by Rivi Jacks
That thought helps me decide—I’m going back to Impulse. I’m going to find Lucas, and then we’ll see. If he no longer wants me—
I can’t bear to think of that possibility. The thought literally takes my breath away. How will I make it without him in my life?
Just like you always have. I’m no stranger to abandonment, and I know for a fact that life moves on.
I rummage through the closet, finding just the thing to wear. I want to see how Lucas reacts when he sees me. And if he’s not there, I’m going to make sure he hears about how I looked.
I take a quick shower and put my naturally wavy hair up, letting my long bangs hang loose. I apply my makeup lightly and then dress. I’m going to wear a black bustier that buttons up the front, fitting tightly, pushing my ample bosom up while accentuating my slim waist. I’ve always been too self-conscious to wear it as a top because it’s strapless, and I’ve always worried about my boobs falling out. I don’t have any skirts here to wear, but I do have a pair of really tight, well-worn jeans. The jeans sit low on my hips, and with the bustier being shorter in front, my belly button shows.
I opt for a black ribbon instead of jewelry, tying it around my neck and step into a pair of strappy heels. I decide I like the effect as I look in the mirror. Being a blonde, I look good in black. Okay, I’m ready.
I slip on a black jacket—which I’ll take off once I get inside the nightclub—and grab my heavy winter coat along with a pair of boots for the car, just in case.
I do a quick check of my makeup and hair in the mirror before I leave. Most of the women who go to Impulse dress to flaunt their assets. I wonder how many of them flaunt for Lucas Santiago’s benefit.
Luckily, there is still no activity in or outside of the house. The construction noise has stopped, and it’s oddly quiet as I get into my Jeep. I suspect the guard at the gate has orders not to let me leave after dark, so I’m going to have to tell a lie, promising I’ll be right back after a quick trip to my Uncle Ben’s.
I pull into the crowded parking lot of Impulse, and I immediately notice the absence of Lucas’ Hummer parked in his reserved spot. As I drive around to the back of the bar, I’m relieved to see the Hummer sitting close to the building near the back door. My heart rate kicks up knowing I’ll soon see Lucas.
It takes driving around the parking lot twice before I find a place to park, and once I do, I sit for several minutes just getting my nerve up and collecting my thoughts. I want an answer from Lucas. I’m not going to make a scene or break down crying, begging him to want me. But I do deserve an answer as to why he left the way he did. I have several questions I need answers to, but we’ll start with that one first.
I square my shoulders and walk in the front door. One good thing about the front entranceway—it gets you inside out of the cold. Now I just have to get past the door security because I know they’re not supposed to let humans in if not accompanied by a Supe.
I wonder how they can tell.
The security is two good-looking, muscular guys—probably from a local college football team. They certainly look capable of tackling anyone who might try to force their way in.
I left my purse in the jeep, putting money and a single car key in my jean pocket. That’s all that will slide into my skin-tight jeans. I have a spray canister of mace, courtesy of my uncle Ben—don’t ask—in my jacket pocket, which I now take off, leaving me feeling very exposed.
The blond football jock gives me a quick glance before turning his attention back to the bar area and then just as quickly looks back at me. He nudges the other football guy, and then I have the full attention of both. Lucky me.
“What do you need, beautiful?” Blond jock asks.
“Hi.” I smile. “I’m meeting someone.” He just stares at me. “I’m here to see Lucas Santiago.”
He snorts.
“Aren’t they all,” mutters the other football muscle, the one with dark brown hair.
I hoped that someone would be working the doors that had seen me the night I was here with Lucas. It wasn’t going to be that easy, though. And I’m pretty sure that these two aren’t supes.
“Could you please tell him that Sofie is here?”
They both continue to look at me.
“Please?” I didn’t figure on the possibility that I might not even get into the club.
“Sorry honey,” the blond says.
“Could you please call Dominic and tell him Sofie is at the door?” Maybe throwing a couple of names around will help.
They both grin real big on that one. “Sorry,” Blondie says again.
I turn as the outside door opens and two young girls walk in. The dark-haired jock unhooks the rope strung across the doorway, allowing the girls to pass through.
I raise an eyebrow in question. No way are they twenty-one, never mind if they are supes or not.
“They’re regulars,” the dark-haired guy says.
“Please, just let Lucas or Dominic know I’m here, I promise there won’t be a problem.” I hope there won’t be a problem.
“Listen, Gorgeous,” —the blond leans his head down closer to mine— “if we called our boss up to the door every time some sweet piece of ass batted her pretty eyes at us, there would be a problem.” My mouth drops open. I really don’t like this jackass. “You might as well leave because you’re not getting in.” Then he gives me an insulting look that runs down and back up my body. “If you want to hang around though, I have a break in about an hour.”
A deep voice suddenly says from behind us, “If I tell Santiago, what you just said to his woman—you will be lucky to still be here in an hour.”
“Quanah!” I say with a rush of relief as I turn.
The dumb blond jock looks from Quanah to me and then back to the Indian.
That’s right, jerk!
