Miya rolled her eyes and walked past him to order a cup of tea from the replicator.
“How’s your voice?” he asked.
“Fine.”
“Fine,” he mocked. When she didn’t rise to the bait, he frowned. “What’s wrong, Miya? Are you nervous?”
“A little,” she replied, softly as she took her cup from the replicator. “We’re going to deliberately bait him.”
“He’s not going to hurt you, angel. I won’t let him.”
She scowled at him. “Oh, like you’re God and have that much power.”
Alex now knew the surliness for what it was. He grasped her hand and took the tea from her to set it on the counter. With a gentle tug, he pulled her into his arms. “Come here.”
“Alex,” she said and tried to move from his embrace.
He tightened his arms. “Hush, Miya.”
To his surprise, she actually did as he said and relaxed against his chest. She slid her arms around his waist and flattened her hands at the center of his back, hugging him to her as she rested her cheek just above his beating heart.
“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered.
She sniffed, and Alex tightened his arms around her even more. He didn’t want her to cry. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her cry.
“You’re going to make me cry, and then it will ruin my makeup,” she mumbled.
Alex chuckled. “Heaven forbid.”
She pulled away, and this time he let her slip from his arms. She grabbed her tea off the counter. As she took a sip, she looked him over with a critical eye.
“You’re wearing that?”
He glanced down at his black slacks and white shirt. “What’s wrong with it?”
Alex had never been much into fashion like some of the senators were. He wore what was comfortable.
She quirked her lips adorably. “You just look like you’re going to a business meeting and not a club.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “This is what I wear to my club.” And it was.
“Speaking of your club…“
He leaned forward, and crossing his arms over his chest, he brought himself eye level to her. “No, we are not speaking of my club.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Ugh, you’re such a prude.”
He straightened and raised an eyebrow. “A prude? I can assure you, angel. Prude is the last word you would use to describe me.”
She eyed him up and down, then snorted before walking away. In reflex, Alex reached out and slapped her hard on the ass.
She yelped and put her hand against where he’d slapped. She gaped at him over her shoulder.
“Keep it up and you’ll get another.”
She smiled slowly and deliberately, making Alex growl deep in his throat. The woman was going to drive him insane.
“Maybe I want another.”
“Miya,” he growled.
She rolled her eyes again, “God, you’re so easy.”
He made a move as though to go after her. She squealed and took off to her bedroom, her laughter making him grin despite himself.
Chapter Nine
Miya took Alex’s hand as he helped her from his ship just outside the club. His fingers were warm and firm as they surrounded hers, sending tingles of awareness up her arm to her stomach.
She’d enjoyed teasing him earlier about his clothes, but if the truth were known, she thought he looked incredible. The white really brought out his tan and those unusual eyes.
She adjusted her jacket around her waist, making sure the button was closed just above the waistband of her pants, and allowed Alex to lead her down the long walk to the entrance. The club was on the ground level of Rhinari and took up the bottom two floors of an old apartment complex that had been renovated into office buildings. Since nobody worked there at night, the noise from the club didn’t disturb anyone.
As they rounded the corner, Miya spotted all the media and froze. “I didn’t realize there would be so many.”
“Aren’t they always there?” Alex asked.
“No. Well, I mean not that many. I guess it’s because of the band.”
Alex nodded in agreement. “Probably. Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath and nodded, letting Alex pull her forward through the crowd. They made their way up the sidewalk, and several members of the media began to yell out Miya’s name.
She turned and smiled, holding tight to Alex’s hand. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. It would be all over the television in seconds she was here with the formidable Chancellor Dorn—a man ten years her senior and very influential in the senate. She could hear the speculations now. Would there be a marriage? Would the families of Marcone and Dorn unite? What did her father think of her dating the chancellor?
What was her stalker thinking right now? Was holding hands enough to piss him off? Just how pissed would he get?
Miya tried hard to keep the smile plastered to her face. Alex must’ve sensed her distress, because he leaned down and whispered close to her ear. “You’re fine, angel. I’m right here.”
She smiled up at him gratefully; then the media began to shout, “Kiss her!”
Alex rolled his eyes and waved his hand. “Enough.”
With that, he tugged her through the rest of the media, ignoring their groans of disappointment.
“Unbelievable,” Alex growled as they entered the darkened club.
Miya smiled softly, understanding Alex’s frustration with the greedy media perfectly. At least in here, they were out of the limelight.
Music blared through the room, and Miya smiled as the heady beat began to vibrate through her body. She loved this club. The upper level was the bar, the center of the floor open to the one below so the stage could be seen from both levels. The dance floor was directly in front of the stage, and right now, it was packed. Matter of fact, the whole club was packed. A second bar lined the main floor, facing the stage.
Miya pulled Alex with her through the crowd toward the bar. They had to work their way through single file, so Miya lifted her hand, holding her and Alex’s clasped hands above her head.
Once at the bar, she smiled at the bartender, Seemus.
