Axel
We arrived at the restaurant about five minutes later. We didn’t have far to go; both hotel and restaurant were in the exclusive part of the city.
I struggled to concentrate on keeping an eye out for danger with Chloe sitting next to me in the car, chatting away. Although it pained me I had to ignore her, I knew I had to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
As we left the hotel I had caught a brief glimpse of a few shady figures in a black, nondescript saloon parked on the side of the road near the hotel. I had a feeling in my gut that something wasn’t right, that they were watching. Their car didn’t follow us, however.
I managed to get past the security on the door of the restaurant, surprised to find one of the bouncers was bigger than me. He was fucking huge, around 6’ 8”, dark-skinned and mean looking.
I wasn’t scared of him at all. I knew I would be much quicker than him, that his huge frame would be difficult to manoeuvre in a close fight.
As we entered the restaurant we were ushered straight through, and taken to a table at the back of the restaurant, one of few on a raised platform. It was almost in a closed off booth, but the walls didn’t extend all the way around the table. It would be easy to keep an eye on the girls. I relaxed a little.
I took the girls to their table, which gave me a chance to look at the diners on the nearby tables as I approached the platform.
One table had a middle aged couple, drinking champagne and staring lovingly at each other. They didn’t even notice us approach. Another table was empty, but had a gold-embossed “Reserved” placard on it.
The last table had what looked like an American family seated around it, chatting noisily and sharing from large plates of expensive food arrayed haphazardly on the table. There were about eight of them, chatting away happily. A lady who I guessed was the mother, seated at the centre of the table, caught my gaze and smiled at me warmly. I nodded back.
No trouble, here then. Yet. Depends on who’s going to turn up on table number four.
I left the girls to their table, with Chloe gazing longingly at me as I turned to walk away. I’d decided that it would be better if I kept a low profile. On the left of the restaurant as we entered was a long, ornate bar which stretched halfway down the building. I walked through the restaurant, surveying the patrons seated on the less glamourous, yet still expensive looking tables on the main dining floor. None struck me as dangerous. The only threat here was from rich, pretentious men who though they were entitled to any woman they chose.
I saw quite a few that I’d like to punch.
Fucking pricks.
I took a seat at the far end of the bar, turning my seat to face Chloe and the girls at their table. My back was against the wall. I put my feet on the footrest of the stool in front of me. It was surprisingly comfortable. I’d waited in much worse places for much longer, that was for sure.
My solitude was cut short as a smartly dressed and very professional barman approached me quietly. “What would you like, sir?” he asked me, with just a hint of a French accent.
“I’ll take a whiskey on the… with ice.” I paused to survey the vast array of whiskey that was lined up behind the barman. “A nice one. Not too expensive, not too cheap.”
“Ah American, yes?” The barman said, looking surprised. “I thought you were English. You look like a… like a big James Bond! No?” He smiled at me before turning to select a bottle of whiskey from the selection behind him.
“Thanks. I guess.” I didn’t really know if it was a compliment, or just a bit of French humour.
A large whiskey was placed in front of me in a fancy tumbler. “Here you go, sir.” The barman left me to my drink as he went to attend to a middle aged guy who’d taken a seat further down the bar.
I leant back against the wall, taking a large gulp of whiskey. I grunted in pleasure at the taste, and the gentle burn as it went down.
Nothing remotely interesting happened for the next half hour. I nursed my whiskey, knowing I might have to stretch two or three drinks out over the evening. I kept a nonchalant pose, trying to stay still and fade into the background.
I wasn’t paid much attention, apart from the wistful looks sent my way by a few older women sat on a table nearby. I ignored them.
I tried not to look at Chloe too often, her beauty standing out in the middle of her two friends. She looked she was enjoying herself immensely. Even her friends seemed to have loosened up, and they were chatting away, joking and laughing.
A short while later I ordered my second whiskey. As I did so, I saw a group of young men enter the restaurant. They walked toward the raised platform at the back of the restaurant, looking snottily down at the various diners seated at the lower tables as they did so.
There were five of them, and they all looked sleazy and arrogant. They were dressed in a similar fashion, tight shirts or t shirts, most with skinny jeans and huge watches on their wrists. Two were wearing sunglasses.
One had an all too revealing V neck t shirt. I shuddered inwardly.