“I-I didn’t know,” he stutters. “I thought she was just another—”
“Now you know,” Quanah responds dryly as he reaches over and unhooks the rope. He gives me a steady look, and then I scoot across to his side, giving Blondie a smug smile.
As Quanah hooks the rope back, he leans toward Blondie and says something I can’t hear, but I see the jock’s face flush with anger.
Quanah turns toward me and with a nod, we head into the bar, stopping at the coat check so I can leave my jacket. Quanah hands me the claim stub, and I slide it into my back pocket. I follow him then as we move deeper into the bar. He walks briskly through the crowd, and I have to hurry to keep up.
Once again, Dominic’s club is jam-packed with people. As we walk around the busy dance floor, I look for Lucas. We pass the hallway that I know leads to Dominic’s office as Quanah continues past the bar area, all the way around the room to a back corner table half hidden in shadow. Three women are sitting at one end of this long table—three stunning women, each staring at me as we walk up. The peroxide blonde gives me the stink eye while the brunette looks at me with curiosity. The redhead smiles, and I return her smile. There are several glasses and three Tequila bottles—all Lucas’ brand—sitting on the table. Two of the bottles look empty.
Quanah moves to the other end of the table cloaked in the cover of darkness. My breath hitches the moment I feel Lucas. And then he leans forward, and the sight of his handsome face, fills me with a longing so intense, I bite my lip to control the urge to fling myself at him.
He’s unshaven, the black stubble intensifying his blatant sexuality, and I feel an overwhelming need to touch him. Startled by how forcefully he affects me, I look over at the three women sitting at the opposite end of the table.
Is this how they feel too?
I know it is. I can see the naked desire for him in their eyes.
A subtle sound has me looking back at Lucas, and his silvered gaze locks onto mine. At once, I fe
el the compulsory lure of his power as he tries to compel me.
Why does he feel the need to do that?
I shake my head slightly as I take in his unruly hair, a silky lock falling across his forehead. His dark gaze becomes almost mocking as his eyes continue to hold mine. When that seductive gaze drops to move down my body, I shiver in response. His eyes slowly move back up to rest on my chest, and I feel my face heat, knowing how the bustier fits my body tightly and pushes my breasts up high. I feel my nipples harden. His eyes finally move up after they’ve taken their fill, meeting mine again.
He gives me neither welcome nor smile.
This is not good.
I wrap my arms around my middle, suddenly feeling cold. The movement causes my breasts to swell up even higher, and Lucas’ eyes immediately slash back down. I quickly lower my arms.
“If you don’t want her,” —Quanah takes a step toward me— “I will take her.”
I exhale sharply, feeling my whole body flush as I give Quanah a disbelieving look. Movement from Lucas draws my gaze back to him. A muscle leaps along his taut jawline, but he remains silent, just watching me as the blonde woman snickers. I’m hoping the floor will open up and swallow me whole.
Lucas’ lack of welcome is like a slap in the face, and his lack of response to Quanah’s comment is tantamount to rejection. “I’ve… apparently made a mistake,” I say in a choked whisper. I have to leave before I disgrace myself further. I turn and quickly walk back the way Quanah led me only moments before.
How could I have made such a mistake in coming here? More importantly, how could I have been such a fool? I want to run, but I force myself to walk. I step past the coat check and then turn back to get my jacket.
I can’t find my claim stub, searching frantically in my panic to leave because I know I’m about to either break down in tears or start breaking things in anger. Since anger is quickly becoming the predominant emotion, I’m worried about the outcome. Either way, my decision will only add further humiliation to the bad choice I obviously made in coming here to begin with. Finally remembering that I slid the stub into my back pocket, I retrieve my jacket.
I’m shaking as I approach the entry. The blond security guard is gone, but the dark haired one is still there.
“Sorry Miss Reece,” he says as I wait for him to unhook the rope. “I was told to have you wait until Dominic can get here.” I give him a narrowed look. “Sorry,” he says, blocking my escape route.
I feel desperate to leave, and I’m considering pulling the fire alarm that I see displayed across from where we’re standing when Dominic walks up.
“Sofie, it’s a pleasure to see you. You look quite lovely this evening,” he says in his British accent as he steps up beside me. I frown up at him when he offers me his arm. “Please,” he encourages, smiling gently.
Dominic is extremely attractive. I’ve never been much into blonds, but he’s definitely an exception. Especially dressed as he is now in form-fitting blue jeans and a black knit turtleneck sweater that shows off his muscular arms and chest. His blond hair, pulled back in a short ponytail with loose strands, sets off his eyes—eyes that are like pictures I’ve seen of a bright, beautiful aquamarine ocean.
I lay my hand on the crook of his arm, and he covers it with his large, warm one. When he makes a move to lead me back into the bar area, I don’t budge.
“Sofie?”
“Please, can you just walk me to my car? I really need to leave.” My voice breaks with the struggle to keep my emotions in check.
He looks into my eyes, “Come with me, I promise—you will not regret it.” His gaze holds mine.
