Chapter 28
twenty-eight
DAISY
For the past few weeks, I’ve not had to show the security guard at the front of Chains my VIP membership card. Neither has Sally or Evan. As soon as we arrive at the door, we are ushered past everyone like we are important celebrities.
Stepping into the club, I’m not so shocked anymore by how brazen people are with one another.
Or how scantily dressed they are. I still don’t dress like most people do here, but I’m not so awkward and uncomfortable in my strapless dress.
And when I spy a couple making out with a lot of tongue and wandering hands in a not-so-private corner of the room, it makes me think of Kade and how I’d love his hands on me like that right now.
I glance up at his office. I know he told me to stay in bed. But when Sally called, saying she was going to the club, I couldn’t resist going with her. I’d get to see him sooner. Is he in his office watching me? Will he get mad that I’m not naked in bed? Should I go up to him?
“Let’s dance.” Sally drags me onto the dance floor with Evan.
It’s so great seeing them together. They make such a cute couple. I’ve never seen her so happy. And it’s not awkward at all. Evan is a great guy; I had no romantic feelings for him, and his friendship means a lot to me, especially now that he’s dating my best friend.
Evan holds mine and Sally’s hands and spins us around. We dance, sing and laugh together. We’re not on the floor for long when a firm, warm body presses up behind me. I don’t have to turn around to know who’s standing there. My body heats, and I automatically press back into him.
He nuzzles my neck. His warm breath washes over me, causing goosebumps to ripple over my skin. “I told you to stay in bed naked and wait for me.”
“I wanted to dance.” And see you. It’s like I crave his nearness. And can’t get enough. His hand splays over my stomach. Pulling me closer, his erection presses into my back. “But you can always take me upstairs, and I can get naked in the bed you have up there.”
“No.”
“No?” I thought he’d jump at the offer.
“I’m not fucking you in a bed that—” He abruptly stops.
“In a bed that what?”
“In a bed where I’ve fucked other women.”
My heart flutters. Is it because he doesn’t see me as just someone he’s having sex with anymore? Are his feelings changing?
“Dance with me, Daisy Chain.”
I turn my head so I can see his face. “You don’t dance,” I remind him. Although, he’s danced with me multiple times now.
“Only with you.” His words fire an arrow straight through my heart.
I can easily see myself falling for him.
God, I think I already am. What am I going to do about it?
Right now… nothing. I’ll enjoy what I have with him for as long as I have it.
When it all ends, I’m going to pray I don’t fall apart.
I wrap my arms around his neck and try to hide the way I’m feeling with a smile. “What are you doing down here? I thought you had work to do?”
His large hands land on my hips, and he pulls me close as we begin to slow dance to the music.
“Asher and Lincoln can take care of work. I thought you might need a dance partner. You can’t be Evan and Sally’s third wheel.”
I tilt my head to the side and wonder if that’s the real reason or if he wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him. I glance over at Evan and Sally, who are dancing too. “They look great together, don’t you think?”
“Better than you two did.” He frowns as though he doesn’t like remembering Evan and I together.
“Oh, I don’t know. We were a cute couple.” I grin teasingly.
“No, the fuck you weren’t,” he growls against my neck, taking a soft bite from the curve.
I giggle and then kiss his jaw. “I prefer my men a little more rugged-looking. More dangerous.” I trace my fingers over his firm, full lips. “Someone who makes my body burn.”
With heavy lidded eyes, he spins me around, splaying his hands on my stomach. “Say the word, and I’ll have you home in a flash to keep that fire burning.”
His deep voice rumbles through me, causing my knees to tremble.
The effect this man has on me is like no other.
“There’s nothing more I want right now than to leave the club with you.
” Lifting my arms, I link my fingers behind his neck and sway my hips.
His fingertips caress the underneath of my breasts.
A thumb ghosts over my nipple. With my eyes fluttering closed, I hold my breath, waiting for him to hold them in his hands.
“Daisy? What are you doing here?” My eyes spring open, breaking the moment.
