My jaw ticks.
“Your brunette’s still not gone home with anyone, you know. And she’s not been to the playrooms since our tour. You should just go and talk to her.”
I sigh, relenting under Jessie’s infallible ability to see right through me.
“I can’t, Jessie. It’s complicated.”
“Yeah, I gather you two know each other from the real world. Look, I don’t know the story but you’re both consenting adults,Luke. I know you like her. You could just see where it goes, you know.”
I frown but something small and hopeful flickers in my chest.
“Thanks Jessie. I’ll finish up these numbers and be down, ok?”
“Sure thing, boss. I’ll be on the club floor if you need me.” She gives me a cheeky salute and disappears downstairs.
I glance over at the CCTV feed that’s trained on the bar. Emmy’s smiling as she chats to a couple of guys. Judging from the body language, I’m guessing she’s just gently turned them down, and sure enough, they both slope off with a good-natured wave. She’s alone for a few moments and I watch as she sips her drink, eyes scanning around the room and landing on the stage. I can’t even remember who’s performing tonight or what they’re doing up there, but even on the slightly grainy livestream, I can see Emmy’s lips part slightly as she watches.
She’s mesmerising. Her hair is in soft waves around her collarbone, her shoulders bare aside from the fine straps of her dress. Is it black or navy? Hard to tell. She’s fidgeting slightly on her stool and as I watch, she turns as a new suitor approaches.
I recognise Lazlo the second he ambles into shot and I grit my teeth. Not him, Em. Anyone but him. I’m already dubious about his status as a member and now he’s sizing her up like a horse in a stable. I can already see the cogs turning in his little brain. She’s new, she’s fresh – he’ll be desperate to break her in.
I watch as he leans in to kiss her cheek, clearly introducing himself, and she gives him a polite smile. They make small talk for a moment and then he moves almost imperceptibly closer. Emmy’s posture stiffens a fraction and it’s all the ammunition I need. I pocket my phone and stride out of the office, breathing heavily through my nose as I head down the stairs to the main floor.
By the time I near the bar, he’s running his knuckles down her upper arm, ignoring the very obvious ‘fuck off’ that’s all over Emmy’s body language. I don’t hear the first part of what he’s saying to her but the words “on your knees” are clear as I arrive abruptly in front of them.
“Emmy,” I say as her mouth pops open in surprise. Lazlo takes a micro step back and clenches his jaw. “Lazlo.” I give him a curt nod but don’t look at him. My gaze is fixed upon her face.
“Luke,” greets Lazlo in a flat voice.
“I need a chat with Emmy here,” I continue, without taking my eyes off her. “Perhaps you’d like to grab a seat up front?”
“Emmy and I were just becoming better acquainted,” he replies, through gritted teeth.
“I don’t think so,” I say, dismissing him with a wave of my hand. Emmy raises an eyebrow and one side of her mouth quirks up. Lazlo visibly bristles in the corner of my eye, muttering something I can’t hear. But he does slink away, leaving me alone with the woman who’s been plaguing my every thought for weeks.
“What are you doing Luke?” she asks, her brow still raised, as she gives me an appraising look. I’m in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and I notice her pupils blow slightly wider as she looks me up and down.
“That guy’s a snake. He shouldn’t even have membership,” I reply tersely, casting a glare over at his retreating form.
“Good to know,” she replies evenly. “Thanks for looking out for me, but I don’t need a babysitter. If it’s not ok that I’m here, I’ll go.” She reaches for her bag as I put out a hand on her arm to stop her from moving. The contact between us is instantly electric and she looks at my fingers splayed across her skin.
“Emmy, please.” Her gaze flicks up, first landing on my mouth and quickly reverting to my eyes. A small thrill runs through me that I have no right to feel.
“What do you want, Luke?” Her eyes are soft but her question hits me like a brick.
Those five words sum up everything I’ve been wrestling with since that fateful night in Soho when Emmy told us she was now single. She’s right; I’ve defined her by other men for most of her life. Nick’s little sister. Colin’s wife. All of which kept things safe between us, because she was never available. She was never an option. Until now.
Nick’s going to fucking kill me.
The thought flashes through my head like lightning – sharp, inevitable, gone in a heartbeat. I promised myself I’d just look out for her. But the idea of anyone else touching her, anyone else unravelling her, turns my stomach.
I can’t let that happen. I can’t let someone else show her this world, not when I know how good I can make it for her. I actually care about her, unlike any of these strangers. I could unfurl every stunning petal and show her everything her body is capable of. I could keep hersafe. Arguably this is the right thing to do. Better me than some fucking arsehole with a trust fund and a worn copy of50 Shades of Grey.
A darker thought settles in me: Emmy Warner could bemine. Even if just temporarily, while she finds herself.
Fuck it. I step closer, reaching out to cup her jaw, my thumb grazing her cheek. Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans into my touch, just a fraction. An unspoken invitation. Something inside me snaps.
I can’t stop this any more than I can stop a wave from hitting the shore.
