Chapter 21 Madelina
The thumping bass vibrates through the bar and the crowd goes wild when the DJ drops the next song.
Sweat cascades down my lower back from dancing nonstop for God knows how long. I lost track of time after the first round of drinks.
My body sways to the beat of Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music” while neon lights flicker overhead, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the dance floor. I lose myself in the beat and forget everything that happened today.
And last night.
Nicole was the jump scare to what could have been a close call.
After spending the night with Elliot, things between us shifted.
There was a lot of talk about keeping things casual, and now I understand why.
Elliot got me, hook, line, and sinker, pulling all the moves to get me into bed while he still had a girlfriend waiting for him back home.
I was starting to feel things, and that in itself scares me.
How can I feel things so soon after walking away from the supposed love of my life?
After we closed up shop this afternoon, I made a spontaneous decision to escape to the city rather than dwell in my own self-pity. I contemplated confiding in Billie, but I feared coming off desperate and needy. Plus, I don’t want to be labeled the other woman.
I’m wearing a dress I bought while traveling in Italy. The black mini features a square neckline, a delicate lace silhouette, and a softly draped cowl waist that flatters my hips. I wore my hair up in a high ponytail, then paired the outfit with my fever-red, shiny velvet Louboutin pumps.
I look good, and all I need is some guy to remind me why being single is fun, and pining for an unattainable man is not.
A few of my friends from the theater are here, as is my friend Ava.
She flew in from California earlier this morning for a business meeting.
When I saw her Instagram story at the airport, I messaged her to ask if she wanted to get a drink.
I actually met her through Aston—Ava’s sister and brother-in-law are good friends of his. Also, Ava’s father owns this bar.
“Can someone explain why we’re doing shots again?” Ava slurs, a giggle escaping her lips after a hiccup punctuates her question.
Someone in the group suggested fireball shots. I would have said yes to anything, but since this is my third, things are getting hazy, and the cinnamon-flavored liquor is losing its taste.
“Why don’t you tell me why we’re doing shots again?” I counter, laughter dancing in my voice. Beside me, Bowie, one of the guys from the theater, hands me another shot, insisting I drink quicker.
Bowie just broke up with his boyfriend, so it’s no surprise he is out tonight drinking with us.
“Well, let’s see,” Ava begins, her brows furrowing as she takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “My husband just moved five hours away, and I’m lucky if I see him once a week. Meanwhile, I’m juggling solo parenting of our daughters and trying to keep a business afloat.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” I shout over the music. “What the hell happened?”
Ava lowers her gaze, but then lifts her head with a downcast expression.
Ava is stunningly gorgeous. The type of woman everyone turns to look at.
There’s nothing fake about her, and her natural beauty is what catches everyone’s attention.
She has flawless skin, a few freckles across her nose, and captivating green eyes.
God, if I were going to bat for the same team, Ava is precisely who I would go for.
“Austin got offered the head of cardiology position. It’s his dream, and he worked so hard for it. But if I move to San Francisco to be with him, I’ll be uprooting our whole life without my support network. Plus, his hours are insane. We’d hardly see each other anyway.”
My heart breaks for her, and I dare not bring up the dreaded “D” word. Ending my relationship with Myles was incredibly difficult, and we didn’t have children. I can only imagine Ava is feeling lost right now, which explains why she is a shot ahead of me.
“It’s gonna work out,” I assure her, my voice steady with forced optimism. “You love him. I mean, he’s your husband. For better or worse, till death do us part. Wait, or is it till death us do part?”
Ava shrugs, taking another glass from the tray in front of us. “Can we not talk about my life? It’s depressing. So, really, why are we doing shots?”
I take a deep breath, ready to unveil my own chaotic mess. “Well, I may have hooked up with my best friend’s older brother, and now his girlfriend just flew in from Paris.”
Ava’s mouth falls open, a wide grin on her face. “I live for situationships like this!”
My lips press together, suppressing my annoyance. “You live for my life being miserable?”
“No, duh,” Ava drags, but her smile is still lighting up her face. “I live for the push and pull, the tension because it’s all forbidden, and the sneaking around is so hot.”
“Wasn’t your husband your sister’s ex-fiancé?”
“Yes…”
“Which would have been totally off-limits?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
Ava places her hand on her hip. “Your point?”
“No point, really,” I tease, only to break out into laughter. “Look, I’m single and, dare I say, ready to mingle.”
“Good.” Ava nods, then leans in to whisper loudly over the music, “There’s a guy at the table near the door who has been eyeing you all night.”
My gaze flicks to where the man is supposedly standing. Upon seeing the cute guy, a wave of disappointment washes over me, causing my shoulders to slump instantly.
Don’t think it. You were not expecting it to be Elliot, even though you were.
The man slowly makes his way through the crowd until he’s standing beside me at the bar. “You’re gorgeous,” he says, leaning in. “Can I buy you a drink?”
The corners of my mouth turn up as I lean back into him and say, “How about we dance instead?”
With a grin on his handsome face and his hand resting on my lower back, I’m momentarily distracted by my cell vibrating in my beaded clutch.
I attempt to ignore it, but it vibrates repeatedly, so I take it out of my clutch just in case it’s important.
All day, my phone was on do not disturb because I didn’t want to speak to anyone.
But this time, I quickly read the text messages on the screen.
Elliot
Where are you?
