Read Online In the Club by Antonio Pagliarulo - Free Book Online Page A

magic purse as if she were about to make contact with a poisonous, exotic viper. When her fingers finally grazed one of the green leaves, she gasped. Then she scanned a nearby table and found what she was looking for: a champagne flute filled to the rim with Dom Perignon. She took three long gulps.
    There were two more vases to empty. Park collected them swiftly and easily. But with no more room in the magic purse, Lex had to resign herself to holding the ugly bunch of fernlike leaves and stems. Her mouth fell open in a silent scream. She stared at Park, who had already turned around and begun waving at a number of their St. Cecilia’s Prep friends. Madison was still swaying from the floral infraction.
    “Here comes trouble,” Park suddenly said over the music.
    Lex and Madison turned and saw Damien Kittle walking toward them.
    “Good evening, ladies!” he purred, instantly rubbing up against Lex. “You’re looking smashing.” He grabbed her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
    “Oh, Damien, you’re such a charmer!” Lex laughed and planted a kiss on his cheek.
    “A snake charmer, maybe,” he replied with a grin.
    “That’s a great suit,” Madison said. “Who are you wearing?”
    “Zegna. His suits make me look innocent, don’t they?” He made an angelic face, rolling his eyes heavenward.
    “It’s totally impossible for you to look innocent,” Lex said. “You’re too much of a devil.”
    “Hey, Damien, you look pale.” Park stepped toward him and gave one end of his sleeve a tug. “Have you been partying too much already?”
    He shrugged. “It’s possible, I suppose.” He wiped a trail of sweat from his forehead and coughed. “I’m extremely tired. Long day.”
    Staring at him intently now, Lex noticed the unusual pallor of his skin and the bright blotches on his forehead. “Have you been sneaking drinks from the bar, Damien? You
know
high school students aren’t supposed to be drinking.”
    “Ha! That’s a good one! I’m probably just tired because all the ladies keep begging me to dance.” He shot a glance at Madison. “How ’bout you, Mads? Take a spin with me on the floor?”
    “I can’t,” she replied. “My boyfriend’s here.”
    “And speak of the devil,” Damien said, gesturing his head over her shoulder.
    Madison turned and saw Theo West climbing the stairs. The moment their eyes met, she smiled.
    Theo was tall and handsome, an all-American playboy. The Hugo Boss suit Madison had picked out for him last week accentuated his long, firm physique. His hair was combed neatly and parted to one side. “Hey,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and planting a kiss on her lips. “I was looking for you downstairs. Why’d you disappear?”
    Madison shook her head. “We had some…business to take care of up here.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, are you having a good time?”
    “The best.” Theo nodded at Damien, then set his eyes on Park and Lex.
    “Hi, Theo,” Park said cordially. “Glad you could make it.” She air-kissed his cheek.
    Lex kept her expression stony but, remembering Park’s earlier admonishment, allowed the barest hint of a smile to shine through. “Hi,” she murmured, and then steered her gaze over Damien’s shoulder.
    “You girls look beautiful,” Theo said.
    Lex nodded. “We know.”
    “I think what Lex
meant
to say was thank you,” Park said, an edge in her tone. She shot Lex her sternest stare.
    “So come on then,” Damien shouted. “Let’s party!” Spinning around, throwing his arms out wide, he shook his chest like a female stripper and purposely shimmied toward Theo.
    Theo’s eyes widened in stunned surprise.
    “You ever dance with another man, Mr. West?” Damien whispered. “Could be brilliant between us.”
    “Uh…no…I don’t think so,” Theo answered, his cheeks flushing a vibrant red.
    Lex burst out laughing.
    “Hey, look. Here come Concetta and Emmett,” Madison said excitedly. “Lex, the suit you