My pride feels like it’s in shreds. I close my eyes feeling my self-control slipping. Dominic squeezes my hand in reassurance.
“Okay.”
“Good girl,” he says in his richly, appealing voice.
We walk back through the bar and down the hallway to his office. Reaching around me, he opens the door and motions for me to enter while he stays out. When he closes the door behind me, the loud music drops to a faint hum in the room.
Lucas is standing behind Dominic’s desk, and he looks up as I walk in, his gaze boldly touching me. I know I don’t imagine the flash of heat I see in those beautiful silver-green eyes, and my whole body quivers in response to his lingering appraisal.
Okay. I need to suck it up and find out what I need to know.
I walk slowly toward the desk, laying my jacket on the back of a chair along the way while keeping my eyes on Lucas.
He reaches down and picks up a glass from the desk. Raising it to his lips, he watches me over the rim.
I come to a halt and rest my palms on the desk surface, bracing my arms. I lean forward, and my breasts practically fall out of my top. I get the reaction I want as I see desire flare into Lucas’ eyes. He makes a choked sound as he slams the glass down onto the desktop.
“You’re playing with fire, Sofie,” he growls at me. “Why are you here?”
I just look at him, stunned. “Why am I here?” I finally manage to gasp. “Why are you here?” I stare at his unreadable expression as he regards me in silence.
I bite my lip as I feel my face flush. I guess that’s all the answer I need—because I can’t take any more of this. I pick up my jacket as I walk away from him. I don’t hesitate as I open the door, but Lucas is suddenly behind me pushing it closed. I squeeze my eyes shut as he leans into me, pressing his face into my hair, inhaling deeply.
“I want to know if you’re only here to torture me?” His voice is low and harsh.
What? I lean my forehead against the door, wanting to moan from the sensation that his warm body pressed against mine creates in me. I take a deep breath and turn to face him. I’m penned in, his arms braced against the door on either side of me. I look up into his eyes, fighting the desire to press back against him.
“Why did you leave… and not come back?” I’m amazed at how steady my voice sounds.
He looks down at me. “I thought—I’d give you time to come to terms with the situation,” he says in a quiet, flat voice.
I frown. “What does that mean?” Then I realize what he’s saying. “You… want me to move out,” I state softly. I feel like the air sucks right out of my lungs.
“Hell no, you are not leaving!” he growls, grasping my arms. I cry out softly at the suddenness of his action. “Sofie, you can run—you can even try to hide from me—but I will find you no matter where you go.” His voice is rough with emotion as he stares angrily into my eyes. “Damn it, don’t you understand? It’s too late. You will never be safe from me.”
I feel a thrill at his words. “I don’t want to be safe from you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
“What?” His voice is still gruff, but I see a softening in his eyes.
This is so confusing. “Why are we even talking about my leaving… if you don’t want me to.”
He bends down his eyes aligning with mine. “You know what I am,” he says, his voice dark, and I think I hear something else, but before I can identify what it is, he pulls away from me and strides back to the desk picking up his drink, turning his back on me.
What the hell? I shake my head to clear it. He thinks I’d want to leave him because—
“Is that,” I hiss, “what you leaving me is all about? You put me through hell—because you think I can’t handle knowing what you are?” My voice has risen with my anger. This is too much! If he had only told me, talked to me, what is it he keeps saying to me? Oh yes, trust me.
He turns, and I see a frown on the face that is so dear to me.
“You son-of-a-bitch!” I am suddenly so mad I could spit. I advance toward him with my hands clenched into fists. “You made me love you, and you kept this from me. You keep everything from me. If you would trus
t me for two seconds and let me into your life—” I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. “But no—you say you want me in your life, but I’m beginning to see that that’s it. I’m just supposed to be the little woman waiting patiently for you at home.” Okay, I’ve said what I’ve been thinking for several days, now I need to calm down.
“That’s not true,” he says carefully, his eyes watching me closely, warily. “You are my life.”
I snort softly. “Why didn’t you tell me then, Lucas?” When he doesn’t say anything, I clench my hands tighter. This is so painful. “Did you think I couldn’t handle knowing?” I know he sees my hurt.
“Sofie—” he begins gently.
“Do you think so little of me that you think I’d sleep with you if I didn’t love you? Or maybe you think I’m so shallow that I would be able to just turn off my feelings once I knew?”
“Sofie,” he says more firmly.
“Well, you know what? If that’s what you think of me, you can go straight to—”
He’s instantly in front of me, hauling me up against his hard length. I have just enough time to say, “Oh!” before his mouth comes down hard on mine in a demanding kiss. One hand goes to the back of my head, tangling in my hair as the other arm encircles my waist, binding me to him.
I grip the front of his shirt, moaning when he intensifies the kiss and then whimpering a protest when he suddenly tears his lips from mine, our breathing harsh as he looks down into my eyes.
He grips my upper arms, not too rough but not exactly gentle either, and pulls me up on tiptoe as he leans down, quickly placing his mouth on the pulse point on the side of my neck, sucking.