“I don’t give a flying fuck.”
He carries me out to his SUV and drops me in the back seat.JJ and another man are in the front.I recognize him.He’s the one who approached me on the dance floor and wanted to take me to Patrick.
“Hello, I’m Hayes.”He holds out his hand, and I shake it.
“Daria.”
“He’ll be your personal guard from now on,” Patrick says as he climbs in next to me.
“No.Patrick, he can’t be.My brother threatened to kill you this morning because he thought you took advantage of me.I’m not starting a war.”I slide across the seat to the opposite door, but the lock clicks as I reach it.“Damn you.I have to grab something to eat and get back.I’m busy today with stubborn poker players.”
“Was that the man who kissed your cheek?”Patrick asks as he grabs the seatbelt and buckles me in.
“I didn’t let him.Yes, he’s a client.I don’t shit where I eat.”I huff.
“Good.Only me, remember,” he whispers before taking my hand and wrapping his other arm around me.“Hayes, to O’Bannon’s,” he orders.
“I’m serious, Patrick.”
Both men in the front whip their heads around.
“That was twice.Did I hear her right?”JJ looks to Hayes, who nods before turning his attention to the road.
Hayes watches me in the rearview mirror.It’s not creepy, more like he’s concerned or worried about me.I kind of like that and think he and I could become friends.
“Twice what?”I ask.
“That you called me by my full name.Only my mother ever did that.Not even my father, because he was also Patrick.”
I lean forward toward the men.“I like his name.”
“I like that you’re the only one who calls me it.”Patrick pulls me back toward him.
“Good.”I lean up and kiss his whiskered chin, my heart hurting for what I’m going to have to do.“Patrick, I can’t do this.I’m scared of what could happen.Like I said, my own parents were from different families, and it almost caused a war when my father was killed.Mymammaand I had to go into hiding for our protection.I don’t want to raise any children without you.”
The car comes to a stop, and he just stares at me.“What do you like to eat?”
I turn to see we’re outside an Irish restaurant.“I’ll take a stew.”
“Guys, out.Hayes, get her an Irish stew and an order of bangers and mash for dinner.”
When both men step out, Patrick slides his hand along my face and tips my head back.“Now give me those lips.I’ve missed you.”
I lean up into him, and we kiss slowly.He consumes me.His mustache and beard tickling my skin.As soon as his tongue slides against my lips, I open for him, and his tongue tangles with mine.I can’t hold in the moan that escapes me, and before I know it, I’m unbuckled and straddling his lap.He pushes off my jacket, and it falls to the floor.He pulls away, leaving me panting.My chest is heaving as he takes me in.
“Fuck, sweets, I thought it was just my imagination that you tasted so good.I need you.Come to the club tonight, and we can stay at the condo.This time you will stay the whole night.”
“I have a performance tomorrow evening.”
“I know.I have tickets to every show you’re in.”
“You do?”
My heart thumps hard.I’ve never had someone other than my family who want to be at my shows this much.
“Of course, Daria.I’m going to show you how much I care and how much you mean to me.”
“I want to believe you.”