Guess that’s what passes for fashion, these days. Money just can’t buy you class.
All five of them ogled the three girls as they approached their table. Jess smiled back. Amber pouted. Chloe looked pissed off.
I sensed trouble. These guys had noticed the three young and pretty girls, and would probably harass them given half a chance. Jess and Amber would likely give them more than half a chance, I suspected.
The five douches took seats around the table. Mr. V Neck sat in the middle, looking like he might be the ring leader. He didn’t take his large, gold framed sunglass off. I disliked him even more.
I didn’t think they were any danger. I could take them all down in a matter of seconds, before anyone even knew what had hit them.
But I didn’t want any of them going near Chloe. She was mine.
I had given into the second resurgence of my libido. It had risen like a runaway train and there was no chance of repressing it again. My desire for Chloe was burgeoning, and after days of questioning myself, I was now damn sure she wanted me too.
Any of those guys so much as touches her, they’ll be going home in a fucking ambulance.
Nothing happened for a while; the guys seeming to lose interest in anything other than the expensive drinks that they had rudely ordered. I felt sorry for the young waitress serving them. She looked flushed at what were likely a few lewd comments from the guys, though I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
As the drinks continued to flow, their brash voices raised in volume as they tried to speak over each other. The middle aged couple decided to leave, their meals finished.
The American family looked like they were getting pissed off at the noise. They were being a little loud themselves, but were respectful and weren’t disturbing anyone else.
I saw the mother approach the young guys at the table, speaking to them. I guessed she was asking for a little peace and quiet while her family finished their meal. Some of her kids were quite young, and probably a little too sensitive to what I could guess their conversations were about.
The guy in the V Neck said something, gesturing angrily. His four sycophants laughed at the woman.
I barely resisted the urge to go and punch him, right in his stupid sunglasses.
The massive doorman strode slowly up to the table, glaring at the five. He said something quietly and gestured towards the door.
Last warning, I guess. Bet they won’t say a fucking word now.
I was right at my measure of their character, as they suddenly turned into sheepish boys. The woman returned to her table, scolding all five young men as she did so.
Damn, she’s got balls.
The bouncer returned to the door, making an “I’m watching you” gesture with his hand as he turned away.
I’m watching them too. And I guess there won’t be too much complaint if I throw one or two out. Literally.
The family left a little while later. The guys resumed their loud banter. The pack leader gestured rudely at a passing waitress, and said something, pointing to the table the three girls were at.
Chloe, Jess and Amber had finished their meals. The waitress returned with an expensive looking bottle of champagne. Amber and Jess beamed, winking at each other. Chloe reluctantly took a glass from the girls as they poured from the bottle.
Chloe
Jess and Amber were loving the attention. The five guys that had arrived a while ago had stared lewdly at us as they’d approached their table. They looked disgusting, pretentious and cocky. I hated them as soon as I’d seen them.
I looked over at Axel sitting at the bar, a pleading look in my eyes. He was staring at the guys’ table to my left. I couldn’t quite make out his expression from where I was, but he didn’t look happy. At all.
He turned to look at me, trying to read my expression from where he was. He nodded at me. I smiled, relieved.
“Really, you two?” I looked at my friends in turn. “Haven’t you had enough male attention for a week? Also, how are you going to handle five of them?” I asked, exasperated. I hadn’t come to one of the nicest restaurants in Paris to get chatted up by some sleazy idiots.
“Oh, we can handle five. Or four, if you want to help us out…” Amber said, her voice low.
Jess poked me in the ribs. “You need a good seeing to. Might mean you stop staring at him.” She gestured towards Axel. I looked at him longingly.
I sighed. “No, I’m not letting some disgusting sleazy douche put his hands all over me.”
I wanted a man. A big, strong man who knew what he was doing. Who could look after me…
“Whatever. We’re inviting them over.” Amber got up, adjusting her dress. She walked slowly over to their table. From where I sat, I could see her butt peeking out as she leant on the table, her head probably on her hands. Giving the boys an eyeful, no doubt. I heard boisterous laughter and a few lewd compliments.
Get me out of here, now. This is going to be awful. If one of them so much as touches me, I hope Axel breaks his hand.
Amber returned, the five guys in tow. “Ok so this my friend Jess…” she poked a finger at Jess.
