06

Wrapping my arms around myself, I push on. I don’t have money or a phone, and I know Ray told me not to leave the club without him, but I didn’t have a choice.

I don’t know Lanten or where I’m going. It’s an alien town, so different from anything I’m used to. One minute I’m walking through brightly lit streets teeming with people, and then the next I’m walking down a dark, deserted street.

I try to remember where Ray left his car. Maybe I could wait by it until someone comes. Right now, all I want is to tuck myself into bed and forget tonight ever happened. Even though I don’t think I will be able to forget him.

After ten minutes of walking alone under the dim street lamps, I turn a corner of a street and sigh with relief when I see the old pubs from before. Except now, they look ten times scarier. I go over to the space we parked, but to my horror, Ray’s car is gone.

« Shit ! » I push my hands through my hair. « You have got to be joking ? »

I look around for the car thinking maybe I got it wrong. It isn’t anywhere to be seen and Ray’s car stands out. It’s green. I don’t understand. I know I’m in the right street.

Did he leave me ?

I don’t think he would do that after telling me to wait in the club for him. But he’s been sketchy lately. Who the hell knows ?

I groan angrily. It doesn’t help that I’m freezing. I could go back, but I just don’t want to. Going back to the club feels like a bad idea. Not after what happened with that guy. I start thinking on a way I can get home. I know there’s a train station somewhere. Maybe I could sneak on one of the trains.

Not entirely pleased with my plan, I walk down another street, this one with less light. My heels click on the pavement as I walk. I don’t know where the train station is, but it’s better than just standing here panicking.

Music from the clubs die around me. It’s now quiet, the weather having gotten worse, the tree branches now swishing crazily from the wind.

Shivering, I walk for another five minutes when I hear the rumble of a car. Glancing over my shoulder, I frown when a black mustang crawls beside me, its tinted windows hiding the driver’s identity. Great. All I need now is some haunting music, a blast of thunder, and I’ll be in my very own horror movie.

The window rolls down, and my eyes widen when I see him sat in the driver’s seat. The guy I was making out with. I swallow hard when I see the annoyed look in his eyes as he says, « Get in. »

I blink in shock. « What ? »

His eyes darken in a way that makes me shiver. Gathering by how he’s glaring at me, running away pissed him off. « Do you always follow girls in cars ? »

He breathes a laugh of exasperation. « No, I don’t. But I would like it if you got in my car. »

« What if I say no ? »

« Then I will come and get you myself. »

My stomach clenches with more excitement. Surely, he has better things to do than to harass a seventeen-year-old, being the owner of a club, and all. Is he angry that I got into his club or is this for something else ?

I turn my head to look at him again, hating the way he’s waiting for my reaction, watching my every move.

« I think you should leave me alone. » I curse myself for how lame and girly I sound. Why can’t I be threatening when I want to ? Vicky can do it much better than I can.

His smile fades and I can see his jaw clenching. Maybe he thought his little tough act would get my knees knocking together and running for his car door. « Get in my car, Layla. »

I stop. How the hell does he know my name ?

I whirl back to face him. « Are you stalking me ? »

His car screeches to a stop beside me. Seconds later, he’s out and storming toward me, eventually closing the distance and grabbing my arm. I stumble into him, looking at him with shock, hating the attraction I have for him when he’s grabbing me like this.

Pulling my arm from his grip, I yell, « Don’t grab me like that or tell me what to do. You don’t know me. »

« I’m sorry. I don’t know how to… » His eyes narrow. « You’re drunk. It’s not safe out here. Get in the car. »

He definitely has no people skills. I adamantly shake my head. I’m not that drunk. I don’t think I am, anyway. Even though I kissed him. Even though that’s not something sober Layla would do. « No, I’m going home on the train. »

He backs me up and my breathing hitches. Why is he being persistent ?

« You shouldn’t walk around like that. »

My cheeks flare. « Like what ? »

« Like bait. » I laugh, and it confuses him, his eyebrows drawing together.

« I’d rather be bait than get in your car. » I shove his chest with both my hands and slip past him.

« Are you always this feisty ? » he questions as I walk away and I sigh when I hear him follow me.

« Stalking really is a crime, you know ? » I manage to catch the rumble of his husky laugh over the wind.

« I’m just making sure you get home in one piece. »

« Why ? » I give him a flat look, but my heart skips a beat when I see he’s checking out my ass. I look away quickly. « You don’t know me. »

I hear him sigh. « You know, if you had of just gotten into the car and let me take you home, the wind wouldn’t be giving me the perfect display of your ass right now. Nice thong. »

Crying out, I whirl around, pulling my dress down as far as it will go. I storm over to him and slap his chest with anger. « Pervert ! »

He laughs again. « Pervert ? That would insinuate that you’re much younger than me. An age you’re pretending not to be tonight. »

« I’m not pretending right now, » I counter. « Let’s not forget you were the one kissing this much younger girl who snuck into your club. »

He shakes his head and smiles. « Fine. Touché. »

I try to grin, but my teeth start chattering when a gust of wind hits me. Why is it so cold ? Noticing, he takes off his suit jacket and steps forward, slinging it around my shoulders before I can protest. I stare at him in shock, the smell of him from the fabric wafting up my nose. Musk, pine and aftershave.