Elliot
Tell the guy with his hands on you to remove them if he knows what’s good for him.
Elliot
Don’t make me do something I’ll regret.
My chest rises and falls while I lift my gaze from the screen and scan my surroundings. The club is alive with the rhythm of music that beckons people to the dance floor. Groups sway in unison, laughter ringing out among them, while others embrace the intimacy of a partner’s seductive moves.
There are also the vivacious solo dancers, mainly women, who dance as if no one is watching. They carry their glasses of cosmopolitans, living their best single girl life.
In the midst of this lively atmosphere, I spot Ava, her brow furrowed in concentration as she texts away on her phone, oblivious to everything around her. The rest of our group has scattered around the club.
Then something pulls me to the large neon sign, hung on the back wall against the red brick.
Leaning against the wall, Elliot watches me with a stern, possessive gaze, heat practically steaming from his ears.
I feel his eyes all over me, the thrill of his jealous stare sending a shiver of pleasure all over my body.
The guy reaches to grab my hand, but I quickly let it go, then lean in to tell him, “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t.”
“Why? You with someone?”
The truth is, I’m not with anyone, so Elliot’s stare should not intimidate me. With a sudden burst of confidence, I reply, “You know what? You’re right, let’s dan—”
A firm hand wraps around my wrist—the grip is so tight and unyielding that it sends a jolt of surprise through me.
The smell of his aftershave envelops me before I have a chance to cast my eyes on him.
Slowly, I lift my gaze until our eyes lock. Elliot holds my stare, then informs the guy beside me, “She’s mine. Let her go.”
She’s mine.
The words echo in my head, his possessive tone stirring something profound inside me that craves this man’s dominance.
What the hell is wrong with me?
This is all kinds of fucked up.
It has to be the fireball. Nothing good ever comes from doing fireball shots.
I snatch my arm out of his grip, refusing to let my guard down again. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have some Parisian girlfriend waiting for you?”
“Madelina, can we go somewhere and talk, please?” he pleads, the sudden shift in expression distracting me from my anger.
“Why?” I question, then remember what Nicole said earlier. “So you can make me think I’m going crazy?”
Ava finally pulls herself away from her phone, her eyes darting from me to Elliot. “Is everything okay?”
I let out a sigh, then yell over the music, which seems to have gotten louder. “This is Elliot. The best friend’s older brother.”
With a steady nod, Ava’s mouth curves into a knowing smile. “It looks like you’ll be busy the rest of the night. I hope you don’t mind if I head home. I’ve got a few things I need to take care of.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay for a bit longer?
” The desperation is etched in my tone. If she leaves me with Elliot, I’m scared of what stupid move I may make next.
I forgot in the few hours since I saw him last how devastatingly handsome he is.
The simple black jeans and a dark gray shirt don’t distract from his mesmerizing blue eyes and unruly ash-blond curls.
Ava leans in, her lips brushing against my cheek in a polite gesture, but her smile appears strained, almost rehearsed.
I assume it’s Austin who’s been texting her and, being a typical guy, he’s probably pissed she’s at a club.
Earlier, she mentioned that her girls are with her mom and dad because this is a two-day trip.
Since we arrived here, more than three guys have tried to hit on her. Like I said, she is a beauty.
“Let’s catch up again soon,” Ava says simply before waving goodbye.
Now it’s just Elliot and me, since Bowie and the rest are somewhere lost on the dance floor.
I cross my arms over my chest tightly, the gesture a clear signal of my irritation.
My tongue pokes lightly into my cheek as I inhale a long breath.
The air between us feels charged, and I can almost hear the unspoken words hanging in the silence, fueling my frustration.
I’m sure he’ll come up with some pathetic excuse.
“We can talk another time,” I tell him. “I’m going to dance.”
“Then I’m dancing with you,” he insists.
Elliot trails closely behind me on the dance floor.
The music slows down to the beats of “We Can’t Be Friends” by Ariana Grande.
With my back still toward him, he moves in closer, lips inches away from my neck.
I close my eyes, swaying to the music, and hear him whisper in my ear, “You look so damn sexy tonight, Bugs. Don’t think for one second you’re leaving here with anyone else. ”
I turn around to face him, eyes full of anger as Nicole’s face flashes in my mind. “I’m not a side girl, okay? I’m sure your girlfriend wouldn’t be happy knowing you’re here with me,” I snap.
“There is no girlfriend, Madelina. Perhaps, if you’d given me two seconds of your time, I could have explained the situation to you.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “So, you’re saying Nicole lied?”
Elliot purses his lips. “I’m saying, there is no girlfriend. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a little preoccupied by someone else.”
I hate how one moment, I’m standing my ground, accepting nothing less than I deserve. And the next, my body betrays me, and what I want is for Elliot to strip me naked and make sweet love to me like I’m all he’ll ever need.
“We’re just friends,” I remind him. “It’s supposed to be no strings attached and now you’re acting like a possessive boyfriend?”
Elliot leans in, his warmth enveloping me as his lips graze against mine, sending a shiver down my spine.
He gently tilts my chin up, unveiling the delicate curve of my neck.
With agonizing slowness, his tongue glides along the soft skin beside my throat, trailing upward until he hovers tantalizingly close to my ear.
His breath is a husky whisper, heavy with command and intention. “No more games, Bugs,” he murmurs, his voice a low growl. “You’re mine.”