Fucking finally.
Though he liked Jax’s friends, today was a day when peace and quiet beckoned. But given the special events put into place months earlier, the solitude he’d been craving since morning hadn’t been an option.
Until now.
Grateful for the respite, Ivan secured the locks on the club’s front door before drawing in his first deep breath of the day. Anxiety was a bitch he’d love to meet one day. Preferably in a dark corner of an alley.
But Ivan knew better than to complain. He’d faired far better than other SEAL brothers he’d known, so he’d learned to keep it at bay and fake it ’til he made it through to the other side.
Like today.
Another deep, lung-filled breath was followed by a long exhale. Turning around, he scanned the expansive room. The caterers and guests had all done an impressive job at cleaning up after themselves, so all that was left was to tidy up behind the bar, sweep and mop the floors, and empty the trash.
Sooner you start…
The bar took but a few minutes, as he’d been cleaning as he went during the reception. After the last glass had been washed, dried, and placed back in its rightful place on the counter behind him, Ivan folded the white dishtowel into a neat rectangle and placed it on the counter next to the small sink. Dampening a clean washcloth, he headed back out to the club’s main area.
Once the tall, round tables in the front left corner of the open space had been wiped down and the barstools scooted and straightened, he went back to the bar. Tossing the cloth over the bar and into the sink—he’d worry about that one later—Ivan went in search of the broom and dustpan.
He was sweeping the last remaining corner of the dancefloor when someone began knocking on the door. Shifting his gaze in that direction, he saw a woman’s shaded image through the glass. At least, he was pretty sure it was a woman.
Five-foot four, maybe five. Slender build. Long brown hair brushing across the chest of a dark hooded zip-up jacket.
Ivan couldn’t see the person’s face, nor did he need to. At this point, he was about as peopled out as a guy could get, so whoever it was could kick rocks.
Rather than leave as he’d hoped, the person at the door pounded their fist a second time. Almost immediately after the incessant noise stopped, a set of small, cupped hands pressed against the glass as the hooded figure brought their face in close for a better look inside.
Seriously? Can you not fucking read?
Broom in hand, a frustrated Ivan walked across the club’s smooth floor to where the person—definitely a woman—had just spotted him through the glass. Without opening the door, Ivan pointed to the sign he’d taped up the night before.
The one announcing the club would be closed for the night due to a private event. The same sign that was posted inches from the clueless woman’s head.
Barely giving it a second glance, she began shaking her head in and almost frantic motion. Releasing a deep, frustrated growl, Ivan freed the locks with more force than necessary and yanked the door open just enough to be able to tell her to get lost.
Doing his best not to bite the stranger’s head off, Ivan clenched his jaw and forced a smile. He was the face of Sin for the next two weeks, after all. Couldn’t go pissing off the customers and running Jax’s business away.
With another motion toward the sign, hepolitelylet her know she’d have to go somewhere else to party. “We’re closed tonight,” he stated bluntly. “Private party.”
The woman remained quiet at first. She reached up and gathered the hood’s soft material into her delicate hand before siding it from her head.
The move revealed long waves the color of cocoa and face so angelic, it literally took his breath away. And those eyes…
Holy shit. She’s…
Stunning. It was the only word his mind could formulate that came even close to describing the beauty before him. For a moment, all Ivan could do was stare.
Dark shadows marred the skin beneath the woman’s eyes, though they did nothing to detract from a gaze the color of golden honey. If he looked closely enough, he could make out just the slightest hint of green hidden deep within.
A man could lose himself in those eyes if he weren’t careful. And the rest of her features were every bit as entrancing.
Perfectly straight nose, defined cheekbones that seemed paler than they should be, an adorable chin, and a set of naturally full lips peaked at the top with Cupid’s bow…
The flash of an image filled his mind’s eye. This woman in his arms. Those luscious lips pressed against his. Their tongues meeting in a swirling, sensual dance while Ivan’s hands slid lower to her—
“I’m not here for the club.” A voice as sweet as sugar cut through the unsolicited thoughts.
What. The. Actual. Fuck?