“Jeremy?” I drop my arms to my side and make to step away from Kade, but he holds me firm. “What are you doing here?”
“I asked you first.” Jeremy’s disgust-filled gaze flicks between me and Kade.
“I’m dancing at a club,” I explain.
“You call being groped in a room full of people dancing? It’s indecent. Does your father know you’re at a place like this? And dressed like that?” He screws up his nose like my outfit is distasteful.
“I don’t think Daisy needs to explain herself to you. If you don’t like what she’s doing, you can leave,” Kade interjects with a menacing tone.
Giving Kade another once over, Jeremy sneers. “What are you going to do if I don’t?”
“I’m the owner of this club and will kick you out on your ass in a second.” Kade’s fingers flex over my stomach like he’s waiting for the opportunity to do it.
“Daisy shouldn’t be here.” Jeremy reaches out like he wants to take my hand.
“Don’t touch her,” Kade’s voice rumbles low and dangerous.
“Are you going to let this jerk talk to me like that?” Jeremy drops his arm by his side and looks at me with confusion. Like I should be sticking up for him.
“Jeremy, you need to leave.” We’re drawing people’s attention.
“Yeah, I’ll leave, and you’re coming with me.” He reaches for me again.
Like a flash, Kade steps in front of me, blocking Jeremy from getting any closer. Nose to nose with him, he says with a voice full of fury, “I said, don’t touch her.”
Evan puts his hand on Kade’s shoulder and pulls him back. “What’s going on here?”
Sally sidles up beside me.
Stabbing a finger toward me, Jeremy says, “Daisy shouldn’t be in a place like this. Or with a man like him. I want her to leave now.”
Security has appeared, and so have Lincoln and Asher. I place a hand on Kade’s arm. “I’ll go.” I glance around at the people crowding around us. I hate how they’re staring.
“You’re going with that fucker?” His eyes widen incredulously.
Jeremy smiles like he’s won. I shiver. The expression makes my skin crawl.
I shake my head. “No, I’m not going anywhere with him. I’m going home. I don’t want to cause trouble in your club.”
“I don’t give a fuck about any trouble. Don’t leave because of that asshole. He’s not sticking around. I’ll make sure of it. You belong here.”
Do I belong here? It makes me happy. That’s because I’m with Kade. As soon as it’s over, will I ever walk into this club or any like it again? Not without always thinking about Kade. “It’s okay. You need to get back to work anyway.”
“Fuck work. Until that dickhead turned up, I was taking you home anyway. You’re the one I—” He stops mid-sentence and clears his throat. “You’re the one I want to make sure is okay.”
My shoulders deflate, thinking he was about to say he cares about me. “I’m okay. Really.”
He stares at me intently, then shifts his gaze to one of the security guys. “Get that piece of shit out of here and don’t let him in again.”
The guard nods. “Yes, sir.” He grabs Jeremy’s arm, but he shakes him off.
“I can walk on my own,” Jeremy spits.
Once they’re out of sight, Kade says, “I’ll take you home.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll call a cab.” These past few days, I’ve been consumed with Kade. Spending every moment I can with him. I need some time on my own. Work out my feelings and what I’m going to do about them.
“You’re not going home alone while that piece of shit is out there.”
“I’ll go with her,” Sally offers.
Evan puts an arm around Sally’s waist. “I’ll take them both home. Don’t worry, brother. I’ll get her home safe.”
“I’ll come over when I’m done here.”
Cupping his jaw, I give him a quick kiss on the lips. “It will be late. I’ll talk to you later.”
Kade’s expression tightens like he’s not happy with my decision, but he eventually nods. “Fine. Be careful.” With that, he turns and marches away, disappearing into the crowd.
“Come on, let’s go.” Sally rests her arm across my shoulders and guides me toward the exit.
I try to get one last look at Kade, and find him heading up the stairs toward his office. Like he feels me watching him, he turns and stares straight at me with a blank expression.
I stop myself from running to him and throwing myself into his arms. This is casual. Temporary.
If only things were different.