Twisted Lies (Dirty Secrets) by Sedona Venez Read Free Book Online Page A

the fabric. He strode through without a second glance. Curious, I tried to get a glimpse of the area through the slit of the closing curtain.
    The bouncer rudely snapped it shut. “Like I said, invite only.”
    Pursing my lips, I asked, “How do I get to the rooftop bar?”
    He pointed over to the discreetly placed elevator, and I made a beeline toward it. The trip up to the roof took mere seconds, and the doors slid open to reveal women carrying high-end purses and lots of men in suits and ties. I could almost smell the money wafting through the air. Just when I thought the rooftop was the PG version of downstairs, I saw the semi-nude bodies gyrating and reenacting a porn movie on the dance floor.
    Inching through the crowd, I made my way toward the bar. I just wanted to get this meeting over with and leave. Ignoring the interested stares from men and women who were more focused on my legs than their drinks, I reached my objective.
    I beckoned the bartender, requesting a, “Dry gin martini.”
    He nodded and walked away.
    I scoffed at the smoldering gaze of a pretty boy who looked like he’d stepped out of a fashion magazine. His hair was too perfectly styled, and his clothing had come straight off the runway. I rolled my eyes when he stopped in front of me, smiling with bleached teeth that nearly blinded me. He wasn’t remotely close to my type—too sweet-looking. I liked my men hard and edgy with tattoos decorating every inch of their exposed, muscled bodies.
    He glanced down at my bracelet and then up to my breasts, like he wanted to ask them out on a date. “Hello.”
    I frowned. Pretty boy was aiming too high.
    Holding up my hand in his face, I said, “No. Just no. Okay?”
    Thankfully, he shrugged before walking away, probably deciding I wasn’t worth the effort or the embarrassment.
    The bartender slid the martini between my fingers. After picking up the glass, I sipped the drink as I watched Tabitha sway toward me, looking as gorgeous as ever in a head-to-toe black ensemble that accented her sensuous body. Beside Jade, Tabitha was my favorite person. She was a talented designer and my mentor. Behind her polished veneer of Tabitha Thorp, celebrity designer, only I knew that she had grown up in the rough streets of Brooklyn, doing things she wasn’t really proud of —her words, not mine. I wanted to know what those things were, but she wouldn’t share the gossip about that part of her life, so I’d just left it alone.
    “Hey, Tabi! I can’t stop drooling over your outfit,” I said cheekily.
    Tabitha kissed me on my cheek. “That’s precious. The designer is salivating over her own design.” She nudged me with her elbow. “Yes, oh queen of fashion, you are so great. Let’s all dance around and bask in your creative hotness.”
    I smiled. “Okay, yes, I was fishing for compliments. You don’t have to rub it in.”
    Tabitha eyed me. “What the hell are you wearing?”
    I batted my eyes innocently. “Huh?”
    “You lied. You said it wasn’t finished. I want it. Take it off now.”
    “You like?” I looked coyly at her. “I’m bringing booty back.” I nodded toward the crowded dance floor. “Go run and tell them skinny bitches.”
    The black leather dress was super short in the front and longer in the back, flaring out around my curvy hips. The skintight corset pushed up my ample breasts while cinching my narrow waist.
    “I just finished it today, and I wanted to take it for a twirl—you know, show the people what I’m working with.” I smiled saucily.
    This was my freak-’em dress, and from the way the men’s eyes were following me, I hadn’t lost it. More importantly, once I added it to my collection, it would fly off the rack.
    Tabitha’s smirk disappeared. I knew she spotted the shadows under my eyes.
    “Sin, you’re working too hard. You need to take a break, have a bit of relaxation. How about that vacation you said you and Jade were going on?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Any