Chapter Six
“Here is a toast that all men suck, and all us girls have to stick together no matter what,” Freya said, holding up her cocktail.
Lucy clinked her glass against hers.
“Can I say that not all men suck? My husband is very nice, thank you, but I do agree, us girls need to stick together,” Sophia said, clinking her lemonade against their cocktails.
“You know being in love has made you soft.” Freya smiled at her friend.
“You should try it sometime. You never know what you’re missing.”
Freya rolled her eyes, and glanced over at Lucy to see her looking out on the dance floor.
“I’m starting to think that some of us are destined to be lonely and miserable,” Lucy said.
“You had a couple of bad dates. Those website things are not that great.” Sophia reached across the booth and took Lucy’s hand.
“They can be really accurate,” Lucy said. “They promise you love ever after.”
“It’s only accurate if you put in the correct data to match up. Believe me, that doesn’t make it so. I could put in that I’m an awesome cook, I love the country, and the smell of cow dung feels like home.”
Sophia burst out laughing. “And she’d be wrong. At least two of them are wrong.”
They were all giggling, and Freya relaxed a little as she saw Lucy slowly coming out of herself.
“I’ve been thinking I should have plastic surgery,” Lucy said, shocking Freya.
“No!” This came from Sophia.
“Absolutely not. You do not have to alter yourself for a man. I refuse to allow you to do that,” Freya said, pulling her friend tightly against her. “What have I told you that you’re perfect the way you are, and one day, there’s going to be a man that Sophia and I will vet for you. If he passes all of the factors that make him perfect for you, you’re allowed to have him.”
Lucy chuckled. “Fine, fine. You can keep bossing me around.”
“Damn straight. Now finish your cocktails, and let’s get this party started. I want to dance.”
They finished their drinks, left their booth, and headed onto the floor. There was a dance theme that Freya had never heard before, but she threw her hands up in the air, shook her ass, and gave herself over to the music.
She really needed to get lost for a few minutes or a couple of hours. Being around Jared was … confusing. She had spent so long trying to keep him at arm’s length to prove to herself she no longer had a crush on him, but the truth was, it was driving her crazy.
They had gone to the apartment this evening and collected the last of her things because she did want to move in with him full-time.
Other than at the poolside, and the occasional touch, he only spent time with her. Had he lost interest in her? What had she done wrong?
She could kick herself for her own self-doubt. Nothing was wrong. She was going to have to be the one to make the first move, and that was a scary feeling. She didn’t want to make the first move as she liked being chased by him.
Just dance.
Forget about tonight and any other night.
When a guy wrapped his arm around her waist, she shoved him back, making it clear that she was not to be danced with.
“I love you guys,” Lucy said. “This is so what I needed right now.”
Freya took Sophia and Lucy’s hands, and they formed their own circle. For the next hour they didn’t leave the dance floor, and just danced.
When Lucy needed to use the bathroom, Sophia went with her while Freya ordered their drinks. While she was waiting to be served, she felt him close. Turning her head, she saw Jared standing directly behind her. “I thought we were allowed to party?”
“You are. I didn’t say I wouldn’t like to be here.” He moved in behind her, and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Are you having a good night?”
Her body went complete haywire. She couldn’t think. Her pussy was on fire, and she wanted him. Dammit. This was not what tonight was about.
“I’m here with Alfie and a friend. His name’s Stefan. He’s a friend of ours, and we thought we’d keep an eye on you girls while you party. Anyone else touches you, and I’ll break their arm.”
Freya smiled. He was watching her, and she liked that.
“Here you go, honey.” The barman interrupted, handing her the three drinks she’d ordered. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Sophia and Lucy. She picked up her drinks, and turned. Quickly planting a kiss on Jared’s lips, she smiled.
“Have a nice night.” She found a clear booth and put their drinks on the table.
“Did I see you kiss our boss?” Lucy asked, dropping down into a seat.
“Yep, you did. Jared and Freya have a thing.”
“He’s older than you.”
“I know. Is this going to be weird?”
“Not at all. It kind of confirms what I already know.”
“What’s that?” Freya asked, tensing up.
“It’s nothing bad. It’s always been the way he looks at you. If you’re worried about his feelings for you believe me, you don’t have to worry at all. Jared is in love with you. Anyone with eyes can see it. He’s always watching you. The look on his face I’d say only happens on a man who is in love with his woman. You’re very lucky.”
Freya smiled. “Thank you.”
