Page 4 of The Originals

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Mick,” Meg said, scanning the yard as she took a step to pass him. It was definitely time to find Linda and get out of there.

Mick stepped in front of her, blocking her path. For as rough and rugged as he appeared, he had softer features. He was handsome, and she’d bet if he had been clean-shaven, his features would appear chiseled.

“But we haven’t met unless you tell me your name.”

He had a point.

“Meg.”

He smiled with a nod. “Mick and Meg. That sounds good together.”

Meg resisted the urge to laugh. Mick obviously had flirting down to a science. By all outward appearances, she hadn’t expected him to be charming.But he is.

“Mick!”

Meg glanced over her shoulder. Two men wearing similar cuts waved Mick over to the bonfire. She looked up at Mick. He ignored them, keeping his attention on her. She liked that a little too much. Meg felt the heat rise to her cheeks and fiddled with the ends of her hair.

“I think they want you to go over there.”

He took a step forward, and shockingly, she didn’t back away. He was taller than her by at least six inches, and his biceps were larger and more defined than all the guys she’d hung around with. Yet his stature wasn’t as intimidating as the others’. Maybe it was his voice, deep but smooth.

“I think I want to stay here.”

Meg gave in to a smile. It was sweet and kind, and had she been a different type of girl, or one looking for something one night could provide, she would’ve stayed too.But I’m not.

“I actually have to go find my friend.”

Mick smiled and arched his brow. “I think you better wait on that.”

Meg cocked her head. “Why?”

“’Cause last I saw her, she was bent over the sink in the bathroom with her skirt around her waist getting railed.”

What?Meg felt her face immediately pale. Mick was giving her a visual she did not need or want. It seemed Linda had taken her last night of freedom to heart. Among other places.

“By the sound of it, and her screaming ‘fuck me harder,’ I think she was enjoying it.”

Oh hell.Meg rolled her eyes. Linda was living out her last fantasy before committing to a life of monotony.Who am I to disrupt that?

Meg shook her head and chuckled. “Then it looks like I’m going to be here a little bit longer.”

“Not exactly the response I was expecting,” he said.

She peeked up at Mick and shrugged. “It’s her life. She gets to live it.”

The corner of his mouth curled, and he nodded. “We all do.”

Cheers to that, Mick.

****

John “Mick” McMillian had clocked the dark-haired beauty the second she walked through the door. She was impossible to miss. Her pretty face alone would’ve caught his and everyone else’s attention, but there was a distinct difference between her and the other female guests. Their club parties attracted a certain type of woman, and she wasn’t it. Too reserved, too cautious, and too damn fucking beautiful. This girl was on another level.

Mick didn’t recognize her or the friend steering them through the room. That didn’t mean much. At any given party there were plenty of people, men and women, he didn’t know. A lot of them came for the experience. No rules or limits. Some came with an agenda, men wanting to check out the club or brought in by a member hoping to get a bid to prospect. The women were different. Some came to party, others came to stay, and on a rare occasion, one came without any clue why she was there. That seemed to be the case for this young beauty.

Her mannerisms were a dead giveaway. Her body was tense while putting on a good front, trying to appear comfortable. She wasn’t. That wasn’t to say she didn’t find the party intriguing. Mick watched her sneak a few looks across the room at a brother getting head in the corner. Curious but not interested.

Mick had watched her every move for the last hour. She’d spent most of it alone until now. She stood with her friend. Their seemingly light conversation had taken a turn, the mystery girl frowning with a sharp scowl. He had no idea what caused the quick shift, but his captivating girl was clearly unhappy. They must’ve resolved their disagreement, because a few minutes later they shared a smile.