Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
KINSLEY
This is probably one of the worst things that could have happened.
Top five at least. Maybe third overall, right behind crashing on our way here and someone spiking our drinks.
“Kinney?”
I stumble to a stop when a rough hand grips my arm. Closing my eyes, I internally kick myself for telling Lily that I’d be fine. That I’d be right back and she could keep dancing with the cute guy she’d attracted like a moth to a flame the moment we hit the dance floor.
All I needed was a breather.
But apparently the universe would rather see me suffocate instead.
“What are you doing here?”
“That’s none of your business,” I mutter under my breath. Wouldn’t matter if I said the words louder anyway, he’s not even paying attention.
My teeth grind as his glassy eyes roll over my body. “Wow, don’t you look well fit tonight.” He licks his lips and I suppress a shudder.
“Let go, Drake.”
He groans, not in fact letting go, and steps farther into my personal space. Personal space he lost the right to invade. “Oh, come on babes. You’re not still angry with me, are ya?”
Is he serious right now?
His gaze doesn’t waver as he smirks, biting his lip.
Oh my god, he is serious.
My cheeks heat as I twist my arm out of his grip and glare up at him. “You are utterly unbelievable,” I seethe, not waiting for his reply as I throw myself into the crowd.
“Kinney, wait!”
He’s delusional if he thinks I’ll actually do that.
Because I don’t.
I keep moving, weaving between groups with quick apologies. Risking a glance over my shoulder, I see him bulldoze his way through a couple, determination in his dark gaze.
“Would you stop?”
“Would you?” I yell back at him.
“Kinsley, you’re starting to piss me off. Stop.”
“Leave me alone, Drake.”
I make it to the edge of the bar when a hand grips the back of my neck, yanking me backwards into a hard chest. His alcohol drenched scent envelops me as he slides an arm around my waist, plastering my back to his front. “Gotcha,” he whispers in my ear.
I tense when he dips his head and runs his nose up the side of my neck.
“Let me go,” I grit out, wiggling in his arms.
He tightens his hold on me. “What if I don’t want to?”
I freeze when he pushes his hips forward, his hard cock rubbing against my arse.
“What if I want one more go at that tight cunt of yours before I leave?”
“S-stop,” I croak.
He groans into my hair, his fingers tightening around the back of my neck. “Come on. Just one more time before we call it, yeah? You know you want me.”
A breath catches in my throat, fear seizing my heart.
“No!” I scream, using every ounce of strength I have to twist and shove at his chest.
His arm disappears from around my waist and I grit my teeth as his nails scrape against my neck. I trip over my feet and reach out, trying to catch myself as I stumble forward.
I crash into a hard body and glass shatters at my feet, cold liquid soaking my front. Large hands steady me with a firm grip on my waist as I cling to a set of toned arms.
“I’m so sorry,” I rush out on a shaky breath, my body and nerves vibrating with a mix of fear, adrenaline, and humiliation.
“Shit. Are you okay?”
My ears perk up at the deep, slightly proper, northern English accent.
I look up and freeze with parted lips when our eyes meet.
That is the most beautiful shade of blue I’ve ever seen.
A stillness wraps around me. Like a warm blanket, comforting and calming me as I watch a winter storm swirl in an icy blue sky.
When his eyes drop, running over my body, I don’t feel the repulsion I did when Drake did it. And I don’t look away as they settle back on my face.
Someone brushes by us, bumping him into me and I gasp, ripping my hands away as I take a half step back. The world floods in and I blink.
“I’m so sorry about your drink.” I look down at his dampened chest and wince. “And your shirt.”
He glances down at his chest and shrugs, a small tilt in his lips. “Didn’t really fancy this one that much anyway.” He freezes, taking in my shaking hands as they hang by my sides. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I—”
“Everything’s grand,” Drake slurs, wrapping his hand around my wrist and pulling me forcefully back until my back is pressed against his chest.
I flinch when his fingers brush the side of my neck before he wraps his arm around my shoulders, crossing over my chest.
The stranger catches the movement, taking a small step forward, his eyes solely on me. “Are you okay?”
“Weren’t you listening? I said?—”
“I’m not asking you.” He shoots Drake a hard look. A heartbeat later his eyes soften as they slide back to me. “I’m asking her.”
I stare into their cool depths, feeling anything but cold. Instead, I’m flushed with the heat of his simmering dominance, the charge of confidence and the wealth of strength radiating off of him.
Gritting my teeth, I reach up and push Drake’s arm off of me as I spring forward. As soon as I’m out of reach, I spin, refusing to ever give him my back again. He takes a step towards me, but before he can get any closer, the man with blue eyes guides me behind him with a gentle hold on my elbow as he positions himself between us.
“I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want you to touch her, mate.”
