Tamed By You (Always & Forever #2)

5. Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Ali

4 months later

“Gabs, did you borrow my silver heels again?” I call from my bathroom. I add the final touches to my makeup. My go-to winged eyeliner and the hot pink lipstick I’ve gone for tonight to match the dress I’m wearing.

“Yeah, here. Sorry, I used them for my date with Adam,” Gabby says, walking into my bathroom.

“No bother. How was it? Is he the one?” She gives me a playful shove.

“No, you know me. I like to take things slow.”

“Gabby, babe, there is slow and there is your pace.”

She chuckles. “I know. I just want to be sure; you know.”

I turn and face her. With big brown eyes and perfect porcelain skin, Gabriella looks like a doll.

“I know and promise me you will only do it when you feel ready, okay? But it’s good to see you getting out there.” She nods and we both turn to look into my Hollywood mirror.

“Does this lipstick go with my dress?” I ask, running my fingers through my blonde waves.

“You look hot, Al.” She smiles. “Thanks, babes, and you look H O T hot too in that little black number,” I reply. She does a little spin, and my heart could burst with pride. Gabby is the little sister I never had and watching her become braver and venture out of her shell makes me so happy.

“Thank you for letting me wear it. I can’t believe you got hold of it. This dress has been sold out everywhere.”

I shrug. “Perks of working for New York's top fashion magazine.” I grab my coconut-scented perfume and give myself a little spritz.

“Can you believe they’re doing it? They’re getting freaking married,” she squeals.

“I know,” I reply feeling the smile spread across my face. I’m not a romantic or one who wishes to fall in love and sail off into the sunset, but Jack and Ria would have anyone believing in love and happily ever after and tonight is their engagement party.

“Our cab will be here in five minutes. I'll go get my purse.” She leaves the bathroom and I give myself one final look in the mirror. Taking in a deep breath, I blow it back out, mentally preparing myself to spend the evening with someone I've spent the last few months trying to forget.

The party is held at a stunning restaurant in downtown New York. Our closest friends and family and some of the staff from The Boardroom, the club that Jack, Harry, and Brad own, are here. The room has dark walls and flooring, and gold wall lights surround the room, creating a warm, sultry vibe. It's cozy and intimate, very Jack and Ria.

“Look at you, you are glowing,” I gush, pulling Ria in for a hug. I squeeze her, not wanting it to end. She's finally healed after the attack over Christmas from her piece of shit ex-husband, who will thankfully be spending a long time behind bars for what he did. Seeing that sparkle back in her eyes is everything.

“Thanks, I can't believe this, I’m going to be Mrs. Lawson, can you believe it?” Happiness exudes from her as she waves her hand around, the three-diamond ring that Jack had custom-made for her sparkling under the lights.

“Yeah, she is,” a deep voice says. Jack stands beside Ria and slides around her slim waist, and she turns, pressing a kiss to his lips and I smile.

“Well done, action man. You outdid yourself with the ring,” I say leaning over to give him a hug. Jack is hands down one of the best men I know. She got one of the good ones, and I couldn't be happier for them both.

“Oh, stop it, you two, or I'm gonna start crying and the party has only just started,” Gabby says, fanning her face and then hugging both of them.

I hear a wolf whistle and glance over my shoulder. Behind me stands the man I was hoping to avoid.

“Damn, Ali Cat, you're looking hot,” a low husky voice declares from behind me. He steps in front of me, and I roll my eyes, not entertaining his comment, avoiding looking at him as he presses a kiss to my cheek bringing my fingertips to my face, I wipe away his touch.

“Gabby, beautiful as always,” he says, giving her a quick hug and a kiss to the cheek. She falls into an easy chatter with Harry, so I excuse myself and head for the bar. I see Brad on my way and say hi before waving down the barman and ordering a Cosmo.

I feel Harry before I see him. His hot breath scatters over my neck and a firm body presses up against me, my skin prickling with goosebumps at the contact.

“Miss me.” His voice is low.

“To miss someone, you have to actually like them,” I mutter, still staring ahead, not entertaining him, but the way my heart skips a beat when he speaks and the scent of his cologne making me feel dizzy with need, would have me thinking I did indeed like him.

“Ouch, that almost hurt my feelings.”

I rummage around in my purse to avoid looking at him.

“Come on now, baby, you really gonna ignore me after what we did?”

I whip my head around to face him, looking into his midnight blue eyes and take a second to notice the dark stubble that decorates his perfectly sculpted jaw. My eyes dance over his body. He’s wearing dark navy suit pants and a white button up with the sleeves rolled to the elbow, and Jesus, he looks good.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. That night didn't happen, got it,” I grit.

“Whatever you say,” he leans in, his mouth grazing my ear, “but we both know I'll have you on your back again by the end of the night.”

