My body shivers in fear and I back away, practically sitting on Mia’s lap. “John, I told you I wasn’t interested. Now, if you don’t want me to call the police, I suggest you leave. Now.” I try to infuse as much steel into my voice as I can, so maybe he will get the hint.
He gets an angry look in his eyes, not liking me talking to him that way. I don’t know why I ever thought I could handle this on my own. “Ya, I don’t think so. You're coming with me.”
He goes to grab me and before I can scream, a hand grabs him, holding his arm behind his back, making us suck in a deep breath. Standing before us is none other than Alexander with a very pissed off look on his face, holding John back. Behind him are Landon, Tyler and Lincoln. “She’s not going anywhere with you mother fucker. I suggest if you want to walk out of here on both your feet, you need to leave now while you still can.” He shoves him at the security that has run over, taking him outside.
My body is trembling so badly right now. I just want to hide right now. The overwhelming fear I felt when John made a grab for me will stay with me forever. I can no longer ignore this. I have to do something. All the girls get up, surrounding me while I let go and cry in their arms.
Everleigh pulls back, holding my hands in hers. “Do you want to come stay with me tonight? I don't think you should be alone and tomorrow we can go to the police station? I think it’s time you get that restraining order.”
Before I can say anything, Alexander steps up beside me and takes my hand, making me suck in a deep breath at the contact. “That’s unnecessary. I will take care of her from now on.”
Nope, not going to happen. I appreciate him stepping in when he did, but I can’t let him do this. Before I can even protest that thought, he has me up in his arms, striding through the crowd. I don’t appreciate being manhandled like that in front of everyone and glare up at him. He strides right out of the club without a care in the world, holding me tight in his arms as if I weigh nothing more than a feather.
“Put me down Alexander.” I growl at him as he strides to a big black truck that’s parked in the back of the club.
He looks down at me with a smile on his face. “I think the fuck not, baby. I finally have you in my arms where you belong.”
I’m struck speechless right now. So speechless, in fact, he has time to stride to his truck, open the door and deposit me inside before my brain has time to catch up to me. He closes my door and I watch him round the front, looking everywhere to make sure there is no danger. He gets in and starts the engine. The smell in the truck's cab is doing things to me.
I snap my seatbelt into place as he roars out of the parking lot. “What’s your address, Selene?” His hands grip the steering wheel so tight his knuckles are turning white.
I look towards the side of his face and the lights from the cab make him look like an avenging angel. I mumble out my address and fold my arms around my middle, my body still shaking with what went down tonight, not fully understanding the situation I’ve found myself in. Before I know it, we are pulling up to my little house I rent. It’s not much, but it's home for now until I find what I’m looking for. The truck door being open brings me out of my musings. Alexander is standing there with his hand out. I place my hand in his as he helps me down. My body races with shivers at the brief touch.
Without a word, I walk in front of him, digging out my keys and opening my front door, just wanting to lie in bed and forget any of this happened for just a little while. I step into my house and before I get to tell him thank you and good night; he walks inside closing my door.
“Go pack a bag, Selene. Enough for a few days.” He walks in the living room, having a seat on my couch as if this is an everyday thing. Which let me tell you, it’s not. Having Alex in my house is too much for me to handle. With the way this night is going, I’m liable to tell him I want his babies.
I rub my head, feeling the beginning of a migraine coming on. “What are you talking about, Mr. Wade? Why would I have to pack a bag? All I want to do is lay down and forget this all happened. I appreciate you helping me, but I just want to go to bed.”
He gets off the couch and walks my way with a predatory look on his face. I have to crane my neck back just to look at him. He’s over 6 foot 4 and me, well, being on the short side of 5 foot 3, it's a long way up. Even with my heels on, I hardly reach his chest.
He pushes my hair behind my ears, letting his touch linger. “It’s Alexander to you. And until we go to the police station and this fucker is charged and in jail, you’re staying with me. You aren’t safe here. And baby, there’s no point in arguing with me. I always get what I want.” He has a smug, satisfied smile on his face that I’m not sure I want to kiss or smack.
Who am I kidding? It's always going to be a kiss, but he doesn’t need to know that, so I plant my hands on my hips, ready to go to battle with him. “I’m not staying with you, Mr. Wade, and that’s final.” His nose flares at my use of his last name and I give him a satisfied smile, making his eyes narrow.
Before I know it, I’m up in his arms yet again and thrown over his shoulder while he strides down the hall towards the bedrooms. My bedroom door is wide open, so he has no problems finding it. He deposits me on the bed, making me bounce a little. I swat my hair out of my face, giving him a glare.
He has a satisfied smile on his face. “Fine, you don’t want to pack. I'll do it for you.”
He strides to my closet, finding a suitcase in the back, and starts throwing random things in there. I swear I see him throw a ball gown in there. Good lord. I hop off the bed and race to my closet. I throw my hands up in the air at him, stopping him from throwing more evening wear in there. “Okay fine, you win, okay. I’ll stay with you on one condition: you let me pay my own way at least until this is all over and I’m out of your hair.” Jesus, I hope I’m not making a mistake agreeing to this. I just have to hold out until this is all over.
He’s already shaking his head no. I throw my hand up, stopping whatever he was going to argue next. “That’s the deal Alexander. Take it or leave it.” My arms are crossed and my foot taps. I don’t take charity and if I’m staying at his place, then I will pay my way.
He’s looking into my eyes and the moment he sees I’m serious, he relents. “Fine.” He grits out. Probably not used to people telling him what to do. But too bad.
I look down at my suitcase and groan, pulling out everything he threw in there. “Really, an evening gown. What was I going to do with that?”
He shrugs his shoulders, giving me a smile. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Twenty minutes later I’m changed and I have everything I need packed for a week, including my laptop for work and now I’m second guessing staying with him. Being in love with him, I don’t think it’s a good idea staying with him. Honestly, I’m liable to say something I can’t take back. I mean, look at the last time I tried to have a conversation with him. I spewed my coffee all over him and told him I was washing my plants when he asked me to dinner. It wasn’t my finest moment. He probably thinks I’m spastic now that he had time to think about it. Maybe I should just get a hotel room until this all blows over. With that plan in place, I roll my suitcase into the living room. Just as I walk in, I see him end a call, shoving his phone in his pocket.
He steps towards me, pushing a piece of hair behind my ear. “Are you ready to go?”
“I was thinking maybe you could just drop me off at a hotel.” I don’t meet his eyes, not wanting to see his reaction. But maybe I should have because I probably would have seen the determination there. Before I know what’s happening, I'm once again over his shoulder as he strides towards my front door.
This is getting old real fast. I mean, really, my ass is sticking up in the air for all to see. “Alexander Wade, put me down this instance.” He has my suitcase in his hand and grabs my purse and keys before striding out the door and locking it behind him.
“Not a chance in hell, and I already told you I have you right where you belong.” He opens the truck door and throws my case in the back and puts me in my seat.
