Chapter Fourteen Isla
I couldn’t sleep after my make-out session in the backseat of Quinn’s SUV. Instead, I tossed and turned for hours as my mind whirled with out of control thoughts. It wasn’t just the kissing and touching that replayed like a movie reel in my head and sent a tingling between my thighs.
It was more about the things he had said to me, and the feelings he had admitted.
His words echoed through my mind just as strongly as if he were with me and saying them again. I couldn’t remember the last time a man had occupied my thoughts so completely. I’m not sure if one ever had.
It was obsessive.
When I finally did fall asleep, it felt like a mere second when my alarm went off. It was only a few days until classes convened for the fall. I had to head to campus and meet with my graduate advisor. I knew if I was going to make it through the day, I would need a few shots of espresso.
After a quick shower, I threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Since Henry hadn’t woken up yet, I knew Brooke was still asleep. With Henry’s birth, I’d insisted she take our parents' old room since it was the largest. Thankfully, that meant it was at the end of the hallway, and I didn’t have to be too quiet. I still carefully tiptoed down the creaky hardwoods to the staircase.
Once I got downstairs, I grabbed my purse and headed out into the garage. When I tapped the opener, the door began to rise. Just as Quinn had promised, my car sat in the driveway. When I opened the car door, I was surprised that the key fob was in the front seat. I guess Quinn wasn’t used to worrying about anyone stealing his vehicle. Of course, things like that didn’t happen much around here like they did in the city.
When I grabbed the key fob, I noticed it felt lighter. I realized that my house key was missing. “What the hell?” I muttered.
At that moment, my phone rang. I furrowed my brows at the unknown number. Hesitantly I answered it. “Hello?”
“Good morning,” a velvety deep voice said.
I sucked in a breath. It was Quinn. “Good morning to you, too.”
“I wanted to let you know that I have your house key.”
“Okay, do you have ESP or something?”
He chuckled. “No.”
“Then it’s more than a little spooky that you just called me at the precise moment I was wondering where my key was.”
“Niall just told me that you’d gone to your car. I figured if you hadn’t had time to miss it yet, I would let you know.”
Furrowing my brows, I demanded, “Who the hell is Niall?”
“One of the men who works for me.”
“And just how does Niall know what I’m doing?”
“Do you see the black Escalade down the street?”
Craning my neck, I peered out the car window. Two houses down at the Carmichael’s was a black SUV, which I imagined was the Escalade he was speaking of. “Yes, I see it.”
“Then wave to Niall.”
“I’m not waving to some man who is stalking me.”
“He’s not stalking you.”
“Then why is he watching me while creeping at my neighbor’s house?”
“Because I asked him too.”
“Seriously, Quinn?”
He chuckled. “Yes, Little Dove. I didn’t want to risk your car being stolen, so I asked him to stay and keep a watch out.”
“That really wasn’t necessary. Southborough isn’t Boston.”
“Bad people are everywhere.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
“Where are you going so early?”
“That seems a bit stalkery, don’t you think?”
He huffed into the phone. “Can’t I be interested in what you’re doing?”
“It’s all in the way you frame it. Saying, ‘So, what are you going to be up to today?’ is far more acceptable.”
“Isla, what are you going to be up to today before you come in for your shift?”
I couldn’t help giggling. Ugh, this man had me giggling of all things. I was a serious scientist, not a vapid co-ed. “I’m going to MIT to meet with my advisor.”
“Are you going to tell them that your big brain is driving men wild at the club?”
With a snort, I replied, “Yeah, it’s b-words like my boobs and butt, not my brain, that are getting the attention.”
“I bet if you started talking about the relationships between plant, animal, and human genetics they might lose their minds.”
I sucked in a breath. “You know about molecular biology?”
“I might’ve done a little research.”
Oh my God. This man was going to be the death of me. With a grin, I teasingly asked, “Will you lose your mind if I start talking about the cellular and subcellular level of organisms?”
“Will you be topless and grinding on my cock while you do it?”
“Quinn!” I admonished to which he laughed.
“I’m sorry, Little Dove.”
“I thought we were going to try getting to know each other better emotionally than physically.”
“I know everything I need to know to confirm how I feel about you.”
“Well, I need to catch up.”
“I don’t mind going slow.”
“There’s innuendo in there, right?”
“Maybe,” he teased.
