Mum eyed me warily while Kenz’s eyes raked unashamedly up and down my body. I felt myself cringe under the scrutiny. I hated people looking at me. It was part of the reason I didn’t get dressed up. Part of the reason I didn’t go out.
Shaking off the strange look that had covered her face, she said, “Yep.”
“Care to enlighten me?”
“Maybe. But let’s go. I’m guessing there’s a particular club you’d like to visit tonight?” Kenz winked at me and I poked my tongue out at her. She knew exactly where we were headed. There was no need to ask.
“Not specifically,” I lied blatantly. Two could play at this game.
“Fine. Be like that.”
“Let’s go.”
Mum kissed my cheek softly. “Have a good night, girls. Be safe.”
“Always,” I promised as I wrapped my arm around her and hugged her tightly.
Sliding into the front seat of Kenz’s car, I straightened my top and tugged it down, suddenly regretting my wardrobe choice. When I’d put it together I’d felt confident, sexy even. Now I couldn’t help but think I looked trashy and slutty.
“Stop!”
“Stop what?”
“You look amazing, Mia. Derek’s a lucky guy.”
By the time we pulled into a suspiciously empty parking spot just opposite the club, I thought I was going to be sick. I’d experienced butterflies in my stomach before, but this was beyond freaking ridiculous. Instead of being filled with nervous excitement, I was shivering with unadulterated terror. It was bullshit. I hated it.
Glancing over, I could see two intimidating figures blocking the narrow door. Two hulking figures in black. I should have been wary, but their presence incited a sense of calm to wash over me. I hadn’t replied to Derek, to let him know I was coming. The truth was even now, sitting across from the club, I wasn’t sure I was going inside. I didn’t know if I could.
“Mia, I know you’re not sure if you can do this, but you’ve come so far. It’s time to take the final steps. Derek’s a good guy. Take them with him.”
I gave myself whiplash as I turned to look at her. Where the fuck had that come from? And more importantly, how could she possibly know if Derek was one of the good guys or one of the assholes? She barely knew him. Fuck, I barely knew him.
“Don’t look at me like that. You know I’m right. When was the last time you were the one to suggest going out?”
“Ummm…”
“Exactly. He’s good for you. Just let it happen. Whatever it is, just let it.”
“I-I-don’t…”
Before I had a chance to object she was out of the car and standing at my door. Sucking in a deep breath, I counted to ten as I exhaled again before I mentally hitched up my big girl panties and climbed out. Without giving me a chance to chicken out, Kenz threaded my fingers through hers and led me across the street towards the door.
I’d been expecting to see Derek standing there with a bored, intimidating, and serious expression on his face, but it wasn’t him. Instead it was two guys I’d never seen before and hoped I never did again. Their black polo shirts pulled across their massive barrel chests and clung to their biceps like a second skin. The one closest to me checked my ID and nodded me past. I caught a glimpse of a deep, dark tattoo winding its way down his arm, making him seem even scarier. Kenz dragged me inside. When a shot glass was placed into my trembling fingers, I determined to focus on the task at hand. I was here to have a good time with my friend. And if I was lucky, catch a glimpse of the man who haunted my dreams and invaded my fantasies.
“Cheers!” Kenz squealed loudly, clinking her glass against mine, causing a few splashes of the clear liquid to overflow and trickle down between my fingers. Without thinking, I licked the sticky liquid from my drenched digits when I heard a groan so close to my ear. I felt the warmth against my neck.
Closing my eyes, I tipped the glass up and poured the shot down my throat. It burnt the whole way down. It was the burn I needed. Breathing out, I turned to face the warm body pressed closely against my elbow. So very close.
“You look good, Tinkerbell.”
His voice was deep and raspy.
His eyes were ablaze with something I hadn’t seen before.
His shirt looked like it had been painted on. Painted by a very talented, very lucky artist.
“Thanks,” I replied automatically, feeling my heart race inside my chest.