He speaks with an easy smile, but there’s an edge to it.
Well… obvious to anyone who isn’t piss drunk.
Drake takes a swig from his pint before pointing at him with the same unsteady hand. “You should really bugger off, mate .” He bites off the last word, his drink sloshing over the rim as he motions to me. “This is between me and my girl.”
My girl.
Fury at the right he thinks he has to make such a claim overtakes me as I lean around the man shielding me and point at Drake. My body shakes as aggravation floods my veins and I bite my lip to hide it’s quivering. “I am not your girl.”
Do not cry right now, Kinsley. He will never see you cry. Never again.
He takes a menacing step forward but a hand on his chest halts his advances. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”
Drake scoffs, tripping over himself as he’s pushed back. “You know, you really need a lesson on minding your own fucking business, pretty boy.” He looks over his shoulder, nodding to his friends. They step up behind him and I instinctively gravitate closer to the blue-eyed stranger, placing my hand on his back.
The air around us shifts as a tall, dark haired man with tattoo covered arms steps up to the left of us and crosses his arms. Another with black hair and striking emerald green eyes settles at our right. Then a third man with sandy brown hair and hazel eyes fills the space right next to me.
I look around, stunned, as they close in around me, shielding me on all four sides. The panic threatening to unleash inside quickly eases its advances when the man in front of me speaks, his voice low and mocking.
“Go on then.” He opens his arms wide. “Class is in session.”
Drake stills, taking in the three new faces before his eyes settle on me. They harden with ire and he scoffs. “You know what? You can have the daft cow.” The back under my palm goes rigid as Drake moves closer, leaning in so that he has a clear view of me. “She wasn’t worth it anyway.”
I ignore the stinging hurt at the words, my hand fisting in the soft shirt when the man who’s become my lifeline in this moment goes to step forward.
“Don’t,” I plead. He looks over his shoulder at me and I shake my head. “ He’s not worth it.”
He considers me for a heartbeat before nodding and turning to face my ex once more. “You should count your lucky fucking stars right now.” He tips his head towards the exit. “Now piss off and hope I don’t see your ugly mug again. Because next time I’ll be the one giving you the lesson on what happens when you mistreat a woman.”
Drake downs his drink, sending me a withering glare before he and his goons make their way to the exit.
When he’s sure they’re gone, he turns to me, ensnaring me in his gaze. “Are you okay?”
My nodding stops abruptly, a hiss escaping my lips when my hair brushes my neck.
His eyebrows furrow, his eyes burning with rage when I shift my hair off my neck. He steps forward and raises his hand like he’s reaching for me but fists it instead and drops it to his side.
“I should drag his arse back here—” He shakes his head and walks over to the bar. I watch as he speaks with one of the bartenders who glances my way before nodding. A moment later, he walks back over to me and motions towards the back hallway of the club. “Come on, let’s get that cleaned up.”
I silently follow him and into the back offices of the employees only area. As he searches the room for whatever he’s looking for, I step up to the mirror at one of the sinks.
I twist my head to the side and suck in a breath. Half moon fingernail markings score the left side of my neck. Two of them deep enough to draw blood.
He walks back into the room, meeting my eyes in the reflection and motions towards a small sitting area off to the side. I take a seat on one of the chairs and he perches on the table in front of me.
“May I?” He holds up cleansing wipes and I nod.
I hold my hair to the side as he leans forward and gently wipes the cool cloth over the wounds. My breathing slows, shoulders dropping as the weight of what happened comes crashing down.
I wince on the next brush and he stills. “I’m sorry,” he whispers, softening his touch around a particularly tender spot. He takes out two small plasters and I close my eyes as he smooths them over my heated skin, his touch lingering slightly.
He starts packing away the supplies and I roll my lips, fingers fidgeting in my lap. “I feel like I owe you more than just a drink and shirt now after all of this.”
He smirks. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad that you’re okay.”
“Thank you. For what you and your friends did.”
“My mum would have my arse if I’d just stood there.”
I laugh under my breath as he puts the kit away. “Well she’d be very proud. Standing up for me and tending to my wounds? You’re a modern day knight in shining armor.”
He huffs a laugh and my cheeks heat.
Ladies and gentlemen, awkward babbling Kinsley has now entered the building.
Instead of the usual confusion or uncomfortable silence I’m used to experiencing with people, intrigue lines his handsome face and he slowly holds out his hand between us. “I wish it happened another way, but it’s nice to meet you…”
I tuck my lips, slipping my hand into his. “Kinsley. Kinsley Jones.”
His hand pulses around mine, his lips tipping up. “Kinsley Jones?—”
Why does my name sound so much better when he says it?
“I’m Jace. Jace Collins.”
Look at that. Maybe my luck is starting to turn around after all.