“Oh, c’mon, Dee, baby, you loved every second of it. You’re just pissed because I didn’t let you come.”
“You’re damn right! That was downright cruel, Colt. Why do you get to be satisfied, and I don’t?”
“Because, baby, you didn’t do what you were told. But don’t worry, I’ll make you scream all night long when we get back to our suite,” he adds, pulling me close and wrapping his arms around me tightly.
“Are you serious right now?Do you hear yourself?You’re punishing me because I had to pee, Colt. Don’t you see how fucked up that is?”
He exhales and looks down at the floor. “Dee, I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know how to do this. I’m trying the best way I know how. When you weren’t there, I’ve never felt such a deep state of panic in my life…Not. Ever,Dee. And that scares the shit out of me. I’m trying, okay? But you and me, this thing we have is terrifying the fuck out of me, and I don’t know how to deal with it. I… I just… Oh,fuck,I don’t know…” he rants as he bends down and pulls up his jeans.
I bite my bottom lip and exhale as he taps my ankle for me to step into my panties and jeans. He pulls them up for me as I stand, holding myself.
“Dee, say something.”
“I’veneverexperienced anything like that. It was new for me, and even though, yes, I loved it. It was degrading the way you took me like that. It shocked me, is all.”
He exhales and does up my zipper and button. “I’m sorry, Dee. I never want you to feel degraded. I just… I was so scared and angry. I had to have you. To make sure you were still withme. To make sure you were stillmine. I needed you, Dee. Istillneed you,” he says, resting his forehead against mine.
Looking him in the eyes, I see he truly regrets what happened. And I begin to feel guilty for lashing out at him. I mean, I did love the way he took me so completely.
“We should go. People will be wondering where we are,” I say, and he leans in and kisses my lips softly, igniting a fire once again in my core.
“We have to go to the after-party. C’mon,” Colt says, kissing me quickly once more and taking my hand. He halts and looks back at me. “A-are we, okay?” The concerned look is not lost on me.
“We’re fine. But wewillneed to discuss how you react to situations in the future,” I answer.
He exhales heavily but says no more as we head toward the kitchen door.
***
By the time we reach the after-party, Colt’s grip on my hand is so tight it feels like he’s afraid to let go. As if holding on is the only thing keeping us grounded.
Colt steps out of the stretch Hummer, his grip on my hand firm as he leads me toward the VIP section of the club. Anna and Johnny trail closely behind, along with the rest of the band and the Slayettes.
The VIP area sits on the club’s top floor, enclosed by one-way glass—giving us a perfect view of the chaos below while keeping us hidden from prying eyes. Anna, Johnny, Colt, and I settle into a booth against the back wall while the others dive into the drinks and endure the terrible music blasting through the speakers.
A sudden commotion draws our attention. Dragon’s Lair strides in, loud and obnoxious, soaking up the attention like theyown the damn place. The entire band radiates arrogance, but the worst of them is already making his way toward our booth.
I exhale sharply as Colt’s arm snakes around my shoulders, his grip firm, possessive—a silent warning.
“Fuck face, how are ya?” Jared asks, stretching out his hand to knock knuckles with Johnny, who stares at his hand and scoffs. Jared frowns and puts his hand down. “Well, someone’s in a mood,” he barks out, sliding into the booth beside me.
Urgh,why couldn’t he have sat next to Anna?
Although I wouldn’t wish that on her either.
“So, Dee, had enough of this cockhead? Are you ready for arealman?” he whispers in my ear.
“Piss off,” I answer, and he laughs obnoxiously while making himself comfortable.
“Coslecki, fuck off. None of us wants you here. Go fuck some whore in the bathroom like you normally do.” Colt groans the words out loudly.
Jared laughs, throwing his head back.
This ass makes my skin crawl.
“The only whore I’ll be fucking in the bathroom tonight is yours, Colt. Isn’t that right, beautiful?” Jared suggests, skimming his hand up my thigh. Colt stands immediately and reaches out to grab Jared, but he’s too quick and jumps out of the booth before Colt can reach him.
“Fuck you, you fucking cunt! Touch her again, and you’ll be missing a hand, and don’t youevercall Dee a whore again, or I swear to God, I’ll slice your balls off with my Swiss army knife, then make you eat them. Actually, fuckit! I’m gonna do it anyway,” Colt claims, trying to push past me to get at him.
