Page 33 of Wretched Soul
Kaitlyn is ahead of me as we walk down the ever-darkening corridor. We have one turn to make before taking the stairs down to the dance floor, but as my friend is rounding the corner, she comes to a stumbling stop. Her eyes widen and her jaw drops.
I’ve seen that look on Kaitlyn’s face plenty of times. It’s not fear. It’s pure lust, and as she tilts her head upwards, I can only presume that the man in question is tall.
My steps falter, and as I replay Simon’s comment in my head, my heart leaps into my throat. A second later, the object of Kaitlyn’s fascination comes into view. Shade strides past her, his eyes fixing on mine. He doesn’t slow, and I’m forced to take a step back. Then another. And another. His expression givesnothing away as he places his palm on my chest so he can back me out of the club.
My mouth moves, but I can’t form words. His eyes have an intensity that could be lust, but it could be anger. What if he had other plans tonight, and my arrival has messed them up? He could be about to throw me out, in which case I need to prepare for complete and utter humiliation. I continue to search his face for clues as he forces me back step by step. And then he gives himself away as his gaze flicks down my body and his pupils dilate. I’m wearing a strapless dress, and his hand rests over the valley of my breasts. His thumb skims over my bare skin. We’re very much in the game.
“Tell me to back off at any time, Slayer,” he says, his eyebrow arching with more confidence than is good for me.
“Do you want to tell me what you’re doing?” I demand.
His eye twitches. “I’m taking my prize.”
“Lily?” Kaitlyn calls from behind my stalker-turned-abductor. “Is thishim?”
“Yes, it’shim,” I call back to her. “You go have a good time. I’ll be fine.”
She laughs. “Well, I can see that!”
I offer Shade my best scowl. “I would introduce you, but I don’t know your name.”
“Kaitlyn works with you at Royston Associates. I don’t need an introduction.”
“I didn’t mean…” I let out a huff. So now he knows where I work too. Am I ever going to outmaneuver this man when he’s always ten steps ahead?
A blast of cold air brings me out in goosebumps. We’re at the door, and when I draw level with the doormen, I grasp a potential opportunity.
“Simon, can you tell Mr…” I give Simon an imploring look, hoping that he’ll fill in the gaps and supply Shade’s last name.
“Sorry, Miss Kendrick. What would you like me to tell him?” Simon asks with an air of innocence that doesn’t suit him. He’s been prepped ahead of time.
“Traitor,” I mutter as Shade removes his hand from my chest and takes my hand.
As he spins me around to face forward, Simon has the red rope in his hand. “The car’s waiting for you, Sir. Have a good evening.”
“Thank you,” Shade replies before tugging me away from the club.
I can’t believe I didn’t even make it to the dance floor. I’m not much of a friend to Kaitlyn.
“Stop!” I say, teeth chattering as I pull from his grasp. I look over my shoulder. Simon is watching, and I shout over to him, “Can someone keep an eye on Kaitlyn for me? And make sure she gets home safe.”
He nods. “Leave it with me.”
As I turn back, my shoulders are draped in silken warmth that smells of cedar and musk. I pull Shade’s suit jacket tighter around me, absorbing the residual heat from his body. He ropes an arm around my waist to guide me to a shiny black limo with dark tinted windows. The driver opens the door and tips his head in greeting.
“Get in,” Shade barks at me.
“And there I was about to complement you on being a gentleman,” I say, lifting the collar of his jacket in grateful thanks.
“Good, I’d hate for you to get the wrong impression,” he growls, stroking the back of my thigh as I climb into the limo.
I slide onto the back seat, still wrapped in his jacket while Shade speaks to the driver. Despite his chivalry, my opponent in this game might have made his first mistake. I search the silk lining of his jacket for an inside pocket, only to find it empty. Icheck his other pockets and as my fingers wrap around a piece of paper, Shade sits down next to me.
His gaze fixes on my hand. I’ve been caught with my hand in his pocket, but from the way he hesitates, maybe he’s the one who’s been caught.
As I take out the folded piece of paper, I twist my body away before he can snatch it from me. When he doesn’t, I give him a quick sideways glance before I open the note. There’s amusement in his eyes that I don’t much like. The limo interior has soft back lighting that’s enough for me to read the scrawl on the piece of paper.
You’re going to have to try harder, Slayer.