“Hey, Miya,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You look gorgeous.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“What can I getcha?” he asked with a wide, friendly smile.
“Two forneitas.”
“Oooh,” he said with a nod of approval. “Coming right up.”
Alex leaned in close. “Isn’t that a little strong?”
His voice so close to her ear sent goose bumps up her back. “Afraid you’ll get drunk, and I’ll take advantage of you?”
He snickered. “Not on your life, angel.”
Miya smiled, then turned to take the two glasses the bartender handed her. She slid one to Alex with a challenging grin.
ALEX EYED THE glass with the light blue liquid inside it, then Miya. He’d had forneitas before. They would knock you on your ass and that was the last thing he needed. If he didn’t keep his wits about him, he’d be all over Miya faster than she could say drink up.
He couldn’t believe she was going to drink that. “What are you up to, imp?” he asked.
She looked at him with an innocent expression he didn’t believe for one second. “What makes you think I’m up to anything?”
“You’re always up to something.”
“True,” she said, then laughed.
Alex smiled.
She took a sip of her drink, then leaned in to say, “I love the taste of these things, but I can’t drink even half of it. It’s too strong and will knock me on my butt.”
Alex chuckled, slightly relieved she wasn’t planning to intentionally get drunk. The band came on stage, and the crowd screamed. Miya smiled and clapped as they began to play. It wasn’t harsh but not slow either; sort of a high-energy sound that brought the room alive. They actually weren’t half bad.
After abo
ut four songs, the lead singer pointed toward the bar. “There’s my girl,” he yelled.
Miya cringed and shook her head, as though knowing what he was about to do.
He laughed. “Oh, yeah. Get your ass up here, Miya.”
Alex nodded toward the stage, curious as to how Miya would sound singing something other than opera. “Go.”
She looked a little worried and bit down on her lower lip. “Are you sure?”
“I can see you from here. Go.”
“Get her up here!” the lead singer yelled. “Let’s go.”
The crowd began to clap, and Miya groaned. She took a big sip of her drink before passing the still mostly full glass to Alex. He set it aside and watched her make her way through the crowd to the stage.
“Wooh,” the singer yelled with a smile. ”Miya’s in the house!”
The crowd yelled as Miya walked across the stage and took a mic someone handed her. The singer kissed her on the cheek, then whispered something in her ear. Miya nodded.
Alex assumed they were discussing songs. She looked good up there, like she belonged. The music began, but Alex only had eyes for Miya. It was a slower tune, a duet that showcased her range and incredible voice. Wow, and Alex thought she could sing opera well.
“She’s got a hell of a set of pipes, doesn’t she?” Seemus asked.
Alex nodded. “Yeah.”
The song ended, and Alex made his way quickly through the crowd to meet her at the bottom of the stage. The DJ had begun to play again, and the thumping beat had everyone crowding the dance floor.
Alex got there just as Miya reached the bottom step. She stopped there, and graced him with her gorgeous smile that would forever make his heart flip. Standing on the bottom step allowed her to be eye level with him. He reached out and brushed her curls behind her shoulder.
“Dance with me,” she said as she grabbed his hands in hers.
Alex snorted. “No.”
“Yes.”
He shook his head. He did not dance. Raising their hands, he put his palms against hers and entwined their fingers. “No.”
“Do you allow your subs to tell you no?”
He frowned slightly. “Absolutely not.”
“How is that fair?” she asked, a smiled playing at her full lips. “You can tell them no, but they can’t?”
Alex stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her hands imprisoned at the small of her back. “Who said life was fair?”
She tilted her head and had the most adorable pleading expression he’d ever seen. Their clasped hands were apparently not a concern to her, which surprised Alex. She didn’t once try to break free of his grip. “Please?” she pleaded. “I bet you’re really good on the dance floor.”
He almost gave in, then laughed softly. “No.”
She stuck her lower lip out in a pout, and Alex had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing again. Damn, she was cute. He moved in even closer. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and her pupils dilated. “I don’t let my subs pout either.”
Their mouths were just inches apart. He wasn’t sure why he’d moved in like this, or why he had his arms around her, her hands imprisoned in his. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, couldn’t move away from her. The desire to kiss her had quickly overridden his common sense.
“Besides,” he murmured against her mouth as he disentangled their hands and lifted his to cup her face. “I can think of a lot better things to do with you than dance.”
Before he could think to stop himself, he covered her mouth with his. He felt as well as heard her sharp intake of breath the second their lips touched. Alex felt it too, a spark of electric heat that cut clear through to his soul.
He brushed his lips slowly across hers, and Miya whimpered. Nibbling gently, he coaxed her to open wider; then he swept his tongue inside. Her moan of pleasure vibrated through his whole body. Miya slipped her hands around his waist, pressing her breasts against his chest.
She tasted sweet and fruity, like the drink she’d had. In that instant, he knew one kiss would never be enough. He slid his hand to the back of her neck, tilting her head exactly where he wanted it and then holding it there, he deepened the kiss. The other he put at the small of her back, holding her flush along his body.
