Page 7 of Velvet Varnish
I need something to offer her, need an excuse to approach her. Her dark hair is loose, and she’s in jeans with a tight green top which makes her skin glow and turns her hazel eyes green. It also cups her breasts enticingly, but I shake the thought away. Approaching the table, I hand her the book, and clench my handinto a fist when she grazes my fingers. I should be used to her touch by now, but it’s never enough.
I crave it. Keep coming back for more.
Do I enjoy having my nails done? Not necessarily, but I get to spend time with her because of it. Without it, I would never see her. Wouldn’t have an excuse to see her. We wouldn’t be exchanging books, and I wouldn’t have a guaranteed day every month ofjust her. Maybe I do enjoy it. Having my nails done brought her into my life and I wouldn’t change it.
You can pry her from my cold, dead hands.
I’m in the back, grabbing more stock when I hear it. Glass shattering and yelling. It happens more often than it should, tempers flaring and glass breaking, so I’m used to it. But something deep in my bones flares in panic and my heart beats faster, blood pounds in my ears drowning out the yells. I drop the box and slam the door open, rushing into the crowd, pushing people away from me, throat clenching uncomfortably when I realise the crowd’s around Isla’s table.
My eyes narrow on the man sitting too close to her, sending her backwards and trapping her. A glass has shattered on their table. Her eyes dart around, but no one helps. Chloe is yelling, but the asshole doesn’t move.
I lunge for him and drag him to the ground, away from Isla, who’s trembling in the booth.
Scared. In my bar.
That’s not happening.
I have him removed from the bar and turn to Isla. The breath is harsh in my chest. I brush hair out of her face and run my fingers over her cheeks, blocking out the sound and people behind us. I grasp her hand and guide her towards me, stilling when she winces. Turning her hand over slowly, my nostrils flare when I see blood seeping from a cut. Careful of the cut on her hand the bastard caused, I edge her out of the booth andkeep a gentle hold on her hand instead of clenching like I want to. I sweep her into my arms and turn for the door. I’m taking her home.
The manager can sort everything out. Isla is more important.
Her body’s warm against mine and I hold her tighter, tucking her head under my chin and inhaling the smell of jasmine clinging to her hair. “How are you feeling, darling?” I bite back a curse at the endearment that slips out, but she doesn’t notice.
She sighs quietly and rubs her head on my chest. “I’m okay,” she mumbles.
“I’m taking you home. I’ll fix up your hand.” She doesn’t need to know I’m taking her to my home. For the first time. My brow creases even as my chest clenches in anticipation. The first time she’s going to be in my flat is hurt and bleeding, but I don’t want to leave her alone.
Also, I don’t know where she lives.
I don’t catch her murmured reply, but I take it as a yes. We reach my car and I fumble to open the door, but I refuse to put her down. I don’t know if she’s able to stand, and I don’t want her standing on the concrete behind the bar with the rubbish in the cold. Don’t want her shoes ruined. There are flowers on them.
I manage to open the door and duck down gently to set her on the seat. My hands linger on her waist, her warmth seeping into me as I trace small circles there. Her gorgeous hazel eyes gaze at me. I lean my head close to her to see if she’s dazed, but she parts her lips and I feel her breath on my skin. My tongue darts out, but I still when I glance down and see the blood staining her hands.
I draw back and avoid her eyes. After I pull the seatbelt across her and click it in, I close the door as quietly as I can so I don’t disturb her and round the car to the driver’s seat.Clenching the steering wheel, I blow out a breath and shift into drive.
It doesn’t take long to reach my flat. The roads are empty since everyone’s out or having a quiet night in. I rub a hand over my jaw. I’m about to have a quiet night in with Isla. Yes, it’s because she’s hurt and I would take that pain from her if I could, but she’s going to be in my home on a Friday night.
Just us. Together.
I’m not far from the bar, a few minutes down the beach on the cheaper side, but it’s worth it being close to the water. I park under the building and round the car to get Isla. She was quiet on the drive, staring out the window at the streetlights. She releases her seatbelt and I scoop her up, careful to avoid hitting her head on the door.
She leans against me, but moves her head around with a frown on her face. I resist the urge to smooth the lines. “This isn’t my flat.”
“It’s mine.” I jab a finger on the button to call the lift.
She tilts her head so it rests on my arm and I can see her face properly. “I thought you were dropping me off at home?”
“I don’t know where you live.” I step into the lift and hit the third floor. Normally I take the stairs, but I want to get her there quickly. Want her safe and comfortable on my couch where I can keep an eye on her.
She blinks at me. “I don’t want to take up your night. I’ll walk to my place.” She attempts to wriggle out of my hold, but I clutch her closer, tight enough she can’t get free but not enough to hurt her. No way is she walking to her flat in the dark.
“Let me clean your hand and if you still want to leave, I’ll drive you home.” There’s no way I’m letting her leave, but she doesn’t need to know that. She’s staying at mine so I can make sure she’s all right.
She stops wriggling and sucks on her lip. She does it when she concentrates; usually I only see her do it when she’s working on a difficult nail design. It takes everything in me not to groan at the sight. To suck it into my mouth.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Yes. Let’s get you fixed up.” The lift finally opens and I grab my keys while holding her, unlock the door, and flick on the lights to enter the lounge. I place her gingerly on the couch, the spot beside where I sit. “I’ll be back in a second.” I find my first-aid kit, fill a bowl with warm water, grab a cloth to wipe the blood, and return to her before she can move.