Chapter 19 Holly
NINETEEN
HOLLY
Ihave no idea what to wear. I know, it’s such a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I am fixating on it and it’s sending me into a spiral.
Are we going to the club to dance and get a drink, or are we going for another, work-related reason?
It’s difficult to know when your date owns the nightclub.
It would be easy for me to overdress if we aren’t staying there, but turning up in jeans doesn’t seem appropriate either.
The way Clay looks at me suggests that I could go dressed in a plastic bag and he would still find me attractive, but I find myself wanting to look good for him.
It was the same with Bear; usually I’m covered in flour and cake batter, caring little about my appearance.
Now these guys have entered my life and I suddenly care that my hair looks nice and my clothes complement my body shape.
My phone rings from where I abandoned it on my bed in a nervous meltdown. Spinning on my heel, I lunge for it and whisper a prayer of thanks to the pastry gods as I see the name on the screen. Accepting the call, I press the mobile to my ear.
“What’s wrong? What’s the emergency?” Ashley’s concerned voice reaches me. She sounds battle ready and I know she would drop everything to help me.
“I’m going on a date with Clay and I don’t know what to wear.” The words come in a jumbled rush and I bite down on my lower lip as I wait for her reply.
There’s a heavy pause and I hear her exhale sharply. “Bitch, you texted me SOS!”
Okay, maybe I went a little overboard with my message, but I desperately need her help and it’s too late to take it back now.
“Because I am going on a date,” I emphasise the last words, knowing she will understand.
Before the guys moved in next door, I had only ever been on a date with Jake. For me to have gone on a date with Bear last night, and now for me to have a second date with an entirely different guy is a huge deal for me.
“Hmm, I see your point.” Ashley’s thoughtful hum reaches me through the phone and relief floods me, as I know she will help me. “Okay, fill me in.”
I tell her everything about the meeting with my sister and Clay asking me out.
Of course, she grills me on what happened with Bear last night, squealing when I describe the kiss and what happened after.
We talk through some of the clothing options, and eventually settle on a cute emerald-green summer dress I’ve been keeping for a special occasion.
The colour has always suited me, my pale skin and golden locks enhanced by the colour.
Slipping it on, I stare at my reflection, running my hands down the floaty fabric of the skirt.
It feels great, dropping almost all the way to the floor and swishing nicely as I walk.
While it is one of my more casual summer dresses, it can be dressed up with jewellery and a set of heels.
The sweetheart neckline makes my chest look great, and with off-the-shoulder floaty sleeves, it shows off my shape without baring all.
Happy with the overall look, I take a quick photo and send it over to Ashley to get her seal of approval.
She replies almost immediately assuring me that I look ‘hot’.
Smiling at the text, I put my phone away in my bag and glance over at the clock.
My breath catches in my throat; he will be here any moment now.
Nervous excitement causes butterflies in my stomach, anticipation making it impossible for me to stand still.
Knock, knock, knock.
He’s here. My heart thunders in my chest and I have to force myself to take a deep breath and approach the door. Swinging it open, anything I might have planned to say immediately dissolves from my mind.
Leaning against the doorframe, he looks like a dark god who has come to claim his woman.
It should be illegal to look this good. He has dressed up for the occasion, wearing dark jeans and a shirt.
The top two buttons of his black shirt are undone and I can see some of the artwork across his chest. It’s taunting me, teasing as it wraps around his skin, only to disappear from sight.
All of a sudden, I’m not bothered about his plans and want to spend the evening exploring where that tattoo leads to…
“Holly…” He trails off, his voice practically a growl, and for a moment I wonder if I’ve done something wrong.
Then I notice the gleam in his eyes. A deep grumble of appreciation emits from his chest, sending a bolt of arousal straight through me.
Shaking his head slowly, his tongue comes out to wet his lip.
“You are going to make this very difficult for me.”
Transfixed on the movement of his tongue, it takes me a moment to process what he said. Phew, is it hot in here, or is it just me? My cheeks feel flushed and my whole body is on fire. Blinking, I tear my eyes from his lips and meet his gaze. “What do you mean?”
