05

« You’re breaking the law, » he says bluntly.

« What ? »

« I don’t tolerate seventeen-year-old’s in my club. »

His club ?

Not security then. The guy owns this place and apparently knows my real age. I’m not an idiot. I don’t have my age stamped on my forehead, and anybody can say they are the owner of a club just like I can say I’m a famous chef. « I don’t know what you’re talking about—« 

« Do you really want to lie to me ? » he asks, stepping closer. I stumble back.

« Fine, I’ll leave. »

I turn around, but before I can move, he takes hold of my arm. I look over my shoulder, seeing his eyes blazing into mine, the warmth of his fingers making my skin tingly and hot.

« I didn’t say you could leave, » he says in that same tone that has my body shivering.

I stare at him, my mouth hanging open. It dawns on me that I suddenly want to… kiss him ? Am I that drunk ?

I pull my arm away from his grip. « I should go. »

As I back away, I see a frown appear beneath his hair. He moves with me, the same time taking hold of my wrist. « You’re not leaving. »

« Excuse me ? » I try to pull my hand away. « I am. »

« Right then. » He pulls me forward and lifts me, throwing me over his shoulder. I scream with shock when he walks through the crowd with ease, people moving out of his way as he strides across the dance floor. I try to get off his shoulder, wriggling to get free, but he throws me over more.

« Are you crazy ? Let me go, » I yell, all too aware of his hand on the back of my legs, keeping me in place. « Put me down ! »

He doesn’t reply, and as I flick my hair out of the way, I see we’re coming to a door that says, Staff Only.

Pulling open the door, he takes me down a brightly lit hallway. I push my hands into his back, trying to ease the sickening sensation of blood rushing to my head. Through the nausea, I’m nervous that I’m in trouble. What if he phones the police ?

We enter a new room and he slams the door shut behind us. It’s quieter in here and my ear ring, a headache already brewing. I cry out when he throws me off his shoulder and onto the only leather couch in the room. I try to stand but he pushes me back down.

« Stop ! » I shout and try to stand again, but like before, he pushes me back down with one hand. « What the hell is your problem ? I was leaving. »

Straightening up, he leaves me and walks over to a drink’s cabinet. I quickly look around, seeing we’re in an office, most of the furniture black but fancy. If he is the owner, I know underage drinkers in his club might cost him his licence, but I don’t get why I’m here. I would have left.

I bite down on my bottom lip as I hear him pour out a glass of something. When he turns back to face me, I see it’s something clear with ice in it. He comes over and hands me it.

« It’s water, » he says when I eye it suspiciously. « Drink. You’re drunk. »

I reach for the glass shakily he sits down next to me in that same calm manner. I find it hard not to look at him. Despite the way he brought me in here, the heat hasn’t gone away. To distract myself, I drink the water until it’s gone.

« Why am I here ? » I say, putting the glass back into his hand. Something he raises his eyebrow at but reaches over to put it on a little table next to us.

Turning back to me, he studies me for a long moment, his stare curious. Like he’s looking for something. I don’t know. Finally, he says, « Because you are. »

« What’s that supposed to mean ? »

He smiles coldly, and my heart skips another beat. « It means you’re here and you’re staying. »

I frown at him. « Am I in trouble ? Shouldn’t you be kicking me out ? »

« No, you’re drunk. » He says. « You created trouble. »

« What do you mean created trouble ? »

He looks at me closely, his eyes slowly moving to my lips. I haven’t noticed he’s moved closer until I feel his hot, minty breath on my face. I shiver, my stomach flipping excitedly by him being this close. Even though I shouldn’t.

« You got a lot of people into trouble, » he says in a low tone.

I swallow nervously. « Oh ? »

« Big oh. »

He’s so close now that I think he’s going to kiss me. But why would I think that ? I back away from him. I’m not thinking straight. It’s all in my head. He doesn’t want to kiss me. « If you’re not phoning the police, I’m going. »

« Wait, » he says as I get up. He catches my wrist and stands with me. « I have to try something. »

Just as I’m about to question what he means, I quit breathing when he bends his head and puts his lips against mine. My eyes widen with shock.

He’s kissing me.

When his mouth moves against mine in a way that makes me dizzy, my eyelids flutter closed. Pushing his hands through my hair, he pulls me into him more, wrapping his other arm around me, deepening the kiss.

A moan crawls up my throat when his tongue traces my bottom lip. Tingles spread through my body, and before I know it, I kiss him back. He gasps. Hearing his reaction, heat crashes through me. Down… down… until I feel it somewhere I’ve never felt before.

I pull my mouth away from his. What the hell am I doing ? Leaning his head forward, he kisses along my jawline, and I breathe out, losing my freaking mind. Wanting to kiss him more. Not wanting to kiss him more.

« Stop, » I whisper, even though I’m enjoying it. But I know we need to stop.

Arching my back, I push him away. He blinks, his eyes opening. Heart pounding, I step back, needing distance between us.

I make my way over to the door. As I reach out to grab the handle, I feel him behind me, pressing into the back of me. Taking my wrists, he gently pins them against the door and I breathe out sharply when he kisses the back of my neck.

« Stop, » I say, but it sounds weak. The way he’s making me feel is crazy. This isn’t meant to be happening. I don’t know him.

He lets go of my wrists and grabs my waist, flipping me around to face him. His breath fans my face, his eyes searching mine once again.

Behind me, I reach for the door handle. Yanking it down, I fall back when the door swings open. He lets go and I run. I run as fast as I can. Intent on getting the hell out of here.

I push my way through the thick crowd, searching for the exit. Thankfully, I don’t have to look for long when I see it’s not that far away thanks to a flashing neon sign.

The breeze from outside blows against my skin as I climb the stairs and run out of the club. It’s gone cold and I shiver uncontrollably, but I keep going, not wanting to stop. I didn’t grab my jacket from behind the bar on my way out and I’m agitated with myself. This clearly is not my night.