CHAPTER THREE
TRINA
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That did not just happen. Fury is slicing through my veins, and I need to get it out of my system.
I pace the hallway for a few minutes, pulling my phone in and out of my small purse muttering to myself.
I swear if Jason Momoa sees me looking like an insane asylum escapee, I will kill Marshall.
If it’s Henry Cavill, I will kill him slowly.
And why the hell did he call me little wolf?
I must’ve missed Savannah by seconds when I exited the stall, otherwise I clearly would’ve put two and two together. Finding Marshall standing outside the restrooms did make me leap to an assumption. I was wrong.
Fine.
But I wasn’t wrong about his erection.
That’s my gun.
That asshole. I saw him pull out his gun and check the magazine. He held back his smirk, knowing I saw him put it under his arm, but I bet he let it shine when he turned the corner.
Games.
He’s playing with me.
Well, if he wants to play, then game fucking on.
I tuck my phone away and stride purposely back into the party. As if the gods have handed me just the opportunity, I spot Briar chatting to Savannah’s former co-star, Nick Mariano, in the middle of the room.
Aka the Italian Stallion .
Although I’m not sure if he’s the only one who calls himself that. Whatever, he’s hot enough to irritate Marshall, so here I go.
I head over.
“Congratulations on your nomination, Nick,” I say to him, taking a flute of champagne off a passing server’s tray.
His eyes run the length of my body. As I knew they would. Nick’s one of the biggest male actors in Hollywood right now and he’s single.
And a player.
“Thank you.” He smiles...at my tits. “How do I know you?”
What a dick.
He knows who I am.
“Trina’s one of my best friends. And Savannah’s. You’ve met her a few times, Nick.” Briar tells him with a frown.
“Oh.” Nick waves out his hand flippantly, but then his eyes land on my finger as they stroke the stem of my glass. Our eyes meet and he stills. Then I see the moment he makes a decision. “You should come to the after-after-party at Flame.”
Briar coughs, then pats her chest. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Aidan would end up arrested or something. He’s very protective.”
“Flame?” I ask, frowning, but the name rings a bell.
“Club owned by one of the big rappers,” Nick shares.
“Club...more like it’s the closest thing to a sex club without actually being a sex club.” Briar nods, running a hand over her only slightly swelling belly. “And very handsy. Remember I told you about the time I went?”
I feel the evil smile hit my lips. “Is that right?”
“You’d hate it.” She lowers her brows.
Normally.
But this opportunity is too good to miss. If Savannah joins us her bodyguard, Marshall, will need to as well. I know exactly how frustrated protective alpha men get when they watch a woman—or little wolf—they think belongs to them be the center of other men’s attention.
I mentally do one of those explosion noises in my head and chuckle.
This couldn’t be more perfect.
“Come on, it sounds fun. Let’s tell Sav and go dance. I’m getting bored.” I drag Briar off, and Nick follows as I knew he would.
He thinks I’m a sure thing.
I’m sure I’m not.
“Trina, you’ll hate it. Men will grab your ass. I am not bailing you out of jail while having to do the same with Aidan.”
I snort.
“Stop being dramatic. It’ll be fun.”
Fun isn’t quite the word. Briar is right. I am going to hate every asshole who thinks he can grab my ass. It’s going to be a fucking disaster, which is exactly why we are going.
“Absolutely not,” Ryder says when I announce to the group that we are going.
“What’s it called?” Savannah asks.
“Flame. Savage is holding an after party there.” Nick runs a hand through his short hair. “The girls want to go, and you should be seen at least for half an hour.”
“He’s right.” Briar lifts a shoulder. As her personal assistant, she also focuses on PR. Plus, I can see from the look she shoots me that she knows I’ve set my mind on going. And it’s hard to change it once I do.
Nor will she let me go with Nick on my own.
Unless I told her to.
“The answer is always no.” Ryder crosses his tux-clad arms.
“Well, I’m going. Alice is coming, too.” I announce.
“What? Am I? Should I?” she asks Briar.
I roll my eyes and loop my arm through hers, then glance at Nick. “You’re coming. We can go with you, right?”
One of these alphas isn’t going to let that happen.
Marshall clears his throat. I force back my smile and flick my lashes innocently.
This must be fucking killing him.
I think it might be the best day of my life.
“It’s invite only but I can get you in,” Nick replies and the hunger in his eyes tells me he won’t let me down.
“Did you say Flame?” Cassy asks when she and Josh join us. When I nod, she claps her hands. “Yes. We’re coming.”
“We’re going home,” Aidan says, and his hand disappears. Whatever he just did, Briar shivered and spun to face him. If I was her, I’d go home with a man that made me shiver like that too.
My eyes slide to Marshall who has lost his cheeky smirk. In its place is dark blue oceans full of lust.
For me.
I bloody shiver.
Goddamn him.
Memories of his hard-on and its girth have my pussy pulsing as I take in his deep gaze bearing down on me.
“One dance,” Josh says firmly, sliding his hands into his black tuxedo pants and nodding to Ryder.
“Fine. One. Then it’s home, party girl.” Ryder takes her chin and plants a firm kiss on her lips.
Savannah winks at me.
“Scarlet is going to be so pissed she missed this,” Cassy says as we all head out.
––––––––
“ISN’T THIS A sex club?” Alice asks with trepidation when we arrive ten minutes later.
The door is appropriately flame red with a single F on it, framed by two giant bouncers. It totally gives off exclusive seductive vibes and I’m almost giddy at how this is going to drive Marshall crazy.
I know how much men like him love to control the situation they’re in and control the women they believe are under their protection.
Well, I’m about to shatter his reality and prove I am not one of them.
“Better fucking not be.” Someone grunts
I don’t get a chance to work out who it is, as I’m suddenly pulled into the shadows and a hand snaps over my mouth.
What the hell?
“What’re you up to?” Marshall growls and once more his silky southern accent rolls over my skin.
I almost can’t think with his body against mine again, but as his hand slides from my mouth allowing me to talk, I push at his chest.
It’s a wasted effort of course.
“Having fun. Please remove your body from my presence.”
He snorts but there’s no humor in his eyes.
“You’re up to something, I can see it written all over your face.” He says, leaning down so we are almost eye-to-eye.
I blink, thinking he’s going to kiss me. My eyes dip to his full red lips. I want him to.
Stupid champagne.
Gathering what little willpower I have, I grab his chin and move an inch closer. Our lips are almost touching. “My plans don’t include you, toy soldier, so please get out of my way so that I can go play.”
A growl leaves Marshall’s throat, catching me by surprise, and then he nips at my bottom lip.
Desire plows through my body.
Suddenly, all I want is more of him. My tongue sweeps over the place he bit, and I taste him. Heart thumping, I swallow and wait with anticipation for him to kiss me completely.
He doesn’t.
The frustrating stupid soldier moves away an inch.
“You want to play little wolf? Then go. Run.” His hand slides over my hip and dips ever so slightly between my rear curves, and I feel my panties moisten.
My breath hitches as I fight my body’s desire for this man.
“Just remember who started this.” Marshall takes two steps away, but his eyes never leave mine.
It’s only Briar calling my name that snaps me out of it.
I dart around him and inside the club.