Page 5 of Fiercely Protective

Something was wrong with me. I was disheartened that a strange man who I allowed to feel me up in a club didn’t try forcing me to stay longer.

I stood from the sofa, my knees a bit wobbly. He reached out and put a hand on my waist, the warmth and pressure of his fingertips nearly making me toss all my inhibitions aside.

“That isn’t necessary. I can just call Uber or take a taxi.”

His smile faltered a little. “No, my driver will take you home. I insist.”

The silent command in his expression returned, and I knew there was no use declining again. I nodded unable to formanother refusal. He walked me back down the stairs and through the crowds. The blaring music and flashing bright lights seemed distant and fuzzy as we made our way to the club’s entrance. He raised his hand in the air and a man in a suit stepped forward.

“Take her home.”

The guy nodded and then stepped off to the side, giving us a moment. I ran my tongue along my lips, a habit I had developed when I was nervous.

“Thank you for the ride home, but it wasn’t necessary. I feel like I should say something along the lines of I have never done anything like that before, but you probably wouldn’t believe me. But it’s the truth, I don’t know what came over me.”

He leaned closer and kissed my cheek softly. “I know exactly what came over you, sweetheart.” He gave me a wink and turned to walk away.

His words held an underlying sensuality that was captivating. But I couldn’t help but feel like the world’s biggest idiot. Thankfully, I came to my senses before I did something I would regret even more. I took a deep steadying breath and turned to where the driver was waiting for me. I had to put this night behind me, forget about the mesmerizing hunky stranger I had allowed to take way too many liberties, and focus on the interview tomorrow because if I didn’t find a decent-paying job soon, I would have more trouble than I could handle.

Rogue

When I returned to my private booth at the back of the club, I found Blaze already there, an annoying half-smirk on his face.

“It didn’t take her long to get sick of you. Honestly, I thought you would have been able to last a bit longer. Disappointing.”

I reached for the bottle sitting in front of him and filled my glass. “Mind your own business. Have you seen Mr. Kent?”

“No, but he is probably in the office.”

“The girl applied for a job here. I want her application, and I want to know her interview time.”

Blaze grunted. “That girl? She won’t survive here. I can tell that from looking at her. She is too sweet, too innocent.” He took a sip of his drink and then narrowed his eyes as he stared across the table at me. “But that isn’t going to stop you from hiring her, is it?”

“No and isn’t going to stop the plans I have for her.”

Blaze stood from the booth. “She isn’t your type, Rogue.”

My brow furrowed as we glared at each other, the tension becoming thick. It was unlike Blaze to be so vocal and rarely did he give a shit about anyone or anything. So, it was puzzling to me that he had shown so much interest in the girl and my intentions. A sharp sense of selfishness coursed through me, and I felt the need to stake my claim.

“She is off-limits, Blaze.”

The left corner of his lips turned up slightly, and his smile was more predatory than humorous. “But for how long? If you remember, I did see her first.”

I wasn’t sure if he was issuing a challenge, or if he was merely trying to provoke me.

“I’ll tell Kent you are looking for him.” He drank the remainder of the whiskey in his glass and walked toward the back office, slapping the flirtatious waitress from earlier on the ass as he passed her.

I sat back in the booth, trying to tune out the music and noise surrounding me. Images of Bri lying beneath me passed through my head. There was something about her, something that made me look forward to the games I had planned for her. I normally didn’t get involved in the hiring of staff for the club, nor did a woman rarely hold my interest for longer than it took to fuck her, but this woman was different. It would be interesting to see her reaction tomorrow when she discovers exactly the type of man I am.

Chapter Two

Bri

The reflection staring back at me in the mirror did not scream confidence. It may be simply an interview for a waitress job at a nightclub, butSinnerswas the most exclusive club in Chicago, owned by one of the most elusive and richest men in the country. It was rumored that the pay and benefits couldn’t be matched anywhere, so I needed to make the best impression possible. So, I opted for a crisp white blouse, with a navy-blue blazer, new pants, and navy ballet flats. Nothing overly fancy, yet something that stated that I was serious about obtaining the position.

With my bills piling up, I needed this job. After the cutbacks at the hotel, I haven’t been able to find anything that paid enough for me to afford my small apartment and the necessities I needed without giving up things like food or electricity. My pantry shelves were almost empty and my TV had so many white lines running across the screen, that it was pointless to try and watch it.

So, when one of the girls I worked with mentioned getting a job at the club, I immediately googled it, applied online, and was called for an interview two days later. Last night, when I went there with a group from work, I thought it would give me an opportunity to check it out. I thought it might be helpful during the interview if I knew something about the place, at least I could say that I had been there. But instead of thinking about my interview, I ended up doing something completely reckless. Making out in a private room with the sexiest guy I had ever seenwas completely out of character. Now, I would have to go into the interview and try to push those wicked but delicious images from my brain.