by Marie Wathen
Chapter 11
Marcus
Gasping as my beauty walks in the entrance, I shift in my seat. She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth as she spots me moving toward her. The distance spanning between us is almost unbearable. I approach her like a hungry animal. Allowing my eyes to roam over her luscious body, I take in every inch of bare skin in the very little clothing she’s wearing; clothing I want to tear off with my teeth.
Progressing toward her, I down the last of my beer and place the empty bottle on the bar. Mere inches from her I reach up, tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and then lay my hand on her cheek. Her already warm skin flushes with a red that causes my blood to pound in my veins. Sliding my hand down her neck, to her arm, I lift her hand and place a kiss on the inside of her palm. She lets out a soft moan that riles me up to the point of madness. I want to take her right here.
“Fuck, Mac. Are you listening to me?” Kole’s voice brings me out of the memory of last night’s dream that I want to make a reality.
I shake my head, removing the lingering thoughts of my fantasy. “Yeah, sorry man. Got some family shit I’m trying to work out and I guess I zoned for a few.”
Covering for my real thoughts, I jump off the barstool and walk away from the doorway so I can hide the effect the memory has on me. Ensley, the club manager, sitting at the bar gives me a knowing smile and I shrug my shoulder. She couldn’t possibly know that I had a hard-on from fantasizing about doing very naughty things to a petite southern belle.
Ah, hell I’ve got to stop this bullshit right now.
“Pfft, if you say so, dude!” Kole yells at me then laughs while bouncing his head to the rhythm of the gothic music blaring throughout the club. Rhys follows me from my stool to the side bar and orders.
“Shit, how old are the children that are coming tonight? You’d think it was past their bedtime. Ha, sorry about that dude.” He’s knocking my age now.
“Hey Rhys, how about you just shut the hell up and worry about not offending the patrons? We need to do a perimeter check. Have you made contact with the upstairs crew yet?”
“Marcus, I am the upstairs crew. I’ve got it covered here and you know it. What’s got you on edge tonight? Is it the bullshit from last night and the big guy who cut the whittle baby? Wah wah.”
Rubbing his eyes like he’s crying, he mocks me and I am over his shit already. I don’t know how my sister dealt with this for four and a half years. She must be thrilled at the break-up. She’s moved on to greener pastures and I know she couldn’t be happier.
Tonight we’re working extra security for Club Toxic due to the elite crowd that will be visiting tonight. Tox Andrews, the owner, has a VIP list of customers that sometimes book the entire bar for private parties. Typical customers are eighteen and up, but on special nights he will shut the bar down for the elite and their friends.
Due to my recent injury, I’m under orders to man the door and check ID’s. I was ordered by the ER doctor to take it easy for a few days and stay in bed, but there’s only so much of Gran fussing over me that I can take in one day. It is a minor injury with a couple of stitches. Granddad completely blew everything out of proportion. When doesn’t he though?
“Oh Mother Fucker! Mother Fucker.”
Excited, Kole shouts in my direction, attempting to get my attention. I pretend not to be listening to his hysterics but he yells it once again, this time gaining more than just my attention. Several members of the security detail are now making their way toward the door curious of what has him so excited. One loud whistle from Rhys lets me know it must be the important client or a beautiful woman.
“Marcus, you might want to hang around for this one,” Rhys chortles.
Not breaking stride and disregarding his antics, I head up to the next level of the VIP’s area that overlooks the dance floor. At the top of the stairs I spot Waverly, the exclusive VIP bartender for the club, checking through her top shelf liquors. Giving me a sexy smile, she wiggles a finger in a come here motion.
“Need something?” I say flatly, walking over.
“Hell yeah baby, you!” She says and I smile at her brazenness.
