Page 45 of Empire of Lust
I glance up toward the window, wondering what that is all about, but there’s no seeing what or who is on the other side. The owner’s office, I suppose. Maybe they don’t like the employees getting too chatty when they should be working.
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and I shiver involuntarily. I’d swear whoever is up there is watching me.You’re turning into a paranoid weirdo.Tatum would laugh herself sick if she knew how jumpy and anxious I’ve become. I wish she’d come home, but there’s no end date in sight, and it’s impossible to pin her down long enough for a conversation. She can only talk for a short time when I call her. I text her and get no response. I’m really worried about her, but I have no proof or reason to be.
A burst of laughter startles me into shooting a look toward the entrance. It’s just one of those things you do. Somebody screams or laughs loudly out of nowhere, and you turn to see what the big deal is.
Turns out, the big deal is my ex-boyfriend, surrounded by a bunch of his gym buddies. I recognize them from his uncle’s gym. He’s hung out with them before, and I recognize the swagger he puts on when he’s trying to impress them.
Why did he have to hang out with them tonight, and even worse, why did it have to be here? Why does it have to be while I’m dressed for Casual Friday and not for a night out? I angle myself away from the door and hope he didn’t see me.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think you’re here hoping I’ll show up.” He’s right behind me, like he was purposely headed this way.
I speak without turning his way, staring pointedly at the bottles lined up behind the bar. “Do you really think my intention of being here was hoping to run into you? I know you’re not the best at being honest with yourself, but come on, you know better.”
“You don’t have to be such a bitch,” he mutters.
Do not take the bait. Don’t give him the satisfaction.
“I’m here with friends from work, same as you are.”
“It’s a shame you didn’t like to have fun when we were together. I might have stuck around more nights.”
I spin on my heel, my face burning and my heart racing. No, I didn’t think I’d get lucky enough to never see him again but could I maybe have gone a little longer without having to come face to face with him?
“Is this guy bothering you?” Jenna appears out of nowhere and steps right up to him, arms folded, while Stephanie steps in line beside me. I didn’t realize they were paying attention, but I am so glad they were. Not because I’m scared, but because I’m afraid I’d have to smash a bottle upside his head if I didn’t have them to back me up.
“Not anymore,” I tell them, staring straight into the eyes of a stranger. Because that’s what he’s always been. I never really knew him—I wouldn’t let myself know him or let myself see the things I wanted to ignore because it would mean admitting I had wasted all those years.
“No, she’s got somebody else bothering her now.” That smug, superior grin of his makes my stomach churn. “Don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” And now I wish the girls hadn’t come to my rescue because I don’t like the way he sounds. Like he knows something or thinks he does. They don’t need to hear whatever bullshit he’s going to spew.
“You sure about that?” he taunts, snickering. “How’s your living situation treating you?”
If it wasn’t impossible, I’d think he knows about Callum. There’s no way that’s possible. “Just fine, thanks.”
“Yeah.” His already dark eyes go nearly black, his voice deepening to a growl. “I bet it is.”
I’ve called him a lot of names in the past, butcreepywas never one of them. Something’s off, and it makes my pulse take off at a dizzying rate.
“Can you girls grab the drinks?” I ask before walking away without waiting for them to answer. I can’t spend another second in his presence, especially when he’s acting so weird. Maybe this wasn’t their first stop tonight, and he’s already drunk.
The problem is, I don’t know where to go. I can’t just leave. I won’t let him win by running me out of here. I have just as much right to be here as he does.
I’m about to turn the corner at the hall leading to the restrooms—because where else does a girl go when she’s trying to run away from a strange guy at the club—when a broad, hard chest gets in my way at the last second.
I rebound off it but am saved from falling backward by a pair of large, strong hands that take me by the arms. I know these hands. I know the scent of the cologne on his clothes and skin. Spicy. Warm.
I know this man.
And now my insides feel all hot and shaky, and my lungs forget how to work. Callum is here, and he’s holding me upright, and now I have no idea how to feel. I was trying to escape Lucas, only to end up in the grip of a man who might be the devil himself.
I chance looking up at him, and I wish I hadn’t. His expression is murderous, holding onto me while glaring over the top of my head. I shrink back from the rage burning behind his eyes. Rage I’ve seen while he was pointing a gun at me. I should scream and fight to get away, but fear—and sick, twisted excitement—hold me in place.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
He’s the man I’ve gone out of my way to avoid and the man I’ve wished night after night would kick the door in and ravish me. I don’t know whether to weep in dread or relief that he’s finally touching me again.
“The better question is, what areyoudoing here?” he growls in return, still shooting daggers across the room while his fingers bite into my flesh. “What do you think you’re doing, letting some stranger flirt with you?”