Free The Club by Mandasue Heller

what she wanted, she’d have nothing to lose by dropping him in it. It might be her idea of fun.
    ‘Hey, you’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?’ he asked, panic rich in his voice.
    ‘ Would I?’ Melody teased. Then, shaking her head, she said, ‘Course not, Babe. He’d kill you. And where would that leave me? I could be stuck in this stinking place for months the way he’s going on, and I’m going to need you to keep me sane.’ Blowing him a kiss then, she opened the door and slipped out, whispering, ‘Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret.’
    Locking the door behind her, Fabian leaned back against it. She’d said that Tony would kill him if he found out – and he had no doubt that the man was more than capable of it.
    But, no, come on. This was England . That kind of thing might happen every day in America, but Allen couldn’t be crazy enough to think he’d get away with it over here – could he ?
    Whether or not he could, one thing was sure: Fabian would have to tread very carefully until he knew that Melody could be trusted.
    Looking down when his dick gave a plaintive throb, he shook his head disbelievingly. Scary as it was to think of the trouble she could cause him, he had to admit that the hard-to-get act was a turn-on. But it was a very rare woman who could resist him for too long once he’d set his sights on her, so he wasn’t worried about that. And, who knew – if their little secret stayed secret, Fabian might get to see a fair bit more of her than Allen had bargained for when he’d told him to keep an eye on her.

    Avril Drake was bored, and becoming increasingly irritated. So much for Leonard’s belief that he was as well known and popular as ever: nobody had so much as said hello to them since they’d arrived, apart from the gushing manager and the pretty young owner. And Leonard had a face like a wet weekend in Wigan. But at least it should make him think twice about dragging her back here in a hurry.
    Sighing heavily, she stared wistfully down at the smiling dancers below. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy music and parties, because she did. In fact, she’d been quite the life and soul – once upon a very long time ago. But Leonard had soon stopped that, because he didn’t do dancing and partying, claiming that it didn’t suit his image. So, apart from the occasional waltz at some stuffy political do or other, she hadn’t had the pleasure in a good long time.
    She resented Leonard for robbing her of her best years, but there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it now because she was far too old to start again. Too settled with her life – such as it was – to face the upheaval.
    Glaring at her when she released yet another heavy sigh, Leonard hissed through clenched teeth, ‘Are you just going to sit there pulling that miserable bloody face all night?’
    ‘Why?’ she retorted sarcastically. ‘Are you worried it’ll outdo yours?’
    Tutting loudly, he shook his head.
    ‘Careful,’ Avril muttered. ‘You’ll have people thinking that we’re not quite as together as you’d have them believe.’
    ‘I don’t care what anybody thinks,’ he grunted – blatantly lying, because that was all he’d ever cared about.
    ‘If you’re not enjoying yourself, why don’t we just go home?’ Avril suggested hopefully, feeling a sudden longing for the warm, cosy solitude of her bed.
    ‘And make myself look a complete idiot?’ Leonard snapped. ‘I’m not going anywhere, so give me a break and make like you’re having fun, for God’s sake.’
    ‘Fine,’ she replied, a hint of hurt in her eyes. ‘If you’re sure that’s what you want?’
    ‘I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t,’ he said, folding his arms over his belly.
    ‘Right!’ Pushing her chair back, Avril stood up. ‘I’m going to dance.’
    ‘On your own ?’ Leonard looked at her as if she’d gone mad. ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’
    ‘You told me to have fun.’
    ‘With me