A crooked half-smile tugs at his lips as he does a slow perusal of my body. “Any guy who so much as glances in your direction tonight is going to get barred. Are you trying to make me go out of business?”
I know that he’s joking, at least, he’s only teasing about me trying to make him go bust. What I’m not so sure on is him barring guys who look at me. That seems like a very Clay move, and one I wouldn’t put past him.
Raising a brow, I give him a teasing look and twist slightly like I’m about to walk away. “I can go get changed if you want–”
A gasp gets caught in my throat as I’m suddenly pinned in the doorway. “Don’t you dare,” he orders, resting an arm above my head as he leans down, his eyes intense. “I shouldn’t do this yet, but I can’t help myself.”
He’s so close, all I have to do is lean forward and we would be kissing, yet I’m completely mesmerised by him and his internal struggle.
“Just a taste.” His words are whispered across my lips and I’m fairly confident that he’s talking to himself.
I am not about to protest, though, and as his lips finally touch mine, fireworks go off within me.
He leads the kiss, slow and passionate, like he has all day and nowhere else to be.
Every time I try to take control and speed things up, he presses me back against the door fame and nips my lower lip until I submit to his kisses.
The warmth of his body is suddenly gone and I feel the loss of his touch immediately.
Eyes opening, I’m surprised not to find him in front of me, but several steps away.
He looks like he’s in pain, as though pulling away from me is causing him physical discomfort.
I know the feeling; my body is pining for him.
“Let’s go, before I do something stupid and mess up our plans for the night.
” His smile is reluctant and I can tell how hard he’s working to make this a ‘real’ date for me.
Honestly, I’d be happy to skip the club and go straight to my bedroom, but this is how he wants to do it, so I’ll respect that.
Catching my breath, I try to remember what he told me earlier about the date. “We’re going to the club?”
Nodding, Clay gestures for me to take the stairs, following behind me. “Yes, there’s an amazing band playing tonight and I wanted to bring you.”
“The band starts at 5 in the afternoon?” Glancing over my shoulder, I let him see my cheeky smile.
“No,” he chuckles, squeezing past me at the bottom of the stairs to get the door. “I have to be there in case anyone needs me during set up, but it gives us a chance to chat and have a few drinks before everyone else arrives. Then we’ll go to the VIP booth and enjoy the show.”
I have to admit that he’s pulling out all the stops to make this a great date for me.
A voice in the back of my mind keeps bringing up an important question though, making it harder for me to focus.
What about Bear? I loved my date with him and certainly want to see him again, but I can’t deny I have a connection to Clay that goes beyond the physical that I want to explore.
They are both aware of each other – I’m not keeping secrets and no one is getting hurt. At some point I’ll have to make a decision, but that is not tonight. Pushing the thought from my mind, I smile up at Clay and let him lead me to his car.
The journey to the club is filled with laughter and music.
I discover that we have a similar taste in music and have both been to some of the same concerts over the years.
Reaching our destination, everything is in a state of organised chaos as the staff and band get everything set up for the show.
Of course, Clay jumps straight in, helping move heavy speakers.
During all of this, I sit at the bar and watch him. He doesn’t say much, but he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and help out. I notice the looks of appreciation his staff shoot in his direction, although I’m not sure he does.
Lifting my glass to my lips, I finish my second cocktail, smiling into the glass at the story the barman, Joe, is telling me. I’m fairly certain that everything he’s saying is a gross exaggeration, but it’s amusing to hear some of the more interesting happenings at the club.
“Don’t listen to anything he says about me,” Clay murmurs from behind me, placing his hand on the small of my back.
A thrill shoots through me at his casual touch, my eyes drawn to him naturally.
Leaning in, he presses a kiss to my cheek, his lips lingering against my skin, and whispers into my ear. “It’s all lies.”
Joe smirks and places a glass on the bar, already filled with an amber-coloured liquid, sliding it into Clay’s open hand.
While I’m vaguely aware that this is going on, I am wholly distracted by Clay’s touch, my blood heating and mingling with the alcohol moving through my veins to create an entirely intoxicating sensation. Arousal. Need. Obsession.
Humming with amusement, I twist on my stool so I can fully face him. “He was actually just telling me what a good boss you are.”