying to get my attention “Havana chill I’ve never seen you this uptight at a club.” I didn’t want her to be right but she was.
I didn’t know why I was feeling this way out of all nights.
I just felt like something was going to happen, something life changing.
Relax Havana your already here so you might as well get down and have some fun.
“Give me two shots of Hennessy.” I finally say to Lisa.
“Whoo that’s more like it!!” She screamed as I laughed.
The bar was also pretty crowded with men and women, some making out and leaning against the bar while others engaged in conversation. “Here you go ladies.” The bartender handed us our shots.
“Alright shall I do the honors?” I asked Lisa.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She smirks as we clink our glasses together.
“One.” I began.
“Two.”
“Three!” We say in unison throwing our heads back to take the shots. I felt the burning liquor flow down my throat causing me to shiver from its intensity.
We quickly drowned the next one laughing together.
I clutch the counter to keep myself steady from laughing so much but end up bumping into someone.
I watched as the drink in his hand spilled across his shirt. When I turned around I was shocked to see the stranger.
He was handsome, even sexy I would say, that was no doubt. His aroma radiated power and control and his eyes were brown giving a sense of mysterious attractiveness about him.
His hair looked pitch black and wet as if he had just gotten out of a shower and a light stubble surrounded his chiseled jawline.
It was illegal for someone to be this fucking fine but here he was. It was something about him that I couldn’t place my finger on he looked........
Intense...........dangerous if I had to say
“Oh god I’m so sorry.” I said apologizing profusely.
“Of course you are but I’m not accepting it until you buy me another fucking shirt.” I was getting ready to help him until he said that.
I paused “Excuse me?” I asked making sure I heard what he just said. Lisa was once next to me but now was on the dance floor dancing her life away.
So much for sticking together
“I didn’t stutter did I?” A smirk rose on his pink full lips.
Havana calm down there’s no need to make a big scene.
“You know what? You’re not even worth my damn time you sack of shit.” I grab another glass from the table throwing it on him but this time purposely. I watched him clench his jaw but he never said a thing.
I practically dared him to
I heard a load of gasps around the bar as people stared at the scene unfolding in front of them.
“Looks like you really need a new shirt now.” I joke flipping him off and disappearing into the crowds of people.
Why did the hot ones have to be such dicks?
Lisa was still having fun on the dance floor while I was too busy brooding in a corner. I didn’t want to ruin her fun because my mood had just turned sour.
She was right she needed to take her mind off that bastard and I wasn’t going to be the one to stop her. I stood in the corner on my phone when a random stranger walks up towards me.
“I saw what happened back there and my my aren’t you feisty.” His perverted smile gave me chills.
It was obvious that he was a creep and I didn’t want anything to do with him.
“Listen I not in the mood maybe you should go talk to someone else okay.” I say rolling my eyes. He chuckled in response before gripping my hand tightly and pushing me up against the wall.
The lights were dim in the club and everyone was stuck in their own world not seeing this unfold right in front of them. I struggled against him trying to yank my wrists out of his grasps.
“Get off of me.” I hiss.
“Don’t be like that.” He whispers to me but before he could touch me any further the man from the bar steps in saving the day.
“She said get off of her.” His voice was velvet and deep.
His tone was also threatening and even though it wasn’t directed to me I still found myself somewhat afraid of what he just might do to the man.
“You don’t need to tell him anymore.” I said drawing my foot back and kicking him right in between his legs.
I watched as the man clutched his dick bending over in pain while the other above me looked in surprise but quickly masked it.
I smiled leaning down at his level “Because when I say let go, I mean that shit.” I say stomping on his feet with my heels before walking away.
My night just couldn’t get any worse could it? But as I looked behind me I saw the handsome man still following me.
I sigh before turning around “Don’t you have anything better to do than stalk me?” I ask.
“I can name hundreds of things angel but tonight you seem to be on the top of the list.”
Angel? Not sweetheart or princess? The commonly annoying fuckboy pet names?
I had to say that this wasn’t the same cold person that I just met a few seconds ago. He seemed.......less irritable if that made any sense.
“Listen I thank you for attempting to help me it was very flattering but that’s just it.” I said turning around about leave this club once in for all.
When he grabbed my wrist in his hand.
What was up with men grabbing me tonight? It was as if I was some thanksgiving turkey ready to be served up.
“I suggest you let me go, you saw what happened to Bill Clinton over there.” I threaten him yanking my arm from his grasp.
I was surprised that he let me go without a fight.
He chuckled at my statement and if I was to be completely honest it sounded like music to my ears.
His grin was mesmerizing and so was his dark eyes.
I never really took a good look at him until now.
I knew that he was slightly older than me as he wore a leather jacket with a white shirt showing his muscular body underneath with jeans. He looked to be your typically bad boy but as I stared at his smile I knew it was nothing typical about this man at all.
“You’ve intrigued me that’s no doubt but I don’t beg that’s out of my pay grade beautiful, they have a vip section up stairs, come.” He said holding out his hand.
I had one mine to slap it away because if that’s how he asked a girl out he seriously needed some damn help.
Havana you barely know this guy think rationally.
He did try to help you with that pervert
You can’t just leave Lisa
I look over towards where Lisa was once at just to see her location moved to sucking some strangers face. She was fine so now I couldn’t use her as an excuse, so what was stopping me?
Chill out Havana this night his been nothing but pure shit and you only live once.
I rose my hand placing it into his and as he pulled me up the stairs I felt like I was signing my life away to the devil himself. The scenery was definitely a new change it was less crowded up here and more quiet. He brought us to a booth secluded by a velvet red curtain.
He turned around stopping us “You still with me?” He asked as I nodded in response.
He opened the curtain closing it as the both of us entered it I sat in the booth resting my hands on the table, wondering why in the hell did I say yes to this in the first place. He grabbed a napkin off the table wiping the drink that I poured on his shirt before turning to me.
“What’s your name or would you rather me call you angel all night?” He asked as he poured a glass of bourbon into two cups before handing one to me.
I wanted to say I didn’t mind being called that but I still gave him my name anyway.
“Havana and yours?” I asked inspecting the glass of liquor before taking a sip.
He chuckled at my reaction “If I wanted to kill you, you’ll already be dead.” He suddenly said and I believed him.
From the moment I saw him I knew he was dangerous, it radiated off of him like a second layer of skin.
“And if you must know my name is Dexter.” He replied with a wicked smirk.
