Page 16 of King of Clubs

Marlee appeared to contemplate the idea before resignedly sighing. “Fine. I’ll stay with Sebastian,” Turning to me she added, “Thank you.”

“One of these days I’m going to say no to you though.” Marlee said to Arna who only scoffed.

“You know I love you,” Arna said before turning to me with narrowed eyes and a finger thrust in my face.

“If you don’t look after her I will put you in a bodybag!”

“She is safe with me.” I stated plainly, and I meant it with every fibre of my being.

Marlee peered over at me and I wondered what she was thinking. Was she apprehensive coming home with me or curious over my intentions? The latter I couldn’t assist with because even I didn’t know but I could guarantee her safety.

“Okay, well I’m calling a cab as my plane leaves in an hour.”

“Wayne will take you,” I asserted and he nodded gesturing towards the car parked in front of mine. The girls said their goodbyes and with another threat from Andy’s semi-crazy fiancé, she and Wayne left.

The air was quiet and with a slightly awkward ambience I studied her face. This close, I noted the vivid depths to her eyes, clearer now some of the tears had dried. A darker ring moving into clear emerald and framed by soft brown lashes. She swayed a little, taking a step towards me, her wide gaze directly on mine as a hiccup escaped.

“Oops,” she said, one hand moving up to cover her mouth, the other reaching to steady herself on my upper arm. “Marlee is clearly surviving, not thriving.” She sniffed, grabbing hold of me with both hands now. “Shit, your biceps are huge.”

“Do you always speak in third person?” I asked, ignoring the way her compliment made my insides tighten and reached for the passenger door of my car, mindful that fucker could swing back looking for her.

“Marlee does not usually speak in third person, no.” She slumped into the passenger seat, but I didn’t miss the way her eyes darted around quickly, still searching for someone who wasn’t here. I reached over to buckle her belt and did my best to ignore the way my hand grazed her thigh or the sharp intake of her breath when it did.

Why the fuck was I buckling her belt like a child and why was she letting me?

Walking around to the driver’s side with only a quick glance back to the club, I opened the door and got in.

I knew my team would be good to finish without me, it was why I had such a stringent hiring process including rigorous security checks, to ensure they could manage anything that may arise. But I was usually there and liked to give the place a final once over to ensure things were ready for the following day.

Tonight, my priorities had unexpectedly changed, and it had everything to do with the leggy brunette with the big, curious eyes. Ignoring the way my car now smelt like coconut and passionfruit, I hit the accelerator, wondering how the fuck I came to be sitting here acting like altruism was one of my strengths. I didn’t need a mess and this seemed complicated, but I wanted to be around her longer and that meant she was going to enter a place I hadn’t ever taken a woman.

Why I wanted any of these damn things was a question I would navigate tomorrow. For tonight, I would continue to play the role of the hero when I was anything but a saviour.

Marlee

Chapter Six

The soft sounds of a Foo Fighters classic roused me from sleep as I stretched and reached for my phone, eyes still closed. Andy must be home because there is literally no way Arna would ever listen to a song like this – Miley Cyrus being more her usual jam when getting ready for work.

Good lord I was nauseous this morning and coupled with the metallic taste in my mouth, I was confident it was self-induced. Shit, it had been so long since I’d truly let go, I forgot what a hangover was like and this was a vicious reminder. Haphazardly patting around on the bedside table, I felt nothing but space and I squinted in order to find what I was looking for.

My first indication that something wasn’t right was the cool glass top of the bedside table which should have been white. The large window framed in light grey trim overlooking the – wait, was that the ocean – my second indication. Suddenly wide awake, I remembered where I was and who brought me here.

Mr. 90% smoulder, 10% I may destroy you.Sebastian.

Vague recollections of dancing with Arna assaulted my memories as I struggled to connect the dots. Did we have hot, drunk sex I couldn’t remember?

As much as I definitely wanted to get underthatI didn’t think I was quite there yet. Also I wanted to be fully sober to take in what I assumed would be smooth muscle and defined lines because that man was going to keep my sexual appetite fuelled for my entire life.

Ripping the sheets from my neck I investigated the state I was in. While I was wearing a large grey t-shirt, my dress from last night was still firmly on, my underwear also in place. Phew!

The palatial ambience of the room was helping with the awkward uncertainty of what I was going to do next, and then like a tidal wave of all you want to forget, I stilled, panic rising as I was assaulted with memories of exactly what happened last night.

Raising the sleeve of the shirt, I turned my arm, my forehead pinching as my fingers traced the deep red marks mirrored across both arms.

Six months.

Six months of nothing and the first time Arna and I went out alone, he found me. The viciousness of entrapment lay heavy in my chest.He found me.He knew where I was and the light at the end of the tunnel moved that little bit further away.

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