18. CHAPTER 18
18
TYLER
Finally, I arrive at the bar, Starlight. I have to say it's far nicer than I expected. I just assumed it would be like the movies, a run down gangster bar where everyone fights like we’re in a western. But this is the complete opposite. As the Uber leaves I walk inside the stunning building and I’m blown away by the elegance of it. The reds and blacks of the decor make it feel flirtatious. Naughty. No expense spared. The nerves I felt on the ride over here fade away as I take in every nugget of detail. As I approach the bar area, a familiar face looks up and quickly runs around the bar to greet me. Seb.
“Tyler! I’m so happy you came. I was beginning to think you’d flake out on me.”
I did consider it—multiple times.
“I said I’d come. It's a nice place.”
“Yeah, I love it here. We have a mix of cabaret and burlesque shows and the clientele are pretty great, well, most of the time. We occasionally get a few bad apples. Can I get you a drink?”
“Yes please,” I say as Seb pats me on the shoulder and moves around to the other side of the bar, while I take one of the black leather stools lined up against the dark wood bar. Chatter of the other patrons flitters through the air. It's not overly busy, but there are enough people here to drown out your own thoughts. I love the set up of the various round tables and booths, soft lighting, making the setting very intimate, designed to make you feel nothing but lust. The place screams sex, but in a subtle, sexy way.
“So, what will you have? Beer? Bourbon? Maybe a cocktail?”
“A bourbon sounds perfect, thanks.”
“No problem. Just gimme a sec,” Seb says, sauntering off to the back of the bar to reach for one of the expensive looking bottles on the mirrored shelves at the back.
“This is exciting. I can’t believe Ivan let you out to play,” a voice says, seated next to me. I turn to find Aaron staring at me, with another guy behind him who looks like he’s been in a fight with the amount of bruises on his neck. I was praying they wouldn't be here tonight as I didn’t want to face the questioning or weird conversations that seem to happen whenever Aaron is around.
“Let me out? I’m not a dog, Aaron.”
“No, you’re not. Knock it off, Aaron,” Seb says as he places a crystal glass filled with the secret potion that will make this night bearable.
“Whatever, but you know Ivan will be pissed,” Aaron says, and a hint of dread has me worried what that will look like. Ivan pissed at me.
Seb ignores Aaron and nods his head toward the other guy with Aaron.
“This is Kai. Jules’s husband,” Seb says, and I lean over Aaron to shake his hand. He smiles a sweet smile that shines like a beacon. Hallelujah, he’s another normal person.
“Nice to meet you,” I say before Aaron interrupts.
“Don’t worry about the bruises. You’ll get used to it. Kai likes to be choked and marked when he fucks Jules.”
“Aaron! For fucks sake, can you try not to share everything with anyone you meet?” Kai hisses, his cheeks turning red. I, however, freeze with my glass in my hand, wondering why the fuck someone would want to be hurt that way. Oh, who cares. Who am I to shame anyone? I’m drinking in a bar owned by criminals, socializing with their partners like they’re my friends. These guys are more on Noah’s level than mine. I don’t want to be rude and leave, as Seb has been so nice to me, but another part of me itches to run from the danger signs that flash in every direction. Knowing my luck, Ivan will suddenly appear.
“Uh oh, look who showed up,” Aaron says, encouraging me to turn around, only to see Ivan walking toward us. Holy shit he looks good. Really good. Why is he walking in slow motion? He’s dressed in an open white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black pants and biker boots. This is all finished off with his hair in a messy bun which also looks styled, his beard trimmed perfectly and his tanned skin glowing against the white of the shirt, making him look lickable. As my thoughts proceed down this route of sexualizing the asshole, I fail to notice everyone is staring at me, as I stare at Ivan who is standing in front of me with the most arrogant smirk I’ve ever seen. Even that’s hot.
“Thanks,” Ivan says to me, and I frown up at him as he towers over my stool. It's odd to feel small when I’ve always been the bigger guy.
“Thanks for what?”
“For saying I look hot,” he says, crossing his arms, emphasizing that large muscular chest and those huge arms, fighting with the material to break free. His tattoos beg me to take a closer look.
“I never said any such thing.”
“You didn’t have to. The way you look at me told me you’re hungry to have a taste. That's all I need to know.”
“You really are an arrogant asshole,” I seethe at him, hating the attention of him and the others on me.
“Hot isn’t it?” Aaron whispers in my ear, and I want to push him off his stool.
“Aaron, why don’t you go and find Lev,” Seb says.