“And my other friend, Chloe. She hasn’t had it in a while.” One of the guys, wearing a low V neck t shirt, whispered something in another’s ears, loud enough for all his friends to hear. They all laughed.
I frowned at them.
“Pleased to you meet you, ladies. What a nice surprise to find three beautiful young women so near our table. Let’s get some drinks, shall we?”
The guy in the V neck was clearly the ringleader. He had an odd accent, a mix of French, British and American. He was trying to sound like he had class, but just came across as a sleazebag.
Amber scooched in next to me. Jess stood up to let the douche in, who slid round to sit next to me, all too close. I could smell alcohol and aftershave, which he had obviously applied liberally. I took a large gulp of champagne. I wanted to be anywhere else, and felt really uncomfortable all of a sudden.
“Hey, Chloe. I’m Jordan.” He held out a manicured, spindly hand. I shook it as quickly as I could.
“Hi. Look, don’t listen to my friends. I’m not looking for anything I’m afraid. I’m just here to have a quiet evening.” I said, hoping he would get the message.
“Oh, we’ll see about that!” He winked at me. I shuddered.
“A few more drinks and I bet she’ll be well up for it!” his equally disgusting friend said, in a strong British accent.
So much for the stereotypical British Gentleman.
“Excuse me?” I said, incredulous. These guys were the worst; arrogant and gross.
“Don’t worry love. I’m just pulling yer leg.” He smiled crookedly, revealing bad nicotine stained teeth.
I was fuming. One of the guys ordered a few more bottles of champagne. Crude conversation surrounded me. Jordan tried to chat me up. I wasn’t interested, and tried my best to ignore him. He didn’t get the message.
A while later I felt a hand on my thigh. I looked at Jordan to find him grinning at me. His hands were small, feminine. His muscles were out of proportion to his skinny body. He had a poor attempt at a beard growing in his childish face.
I pushed his hand away in disgust, rising to my feet. “I’m going to the bathroom,” I said, annoyed.
Jess and Amber chimed in, almost in unison. “We’ll join you. Won’t keep you waiting too long, boys.” They were having the time of their lives.
I hurried to the bathroom, the girls behind me. I was tempted to go and get Axel, but I knew it would piss the girls off. I considered leaving them in the restaurant.
“What’s your problem, Chloe?” Jess said as she followed me into the bathroom. “They’re just being nice. Why can’t you lighten up for once?”
Amber had her arms folded, and looked annoyed at me. “He’s nice. And I bet he’s damn rich as well. Why don’t you give him a chance?”
“Because he won’t take no for an answer, that's why!” I said, exasperated. “You think he’s going to let me go back to my room alone? When you’re taking one or two back with you each? You're disgusting, sometimes.”
“Whoa. Hold on there.” Jess held her hand up. “Don't be annoyed at us because we like having fun. It’s not our fault you’re a stuck up bitch!”
I was stunned. These two girls had shown their true colours, and I hated what I saw. I felt like I’d been wrong about them actually being decent-hearted people. I sighed, almost feeling sorry for the two shallow girls, and left the bathroom. I was going to tell Jordan in no uncertain terms where he could shove it. And then I was going to leave.
Axel
My hand froze, my whiskey glass halfway to my mouth. A few minutes ago I’d seen the leader of the douches scoot in next to Chloe, leering at her. She looked disgusted. I’d tried to shrug of the feeling of jealousy building in my mind, only to find my heart beating faster and my hands clenching.
She’s mine, damn you.
I tried to calm down, fearing I would crack the whiskey glass. I took a measured gulp, my hands shaking. I drained the glass.
“Would you like another sir?” The barman was there. I looked at him, my eyes burning with poorly controlled anger, my face hard, a visage of rage combined years of suppressed emotion rising to the surface.
He stepped back with fear in his eyes, and went to the other end of the bar, finding an area that was in good need of a clean all of a sudden.
I looked back at the group, tunnel vision setting in. I froze for a while, waiting for an excuse to approach the men.
Give me a fucking reason. Now. Do it.
A long minute later Chloe and the other girls rose, with Chloe rushing off to the bathroom. She looked pissed. Amber and Jess hurried after her, looking equally annoyed, but at Chloe.
