Embracing Him

by C. Shell

  We sit on one of the long couches as the nark Antonio moves in standing behind us acting as though we will be attacked at any moment. I really wish he would just relax and join in on the fun. It would make his constant watching my every move so much easier to bear.

  A friendly waitress bounces up asking what we would like to drink. "Two watermelon cosmopolitans please," I say loudly so she can hear us over the music. I loved the one we had earlier. I think I have found my new favorite drink.

  Not waiting for our drinks to arrive Jane grabs my hand and begins pulling me out onto the dance floor. I notice Antoine start to follow and I quickly tell him no. "I will stay within eye sight of you Antoine but there is no way you are following me around the dance floor unless you plan on shaking that ass of yours."

  He grunts his disapproval but thankfully agrees and stays at his post behind our couch. The dance floor is huge and already crowded as we slip in finding a spot near the edge. The music vibrates through us as we dance for several songs before my legs protest and I finally give in heading back to our seats. Jane has found a guy she seems to enjoy grinding against and waves me away saying she will be back up soon.

  I finish my drink in one gulp once I realize how watered down it has become and find our waitress so I can order another for each of us. I can see Antoine out of the corner of my eye frowning behind me but I ignore him. This is my night to have fun and let loose and I am not going to let him spoil it for me. I might suffer the consequences tomorrow but tonight is all about Jane and me celebrating with our new client.

  By the time Jane stops dancing and joins me I have already had my fair share of drinks and am feeling a bit light headed. We order a round of lemon shots and begin dancing in around our VIP area instead of trying to find another open spot on the dance floor. Our drinks arrive and we make a toast to "Good Times" downing our shots and ordering more. I see Antoine motioning for me to slow down and I just smile and keep dancing.

  "We need go out more," Jane giggles waving at some random guy on the dance floor who keeps looking her way.

  "Most definitely," I agree fanning myself with my hand. The room seems too warm all of sudden.

  I take a seat on the couch as everything begins to spin around me.

  Jane's brows pull together noticing my discomfort. She frowns. "You ok sweetie?"

  "I think I need to switch to water," I say shaking my head.

  The longer I sit on the couch the worse I feel. I am sweating profusely and my stomach is twisting in knots making me feel nauseous and sick. Just as I am about to tell Jane we need to go back to the hotel a fight breaks out between two biker looking guys on the VIP couch beside ours. Antoine moves us to the side as he steps in to help the bouncers get everything under control.

  My stomach lurches and I make a run down the back steps trying to reach what I assume to be the hall leading to the ladies room. As I enter the hallway I begin to panic. I blink several times as my vision blurs and I stumble around glancing at each door trying to make out which one is for the women's bathroom. Don't panic Jessica, calm down and get yourself under control. My stomach knots up once again and I fall to my knees gripping it in pain.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  I sigh feeling a cold hand on the back of my neck thankful someone has come to help me. The large hand closes around the back of my neck as another wraps around my hair pulling me up to my feet and causing me to cry out in pain.

  "You stupid whore," A man spits out behind me as he drags me the rest of the way down the hall and through a large door at the end. I fumble to grab onto the walls, doors, and anything else in my path to stop myself but my arms are weak and not coordinated.

  If I can just slow him down than maybe Antoine will have a chance to find me.

  Between my tears and my blurry vision I cannot make out much about of my attacker or what room I am in. I wish the room would stop spinning. Panic grips my chest and my stomach heaves emptying out the contents and drinks I had earlier. The man curses. "Damn it bitch stop slowing us down," he yells out pushing me hard and causing me to hit my head against the wall beside me.

  Pain shoots behind my eyes. I fight to stay conscious as everything around me starts fading in and out. Images of Alex and my friends cross my mind. More tears fall down my face at the thought of never seeing them again. I can't let this happen.

  Feeling the man reaching for me again I scream out as loud as I can hoping someone will hear me. I fling my hands about trying to hit and scratch him, anything to make him leave me alone. I hear him call out as my right hand crashes against his chest and I smile knowing I at least got in one good hit.

  Pushing myself up I manage to get up onto my feet and try to run for the door but miscalculate his speed crying out at the feel of his hand smacking against my cheek sending me tumbling back down.

  I hear loud voices and thuds around me as my vision clouds. I try and fight to keep my eyes open but it is no use. As the blackness envelops me I hear someone speaking above me, shaking me but I have no more fight left in me. "I love you Alex," I whisper as the darkness takes over.

  To the Reader

  Thank you for reading Beneath Him and Embracing Him by C. Shell

  Jessica and Alex's story continues in the final installment of the

  emotional and sexy HARLOW Trilogy Series available soon...Completing Him

  Get updates and find me on:

  cshellauthor@aol.com

  http://cshellauthor.wordpress.com

  About the Author

  I have loved books and romance novels since I was in high school. The happy endings and endless possibilities are alluring and addictive. I currently reside in Texas and when I am not thinking up my next bad-boy character I am working in the community rescuing dogs while being a wife and mother to my wonderful family.

  Check out my other books:

  My Tessa Novella

  Lilies and Steel Novella

  Escape

  Beneath Him ( Harlow Trilogy Series Book 1 )