Chapter Nine
Terrance
Saturday
“I’m not going to lie to you, I feel a bit nervous.” Braxton grabbed onto my arm as he spoke, trying to make light of the situation, but I could tell that there was actually something to it. “Was this where it happened?”
“Well, I parked my car down that road.” I pointed, feeling grateful that this time we’d taken a cab this time. “So it happened around there, down that alleyway.” I kept my voice steady, but I couldn’t ignore the tight knot of anxiety that clutched in my chest. “But it doesn’t look like there’s anyone there now.”
“Yeah, well, let’s just keep our wits about us tonight.” I felt like I was being scolded by a schoolteacher or something. “And, get inside as quickly as possible.”
“I will be fine with you by my side, big fella.” I grinned gratefully at my friend. “But yeah, let’s go inside. It’ll be a good night tonight.”
I had that happy sensation buzzing through my chest, that anticipated feeling that something good was going to happen tonight. Maybe that was because I couldn’t stop hoping I was going to bump into the mysterious Morgan again.
I had a feeling she’d be bumping and grinding that cute ass on the dance floor, then I could finally make my move. Once we’d hooked up, I could get her out of my system and stop thinking about her all the freaking time.
The bouncer stepped aside to let us in, but not before I eyed him closely to check he wasn’t the same asshole involved in the incident the week before. He wasn’t, though. That guy probably didn’t work here, at all; I just had to be extra careful.
Braxton got us a table sorted and brought some drinks over, while I leaned over the balcony to examine the scene below. I was roaming my eyes absolutely everywhere, looking for the one person who could make this whole night epic. I couldn’t see Morgan yet among the crowds of beautiful women, but she’d turn up, she had to...
I had the sense that she would come here looking for me for the same reason I wanted to see her. I hoped she’d spent all week long regretting the moment she turned me down.
“Everything alright, boss?” Braxton looked concerned. “Are you looking to see if those assholes are here?”
Urgh, no I didn’t need to look. If I saw them, I’d know. “No, I was just checking out the talent,” I half lied.
“Already? Starting early tonight, aren’t you?” Braxton wasn’t convinced by anything I was saying. Why couldn’t he just take my words as golden? Why did he always have to know me so damn well?
“Well, if I’m going to help you get, laid then I need to start early, right?” I laughed loudly and chucked back a swig of my brandy. I was in the mood for getting pretty drunk tonight, especially since I didn’t have to drive. “We need to find the right one for you.”
“Ooh, like the shop girl... Summer, was that her name?” His eyes were shining brightly as he started to get into it. “Okay, I’m into that plan.”
He leaned over with me and we started picking out random women that we might like, but my heart wasn’t in it like it usually was. There was only one face I wanted to pick out of the crowds, and she wasn’t anywhere. Every time I saw a shock of long, dark hair my heart got excited, but then the face wasn’t quite the same. There was no point in staring at anyone else when they just weren’t quite the one.
Oh... My... God...
I tried to calm my body down, but it was freaking out. I was trying not to get too excited, but it seemed increasingly like... Like... Yep, there she was. That was Morgan.
“Oh my God.” I grabbed Braxton’s arm a little too hard. “There she is.” My heart was hammering now, the drink trembling in my hand. I’d hoped, but I never dared to truly believe that she’d come, but here she was...the woman I was absolutely desperate for.
She looked even more beautiful tonight in her shimmery, silvery dress clinging to her hips wonderfully. Her dark hair was tied up in a cute chignon, and she looked more put together, but also freer this time.
Maybe it was her expression. She was laughing loudly, her head backwards with mirth, which brought a grin to my face, too. I wanted to know why she was laughing. I wanted to be the one who made her laugh like that...
“Who? There who is?” Braxton was looking everywhere, but of course, he couldn’t find who I was talking about because he had no idea what Morgan looked like.
“Morgan, the nurse, the woman who looked after me. She’s here.”
“Are you serious? I thought you were never going to see her again. She’s here? Where? Which one is she?” Braxton’s excitement was obvious. At least with him showing enthusiasm, it meant I had something to be thrilled about.
“She’s got dark hair tied up. She’s in the silver dress, there. Her friend is wearing that red jumpsuit thing.” There were too many people, it was difficult.
“Oh yeah, I think I see her. Do you want me to get her up here?”
“Erm yes.” Why did I suddenly feel nervous? “Sounds good.”
“Just her, or her friends, too?”
