Chapter 18

Grace

"Stop fidgeting with it." Jenna reached out and pushed my hand away from my top.

"It's too low. Shit." I glanced down to see the tops of my small breasts poking out above the silky green top Jenna forced me to buy that afternoon. "And this skirt makes me feel like a hooker."

"You look beautiful. Stop." She gave me a warning look over her shoulder before walking up to the opening of Kadia.

Nate stood at the door looking like a Greek god, his dark blond hair spiky, his blue eyes filled with life. He filled out his shirt and jeans beautifully, but he wasn't Erik. No one was.

"Wow." He reached for Jenna, pulling her against him and kissing her before turning to face me. His eyebrow lifted. "You look fucking hot, Grace."

"Thanks," I mumbled and moved past him as embarrassment threatened to swallow me whole. Why the hell had I agreed to dress like a tramp and come to a club without Erik? Nothing good could come of it. I could hear Jenna explaining to Nate that I was moody thanks to my new outfit.

"Among other things," I ranted and walked toward the bar. The club was filling up fast, which was good. I hoped to get lost somewhere on the dance floor after toking up on a few shots. If I was going to pretend to have a good time while my heart ached over Erik, the least I could do was get drunk enough to pull it off.

"Hi, pretty girl. What can I get for you tonight?" The bartender wasn't one I'd seen before.

"I'll take two shots of whiskey and a Bud Light." I tapped the bar and smiled at him as he winked and walked off.

"You starting without me?" Jenna was a little winded as she sat down on the barstool next to me.

"I feel out of place." I glanced around.

"Why? You look incredible, and tonight is about us, right?"

"I guess." I turned back and handed the bartender my card. "You can start a tab for the two of us."

"No, it's on the house." He pulled up his phone and showed us the text from Nate that he'd pick up our drinks.

"Such a good guy." Jenna laughed and turned, blowing a kiss up toward him.

I wanted what they had. If Jenna could pull off dating a bad boy and having her father be the DA of New York, why couldn't I? My Mom and Dad barely interacted with Thomas and me anymore. It's not like they were my hang-up. What was?

Right. Erik not wanting anything more than what we had, which was nothing.

"Hey. You're getting in your head. Take the two shots and let's go dance. No worrying or being sad tonight about anything. Got it?" Jenna picked up her beer and leaned it toward me. "It's girl's night."

I downed the first shot, letting it burn down my chest and deep into my belly. "Okay." I picked up my beer, hit it against hers and took the other shot. "I'm going to be drunk before too long."

"Good. I'm not going to get sloppy, so you just let your hair down and have fun. I'll be here to take you home when it's over."

"Don't let me go home with anyone but you or Erik, okay?" I turned and grabbed her wrist, heading for the dance floor.

"Is Erik coming?" She moved up beside me, tucking herself against my arm.

"I don't know. I doubt it. I didn't say anything to him, but it's not like I could if I wanted to. He has an unlisted number." I hiccupped and turned, pulling her toward me and wrapping an arm around her shoulder as I danced seductively.

"Feels like college again." She gripped my hip and smiled. "Well, when you were in college with me."

"I don't miss it a bit." I took another sip of my beer. "Where is Nate?"

She glanced over her shoulder. "No clue. I gotta pee."

"Leave me here. I'll be fine." I turned and danced into the middle of the floor as the liquor worked its magic. All tension and worry dissipated inside of me and nothing mattered but the deep pumping of the base. It left me needy and horny. I wished Erik were there.

"Hey there." A deep voice resounded behind me, and strong hands slid over my hips. "You good for a dance?"

I spun around to find one of Thomas's old frat brothers in front of me. He'd graduated a few years back but still looked like he was in his early twenties.

"Jerry Black. How are you?" I laughed and lifted up to hug him. He wrapped his strong arms around me and leaned down, kissing my cheek.

"Much better now. I was back in town for the weekend and thought-"

A scream left me as he was jerked back and chucked half-way off the club floor. Erik.

"What do you think you're doing?" Erik whipped around and grabbed my wrist. "Done with me so soon, Kitten?"

"What? No."

Erik released me and turned, popping Jerry in the face as he stood up. Erik had four or five solid punches on my old friend before some of the bouncers pulled Jerry out and tossed him into the street.

Tears burned my eyes, and I turned to walk to the bathroom as bile rose in my throat.

