“I am not a young fool,” Marcus said smoothly. “I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. This was completely unexpected.”
Glancing back and forth between them, Karla finally sighed. “Wow. This is wild. I bet you want to get reacquainted. I’ll go back out and dance. If you’re sure you’re safe with him, Carina?”
“I’ve never been more protected with anyone else,” Carina answered. She didn’t understand how she knew that with ironclad assurance, but she did.
“Allow me to buy you a drink. Give this to Titus. He’s the head bartender. You’ll recognize who that is instantly. He’s popular with the ladies,” Marcus told her and shifted slightly to pull a metal token from his pocket.
Karla walked forward slowly to take it from him. “That’s funny. It looks like a bat. Oh, I get it. Nightfall.”
Without hesitating, Karla addressed Carina bluntly. “I want to speak to you alone.”
“Why? Really, I’m fine, Karla. Go dance.”
“I’m not walking out of here without you,” Karla told her. “Girls’ manifesto. We arrive together. We leave together.”
“I like this friend of yours, Carina. This is a good plan,” Marcus decreed.
“But….” Carina protested.
You will remain with me until Karla is ready to go. Then, I will meet you at your apartment. I will need to stay until the building is clear.
She nodded and then caught Karla’s questioning expression when Carina agreed to something Karla couldn’t hear. Not wishing to explain and not sure she could, Carina covered her action by adding, “You’re right, Karla. I’ll head out with you. Want to message me when you’re heading out?”
“Sure. That works.” Karla’s face relaxed for the first time since that guy had bothered them. “We could meet at this door?”
“You’ll never get back here without a security escort. Talk to anyone in these Nightfall polo shirts. They’ll bring you to us,” Marcus told her.
“That’s you? A security guy?” Karla asked, staring him down.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Karla turned to the female guard still standing in the room with them. “Can I alert you if that guy bothers me again?”
“He’s gone. But definitely notify a Nightfall employee if anyone puts their hands on you without your permission or makes you uncomfortable. I’m Saya. I’ll keep an eye on you.”
“Thanks.” With a meaningful look, Karla wiggled her phone at Carina.
“I’ll message if I need you,” Carina promised. As much as she appreciated her friend’s concern about her safety, Carina craved being alone with Marcus.
“Take notes. I’m going to want to know what happens,” Karla told her.
Chapter
Four
The door clicked behind Karla and Saya, but neither Carina nor Marcus turned. They only had eyes for each other.
Go lock the door, Carina. I won’t share you with anyone.
He lifted her off his lap and turned her toward the door. When she didn’t move quickly, he swatted her derriere. Carina bolted forward, looking over her shoulder back at him. To her astonishment, the sting stoked her excitement. When he encouraged her with a nod, Carina sped forward to do his bidding. Quickly, she flipped the small button on the door and hurried back to the ruggedly handsome man waiting in that regal chair.
Good girl.
His praise sent a thrill through her. Marcus wrapped his hands around her waist, holding Carina in place as he scanned her slowly. Carina stood between his thighs, trying to control her nerves.Please let him be attracted to me!
In high school, she’d overheard a group of classmates describe her as average. Looks, height, weight, intelligence. Nothing distinguished her from any of the other students. They deemed her completely forgettable.
With heat in his gaze, Marcus looked at her as if she were precious and desirable. Carina couldn’t take her eyes off him. The attraction between them was explosive. She wanted this. Whatever this was.