She is quite a beautiful woman. She’s dressed in an all black leather lace halter and miniskirt with matching thigh high boots. Her pixy style hair is blonde spikes with pink tips sticking out every possible direction. She leaves her station from behind the bar and meets me halfway. Without a word, she covers her mouth over mine forcing a harsh kiss and pressing her tiny body against me. Gripping her around the waist, I force her away from me. Her forehead crinkles and she whimpers.
“Waverly?” I say with confusion so it sounds like a question.
“What the fuck Morgan? I was just in your bed the other night and now you want to pretend like you don’t know me. Well, your loss!” She snaps, stomping off to the backroom behind the bar before I have a chance to correct her mistake. Standing there frozen momentarily, Rhys footsteps and laughter bring me out of my dazing.
“Don’t tell me, another case of mistaken identity? Mygod if only I had that problem. You should always pick up chicks like that. Send your twin out to prospect and then swoop in and pick the bones like a vulture.” He throws his head back and roars with laughter.
I leave him there to take over the upper level security and make my way along the full glass wall in the front of the building. Peering through the blackout glass, I notice a large group exiting the limousine parked at the entrance to the club. Obviously this is the subject of the security details excitement. Mr. VIP himself has arrived. For Tox to have this much security, I’m anxious to see who the source of all the excitement is. Stepping off the platform, I begin my descent down the stairs.
A large boisterous crowd enters the club and I’m pleasantly surprised that I recognize a couple among them to be Tristan and Anna. I smile and give a nod toward Tristan and make my way toward their group. Anna spots me, cuts through all the people, and winds her way around to the staircase. I reach the bottom step and she throws her arms around my neck. She’s laughing and when I wince from my injury, she pulls back quickly.
“Oh hell Marcus, I’m sorry. I totally forgot that you were stabbed. Did I hurt you?” Panic is etched across her beautiful face. Even though it does hurt, I’m not going to allow her to feel bad about the hug.
“Not a chance Anna Banana.” I wink at her, and she punches me in the shoulder for calling her the childhood name that she claims is the bane of her existence.
“You jerk! I despise that stupid name. To think I actually felt terrible that I could have re – injured your cut. See if you ever get another hug from me mister. So what if it’s been forever since I’ve seen you.” She sticks her tongue out at me and twirls around toward Tristan. She loops her arm through his and draws him close.
“Mac, shouldn’t you be home letting Gran fuss over you?” he asks.
“Oh Bubba, why do you think I’m here? That sweet woman is going out of her way to make sure I feel four years old again. It’s great and all but I’m not used to all of the TLC. We both know the shitty bedside manner my mom has.” I shake my head and we all laugh.
Catching a glimpse of Morgan, I make eye contact briefly then turn to check the VIP lounge, confirming the security crew escorted the clientele to their seats. It’s not really a problem to ignore Morgan. I’ve been doing it all of my life, but in a crowd this large and loud it’s effortless. Tristan and Anna are standing next to me waiting and I lean in, catching Tristan’s attention.
“Who are you here with tonight? We only have orders for a VIP. No offense Bubba, but you’re not exactly who I have in mind,” I joke as he rolls his eyes.
“Ha, you wish.” The grin he has plastered on his face raises my suspicions. He is actually bubbling with excitement. I thought for a moment I would have to twist his arm to get the reason out of him. Before he could utter a word, he jerks his head to the side and indicates with his eyes. Standing center stage of the raucous is none other th
an Morgan and his date, Breesan Fucking Maxwell.
Anger
“What the fuck?” I say too close to Anna, quickly piquing her interest. “So my brother is the VIP. Well that explains every damn thing. He refuses to go anywhere without making a fucking scene. The little bitch has been here nearly a month but he still feels he needs this much security just to go to the damn club.”
My blood is boiling. My fists are digging deep into the flesh in my palms and I could knock somebody the fuck out right now. My frustration has nothing to do with him abusing the security and everything to do with his date. Again, she is on his arm and I get to watch from the sidelines. But it’s my own damn fault for lying and telling her I’m not interested.