“She doesn’t believe you,” Sophia said. “Men and Freya, they have not had a very good relationship with each other.”
Freya rolled her eyes once again. “My mom dated cheating assholes. I’ve got hang-ups. I’ll get over it.”
“While you’ve got a very hot guy willing to do anything for you,” Sophia said.
She took a sip of her cocktail and glanced across the dance floor. Jared and Alfie were there with Stefan, she assumed.
“Come on, let’s go dance, and no more boy conversation. I don’t want to talk about it. It has been too long since we danced. Come on.”
****
Jared watched as Freya let loose with her friends. She swung her hips and threw her head from side to side. Her dancing was awful, but it was about the freedom of movement. She was trying to deal with whatever problems she thought she had.
“Is that your woman?” Stefan asked.
Jared had not seen Stefan in a couple of years. His friend had married a gold-digger, and that had resulted in a very messy divorce. Fortunately, no children were involved, as otherwise it would have been a lot worse.
“The one with the blue hair? Yep, that’s mine.”
“And the one on her right is mine,” Alfie said.
“What about the one on the left?” Stefan asked. “She’s beautiful.”
Jared glanced over. “That’s Lucy. She works in my building.”
“Okay, gentlemen, I don’t mean to cut the evening short, but I want to talk to that woman, and get her number.”
Alfie and Jared both held their hands up. “Just back off a second,” Alfie said.
“What’s the problem?” Stefan asked.
“First, that woman is friends with our women, which means if you hurt Lucy, they’re going to be upset. I’m not having anyone upset Freya.”
“Or Sophia.”
Stefan chuckled. “I don’t even live in the city. I didn’t say I was going to take her ’round back and fuck her. I wanted her number. I’m moving back, but…” He looked out onto the dance floor. “I want to get to know her, talk to her, find out what makes that smile slip just a little bit.”
The interest in Stefan’s eyes was real.
He looked toward Alfie.
“That’s good enough for me, and I want to go hold my wife.”
Before he could stop him, Alfie was gone.
“Don’t hurt her,” Jared said.
“I won’t, Jared. I’ve spent a couple of years learning to recognize a bitch when I see one. That woman isn’t one. I just want to dance, talk—I can’t describe this feeling, but when I can, I’ll let you know.”
Climbing out of the booth, Jared followed his friend across the dance floor. Wrapping his arm around Freya, he watched as Stefan approached her friend.
“Keep those claws away, he just wants to talk to her,” Jared said, whispering against her ear.
“I thought this was supposed to be a girls’ night.”
“It was for a little while, and then I wanted to make sure myself that you were okay.”
“You had someone here?” she asked.
“To keep an eye on you. Nightclubs are all well and good, but there can be a lot of bad people out there. I want to make sure you’re safe. Do you really think Alfie allowed Sophia out alone without someone watching her?” His friend was obsessed with Sophia, just like he was with Freya.
“You’re right. It was wishful thinking, but I don’t mind.” She rested her head back against his chest. “I missed you.” She placed her hands over his, and they danced, slowly. He kissed her neck, and breathed in her scent. His cock hardened, and she tensed a little in his arms.
He thought she was going to pull away from him. Instead, she spun around in his arms. “You have not acted the way I thought you would.”
“I’ve not?”
“No. I’m living with you. I spend every second of the day with you, or nearly every second. After you touched me at the pool, nothing. What’s going on, Jared?”
“Nothing is going on.” He placed a hand at the base of her back, drawing her closer. “Some things are to be savored, enjoyed, and to take your time until they’re ready.”
“Do you love me?” she asked. “I’m being serious here. Proper, all-consuming love?”
“Yes.” He didn’t even blink as he told her.
He saw he’d shocked her.
“No one ever said that to my mom,” she said. “You love me?”
Jared chuckled. “Yes, I love you, Freya.” He took her hands, and wrapped them around his neck. “And I will always do so. I’m not like most men. I won’t lie. I won’t cheat. I won’t hurt you.” He leaned in close, sucking on the pulse at her neck. “All I ever want you to be is happy.”
She gripped the hairs at the back of his neck. “Can I let you in on a little secret?”
“All the time.”
She laughed. “When I’m with you, I’m always happy.” She pulled away, and pressed a kiss to his lips. This time, her lips were by his ear. “And I’m ready, Jared. I’m ready to belong to you in every single sense of the word.”
When she looked him in the eye, Jared knew she was giving herself to him. He didn’t let her go, but in that moment, everything else faded. All that he saw was Freya, his woman, and soon to be his bride.