Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
AVA
The music pulses through my body as I sway my hips on the dance floor of The Eclipse. Neon lights flash over the sea of bodies, briefly illuminating strangers.
I learned a few things in the time I spent in the Savage Knights meetings. Turns out they don’t work security for the clubhouse . The clubhouse actually belongs to them and they take turns with security.
A part of me wonders how much of their operations is illegal—Dante did kill two guys to keep me safe, and I never saw a police car dropping by.
I also know I must choose my battles, and this is not a battle I need to have right now. My brother is my last ally. My brother and Dante.
I catch a glimpse of Dante across the room, his muscular form leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest. A skinny blonde sidles up to him, trailing her fingers along his biceps as she leans in close to whisper something in his ear.
Something coils inside me. Something ugly and cold and slimy.
Nope. No getting jealous. No crushes. I cannot afford a crush right now.
I take a long swig of my vodka soda, feeling the burn as it slides down my throat. Liquid courage. I know I’m never going to be a size two like Blondie over there, but I’ve made peace with my curves. I like my soft, plus-size body, even if no one else seems to appreciate it. I just need to find a guy who wants me exactly as I am.
Finishing the rest of my drink, I place the empty glass on a nearby table and head to the bar to get another. Four drinks in and I’m starting to feel good—confident, sexy, carefree. With security doubled and both Dante and my brother around, I can finally let go. I can take my mind off things for a moment.
Sashaying back to the dance floor, I let the pounding beat take over. My hips roll to the rhythm as I lose myself in the music.
I can feel Dante’s intense gaze on me from across the room, his green eyes seeming to smolder in the dim light. The blond girl is no where in sight.
Holding his stare, I run my hands through my long dark hair and down my body, putting on a show just for him. His jaw clenches and I smirk.
Someone presses up against me from behind, rough hands gripping my waist. Startled, I whip my head around to find some random dude grinding on me, his hips thrusting into my ass.
Ew.
I try to push him off with my elbow, then I try stepping away. I’m about to tell this creep to fuck off when he’s abruptly wrenched away from me.
Dante appears out of nowhere, his hand fisted in the guy’s shirt as he gets right up in his face.
“The lady doesn’t want to dance.” Dante’s deep voice is low and menacing. He gives the guy a rough shove, sending him stumbling back.
“Hey man, relax! I was just—” the stranger starts to protest but quickly shuts up when he gets a good look at Dante’s hulking frame and murderous expression. He slinks off.
“You okay?” Dante turns to me, a hand closing around my hip. I can feel the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of my dress.
“I’m fine,” I huff, trying to ignore the way my body responds to his proximity. We’re in the middle of the dance floor. It’s crowd, people moving and pushing us closer together. “I could’ve handled that myself, you know.”
Dante’s lips quirk. “I know. Doesn’t mean you should have to.” He presses a hand to the small of my back and guides me out of the crowd. We step out of the dance floor.
We end up in a quiet corner, the music slightly muffled. Dante searches my face, his intense green gaze seeming to pierce right through me. I squirm under his scrutiny.
“What?” I finally snap.
Dante shakes his head. “Nothing. You just...” He scoffs. “You’re amazing.”
My heart stutters in my chest. Did he really just say that? “What?”
He shakes his head in disbelief. “I know for a fact I have to keep my distance from you. You’re Archer’s sister, for fuck’s sake. And yet. No woman has ever made me feel like this. Fuck, Ava. And somehow, you know it. You know you have power over me. The way you look at me when you dance? It drives insane.”
The alcohol must be getting to me because there’s no way this is real life right now.
But then Dante is leaning closer, his scent of leather and pine enveloping me, and we’re not standing in the club anymore. There’s only the two of us and the rest of the world dies away.
My hands land on his chest. I don’t know if I’m pulling him or if he’s pulling me. Dante’s hands curl around my hips. I’m not a small girl and yet, he makes me feel tiny. His green eyes catch the light. They’re burning with hunger.
Dante’s eyes drop to my lips once, then he stretches his neck and kisses me.
And I’m not ready for what happens then, because I melt . My lips tingle when our mouths collide. His taste spreads over my tongue even before I part my lips. He presses himself to me, to every part of me, and then he’s groaning. A hand of his buries into my hair. I moan into his mouth. Bliss rushes through my veins.
And it’s barely a kiss.
My heart floats. And then it all comes crashing down.
Dante grabs my arms and yanks me away. He looks at me aghast as if I had jumped him.
I didn’t jump him… Right?
His eyes are huge with shock—but at who? My body vibrates with the need for more, but he stares at me as if something very wrong had happened.
Maybe that’s it. Maybe he thinks this was a mistake.
“Fuck.” Dante lets go of me. He pushes a hand through his hair. Again. “Fuck, I’m sorry, Ava. I shouldn’t—” He glances over my shoulder. “Stay here. I’ll go get Archer to stay with you. I have to go.”