“You never had me on my back.” I keep my voice low, looking round to make sure no one is listening.

“I thought that night didn't happen? Sounds like you've been replaying it over in your head Ali Cat. Happy to give you a repeat performance, with some bonus features included this time.”

I grind my teeth together so hard I’m surprised I don’t crack one. I don't want to draw attention to us or this conversation, or give it a way that, yes, he’s right. That night has replayed in my mind more times than I care to admit. Usually, I am a fuck them and dump them kinda girl, but he has been the hardest to forget.

The bartender places down a napkin and then my Cosmo on top and I lift it to my lips, taking a long sip.

“Don't talk to me for the rest of the evening, okay?” I push past him, feeling his eyes on my ass as I walk off in search of Gabby, Brad, Jack’s mom, anyone that isn’t Harry fucking Walker.

“Alice, over here.” My body tenses at the sound of that shrill voice. I plaster the best smile I can muster on my face and turn on my heel. Not really wanting to talk to her but anyone has to be better than entertaining Harry right now.

“Nancy, how are you?” I walk towards her and Gabby, who’s also been joined by Kate, who looks stunning in a black jumpsuit and her short bob styled in loose waves. Kate works as a bar manager at the guy's club and has become a close friend over the last year.

“I’m good. Well, look at you, you’re glowing.” I say to Nancy.

She smooths her hand over her growing bump, flashing her giant rock.

“Five months along now. Chris just couldn’t keep his hands off me and we fell straight away.”

“How lovely for you,” I say sarcastically, sipping on my Cosmo.

“Gabby here was just telling me all about the guy she’s been dating. He sounds like a keeper. When are you going to start dating to marry Alice? It’s about time now. Look, we’re all settling down.” She gestures round the room and if she wasn’t pregnant, I would be lunging for her. She’s so self-righteous and thinks she’s better than everyone, but she seems to forget we all came from the same place. None of us landed in Teenhood therapy group because we had the white picket fence life with the Waltons for parents. Someone really needs to humble her ass and remind her of where she came from.

I give her my best toothy smile and say, “I’m just dating to get my pussy licked honestly, Nancy.”

Her face drops and her eyes widen. She’s known me since we were sixteen. I don’t know why she’s so shocked at my words; she knows I don’t give a shit.

Gabby chokes on her champagne and scolds me. “Ali, please.” She wipes her mouth, but I can see the smirk she's hiding. Gabby is the baby of the group, our good girl. Never puts a foot wrong girl, always keeps the peace girl and I love her for it, but I really wish she would stand up for herself and tell Nancy where to shove it, but she won’t, so I will.

Kate has clearly had one too many because she sways slighting and lifts her hand to high five me. “Amen, sister,” she slurs.

I chuckle and high five her and drain the remaining contents of my glass. Kate recently broke up with her long-term boyfriend, so I plan to make her my wing women at the bachelorette weekend. One way to get over one man is to get under another right.

“I’m off to get another,” I announce holding my glass in the air, turning on my heel I come nose to nose with someone and from the scent of bergamot and the wall of muscle I fall in to, I know who it is.

“Fuck me,” I mutter under my breath, stumbling back to get away from his close proximity.

“I’m trying.” He grins arrogantly. I look up to meet his eyes and glare. God, why is he so ridiculously gorgeous and yet gets right on my damn nerves?

“I heard your comment. Me and my tongue are available this evening should you need a date.”

I look behind me, grateful the girls have walked off elsewhere and can’t hear our exchange.

“Why are you still here... bothering me?” I huff, rubbing my temple, feeling a headache coming on.

“You know you can be a real bitch when you wanna be, but luckily for you, that shit turns me on.”

“Please stop speaking to me,” I deadpan.

“I’m just trying to make peace between us.” He lightly strokes the top of my arm with his fingers, skin tingling under his touch, and for the briefest of moments I lean into it, enjoying the way it feels. Quickly snapping myself out of this trance he’s put me in, I shrug away.

“Listen here, one thing about me, H. I’m no man’s piece , so let’s just keep our distance, and enjoy our evening.”

“H… giving me a nickname already. I like it. You know you’re hot when you are all riled up.” He dusts the back of his knuckles over my cheek and it’s like a direct line to my core, because that ache, the need for more, returns. But I shake it away, annoyed at my body for being so responsive to his touch.

“My little pocket rocket.” He winks and I slap his hand away.

“Dear god, where is Jolene when you need her? I need her to come, take you and give me a break,” I say, looking around the room.

“Aww, are you calling me your man, Ali Cat?”

“You would be so lucky. Excuse me.” I push past him and head for the bar. Yep, I’m gonna need a few more cosmos to cope with him tonight.

