Seven
Callum
I thought our altercation in the courtyard would be the wake-up call she needed. Apparently, I was wrong. I bring my glass to my mouth and take a sip, as all the things we should be doing sit front and center in my mind. Unfortunately, those thoughts become muddled as I watch her dance with her roommate.
I become entranced. The moment she walked into the club, all eyes were on her. The stunning emerald dress matches her eyes so perfectly it unlocks something primal in me. The strands of her long raven hair lay straight down her back, almost hiding the visible skin underneath.
She and the roommate head over to the bar and instantly down a few shots, and I scoff at their idiocy. I let the burn from the whiskey keep me rooted to my spot on the balcony—where I have a perfect view of everything and everyone—where I watch her power release off her in waves. Her body relaxes, and with every sway of her hips and swish of her arms, it pours down her limbs in buckets.
It’s hardly noticeable because the lights are already strobing, but the lights grow brighter, and the fog gets denser. Bringing my eyes back to her, I see someone has slid up behind her and starts grinding himself into her ass. A growl erupts low in my chest as I set my drink down and leap over the railing.
Stealthy, I land completely undetected. My eyes are laser locked on her as I push my way through the crowd of people. When she turns to her assailant, the smile she just wore falls, and she rears her fist back and lets it fly, hitting her mark right in the center of his face.
My lips tip up in a half smile. That’s my girl.
Blood instantly starts gushing out, and his hand flies to his nose. He screams over the music, “What the fuck?! You stupid fucking bitch! You broke my nose!” Then he stalks away in a fit of rage, hopefully going back to whatever hole he crawled out of.
Before I can change my mind, I move steadily through the crowd until I’m standing beside her. As she sways, I lightly grab her hand and twirl her into me.
When she looks into my eyes, I feel the world stop. Her cheeks are flushed, and that could either be from the dancing or the alcohol—she’s not much of a drinker. My gaze darts between her eyes, and I have a split-second thought that she’s going to kiss me.
I don’t know what possessed me to think that. Maybe it was the closeness. The smell of her vanilla scent mingling with my own into our own aroma. The feel of her heartbeat against my skin. But as if I were under a spell, completely under her control, I don’t see it until it’s too late. Her hand raises and slaps me so hard my head shifts to the side.
I’m stunned. I can’t even form words, and from the look of it, neither can she. Her eyes go wide in shock then immediately close as she starts to laugh and grabs onto my shirt for support. “I am so sorry,” she says in between laughs. “I thought you were that random guy that was trying to grope me just a few minutes ago.”
She still has a hold on my shirt and throws her head back with laughter. But when she finally calms down and looks at me again, my face is pressed in a hard line.
How much did she have to drink? It couldn’t have been that many. I’ve had eyes on her all night. Noticing my displeasure, she lets me go and tries to turn away. I grab her arm, and she turns suddenly, like I struck her.
“Let’s go,” I demand.
“Let me go—unless, of course, you want to end up like the other guy.” Her words start blending together. “Look, I’m fine. I’m just going to the bathroom,” she insists, a quick smile to reassure me.
“Take your friend with you. I’ll be here when you get back.” I nod my head in the direction of her roommate, Kate, while never taking my eyes off her. She just stands there, staring at me, and after a few long seconds, she finally gives me the slightest nod.
Now that she knows I’m here, I have to stay visible and shouldn’t follow her, but it’s tempting. I survey my surroundings, trying to detect any threats other than the asshole who thought he stood a chance. Instantly, I’m on high alert, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end, but I remain the perfect picture of cool, calm, and I don’t give a fuck , to not tip off whoever sets their sights on me. The irony in this situation is uncanny.
When she returns, her friend is nowhere in sight, but I notice her drink has been refilled. “Where did your friend go?” I ask, but I really don’t care. “And where did you get that drink from?”
“She met someone earlier, and I think they’re going back to his place,” she says as she starts to dance in front of me.
I want nothing more than to grab her by the hips and bring her flush with me, but I have to stay on task. “You never answered me about the drink.”
“I ordered another one before I went pee then picked it up on the way out. Chill.” As each word passes through her lips, they begin to slur and her sluggish movements follow suit.
“How much have you had to drink?”
She starts counting on her fingers, and it’s really fucking adorable. But my face stays hard as I wait for her to answer. “A couple shots, and this is my…third cocktail. Don’t worry, I’m not a lightweight.” She pats me on the shoulder, and I ignore the heat of her palm as I grab the drink from her hand. She falls into me, trying to get it back, but I quickly face away from her and take a sniff of the contents. Immediately, I feel all the blood rush to my face, and all I see is red. “We have to go. Now.”
“I don’t know who you think you are, or who you think you’re talking to, but you’re not the boss of me,” she says with one arm on her hip and the other fully grasping onto my shirt for stability. I hook my arm around her waist, pulling her against my front, and carry her toward the exit.
“Hey! PUT ME DOWN!” she yells, but nobody will hear her pleas. She starts punching my arms and kicking her legs. But I know whatever was put in her drink is already affecting her just by how weak the attempts are.
“Did you not hear me? I said put. Me. Down,” she finishes with a huff.
Holding her closer to my chest, her ass digs into my growing erection. “I’m going to get you out of here, Princess. But I need you to do me a favor and stay awake for me, like a good girl,” I whisper in her ear.
I don’t know if it was what I said or the drugs, but she goes completely still, and I let her vanilla-and-lavender scent envelop me like a safe house, until the bubble is popped and we get outside.
Reluctantly, I set her down, but she sways the moment her feet touch the ground. “That was tot—totally uncalled for. What do…do you think you’re doing?”
“Your drink was laced with something. You’re welcome, by the way,” I say, rolling my eyes while trying to keep her from rolling her ankles. Her eyes grow wide, and her face pales.
“Are you sure? How do you know?” she asks, leaning into me and placing her hand over her forehead. “I’m normally so careful.” Her knees buckle, and I’m quick to hold her up. “I—I don’t feel very good. I need to find Kate. Where’s Kate?” Frantically, she uses whatever strength she can muster to push me away, and there’s a tug, a nagging feeling I can’t place, but this whole situation makes me uneasy.
“You said she left with the guy she met earlier. Let me take you home.” I lightly rest my hands on her arms to try to guide her toward my motorcycle.
“Yes. Yes, home. Home sounds goo—” I catch her before she hits the asphalt. Curling one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, I cradle her against my chest.
There goes the bike plan.
Closing my eyes, I let out a heavy sigh, weighing out my options. Decision made, I take a moment to peer down at her sleeping form. Her face squints together in anguish. Even in her dreams, there is no peace.
I know I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t.
Fuck it.
Making sure we’re alone in the street, I stretch my wings out and take off toward the night sky.