“Just her... For now.” I felt bad for leaving Braxton with no one, but this was important. I needed this night with Morgan – it was the only way I could move past her. “Maybe we’ll switch things up a bit later on.”
To his credit, Braxton didn’t even look pissed off. He simply nodded and walked off to do what I wanted. I sat down and waited impatiently. I kept shifting in my seat and glancing downwards, trying to plan what I was going to say. This wasn’t like me, I was normally very smooth, but Morgan had seen me in a vulnerable position, I felt a little off guard with her. I kept thinking about her tenderly touching my wounds, looking after me, then turning me down...
At least now I could make that part right.
I watched intently as Braxton spoke to Morgan, taking her only slightly away from her friends. I held my breath for a second, desperately hoping she wasn’t about to turn me down again. That really would be a stab in the back. If she refused me now when she was tipsy and having fun, then she actually didn’t like me.
No, I couldn’t stand that.
I would have to find a way to make this work.
I let out my anxious breath when I saw her nodding and moving away to speak to her friends. She was coming, it was on – I couldn’t wait for it! I shifted and took a big swig of brandy, smiling happily to myself. This was exactly how I wanted this night to go. I was a lucky son of a bitch.
“Can I get you anything?”
The male voice struck ice cold fear into my heart. For a second, I had the horrible sense that the same thing was about to happen, that I was about to hear another lie to drag me outside for round two. Even though I wouldn’t go, I’d know that they were still there waiting for me, that this wasn’t done.
But then I glanced up and I realized it was a waiter that I recognised well. “Oh, no thank you. I’m good.”
Shit, I needed to keep my shit together if I was going to impress Morgan! I needed my A Game because I knew she wasn’t going to be won over easily.
I saw Braxton approaching with a figure cowering behind him. It made sense for her to be shy, this was a strange situation, but she’d come out of it and all would be okay.
“Hello there, Morgan,” I called out, ignoring Braxton. He wouldn’t mind. “It’s good to see you again.”
She came into light and gave me a coy smile. “Fancy seeing you here. I’d ask if you come here often, but I think we both know the answer to that one!” I laughed at her teasing. “Thank you for inviting me up here.”
“Come and sit down.” I patted the seat next to me and Braxton moved away to give us some privacy. He wouldn’t go far, though, especially with what happened the last time I was here. “I didn’t expect to see you here again.”
“No, well, my friends dragged me out.” She giggled and looked up at me, fluttering her eyelashes at me. There was something different about her tonight – she wasn’t the sensible nurse she’d been the last time I saw her. She was flirty, wild, a little drunk, and very excitable. “I guess I just needed some fun, a night away from real life.” She meant something by that, something that spoke very clearly to me.
It really turned me on. This side of her was even sexier than what I’d seen before. To test the water, I reached forwards and brushed my fingers lightly along her cheek. She leaned in closer, practically purring. She wanted this badly. I’d won her over without even trying.
It was fucking incredible; now I could get her back to my place and could get this all out of my system.
I shifted my body closer, giving up on any talk now, and wrapped my arms around her waist to slide her closer to me. She squealed happily and fell against me, giving me absolutely no resistance.
Grabbing her face under her chin, I brought her mouth nearer to mine. I paused only for a moment so we could breathe one another in, then I took the plunge. I kissed her hard. I connected our lips together and let the fireworks explode.
I was used to feeling excited. I was very accustomed to being turned on, but this was something else! There was a real powerful chemistry there, bonding us together.
I snaked my tongue in and deepened the kiss, which caused a groan to come out of her mouth. Knowing that she wanted me as much as I did her filled me with a very sexy, powerful feeling. I knew this was going to be a good night – I just didn’t know how good.
Eventually, Morgan pulled back and stared into my eyes. I could see a deep lust there, a desire. She wanted to eat me alive and God damn it, I wanted to let her. I wanted to give my body over to her and let her take me in whatever way she wanted.
Just as I was about to open my mouth to suggest we get the hell out of the club, Morgan shocked me with her next words. “Is there anywhere private? Anywhere we can have some space...alone?” She ran her fingers down my chest, closer and closer to where I was growing increasingly rock hard for her.
“Here? Are you sure?” I just couldn’t imagine her being that sort of girl... But then again, she did just say that she wanted an escape from reality, so who was I to judge?
“Yes, definitely here,” she growled. “So, is there anywhere we can go?”
I did know a room, one that would be perfect. I stood up and held out my hand to her, which she took enthusiastically.