Mygod she looks phenomenal. Her hair is to one side, exposing the neck that I am very familiar with. All I want to do is haul her hot little body against mine to make my dream a reality right here in front of Morgan and everybody.
Dammit! That’s not going to happen so I’m getting the fuck out of here.
Snaking my way along the backside of the bar and under the staircase, I open the patio door. There is a chill in the air tonight. After a few deep breaths my nerves calm, but realistically it’s not a complete success and I can’t stay out here all night. I won’t give Morgan the satisfaction of thinking he’s the reason I’m out here. Walking the perimeter of the club, I reach the front of the building and a set of brown eyes zero in on me. Without hesitation, Elise is grabbing my arm and tucking her body under it.
“Marcus…” she hesitates, waiting to see if I will confirm or deny the name as my own, “…you look fabulous. I had no idea I would run into you here tonight. Escort me inside and buy me a drink love.” She purrs, and any other time I would pry her tiny fingers off me and leave her standing where she is, but not tonight. For now, I’ll appease her to get down to why she came to Willow.
“Are you still drinking dirty martinis?”
“Oh you know I always say ‘the dirtier the better’ and I would love to get dirty with you again.” She rubs her breast against my arm as we enter the club. I survey the immediate area and see that Morgan’s party is on the upper level. If it had been a different client I would have kept her out, but it’s not like he will even notice Elise with the goddess he brought tonight.
“Have a seat. I’ll get your drink and be right back.” Mentally, I cringe at the thought of her hands on me all night.
Standing at the bar, I hear the laughter and yelling coming from the upper level. Music pumping through the club is the typical dark psychedelic rock found in most goth clubs. Currently, Alice Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen” guitar riffs are creating the perfect mood. I zone out until the bartender slaps a hand down on the bar, rousing me. I realize that my thoughts were focused on a sexy brunette upstairs hanging on my brothers every word. Fuck it. I’m here to do a job and I refuse to let her distract me from it.
“Hi.” My heart skids around hard in my chest at the obvious recognition of that sexy voice. It could only belong to one woman, the only one I want.
“Hey Baby.” Turning, I look at her, taking in every inch of her perfect body quickly without her noticing. “Are you having a good time?” Maintaining control over my voice is more difficult than I thought it would be with her. I grin as I watch her struggling with climbing onto the barstool next to me. She’s petite and these chairs are too tall. Once she sits and crosses her legs, I find that I can’t stop staring at them, causing me to lick my lips.
Damn those sexy legs
“Yes it’s great here.” Her soft voice swiftly brings my attention back to her mouth.
Damn that sexy mouth
“I don’t really know all of the people who came with Morgan so I slipped away, hopefully unnoticed.” She crinkles her nose, disgusted with herself. “Is that bad? Oh, it is isn’t it?” She grunts then drops her head into the hand propped on the bar.
I jokingly nod my head in agreement, “It’s horrible, unforgivable, and completely understandable.” I laugh while shaking my head no.
“Wow, thanks. I guess I didn’t expect that from you.” She laughs.
“Why the hell not?” I ask taken aback.
“Well because he is your brother. I just assume since you are here after getting carved like a pumpkin last night that you must be here for Morgan too.”
“First of all Baby, I’m not here for my brother. I’m helping Kole out with the security for Morgan’s party with his very important friends. And I didn’t get carved. I got stuck, barely. Big difference, plus I’m healed already.” I wink at her, deliberately trying to keep her from worrying about me.
“Are you really okay? I’m so sorry about last night. I wish you would have just stayed out of it. The guy would have eventually got bored with me and left me alone. But you had to butt in and get yourself hurt. I hate that he did that to you. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about what he could have done to you, Marcus.”