"Not so fast." Erik grabbed my hand and pulled me backward. I lost my footing and crashed into him.

"What's the matter with you? He's an old friend."

He glanced down the length of my body. "What's the matter with me? You're dressed like you're looking for a man, Grace. Is that what you're up to tonight?"

"No." I pulled from his grasp only to have him wrap his arms around me and pin me against him. The anger and hate in his handsome face scared me. "Let me go."

"Not yet." He leaned down and pressed his forehead to mine. "And until I do, you mess with another guy, expect him not to wake up the next morning. I don't play with what I consider to be mine, Kitten. You should know this already."

"Where's the guy from the park?" I pushed against his chest. "I want him back."

"Go find him." He released me and turned, walking casually to the bar.

Go find him? What the fuck did that mean? I spun on my heel and walked to the bathroom as tears blurred my vision. I made it to a stall and dropped down fully clothed onto the toilet as the room spun. Why the hell had I listened to Jenna about getting blitzed and dressing up for a girl's night out?

Nothing ever worked out that way for me.

It took me a few minutes, but I finally gathered my wits enough to get up and walk back out into the bar. Erik stood with Jenna by the bar, his eyes locked onto me. He looked like a dark prince. My prince.

A handsome older guy with a great smile stood beside them, talking as I approached.

"Grace. Have you met Fredrick Carrington? He owns this place." Erik reached out and took my hand, pulling me to his side.

Jenna gave me a concerned glare but turned her attention back to Fredrick. "Are you married? I swear I’ve never seen you with a woman."

He chuckled. "No. Commitment isn't something my life allows too well."

"I would guess not." I glanced around and tried to still my racing heart. Having Erik so close to me was almost too much. Combined with the alcohol and the anger pumping through my system, I was ready to pounce on him.

"It's one of a kind." Fredrick nodded. "Enjoy your evening and let me know if you need anything. I'm happy to take care of it personally."

I watched him walk off as my stomach cramped. "I don't feel so good."

"Too much to drink?" Jenna reached out and touched the side of my face.

"Let's get you home." Erik tightened his grip on my hand and half-pulled me through the club, leaving Jenna standing at the bar.

I waved at her over my shoulder and gave her the best apologetic look I could. By the time we walked into the street, I was hot.

"Erik." I jerked my hand from him. "What the fuck are you doing? I came with Jenna tonight. It was supposed to be a g-"

He pulled me flush against him and leaned down, pressing his soft lips to mine and opening me up as he tongue fucked me on the street beside the club.

I moaned and reached up to run my fingers through the back of his hair. He tasted like cinnamon and sugar and felt like heaven. My body woke up, almost purring for his attention.

"Don't talk to me like that again. I'm in charge, Kitten. Not you." He nipped at my lips, and I nodded, completely breathless. "Let's get you home."

"Take me home with you." I wrapped myself around his side as we walked out into the parking lot and got into a black Porsche.

"No. I can't." He started the car and reached over, running his hand up my thigh and squeezing softly. "This shit between us has to stop."

"I'm scared." I wrapped my arms around myself. "Something is happening with my brother and this fucking cop you know won't leave me alone, and-"

"Cole's bothering you?" His voice dropped low.

"Just that once, but it's more than I'm used to." I reached up and touched my lips. "I'm going to be sick."

"Not in the car, baby." He jerked over to the side of the road, reached over me and pushed the door open as I stumbled out and knelt down to throw up. He was beside me before the first wave of sickness splashed over me.

I started to cry in the middle of it. I'd always hated throwing up. Something about it seemed so insanely violent, like I was going to hack up an internal organ or something.

"Shh... it's okay. I'm right here." His voice was soft, loving.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled and stood on shaky legs.

He reached for me before my knees gave out, and I leaned against him. "Lightweight."

"Cheap date." I gave him a weary smile and snuggled against him as he picked me up and carried me back to the car.

"Lay back and relax. I'll take you to my place for the night, but tomorrow morning you have to leave, Grace. This thing between us has gone too far."

"Okay," I whispered and swallowed a thousand regrets. I needed to have him just take me back to my place. I didn't need another night with him to remember when he finally followed through with his threats.

I turned to face him and watched him until the world faded around me and darkness crept in to take me under. I could have sworn I heard him say that he was falling in love with me before I passed out, but maybe it was part of the fantasy I lived in my head.

Shit like that only happened in books.