Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Ciara
The music moved through me like the alcohol running through my bloodstream. I danced with my friends, celebrating the joyous occasion.
I called off my engagement.
Should I have been as happy as I was?
Probably not.
But in my situation, it was warranted.
“I’m going to get us some more drinks!” My best friend, Jeanie announced. “Come with me!” She grabbed my hand and dragged me off the dance floor, away from our other two close friends, Shelly and Diedre, who continued shaking their booties without missing a beat.
We worked our way through the crowd towards the bar, Jeanie good at getting us where we needed to be. She had a much louder yell than I did.
We squeezed in between groups of people and got in line, only a few people ahead of us. I brushed my sweaty hair from my face, redoing my ponytail, this time with the elastic band looped even tighter. I waved a hand in front of my face. “Damn, it’s hot in here.”
“Nah, that’s just you, babe.” Jeanie winked.
I laughed. “It’s stuffy. I wish they had a back deck.”
“All this dancing and alcohol, all this fun, I hadn’t realized how much I missed seeing this side of you until now.” Jeanie mused.
“I know. Thank God Mr. Party Pooper is gone.” I retorted, as my eyes scanned the surrounding area.
I spotted Shelly and Diedre dancing in the same spot and as I turned back towards the bar, something caught my eye.
I did a double take, my eyes catching the bouncer standing between the bar and dance floor.
Holy shit. He was staring directly at me.
I looked away and back.
He still stared.
My mouth fell open.
My heart tripled in speed.
Who the hell is that?
“Yo, Earth to Ciara, you in there?” Jeanie shook my arm. “Yoo Hoo!”
My head snapped back towards my friend, and I swallowed hard. Yet my heart pounded so hard in my chest, I heard it roar through my ears.
Jeanie thrusted two drinks into my hands. “Stay close!” She called over her shoulder as we weaved our way back into the crowd and over to the dance floor.
I snuck a glance behind me, but I could barely see with the swarm of people, the drinks spilling over the rims of the glasses as I jostled people.
Finally, on the dance floor, I handed Shelly her drink and buried my face in mine, hoping to sneak glances around, in desperate need of another look at that sexy man.
Was he really that handsome or was I seeing things?
But then, over the rim of the glass, he was standing there, next to the dance floor, a smirk on his lips, and his large arms crossed over his chest.
He wore black pants and a tight black t-shirt, his muscular form easy to make out in the dim fogginess of the club.
Did he work here? And why were his eyes only on me?
I danced my way to the other side of the friend group and when I twisted around, he was still there. Watching me.
I moved again and again, even moving my friend group to the other side of the dance floor, and he was still there. Watching me.
It should turn me off. It should creep me out.
Instead, it turned me on.
And I had no clue why.
“You should just fuck him.” Shelly whispered loudly in my ear before she giggled.
“Fuck who?” Diedre shouted, and we all burst into more laughter.
We sat around a booth table in the back of the club, resting our legs as we started on another round of fresh drinks.
“The bouncer dude that’s been eye-fucking our girl all night.” Jeanie explained over the loud pulsating music.
My cheeks flamed red. A guy hadn’t made me this hot in…well fuck, I didn’t know how long, but it felt damn good. “I can’t just fuck him. I don’t even know the guy.”
“Isn’t that the whole point of one-night stands?” Diedre asked.
Shelly rolled her eyes. “Of course you can. The best way to get over someone is by getting under someone else. C’mon girl. Get under that hot piece of ass!”
Jeanie nodded before sipping her daiquiri. “It’s true. I can attest. You’ve been stuck with Jack for too long.”
I tossed a cocktail straw at her head. “Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m not stuck anymore.”
“We know. So go fuck a guy.”
“Okay, okay, I will. Just not tonight.” I played with my straw. I wasn’t sure I was ready to just jump into a stranger’s bed, no matter how crazy hot he was. I pictured what he might look like beneath his tight t-shirt and jeans. I shifted in my seat, suddenly needing to pee.
“I need to run to the bathroom. Be right back.” I said as I quickly slid out of the booth and took off, not giving my friends a chance to come with. I knew it was suspicious as fuck and I’d hear about it later, but I needed to see this guy. Up close. At least once.
I circled the dance floor and moved towards the bar. My heart picked up speed before my eyes even had a chance to register it was him. But there he was, his gaze dark and serious.
He stood between the dance floor and the bar, his eyes scanning the area. I swallowed hard, waiting for them to land on me, for the jolt of electricity he sparked inside me.
His look penetrated me before I saw it, his desperation felt across the room, his need to see me stronger. He instantly moved in my direction and a hint of a smile played on my lips.
I made a beeline for the center of the dance floor, pushing my way through the sweaty, dancing bodies, wanting him to chase me, to want me, to come get me.
A bolt of white-hot passion shot through my arm. I skidded into place and when I looked down, a large bear paw wrapped around my forearm. The sight of it sent chills down my spine, tingles rushing through my body.
It was him.
“Hi.” I slurred, the word breathless and low.
“Hi.” He smiled, kind yet demanding, his eyes flashing with something I didn’t understand but soon learned to be…possession.
Without him even saying the words, I could tell, I knew in every fucking fiber of my being, he wanted me.
The sexy, drop dead gorgeous, muscular bodyguard wanted me.
And I wasn’t sure what the hell to do.