“Ugh. You’re impossible.” After a glance at the time on the dashboard, I groaned. “Listen, I have to go, or I’m going to be late.”
“Be careful, and I’ll see you tonight.”
As I started backing down the drive, I caught sight of Niall. “You’re not going to start having me followed, are you?”
“No. I’m not that intense.”
“Good.”
“I might’ve put a tracking device on your car though.” At my screech of horror, Quinn merely laughed. “I’m only teasing, Isla.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
“Have a good day.”
“You too.”
When I hung up, I couldn’t stop smiling. I drove the entire way to MIT with a goofy grin on my face.
After a packed day, I headed into the club. To my surprise, a veritable feast was set up in the main dressing room. Dancers stood around filling their plates with lasagna and ziti and salad. As I headed to get changed, a hand tapped my shoulder.
When I whirled around, Caterina stood smiling at me. “I’m so glad you were on tonight.”
As I returned her smile, I replied, “It’s good seeing you again.”
Motioning around, Caterina said, “What do you think?”
I gasped. “ You did all this?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “It’s my first order of business as a club mom.”
“Well, you knocked it out of the park.”
“Thanks.” Nudging me, she said, “Go get a plate.”
“Sure.”
As I spooned up the lasagna, Caterina appeared the proud club mom as she talked with some of the other girls. At the first bite, I couldn’t help moaning. She was an amazing cook. Before I knew it, I’d devoured the lasagna and salad. Although I was tempted to go back for more, I thought I better wait until I got through my first set. I didn’t want to spin upside down and lose my dinner.
When Caterina approached me with a teeming plate, I shook my head wildly. “It was delicious, but I’m positively stuffed.”
She grinned. “I thought you might like to take a plate to Quinn.”
My gaze spun around us to see if anyone else had heard her. “You’re devious.”
With a laugh, she replied, “I know.”
I threw a glance at the clock over the dressing room door. “I think I have enough time. Just let me throw my costume on.”
As Caterina nodded, I rushed into the changing room. I usually came into the club with my hair and makeup done since Brooke always indulged me. Of course, I usually wore a wig to hide my identity. Some nights I wore pink, some nights purple. I had brown and black ones as well. Tonight Brooke had given me a cherry red one.
When I came out, I found Caterina waiting. She winked at me when she handed it over. I playfully rolled my eyes before taking the back stairs up to Quinn’s office.
After I knocked on the door, Quinn called, “What?”
I cracked open the door and poked my head inside. He was alone at his desk. “I see the beast is in. When will Quinn be available?” I teased.
“Get in here,” he growled.
Heat shot straight between my legs at his command. “Can’t you at least say please?”
His hungry gaze swept down my body. “Please, Isla.”
“Was that so hard?” I asked as I walked across the marble floor.
“When I’m in a hell of a mood, it is.”
“Maybe you just need a good meal.” I sat the plate down in front of him. “Caterina wanted me to bring this to you.”
“Aye, she started her club mother thing tonight, didn’t she?”
“She did.”
“How’s it going?”
I smiled. “Really well. I think it’s going to be a great addition to the club.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Quinn swiveled in his chair before reaching out and grabbing my waist. He then plopped me down on his lap. When he buried his face in my chest, I tried wriggling out of my embrace. “I was only delivering dinner.”
He grunted in frustration. “Can’t I have some dessert first?”
I laughed. “Not when I’m supposed to go on in about five minutes.”
“I could make you come in two.”
Cocking my brows at him, I replied, “Is that right?”
“Yes, it is.”
“As tempting as that is, I don’t want to be slipping and sliding on the pole because I didn’t have time to clean up.”
Quinn’s eyes glittered with lust. “I think I’ll purchase a dance from you tonight.”
“Oh no you won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want there to be money between us.”
“So you’ll give me one for free?”
I laughed. “Of course.”
“I’ll have to take you up on that offer very soon.”
“I look forward to it.” I then hopped off his lap. Nodding at the plate, I said, “Eat. Maybe you’ll be less grumpy.”
He snorted. “I’ll try.”
I wiggled my fingers at him before leaving his office. I had to hurry down the stairs. I’d just gotten into place backstage when my music came on. Since he was eating, I didn’t expect to see Quinn. For the first time, he didn’t watch my set. I couldn’t help missing his eyes on me.
