Page 60 of Counting On You

Chapter Fifteen

Vicky

“You didn’t saywe were going to a club opening.” I stare at the rows and rows of people gathered outside Club 69.

“Must have slipped my mind. Now, come on,” Kade says with a wink.

In spite of my usual dislike for clubs and huge crowds, I’m excited. The place is huge with a luxurious flair—not in the slightest the kind of places Bruce took me to.

There’s a red carpet spread outside, leading from the long line of limousines to the open doors with ushers dressed in black suits parked outside. I can’t help but notice that even the crowd is dressed to the nines.

“Are you sure we’ll even get inside?” I ask, eyeing the ushers who seem to be very picky. Not only do they check IDs, they also have a list. “Those bouncers look like they beat people for a living.”

“What’s up with all the questions, Vicky? Don’t you trust me?”

I heave an exasperated sigh. “When you said you wanted to go out, I assumed you’d pick a small, private place where we wouldn’t be seen by half of the world. Not that.” I point my finger to the photographers camped outside, eager to take pictures of whoever might look remotely famous. “If one of them takes a picture of us just by mistake, we might end up in the papers. If Bruce’s mom sees me, she’ll have a reason to put me away for good. I could lose my job, and the judge might—”

I almost choke on my breath. It’s such a long shot, and yet I can’t help the sudden panic shooting through me.

Kade’s arm is heavy on my shoulder as he spins me around to look at him. My breath catches in my throat. He’s way too close, his lips within reach.

I inhale a shallow breath, my gaze glued to his mouth, and I can’t help but wonder if he tastes as good as he looks.

But mostly it’s his eyes that are doing strange things to me.

They are wild and beautiful. If one glance can undo me, what would happen to me if I had him naked and at my disposal? Could I stop myself from kissing him? Would the warm, fuzzy feeling inside me evaporate or turn into the raging volcano I can feel bubbling beneath the surface?

What the hell are you doing, Vicky?

I freeze and bite my lip, unsure how to fight the attraction I seem to be feeling for him even though I’m very much in love with Bruce.

“I said everything will be fine,” Kade says, misinterpreting my hesitation. “I’ve got us covered.” He lets go of me and squeezes out of his jacket, handing it to me. “Put it on.”

No question, no offer—just a plain request that leaves no room for discussion.

“But…”

“It’s for your own safety,” Kade says, his tone a little sharper.

I should argue with him because no woman should ever let a man dictate what to do. And yet I just clamp my mouth shut and let him help me into his jacket, then pull the collar around my face.

Once done, he watches me, seemingly pleased with the result. “Nobody will recognize you like this.”

I want to point out that wearing a red dress underneath his black and very manly jacket might make me look a bit like a drag queen. At least his jacket is way too big on me. It’s almost as long as my dress.

“I look like a wannabe thug.” I laugh at the thought. Then again, the notion isn’t quite so ridiculous, given that I have a restraining order, which I’ve violated…and probably will violate again.

“I wouldn’t have said thug. More like a hot chick taking the walk of shame.”

I give him a little shove that sends him laughing.

“What about you?” I ask. “Someone might recognize you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I can always pretend it was my brother,” Kade says.

“Do you look alike?”

“I wouldn’t say that,” he mumbles and helps me out of the limousine. His hand is on the small of my back, but his body is slightly turned away from me. I want to pursue the topic, but I can sense his caginess and decide against it.

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