She rushes through her words so fast it’s almost impossible to understand her over the blasting music. Indicating with my hand toward my ear that I can’t hear her, I dip my head down close to her. Naturally, she lowers her mouth near my ear to repeat what she said. I heard everything she said the first time, but I need her close to me. At first, tricking her seemed like a good idea until my body betrays me. My hands itch to touch her. I have to force myself to focus on the label she’s currently peeling off my beer bottle so I’ll stay in my seat and not kiss her like I’m dying to do.
“Baby, I’m fine. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. I’m glad I was there last night. If that guy had harmed one hair on you I would have killed him. Instead, I gave him the opportunity to escape by distracting him with bleeding,” I joke mischievously.
The terrified look in her eyes tells me that she doesn’t find it a bit funny. I grab her hand and lace our fingers together. The charge that flows from her to me travels up the length of my arm and straight to my gut. She feels it too and I draw her body close to me. Lifting her face up by her chin with my finger and thumb, I look into her eyes.
Lowering her eyes she whispers, “Sorry.”
“You look so beautiful tonight.” Needing to ease her stress, I change the subject.
Slowly, she lifts her face and stares deep into my eyes. She’s searching for the truth because she wants to believe me. She smiles but shakes her head and averts her eyes again. She knows I’m not lying. She just doesn’t accept compliments easily. Her head tilts sideways and she watches her finger, tapping it with the beat of music. She has the cutest grin on her face. I want to take her on the dance floor and let our bodies move to the rhythm of the beat; fast, slow and everything in between, just as long as I get to hold her again.
Glancing down at our hands, I realize that she’s his date, again. I slip my hand from hers just as a husky female voice creeps over my other shoulder. Breesan spots her and draws her body away from me as well.
“Lover, what’s taking so long with one simple little dirty martini? Oh, I forgot you all do things slower in the south, right?” She laughs alone at her attempt at being funny. “Oh hello,” she says to Breesan. “Who’s your young friend Marcus? I saw her come in with your brother. Did you and Morgan find a new plaything to share?”
“Excuse me? What the hell did you just say bitch?” Breesan jumps off her stool and stands in front of Elise. Her fists are drawn and she’s mere seconds from striking her. She’s angry, but is it simply because of what she said or is she jealous?
“You really should learn that a genuine lady doesn’t have to use that type of language. It’s filthy and unbecoming,” Elise scolds with a serious French inflection.
“Oh I have a thing or two that I can teach you. Like how stupid it is to bring your snooty ass to Alabama and scold me. BITCH!” Her voice is confident and controlled. I give Breesan credit; she’s keeping her cool while putting Elise in her place. She’s so much smaller than Elise too so the entire scene makes her look even more adorable.
> I step in before there is a real catfight. “I think you need to go back to your seat before you get tossed out on your ass,” I say, encouraging Elise with a serious tone.
She pouts at me then turns her attention back to Breesan and gives her a nasty little glare. Breesan raises her eyebrow, waiting for Elise to mouth off again. Instead, she huffs out a loud breath and turns on her heels back to her seat. I watch Elise move away and turn to look at Breesan who has a look of disappointment on her face. She thinks Elise is with me now and I can’t have her thinking that. I open my mouth to explain but get interrupted.
“I’m waiting, Marcus,” Elise demands before she even makes it back to her table.
I nod at the bartender, who shakes his head at me as he places the drink down. I reach back for my wallet in my jeans so I can pay for the drinks. I turn to give Breesan my explanation but find her seat is empty. Looking around, I see her walking away from me; that is the last damn thing I wanted to happen.
I start after her, “Breesan, wait.” She turns around and looks at me.
She shakes her head and keeps walking, “I’ll see you later Marcus. Have fun with that.” She nods toward Elise. Walking toward the back of the bar, she disappears in the dark corridor where the restrooms are located.
I roll my neck and shoulders trying to relieve some of the tension that’s accumulated in the last few minutes. Reluctantly, I turn my attention back to my unwanted companion. If I could just go after Breesan and make things right between us, I would. I just can’t jeopardize everything simply because my body reacts to her every time I get close to her.