HOLLY
Moving through the dark club, the heavy thumping music beats in time to my frantic heartbeat. The flashing lights and dancing bodies seem to move in slow motion as I’m pulled through the crowd, everything fading away as my focus is locked on the man in front of me.
He walks with the confidence of a man who knows he’s in charge and I find myself mesmerised. I don’t even know his name, yet I’m blindly following him into the depths of the club. This is so beyond my usual behaviour that I vaguely wonder if it the alcohol in my system causing me to make these decisions, but I’ve barely had anything to drink. I’m going to go ahead and blame Chris for this one.
Pushing through a staff-only door I hadn’t previously seen, we enter a corridor leading to the back rooms of the building. As soon as the door swings shut behind me, the cacophony of sounds cuts down to a low hum, the music now muffled. There must be some sort of spell in the beat of the music, as instantly my head clears. What am I doing following a stranger into the apparently deserted back rooms? Horror stories start to play through my mind of all the awful scenarios I’m aboutto get myself into. However, that paranoid part of my mind is overpowered by my instincts, telling me I can trust this man.
A black door awaits us, marked ‘Office’, and before I know it, we’re stepping into the dark room. Lights flash on and it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. The stranger releases my hand and moves further into the room as I blink rapidly, taking in the room around me.
I’m not sure what I expected for the office of a nightclub, but the smart, modern furnishings are not it. Pale carpet and sage-green walls make the space feel bigger, the dark desk taking up most of the far wall. My new friend takes up residence there, leaning against the desk as he watches me, arms crossed over his dark T-shirt. He looks sinful, standing there with his tattooed arms on display.
“I’m sorry that happened to you. We try not to let creeps like that in here, but there are some who always sneak through.” His voice is just a deep as I remember it being, causing a shiver to run down my spine. The corner of his mouth twitches, catching the movement. “Truly, are you okay?”
This whole situation feels surreal and my mind goes into autopilot. “I’m–”
“Don’t say fine,” he warns, cutting me off before I can do exactly that.
What am I supposed to say to that? No, I’m not fine, but I haven’t been for a long time. I’m broken and desperately trying to hold myself together with the scraps I was left with, creating a new life from the cinders Jake left. Truly, Chris’ forceful attentions woke me up from this fog I’ve been walking around in, reminding me who I used to be before Jake took over my life. I’m mad that some drunk asshole thought he could take advantage of me, and I’m sure I could have taken care of it myself but I am grateful that this man stepped in.
My expression must tell him the complexity of my answer and he clearly decided that he’s not going to wait for it any longer. Pushing away from the desk, he slowly stalks towards me with a predatory gleam in his eye. “You ran away from me earlier.”
The change of topic catches me off guard and I stare up at him with a confused expression. I’m doing a great impression of a goldfish and, thanks to my gaping, I’m pretty sure he suspects my brain capacity is about the same. It takes a moment for my mind to process the question. No, it’s not a question, but a fact. He sounds… annoyed yet curious. They seem like opposing emotions for the situation, being frustrated that I ran from him and intrigued as to why. He probably doesn’t have many women trying to get away from him.
My cheeks heat with a blush at being caught out. I did run away from him, and I never thought I would have to explain myself. The reason seems so stupid now, and there is no way that I’m going to tell him I was intimidated by his attention.
“I don’t know what you mean–”
“Liar.” Cutting me off once again, his lips curl up into a smile. Oh boy, that’s one devious expression and it’s causing havoc on my body. Every part of me is hyper aware, craving the warmth that his body is providing me as he stops just inches away. I shouldn’t be able to feel the heat rolling off him, yet that’s all I can focus on.
Biting down my lower lip, I worry at it as I try to process these strange sensations he’s awakening in me. It’s a habit that my ex hated and never quite managed to train out of me. It annoyed him, but his frustration would only make me more anxious, causing me to do it more: a vicious cycle.
The stranger reaches out and brushes his thumb across the bottom of my lip, freeing it from my bite. It’s such an intimate move and I realise that I’m holding my breath, only releasing itwhen my lungs start to burn. My lips tingle where he touched and I automatically press my fingers to them. What’s happening here? Why am I acting like a teenager who’s flirting with her crush? I need to get out of here before I make a fool of myself.
Clearing my throat, I smile awkwardly and take a step backwards. “Thank you for helping me. I better go and find my friend.”
“Wait–” His hand brushes against my arm as he reaches for me, sending tingles all through my body. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. I can’t explain what makes me stop, but whatever he’s about to say next seems to hold me captive.
A sharp knock on the door quickly shatters the mood. Gasping, I jump back from the door, placing my hand against my racing heart that has nothing to do with the sudden interruption and everything to do with how he was just looking at me. He growls, a sound I’ve never heard a person make before, as he strides to the door and yanks it open. “What?”
I would not want to be on the receiving end of that voice. Glancing over, I see one of the bouncers standing in the corridor, his expression chagrined. “Sorry to interrupt but there’s a fight out here. We need you.”
The boss sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Fine, I’m coming,” he answers, moving around me and striding towards the door. Before he disappears, he pauses in the doorway and turns back to look at me. “Stay here.”
I ignore the softness in his voice and the way it sounds more like a request. I can’t begin to pick up on things like that, as after tonight, I’m never going to see him again. Flashing him a small smile, I wait until the door is shut and I’m sure that he’s gone. Blowing out a long breath, I shake my head slowly. What the hell is happening to me? Shaking my hands as though I can shake away this feeling, I hurry to the door, practically jogging through the corridor. Tonight has been too much for me and I need tofind Ashley and get out of here before I do something I might regret.
FIVE
CLAY
Why is it that fights always break out when I’m doing something important? The fates must do it on purpose to keep me on my toes. As my staff only get me involved if they really need me, I usually I just accept it as part of the job and get on with helping to calm the situation. Tonight, though, the fates can give it a fucking break.
Resting the brush against the bar, I scowl down at the broken glass as though it’s personally wronged me. Once the fight had been broken up, my first instinct was to return to my office, to check on Holly, but I refuse to be the type of boss who shies away from clean-up duty. However, with every sweep of the broom and each stool righted, her face hovers in my mind.
I’m not sure what would’ve happened between us if we hadn’t been interrupted. The pull between us was undeniable, sparks flying. The urge to check she was okay after she was manhandled took me by surprise, as I’m not usually so protective of people I don’t know. There is just something about her.
I’d spotted her straight away when I entered the bar earlier, and I was instantly intrigued. What is it about her that I find so intoxicating? Perhaps it was her stillness in the pulsing, writhing mass of bodies that drew my eye. That makes sense, yet doesn’t explain why I couldn’t stop looking at her. When she ran from me, I decided to let her go despite the instinct to chase after her. She clearly didn’t want my attention. After she disappeared, I went outside for some fresh air, needing to clear my head. That’s when I saw her again.
She was trying so hard to put on a brave face as she ordered the stranger to let her go, but there’s something about her that felt vulnerable – which is why I stepped in when that asshole wouldn’t let go of her.