It’s like the entire nightclub has fallen silent, all eyes on us as we make our way through the crowd. The music continues to thump in the background, but there’s an undeniable tension in the air. People exchange curious glances, trying to piece together what just happened.
He guides me past the bar and asks, “Do you want anything to drink, bug?”
I lock eyes with the bartender from earlier. “I want to kick that cunt in the teeth.”
“Maybe later,” Aiden grins, kissing me on the forehead. We make our way to the stairs when I spot the prick who groped me.
I don’t even need to tell him; from the way Aiden’s eyes narrow to slits and his jaw clenches, he knows exactly what happened.
“Keith,” he calls out, his voice low and dangerous. A bouncer steps out of the shadows by the stairs. “Take Katie upstairs; I’ll be up in a minute.” The bouncer nods and escorts me away, leaving Aiden glaring at the arsehole a few feet away.
“What’s he going to do?” I turn to the bouncer, noticing his dark hair and muscular build.
“He’s going to have a little chat with him,” he replies with a knowing smirk. “Trust me, he won’t be causing any more trouble tonight.”
“I hope Aiden throttles him,” I mutter under my breath.
Keith holds the door to the office open for me as we make our way inside.
Ok, so office is a serious understatement. It’s more like a luxurious three-bedroom apartment. It’s huge. The thick walls and plush carpet drown out the sound coming from the DJ booth. The dim light is thankfully soft and soothing, something I need right now as I fight off a thumping headache.
“Can I get you anything?” Keith asks, gesturing to the mini fridge and bar in the corner.
“The will to live, if it’s going,” I force a smile, trying to stop my trembling hands and keep some heat in my body. It’s easier said than done when I’m wearing next to nothing. Aiden didn’t even seem to notice the dress. All that effort for nothing.
“I’d offer you my jacket, but I don’t want AJ getting the wrong idea,” Keith remarks, leaning against the wall.
“I doubt he’d care.”
“I’m not willing to bet my neck on that doubt,” he replies, aflicker of anxiety sparks in his dark eyes. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
I hear Aiden before I see him. He roars like a drill sergeant, his voice booming through the hallway. I can tell it’s him; I’d know his voice anywhere, despite never hearing that tone before. He sounds pissed.
The door swings open, and Aiden storms in, his face contorting from pure rage to concern as soon as he claps his eyes on me curled up on the end of the couch. He rushes over, his footsteps heavy and urgent, and kneels beside me. “Bug?”
“I hate Dublin.” I mumble, my voice barely audible.
Aiden’s brows furrow even deeper as he gently places a hand on my arm. “You’re freezing, baby.”
I wouldn’t be this cold if I just stuck with the leggings, but no, I wanted to try and be sexy for him. “You didn’t even notice my dress.” Is it the most childish thing I could say right now? Probably. But it’s the only thing pushing through the anxiety and pain in my head.
“That is the strangest argument you’ve ever picked with me,” Aiden says with a half-smile. “I’d have to be blind to not appreciate how stunning you look in that dress,” he guides my chin up with the tips of his fingers. “But some wanker had his hands all over you, so I was a bit preoccupied with that.”
“Two wankers.”
“I know,” he growls. His knuckles are bruised, and I notice some mild blood spatter on his shirt.
I reach out to touch his bruised knuckles. “That looks sore.”
“It’s not.” He doesn’t even flinch when my fingers brush over the inflamed skin. “I should have hit the prick harder.” His eyes drop to the transparent lace that makes up the tophalf of my dress. “Seriously, what are you wearing?”
I blush and quickly retract my hand. “You don’t like it?”
“Liking it is not the issue here, bug,” he sits back on his heels, pulling me up to stand in front of him. “Turn around.” I slowly turn, hearing his low, throaty growl as he takes in the back of my dress.
Aiden stops me midway, running his fingers along the hem that sits just beneath my rear. His lips press against the medusa tattoo on my thigh. “You’re making it damn near impossible for me to keep my hands off you.” He gets to his full height. In my heels, I’m almost at eye level with him. “Fuck, bug, those legs.” Aiden’s hands slide up my thighs, then slam down on my hips, I’m lifted off the ground, my legs wrapping around his waist. He carries me to the nearest wall, pinning me against it with a hunger in his eyes.
