“No more clubs, Isla.” I ignore her request and get to the point.
She shoots me a glare that would burn me alive if she held such power. “What do you mean, no more clubs? Are you seriously telling me where I can and can’t go?”
“No more going to clubs by yourself.” I’d include going with Mia, too, but that would be a step too far. I don’t trust that cousin of hers because of the people she associates with. The boyfriend who works at the club is an ex-con.
Isla stops midstride and glares at me. “You have some nerve,Mr. Vale.”
“Knox,” I correct her with a smile.
“No. I’m not calling you that.”
“Why not, love?”
“Stop calling me love. I hate it.” She grits her teeth, and I almost laugh.
“Since you hate it, I’ll do it even more,love.” I feel like we’re twelve and arguing on the playground. “Anyway, I mean it. I don’t want you going out by yourself. If you want to go to a club,Iwill take you.”
She laughs without humor. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Why not?”
“Are you kidding? So you can terrorize me? Or violate me?”
“Terrorize? Violate?”I place a hand to my heart, feigning innocence.“I wouldn’t call it that, love. Especially when you seemed to enjoy yourself so much.”
Her cheeks flush an angry pink that looks vivid against the moonlight. She brings her hands up to her cheeks and shakes her head. “You are so, so vile.”
I reach out and touch her jaw, then lean in like I’m going to kiss her again. She freezes up like she did at the club, and I wonder if she wants me to. I want to, but I won’t. Because I shouldn’t. “You may be a vicious little creature, Isla Monroe, but my God, do you taste good.”
“You’re an asshole.” She exhales sharply, fury and breath tangling.
“Yes. Yes, I am.” I speak with the pride of a man who’s just received a medal of honor.
“Ugh, I can’t believe I’m marryingyou.”
“Just don’t fall for me, and you’ll be fine.” I grin.
She gives me that humorless laugh again, but this time, thereisa flicker of real amusement. “Oh, believe me, there’s no chance ofthathappening.”
“I didn’t think so.” I grin. “Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I am telling you, the next time you want to go to a bar or club, even if you want to drown your sorrows because ofme, I will take you. You will not go alone. Are we clear?”
“Fine.Yes.”
“Wonderful. Now we’re back on the same page.” I release her and take a step back.
Just then, the front door opens, and her mother steps out, clutching her dressing gown. She looks stunned to see me.
“Oh my. I didn’t realize we were having company.” She looks me over with the same wariness she displayed in William’s office yesterday.
“Apologies, Mrs. Monroe.” I dip my head with the charm of a Southern gentleman, even though I’m neither Southern nor a gentleman. “I didn’t mean to show up unexpected. I was just seeing Isla home safely.”
“And now that he has, he’s leaving,” Isla fills in.
“Yes. I am leaving.”
“Good night,Mr. Vale.” Isla’s voice is clipped and cool. She folds her arms like she’s sealing herself off from me.
“Knox. You call me Knox.” I grin back at her, my eyes riveted to hers.
