Page 32 of Bound in Paradise
Beth gave her an odd look, then shrugged. “I mean, I don’t know Zack that well, but I’m pretty sure it was him.”
“Thanks,” Dani responded, pretending her heart wasn’t crumbling. “I’ll go check it out.”
She spun on her feet and started heading in that direction. “And look where you’re going this time,” Beth called after her, but all Dani could hear was an angry buzz in her ears.
Fucking bastard! He’d fed her a bunch of pretty lines, then searched someone out at the club the minute she didn’t give him what he wanted?
Dani stormed towards Iniquity, her mind racing with scenarios of what she might find. Each imagined scene fueled her anger further. By the time she reached the kink club's discreet, understated entrance, her fists were clenched at her sides, and her nails dug into her palms.
She burst through the doors, barely even nodding at the receptionist, and scanned the dimly lit interior. The thrum ofbass vibrated through her body as she pushed past writhing bodies on the dance floor. Her gaze darted from face to face, searching for Zack's familiar features.
What if he was already in the dungeon or a private room? What if he was in the suspension room, tying his beautifully crafted ropes around another woman?
She was only slightly relieved when she spotted him near the bar, leaning in close to a petite blonde. Dani's breath caught in her throat. She watched as the woman laughed at something Zack said, placing her hand on his arm.
White-hot jealousy coursed through Dani's veins. She marched over, ready to unleash her fury as she drew up behind the two of them. “I should have known this was where I’d find you,” she bit out, her voice dripping venom. “I’m just surprised you moved on so fast… but on past association, maybe I shouldn’t have been.”
The woman turned, her eyes wide and shining with confusion and Dani wanted the floor to open up and swallow her as she realized the blonde wasn't some random hook-up after all. It was Gabi, the club’s former assistant manager, and wife of Master Thorne, who - now Dani dropped the blinkers and actually looked around - was sitting right next to her with his arm wrapped proprietorially around her shoulders.
Zack's eyes widened when he saw her, a mix of surprise and something else flickering across his features. "Dani? What are you doing here?"
She faltered, her righteous anger deflating as quickly as it had built. "I... I was looking for you," she managed, suddenly feeling foolish and exposed.
Gabi's smile turned knowing as she glanced between them. "I think we'll leave you two to talk," she said, tugging on her husband's arm. Marcus nodded and excused himself, hispiercing gaze assessing Dani then flicking towards Zack before he allowed himself to be led away.
Zack's brow furrowed as he turned to face Dani fully. "You were looking for me? I thought after our last conversation, you needed space."
Dani bit her lip, fighting the urge to flee. She'd come this far; she couldn't back down now. "I did. I mean, I thought I did. But then I realized..." She trailed off, struggling to find the right words.
"Realized what?" Zack prompted gently, his eyes never leaving her face.
Taking a deep breath, Dani steeled herself. "I realized I was being a coward. That I was letting fear hold me back from something potentially amazing." She met his gaze, vulnerability shining in her eyes. "I was wrong, Zack. I do want to give us a real chance."
Zack's expression softened, a glimmer of hope lighting his features. "Dani, I-" He paused, glancing around the crowded club. "Maybe we should talk somewhere more private?"
She nodded, suddenly hyper-aware of the pulsing music and the intrinsic sounds and scents of the club. Zack gently took her elbow, guiding her towards a secluded alcove near the back of the club. The noise faded to a dull thrum as they settled onto a plush velvet loveseat.
"I've been looking for you all day,” Dani admitted, twisting her hands in her lap. "When I couldn't find you, I started to doubt myself again. Then when Beth said she saw you here, I jumped to conclusions."
Zack's lips quirked. "You thought I was here to hook up with someone else?"
Dani flushed, averting her gaze. "It crossed my mind," she mumbled.
He reached out, tilting her chin up gently with his fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Dani, I meant what I said before. I want you - all of you. I'm not interested in casual hook-ups or scenes with anyone else. Hell, I’ve barely indulged since you walked away from me, even when I knew we were over, because it wasn’t with you. "
His words were pretty, and his touch sent a shiver down her spine, but they were still just words and talk was cheap. Plus, Dani had spent a long time thinking the worst and trying to convince herself she’d had a lucky escape. She couldn’t just turn those feelings off overnight, no matter that she’d decided to give them a chance. "Then why are you here?" she asked, unable to keep the hint of suspicion from her voice.
Fuck! Why did she ask that? It was already obvious he was just having a drink with friends.
But why here? Why not in one of the many regular bars?
Zack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I was trying to get details about Emylyah. I received some… information that Gabi might be able to help me.”
Was he a bit cagey in the way he said that? Like there was more to it he didn’t want to say? Dani narrowed her eyes at him.
"What kind of information?" she pressed, her suspicion growing again. "And why would Gabi know anything about Emylyah?"
Zack hesitated, his jaw clenching slightly. "It's... complicated. I don't want to say too much until I know more."
