Chapter 23
Friday finally arrived—the day to go out with my friend. I’m in my room getting ready when I hear a knock on the door. The person doesn’t even wait for me to say come in before poking their head inside.
“Going out?”
“Yeah, there’s a new nightclub opening tonight, and my friend invited me to go with her.”
“You look beautiful. I just think the slit in this dress is a bit much,” he murmurs in my ear, running his hand up my leg. I shiver all over.
“I think it’s perfectly respectable, and what’s wrong with showing a little skin, right?”
“Keep teasing me and I’ll throw you on that bed and tear this dress to shreds.”
“I’d love that, but my friend’s already here and I have to go, so maybe next time.” I give him a quick peck and leave the room swaying my hips, just to tease him.
We arrived at the nightclub. It was packed, and the line to get in was huge, but since my friend was VIP, we skipped past everyone and were led to a private room upstairs with its own bar.
I liked the layout of the place. Usually VIP areas are enclosed in glass, which muffles the sound. Not here—and we were still close to the people on the dance floor since the VIP section sat lower than usual.
I head to the bar, grab a drink, return to the railing, and start watching the place and the people. It’s packed because of the grand opening. I love to dance—even though I never liked ballet, I’m high-energy, so I love electronic music. Right there, I start moving to the beat.
I’m on my third drink, and I think I’m getting a little tipsy.
I go to get some water, but when I’m near the bar, I feel someone watching me.
I look to the side and Owen is there, standing and talking with a couple while watching me.
I grab my water and head back to my spot.
I wave Arianna toward the dance floor—she accepts right away—and we head down.
We’re having a blast, dancing to the music, when I feel a hand on my waist. I look back and see a guy, much taller than me.
He smiles at me and we keep dancing together.
After three songs, he turns me to face him and tries to kiss me, sliding his hand through the slit in my dress.
The space is tight, nowhere to escape, but with all the strength I have, I knee him right in the crotch.
He immediately grabs himself and crumples to the floor. I lean down and speak into his ear.
“Never do that to a woman again without her consent.”
We get out of there. Halfway to the exit, I run into Owen coming down the stairs toward us. He grabs me by the shoulders and turns me side to side, looking me over.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“That idiot grabbed you. I need to know if he hurt you.”
“He didn’t do anything to me. As for him, I don’t know if his dick will ever work again.”
“We’re leaving. I told you that dress wasn’t appropriate.”
He pulls me outside, and I barely have time to say goodbye to my friend. This guy is crazy. He asks them to bring his car, which arrives in minutes. He opens the door and I get in. He buckles my seatbelt and gets behind the wheel.
“Hey, what’s the big idea? I didn’t even get to say goodbye to my friend.”
“A guy grabbed you and you think that’s normal?”
“I know how to take care of myself—very well, actually. I’m a big girl now, at least in age.”
“Always with the wisecracks.”
“You got jealous. Don’t you think you’re old enough to be more secure, Mr. Owen?” I mock him.
He just gives me a sideways look and says nothing, keeping his attention on the traffic. I turn on the music—Cyndi Lauper is playing, and I love her—so I spend the ride leaning back in my seat, singing along. When we arrive, he parks in front of the house and gets out. I do the same.
He waits for me at the door, opens it, and I walk in. The moment I do, he throws me over his shoulder, slaps my ass, and says:
“I’m going to have to teach you not to go out dressed like this anymore.”
He carries me up the stairs while I complain, enters his room, and before I know it, I’m on his bed with him on top of me.
“I’m going to destroy this dress so you can never wear it again.”
“I paid a lot for it. You can’t just tear it up.”
He grabs the neckline with both hands and pulls.
My dress comes apart, and I look at him with a smile on my face.
I’d been hoping for this, I confess. I’m wearing a red strapless bra and lace panties.
His eyes travel over my entire body, and his hand follows—starting at my face, slowly descending, caressing me all the way down to my leg.
“You’re perfect, beautiful, and tonight I want all of you.”
“I thought this moment would never come.”
He kisses me hungrily, voraciously, as if his life depends on it, and I return it with equal intensity, grabbing his hair as he slides his hand down to my ass and squeezes. God, I love the way he touches me. Then his hand moves up and squeezes my breast.