Chapter 3
THREE
CLARA
Someone is watching me.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but when I quickly glance around, I don’t find anyone who seems out of place and creepy. Shifting my attention back to Sarah, I smile at something she says. I don’t hear her, not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t keep my mind off the fact that someone is watching me.
I’m not sure if I should be uneasy about the person clearly studying me from afar, but it doesn’t feel creepy or gross. It feels almost comfortable, maybe even welcome if I’m being completely honest.
Sarah’s eyes widen, and I watch as she turns her head away from me and faces Barbara. I lift my hand to reach out to her, but there is a touch on my shoulder before my fingers reach her arm.
Turning my head slightly, I suck in my breath at the sight behind me. That comforting feeling disappears instantly. I don’t know who this is. There is nothing relaxing about the gaze that penetrates mine. His lips curve up into a smirk before he speaks.
“Hey there, buy you a drink?”
It’s not a pickup line, so there’s that, but at the same time, I don’t want him to buy me anything. There is only one man I want to buy me a drink, but, really, I don’t want him to buy me anything either.
Instead, I want him to pick me up and fuck me—anywhere and everywhere.
I open my mouth to say no thanks , but then I hear Sarah’s voice behind me, answering for me. “She’ll have a white wine. Any kind will do,” she quips.
Snapping my lips closed, I widen my eyes, and I’m sure I have an expression of shock on my face at her words. The guy in front of me smirks, then lifts his hand and motions for the bartender to come over.
I hear him order a white wine, but I can’t take my eyes off Sarah, who only gives me a shit-eating grin in response.
“Enjoy,” she mouths.
Narrowing my gaze on her, I shift my attention back to the stranger in front of me and give him as much of a smile as I can. He takes that as his moment to advance. He reaches for the glass of wine the bartender left and hands it to me.
Wrapping my fingers around the stem, I thank him, but I don’t take a drink. I didn’t watch the bartender pour the drink, so I won’t be drinking it. Instead, I hold the glass as I give him what I hope is a smile and not a cringe.
“What’s your name?” he asks, his eyes flicking down to my lips. He watches my mouth and seems unable to take his eyes off me. I’m not necessarily uncomfortable by his gaze, but that doesn’t mean I welcome it, either.
“Clara,” I murmur, only because I’m trying not to be rude.
He takes half a step toward me and lifts his hand. When his fingers slide down my jaw, I gasp, but not because he’s touching me, but because Luke is here. He’s standing right behind the stranger, and the look in his eyes is anything but friendly.
“I’d take your fucking hand away if you want to keep it,” Luke growls.
The man drops his hand, but he doesn’t move away. He looks casually over his shoulder as if he doesn’t believe Luke has spoken. That he’s given a command. My breath hitches at the sight of Luke’s expression.
His face has turned slightly red, his eyes are dark, and it’s sexy as hell. I’ve never seen him jealous before in my entire life. In fact, he’s never seemed to be bothered by much. I didn’t know he could even become jealous. Yet here he is, green with envy right in front of my very eyes.
Hot.
Sexy, out of this world hot.
“I got here first,” the stranger snaps.
And then it happens. I don’t realize what’s going on until it’s said and done. Luke reaches out, wraps his fingers around the back of the stranger’s neck, and roughly pulls him away. His hand falls from my face.
I stare at the floor, watching as the stranger’s body lands on the ground. He didn’t say a word, and I couldn’t speak, even if I wanted to. Then Luke steps over his body and reaches forward, but he doesn’t wrap his arm around me the way I desire.
Instead, he touches my hand, the one that’s next to the bar. He doesn’t want anyone to see him touching me.
I’m his dirty little secret, and I like it.
“Nobody touches you but me, Clara,” he growls. I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out, so I snap my lips shut. “Meet me in the hallway…” He lets his words linger before he leans forward slightly, his lips close to my ear, his breath fanning the side of my face. “ Now ,” he growls.
A thrill of desire slides up my spine, and I realize this is what I had been feeling when I walked into the bar—Luke’s presence.