“He’s out with D and Simon at a meeting. You know that, Seb. Stop trying to get rid of me, he has to get used to us sooner or later and we need a newbie.”
“Can you all stop talking about me like I’m not here, please? I’m not Ivan’s, and I’m not a newbie. I’m just here because Seb asked, and after the project, you won’t see me again,” I say and gulp down the rest of my drink, focusing on the burn to hide me from this situation.
“Oooh, he’s feisty, Ivan. This is gonna be fun,” Aaron says with a disturbing smile, completely unbothered by my outburst. Kai looks apologetic but remains silent and Ivan is still hovering over me, like he is living his best life.
“Aaron…” Seb starts, but Aaron holds his hands up to stop him.
“Don’t worry, I’m going. Lev just walked in. See ya soon, Tyler.”
He jogs over to Lev, who looks pissed off, like dealing with Aaron is a chore. But when they start kissing like they are trying to swallow one another, I have to admit that their chemistry is off the charts. I can’t take my eyes off them.
“Aaron can be a little much until you get used to him,” Kai says from next to me, and I slump back in my chair, ignoring the fact that Ivan is now gripping the back of my seat. I’m waiting to be annoyed by it, but instead, I just feel like a comfort blanket has been thrown over me. It's his scent. The smoky masculine scent travels though my nose and into my soul, reminding me of what we did and how good it felt. If anyone walked in now with a gun, I don’t think I’d feel scared, as his body this close to mine gives me a sense of protection. Now that is fucked up. I hardly know the guy.
A large hand squeezes my shoulder and I shudder at the contact, briefly closing my eyes, allowing a moment to enjoy this.
“I’m taking you home, Ty,” Ivan says as he tugs on my collar, forcing me to my feet.
“I don’t need to be manhandled,” I grumble.
He leans into my ear, the prickling of his beard tickles my skin as he whispers to me.
“I think you want nothing more than to be manhandled, sweetheart. Now lets go without causing a scene.”
I want to protest, but I can’t summon the energy. I look at Seb who is watching us both with amusement, while Kai sits quietly, playing with his drink, lost in thought.
“Thanks for the drink, Seb.”
“No worries. Come over any time.”
I put on my coat and follow Ivan like a good little boy out of the bar, where he guides me over to a sports car that I’ve seen at the mansion. We don’t speak as we get inside, and Ivan drives us away from the town, toward the city. The air in the car is stifling, and I’m acutely aware of Ivan’s presence. He has this all encompassing power that drowns you. The bourbon has definitely relaxed my mood and lowered my snarky defenses, which isn’t a good sign, as I’m horny too. All I can think about is what he did to my body when he tied me up in my own room. I close my eyes and try to focus on something else other than the hulking man next to me. I gasp when Ivan places his large hand on my thigh, holding me tight as I reach out and grasp the door handle, willing my body not to react. I remain mute, and sneak a side peek at him. He doesn’t look at me or even move. His side profile is sharp, and the intense focus he has on the road and the way he’s gritting his jaw tells me he feels the tension too.
When we pass the turn toward the city, I immediately jump upright in my seat.
“Ivan, you’re going the wrong way.”
Without looking at me, and without removing his hand that is tightly squeezing my thigh, it hurts. Just as I’m about to ask him to let go, he speaks.
“I’m taking you home with me.”
“What? You can’t do that. I need to get back and won’t Dima and Lev be pissed at you bringing me back to their home?”
“It's my room and you’re coming back with me. You don’t have a choice, Ty. It’s not like you have anyone waiting for you.”
“Fuck you too, you insensitive jerk.”
He laughs, he fucking laughs.
“You have a lot to learn, Ty. I don’t do sweet talking or lovey exchanges.”
“I don’t need to learn anything as we’re not together and I’m not staying with you.”
Another firm thigh squeeze and I gulp hard at the silence until he speaks again in a voice that has me fucking swooning, which is ridiculous on all levels. It's deep, rumbly and pure sex. Dominant. Alpha.
“That's where you’re wrong. You’re staying with me. You have no choice, even if I have to carry you kicking and screaming, or sedate you, you’re mine to do with as I please. You’re not going anywhere. So stop bitching and enjoy the ride, sweetheart.”
I have no choice. Holy shit, how does he make that sound so alluring? What the fuck is wrong with me? What’s gonna happen when we get back to the house? Who cares. For the first time in my life I’m going to let someone do what they want, and like Ivan said, enjoy the ride.