I looked back at the guys at the table. The leader of the group had a bottle of champagne in his hands, laughing. He was rummaging around in his right pocket for something. He looked around at the others and two of them leant over in a poor attempt to obscure what he was doing.
I saw him put something into Chloe’s glass. He filled it up with champagne that fizzed a little too vigorously.
I was on my feet in an instant, striding across the restaurant to their table. I was there in a few seconds, my long strides driven by rage.
I got to the table, fixing the leader of the group with a cold stare.
“We’re ok thanks, waiter. Just got some champagne, see?” He smiled at me patronisingly. He waved the half full bottle at me, leaning forward. “So you can go away now.”
I leant over the table, smashing the bottle out of his grip with one strong backhanded slap from my left hand. The bottle flew at his friend, breaking on his chest. Sharp glass shattered. Both guys shouted in pain and surprise.
I didn’t even feel the impact through my hand, fury and adrenaline rendering me immune to pain.
“What the fu…” One of his friends had risen to his right, the largest of the five, in a vain attempt to confront me. I swung on my hips, sending a vicious right backhanded punch that connected with the side of his face, without even taking my gaze from the guy who’d spiked Chloe’s drink. The guy I’d hit flew backwards through the air, landing at Chloe’s feet. She stood there, shocked.
“As for you, you piece of fucking shit!” I said, leaning across the table. “You’re fucking dead!”
I grabbed him by his neck, my muscles bulging as I dragged him across the table. I lifted him into the air, his legs dangling like a rag doll.
I punched him savagely in the gut with my bunched left fist as he hung there, knocking all the air out of him. Chloe was next to me all of a sudden, her hand on my arm.
“Axel,” she said, softly. I looked down at her as she held onto my arm, which I’d drawn back for another brutal punch.
As soon as I saw Chloe’s face my cloud of rage lifted. I relaxed my left arm. I realised I was still holding the guy by his neck. He was choking. I dropped him to the floor.
Jess and Amber had arrived late, and looked shocked. “What the fuck are you doing!” Jess screamed. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at us.
The two bouncers had also approached. They were standing a distance away from me, neither wanting to come near.
“These pieces of shit,” I said, my voice calmer, “needed to be taught a lesson. A lesson in fucking pain.” I pointed to the guy on the floor in front of me. “Look in his right pocket.”
His friend behind me had suddenly become brave, now the bouncers were here.
“You can’t search him, mate! You ain’t the police!” I turned to face him, poking a hard finger in his chest.
“Sit. The. Fuck. Down.” I said, accentuating each word with a hard poke to the chest. He obeyed, his face draining of color.
The big bouncer was rummaging around in the guy’s pocket, struggling with his massive hands. He froze, frowning.
He removed a small bag of white powder, which looked tiny in his huge hands.
He looked up at me, eyebrows raised. I turned around to grab Chloe’s glass, and showed it to him close up. A trace of sediment was still visible at the bottom of the champagne flute, slowly dissolving.
The bouncer’s face set hard, angry. “You are fucking scum,” he said, in a deep low voice, heavily accented in French.
The guy was escorted, or rather carried, out towards the back entrance of the restaurant by the big bouncer, disappearing out of sight. I suspected his punishment was not yet over.
I turned to face his friends. “I suggest you all fuck off. Before I get angry again.”
The other bouncer, roughly the same size as me, punched his fist into his hand. The four left swiftly, gathering their semi conscious friend from the floor as they left in a hurry.
I looked at the bouncer. He nodded at me, escorting the foursome towards the front entrance.
“I don’t know what that was about. You fucking psycho,” Amber spat. I grinned at her fiercely.
“We’re leaving. You coming, Chloe?”
Chloe was still holding onto my arm, her grip tight.
“Just fuck off. I’ve had enough of you two. You’re nothing but trouble,” Chloe said, waving towards the front entrance.
That’s the way, beautiful.
I gave them both a menacing look. They huffed derisively and turned towards the door, walking away with arms locked.
Chloe sighed at my side, leaning against my muscled shoulder. I felt her warmth seeping through my suit. I suddenly felt aroused, my fading anger swiftly turning into a burning desire for sex.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said. I put my arm around her waist, pulling her in towards me.
I felt her hand grab my ass through the pants of my suit.
Well, guess I ain’t wrong. She wants me.