Click on image to enlarge.
|
Flirt [MultiFormat]
eBook by India Masters
| |
Regular |
|
 |
|
Club |
| You Pay: |
$5.00 |
|
|
|
$4.25 |
eBook Category: Erotica/Dark Fantasy
eBook Description: When Olivia Sheppard left the Army, she had no idea what to do with her life. She never thought she'd wind up as head of security for trendy club owner and international mystery man, Noah Lazarus. Nor could she imagine she'd fall in love with him. However, Noah knew her as his one true love the moment he met her and set out to make her his own. But Noah has a secret, one that may cost Olivia her life. Can she accept him for who he is? Can he keep her alive long enough to prove that love can last for all eternity?
eBook Publisher: Amira Press, Published: 2008
Fictionwise Release Date: August 2008
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [487 KB], eReader (PDB) [155 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [140 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [126 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [187 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [186 KB], hiebook (KML) [341 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [211 KB], iSilo (PDB) [116 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [146 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [200 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [194 KB]
Words: 42515
Reading time: 121-170 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
 
Flirt was the trendiest new club in New Orleans and the brainchild of mystery man Noah Lazarus. The outside of the cinder block building was painted a dull, flat black, giving it a nondescript look during the day. The only thing setting it off was the glowing scroll of neon above the door. At night, rows of hidden black lights washed down over the facade, bringing the building to life. The blocks were randomly painted in a variety of neon colors that only showed up under the lights. Olivia Sheppard walked alongside Ian Lazarus, the club's manager, while he showed her around what might be her new work environment. What prompted her to apply for the position, she couldn't say. She'd read the advertisement, and it had simply felt right. Then there was the air of mystery that hung around the Lazarus brothers--more so around Noah than his brother Ian, who was currently chatting her up with all the enthusiasm the club's name implied. Still, he was serious eye candy--tall with a head of light brown hair cut into the chunky spike style that was the trend for men these days--and if she didn't get the job, at least she knew she wasn't dead. She recognized a good-looking man when she saw one. "No expense has been spared on the inside. The interior consists of five distinct areas, if you count the bar, and each is soundproofed to prevent one from disturbing the ambience of the other." He guided her through the door of a sixties inspired dance area, and opened a control panel hidden behind a framed Grateful Dead poster from the Fillmore days in San Francisco. The poster swung open on invisible hinges. "Clever," she murmured. Ian flipped several switches, and the multi-colored dance floor lit up, the music throbbed to life, and strobe lights pulsed to the beat. There was a tall dais overlooking the dance floor where a disc jockey would do his thing. "Go-go cages?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. Chuckling, he shrugged. "What can I say? It's the sixties." He flipped off the lights and music and led her down the next passageway. "The game room. Pretty much self-explanatory." She nodded, taking in rows of pool tables, an area for darts, and several sitting areas where game boards sat open and ready for players. The next room was a salon, of sorts, filled with cozy seating areas, conversation pits, and laptop computers. "This is for the folks who just want to come in after work, have a drink, and some quiet conversation, or surf the Internet." He stepped around her and led her through a connecting passageway. "The media room. We're a licensed theater, too, so we'll be showing everything from artsy foreign films to the latest action-adventure flicks." "Very cool," Olivia said with a nod. He turned and led her out the way they'd entered, and turned down a long, lushly carpeted hall. He cleared his throat. "This last room is for the more--ah, adventurous customer. It's membership only, and fully licensed for the more exotic activities." He opened the door and flipped a light switch to reveal a scene straight out of Arabian Nights. Gauzy silks in rich jewel tones draped from the ceiling in soft waves, making the large space cozy. Tall, thick pillars of candles rose up from the floor on elaborate iron wrought stands. "This week's subject is The Seraglio. Members can participate in weekly themed activities of a more carnal nature. The membership fee is high in order to discourage the less discriminating client, and one of your duties will be to perform the extensive background checks required. Participation in the activities is not mandatory. Members so inclined will be allowed to observe any of the couples or groups who enjoy being watched." "Wow," Olivia said, checking out the exotic array of pillows, beds, and various objects scattered around the room. Several areas were curtained for a modicum of privacy. From the bright silks and gauzy drapes that hung ceiling to floor to the plush cushions on the floor and Moroccan lamps suspended by a polished silver chain above each lush lounging arrangement, it was everything she imagined a harem might look like.. It could have been a