A couple of hours go by, and I somehow manage to avoid him or at least not engage in conversation. It's no secret we hate each other, so it doesn't come as a surprise when we aren't seen together. The night is filled with laughter, speeches from Jack, his dad, and of course, Harry. The dickhead couldn't pass up an opportunity to be front and center.

“… now, please raise your glasses for the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.” everyone in the room raises their glasses and Harry scans the room, locking eyes with me, his mouth lifting into a little grin. “This is the start of something beautiful… cheers.” And then the bastard winked at me.

The word cheers echoes around me, and I watch as Harry brings the champagne flute to his lips. I lose the ability to work my limbs, nearly letting the glass fall from between my fingers. I’m snapped from my fantasies when Gabby reaches for the glass, catching it before it hits the hardwood floor.

“Ali, jeez, have you had too much to drink?”

I hadn't, not nearly enough.

What the hell was that about?

“Sorry, I… erm… I need the bathroom,” I mumble.

“They are down the hallway on the left,” she says pointing towards the exit.

I nod, hurrying towards the door, desperate to get out of this room and figure out why my heart is thumping in my chest. Why does he bother me so much?

I push through the doors of the private room we are in and head down an empty, narrow corridor.

“Ali… wait,” a familiar male voice calls. “I need to talk to you.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I pick up my pace, but a hand wraps around my arm tugging me sideways through a door.

I take in my surroundings, noticing we are in a bathroom with white marble flooring and walls with a black ceiling and a floral scent filling the air. Harry turns the lock on the door and stands in front of me.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hiss.

He rubs his large hand along his jawline and my eyes drift down to his toned forearm, enjoying the way it flexes as he moves. A memory of the way his hands felt on my body flashes through my mind, and I give my head a little shake to shoo it away.

“I want you tonight. One last time.”

“Excuse me.” Furrowing my brow, I say, “You want me?”

“Yeah, clearly, we didn’t fuck it out our system well enough and tonight is perfect. I leave for London tomorrow. Other than the wedding, you won’t have to see me for a while.”

I don't like the way my stomach sinks at this news.

“How long will you be gone for?”

“Not sure, maybe a year,” he says nonchalantly.

A year?

“Why are you going to London?” My voice shakes on the last word.

“Our new club. I need to be there to get it started and seeing as my sister lives there, I agreed to go.”

“You have a sister?”

“Yeah, she's my twin, Victoria, but we call her Tori. She runs my dad’s London office.”

“Your dad has an office in London?”

Stop talking. Why am I asking these questions? I don't care, do I?

“Yeah, my dad’s actually from England. He moved over to the States when he was drafted through the Marines. He met my mom, and they fell in love, blah, blah.”

“And do they live in London?”

“What's with all the questions, Ali Cat? Sounds like you're going to miss me.” He chuckles and the delicious husky tone hits me in my center.

I scoff. “Don't flatter yourself. I am just trying to get a sense of how long I will be able to enjoy life without you in it.” But the horrible knot in my stomach hasn't left. Maybe it’s all the cosmos I’ve drunk.

He moves towards me, and I take a step backward, my back hitting the cold tiled wall. Pressing his chest against mine, I close my eyes, swallowing the lump that is forming in my throat as the smell of spice and whiskey floods my senses.

“So, what about it, Ali baby? How about one final night and we can pretend we never happened?”

“No chance. You got your one night with me. Been there, done that, had the headache to prove it.”

“Come on now. You're telling me you didn't enjoy the way I touched you, the way my fingers worked your tight little pussy.” His hands smooth up my thigh disappearing under my dress and drift dangerously close to my entrance.

I can’t speak, so I just shake my head. Moving his face closer, his mouth mere inches from mine, my breathing hitches as his fingers stroke the fabric of my panties.

“So, if I touched you right now, I wouldn't find you wet and ready for me?” he smiles wickedly.

My eyes flutter shut for a brief moment as his hot breath skates over my skin causing goosebumps to scatter across my body. His hands move to my hips gripping them firmly and I gasp. Fuck my stupid body for responding to him.

“It's not happening. Build a bridge and get over it.”

He pulls away, giving me an incredulous look. “One last night, Ali Cat. You can take all that hate and anger out on me one last time, and we’ll never speak of it again. Pinky promise.” He raises his pinky finger with a smile that has me weak.

“Pinky promise? What are we, five?”

“Humor me, Ali cat.” He winks.

He leans back, his eyes staring into mine, my chest heaving. I try to control it, but my body is showing all the signs that I want him. I may as well have ‘fuck me, Harry’ stamped across my forehead in neon letters.

“One more night,” I say, surprising myself. “And we never speak of it again.” I raise my pinky finger too and he hooks his with mine.

“One more night and we never speak of it again.”