Miya gave as good as she got, stroking her tongue along his as though she knew exactly what he liked.
He pulled back slightly and sucked at her bottom lip before deepening the kiss once more. Everything around them faded. The music, the crowd. Every bit of it. All he knew was Miya and how good she felt.
He had no idea how long they stood there and kissed. His cock was so hard for her he wanted to shove her against the wall and take her here, regardless of who saw them.
He would never do that to her. This was not the place for that.
Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. With his hand still at her neck, and his other at her back, he held her there, not letting her go. Both of them breathed heavily, and Miya’s eyes were half-lidded and smoldering.
As a Dom, he should have better control than this, but he felt like he’d been playing with her for days, and the need to take her was quickly eroding his self-control.
“We need to get out of here, Miya,” he whispered.
Miya swallowed and nodded.
Chapter Ten
Miya sat in Alex’s small ship barely able to pay attention to the traffic as he sped through it. All she could think about was that kiss. She was still breathless. She hadn’t been expecting it. He’d been fighting her so hard. When he finally kissed her, she wanted to melt into a puddle.
Wow was all she could think.
She swallowed again and stared at his profile. Those lips were wicked, and she shivered just imagining about all the other things he could do with them. Miya certainly wasn’t a cowering virgin, but there was a dominant and dangerous side to Alex that made her tremble.
Alex parked his ship on the hoverpad outside her building. Her legs shook as she climbed out and set her feet on the pad. Every part of her body was so hot for him right then she could hardly walk straight.
He didn’t say a word, just took her hand in his and led her into the building. They stepped into the elevator, and the poor young man from the other day practically cowered at the sight of Alex.
When Alex put his hand at the small of her back and tugged her closer, she looked up at him. She realized he wasn’t paying the attendant any attention. He was dipping his head to kiss the soft spot behind her ear.
Miya wanted to just forget about the attendant and focus more on Alex and what he did to make her insides quiver.
“I saw you on the news earlier,” the young man said. “You looked nice. I didn’t realize you were dating Chancellor Dorn.”
Miya glanced back at the attendant “We’re not really,” she murmured, barely able to concentrate on anything but the feel of Alex’s mouth against her neck.
Alex snorted but didn’t say anything. The doors opened on her floor, and she quickly stepped out, Alex close on her heels. As she walked down the hall, she felt Alex put his hand at her waist, pulling her close.
When she reached her door, she tried to open it, but Alex moved in and softly bit the side of her neck, making her giggle and miss the lock.
“Alex,” she chided.
The tingling sensation the touch of his lips against her neck sent down her spine made her legs feel weak. Her fingers shook as she raised them to try again. Failing a second time, she dropped her hand and sighed.
Alex continued to softly nibble along the column of her throat, making her insides quiver. He took her wrist in his hand and raised it to the key panel. They swiped it again, together, and this time, the door opened. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted movement. Before she could do anything, she heard Alex grunt, then fall to the side.
“Alex,” Miya gasped, but couldn’t get to him.
The young attendant from the elevator shoved her harshly th
rough her apartment door. She wobbled in her high heels and almost tripped. Fear for Alex gripped her chest. If Alex was out, she was alone. She put her hand against the wall to steady herself so she could turn and face her attacker. She knew a little about protecting herself, but she definitely wasn’t wearing the right shoes for fighting. If anything, the spike heels would hinder her too much.
The attendant glared at her with hatred, and Miya held her breath. Is this him? He’d been right under her nose this whole time? How had she missed this? He’d always been so nice. Her gaze dropped to the club he held in his hand. Is that what he’d hit Alex with? Was Alex okay?
“You don’t even know my name, do you?” he asked.
“I…”
“Of course, you don’t. Miss Princess doesn’t care about the little people beneath her.”
“No.” She shook her head. “That’s not true.
Behind him, she saw Alex walk into the room. She almost sobbed in relief he was okay but tried to keep her attacker from realizing what her reaction was really over.
“Why did you do this?” she asked.
“I’ve loved you for so long, and you never even noticed me,” he snarled.
Miya wasn’t sure what to say. She had noticed him, but she was just never attracted to him. He wasn’t Alex.
“Hey,” Alex snarled.
Her attacker’s eyes went wide just before he turned. Alex raised his fist and hit the guy hard in the face, knocking him out. Miya sagged against the wall in relief. She’d never been so scared in her life.
Alex rushed forward and pulled her into his arms. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m fine. Are you okay, Alex?” she asked.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and put one hand on the back of his head. He grunted softly, and she felt a warm wetness against her hand. Pulling her fingers away, she noticed the blood.
“You’re bleeding!”
“I’m okay.”
She pulled out of his arms. “No, you’re not.”
Security rushed into the room and stared in shock at the attendant lying on the floor. “What happened?”
Miya frowned. “How did you know to come up here?”
Entwined Fates: Dominating Miya Page 6