caricature straight out of Hollywood, yet it was so elegantly done, so realistic in style and theme that she could well understand a couple getting carried away with the atmosphere. Lazarus laughed and pulled the door shut. Olivia met his steady gaze while he gave her the once-over, probably gauging her reaction to all she'd seen. "So, shall we go back to the office and discuss the job description or are you feeling inclined to run screaming from the joint?" It was Olivia's turn to laugh. "Oh, Mr. Lazarus, don't let my girl-next-door looks confuse you. I did ten years with the military police. I know security like the back of my hand, and there hasn't been a man born yet I can't put on his ass if I've a mind to. Lead the way." This job is mine. As soon as the office door closed behind them, the offer was made and accepted. She practically danced a jig on the way out. * * * *"Impressions?" Noah Lazarus asked. "I like her," Ian responded. "Is she the one you've been looking for? I didn't see even a hint of red emanating from her. Too soon to say, I'd guess." Noah nodded. The old seer had been specific when referring to his intended. She would surrounded with red. Ian's assessment was true, but the scent of her hung in the air to tantalize him from room to room. That had never happened before. "Point taken, yet I can't help but feel it's her. Her fragrance ... resonates. And she's more than qualified for the position. Question is, how will she be able to handle the nuances of the job?" Ian rolled his eyes. "You mean how is she going to handle it when she finds out what you are?" "Exactly." "Something tells me the lady can handle anything you throw at her." "Including the Sentinel?" "Why not? They're human, aren't they?" Noah raised an eyebrow. "The jury is still out on that one, brother, but if she is the one, they'll figure it out soon enough. If she's not the one, we'll still have to keep an eye on her until they see she isn't a threat." He stood and stretched. "What time will she be back?" "Nine o'clock." He nodded. "Good. I need to feed. Then I'll get dressed and meet your girl-next-door security expert." * * * *Olivia burst through the door and rushed to pick up the ringing phone. She dumped her purse and keys on the console table and checked the call screener. Allie, yay! She snatched up the phone. "I got it! I got the job at Flirt!" "Oh, my God!" her friend squealed. "How does if feel to beat out all those pumped-up amateurs?" "Just to the left of fanfuckintastic! And icing on the cake? Richard Bellows applied and got turned away as the manager was walking me out. He was so pissed his ears were red!" Allie's laughter lit up the phone line. "Oh, that is too precious! Bet he thinks twice before calling you 'chickie' again. You know he didn't pass the psych profile for the academy, right? So, when do you meet the mysterious Mr. Lazarus?" "Tonight at nine. I gotta run, sweetie. I need to shower and rummage through my closet for something appropriate to wear." "I'll be waiting on your doorstep when you get back!" Thank God, she had plenty of time to prepare for the meeting with her new boss. While blow-drying her hair, Olivia realized she had never actually seen a photo of Noah Lazarus. He was a well-known entrepreneur, especially with the glitterati of Europe and New York. He owned nightclubs in Paris, Milan, London, and New York. He'd even opened casinos in Monaco and Vegas. Why the hell would he open a club in New Orleans? And why was he so publicity shy? Of course, she'd checked him out before applying for the job. She'd Googled him, and when she found no pictures of him, she'd called one of her contacts in the military police and asked him to run the man's background. He'd checked out. No arrest record, no hint of scandal attached to him. Not even a traffic ticket. The phone rang--Richard Bellows. She grinned and picked up the phone. "Hello?" she practically sang.. "I guess congratulations are in order," Bellows said sullenly. "Thanks, Rich. Sorry you didn't get the job." Bellows snorted. "I'd say thanks if I thought you really meant it." Olivia laughed. "Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm not really sorry you didn't get the job, and I'm deliriously happy that I did." "So, what's he like? The enigmatic Mr. Lazarus?" "Dunno, he wasn't there. I'm meeting with him tonight to get his approval, although Ian says it's just a formality." She dropped the towel she'd wrapped around her body and opened her closet door. What to wear? "Hey, I'd love to spend the next few minutes chatting about why I'm more qualified for the position, but I'm meeting the big guy in a little over an hour and I need to get ready. Bye now." He was swearing on the other end of the line when she punched the Off button. She puckered her lips and blew the phone a kiss before stepping into her closet. Damn it! She hated it when she couldn't make up her mind what to wear. Did she go with the clean-cut look, the club look, or the professional security expert look? Nah, she was done with conservative. A combination would do nicely. She needed to give the appearance of professionalism, yet still be a bit of eye candy for the patrons involved in the club scene. Maybe, just maybe, she'd meet someone to fill the emptiness left behind when her hitch with Uncle Sam had ended. It wasn't like she needed the job. Her parents had left her quite well off when they'd passed., but something was missing in her life, and if she didn't go back to work, she'd likely go stark-raving mad. Ah, well, time for the final interview with the mystery man himself.
|
)