As soon as I came off stage, Angela, Paula’s assistant, had a dance set up for me. I hurried down the hallway. I gave a fleeting glance to the bouncer in the doorway before I went inside the room. The middle-aged man seated on the couch gave off an even bigger arrogant vibe than the usual rich guy. Men like him were great for tips, but they made my skin crawl.
My music came on, and I began rolling my hips to the beat. I swished and swayed my ass and breasts in front of him, letting the music flow through me.
“Enough. Lose the top, and get on my lap,” he ordered.
Forcing a seductive grin to my lips, I replied, “As you wish.”
After untying my top, I tossed the fabric to the floor. At the lick of his lips, I inwardly gagged. I don’t know why I was surprised. Men were so predictable, and almost all the clients did that at the sight of my bare breasts.
I dropped down onto his lap, straddling his hips. After placing my hands on each side of his head, my hips ground into his erection. As he groaned with pleasure, I started reciting molecular techniques in my head starting with gel electrophoresis.
I’d moved on to polymerase chain reactions when his hand came around my throat. I froze mid hip thrust. “Um, I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to touch me.”
A smirk curved across his lips. “I bet I can change your mind.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s the club’s rules. I could get in trouble.”
He released his grip on my neck to slide his hand down my breastbone. “You’re such a good little girl to follow the rules.”
“Yes, I do. So please remove your hand.”
A lecherous smirk curved on his lips. “What if I gave you five thousand dollars to let me put my hands wherever I wanted to?”
“F-Five t-thousand?” I stammered.
He nodded. “I’ll make it twenty thousand if you let me put my dick wherever I want.”
Although momentarily tempted by the large amount of money, revulsion quickly reverberated through me. I could never, ever cross that line and be able to live with myself.
With a shake of my head, I replied, “I’m sorry. But that goes against the club’s rules, and I like this job too much to risk it.”
While I expected him to be angry, he merely chuckled. “You’re a good manipulator.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Oh yes, it is.”
“Remove your hand.”
Undeterred he said, “What’ll it take to let me fuck you? Fifty thousand?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry. But there isn’t any amount that would make me change my principles.”
“Is the innocence all an act, or are you truly so unfucked?”
Warmth flooded my cheeks. “I’m not acting.”
“So you’re really that innocent?” When I nodded, he shut his eyes in exaggerated bliss. “Fuck me. That’s so sexy.” His eyes popped open to pin me with an intense stare. “Tell me, Good Girl. Have you ever taken it up the ass?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I tried signaling Dowe. To my horror, the doorway was empty. Breathe, Isla. Just breathe. He can’t be that far away. All you have to do is scream.
His hand slid back up to grip my throat only this time he added his other hand. “I asked you a question.”
“Your question was inappropriate, and I’m not answering it,” I wheezed out.
“Mm, that tells me exactly what I want to know about your virgin ass.”
As unease continued pricking along my skin, I started sliding off his lap. “Okay. I’m ending the dance.”
His eyes darkened to a soulless black. “I didn’t come.”
As I began backing away from him, I forced a shaky smile to my face. “I know, and I’m sorry. Since it’s all my fault, I will tell the house to comp this dance.” When his jaw flexed, I quickly added, “I can also offer you a few comp drinks as well.”
Like a cobra, he launched forward to grab me by the waist. Before I could fight back, he slung me down on the couch so hard I bounced. It jarred me so badly that for a moment I couldn’t move. Dumbstruck, I merely stared up at the ceiling–my heart beating wildly in my ears.
Before I could try to get away, he straddled me. At the feel of his weight on my body, my faculties came back to me, and I began to thrash my arms and legs.
And then both of his hands came around my throat.
“Help! Please help!” I screamed before his grip cut off my oxygen. I dug my nails into the skin on his hands, scratching and clawing until wetness pooled on them and a metallic rush entered my nose.
“You cunt!” he snarled.
As he continued to choke me, panic raged in my mind. Unless someone stopped him, he was going to kill me. I would be snatched away from Brooke and Henry.
No, no, I couldn’t leave them! They needed me too much. I had to stay. I had to fight for them.
Please, please, help me!
Then as darkness began to shadow my vision, an image of Quinn flashed before me. Memories of his touch and his lips on mine swirled like foggy wisps through my mind. I didn’t want to leave him either.
And just as I slipped under, I thought I heard Quinn’s voice. It roared through me, calling me away from the darkness. It pulled me towards it like a magnet.
“Isla, stay with me. Please stay with me!”