"You call me." He interrupted, his eyes blazing.
I smirked. "And when you're romancing someone?"
"I'll drop them." His voice was gruff. "And I don't romance anyone, Angel. I fuck them. Hard."
"You're disgusting, Dace." I took a step toward the door and he grabbed the back of my jacket, halting my escape.
"I disgust you?" He turned me around to face him and I hardened my features, hoping he took my every word with more than a grain of salt.
"The way you refer to women disgusts me. The fact that you use them for nothing but a good time disgusts me."
"They know what they're getting into when they take me on, Ella." His tone was bitingly hostile. "It's not like it's a surprise that I don't want more from them."
That's where he was wrong. I didn't understand his way of living or the lack of attachment desired from another. It did surprise me. What happened in his life that damaged him so badly? "Have you ever been in a relationship, Dace?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't want one."
I fisted my hands in frustration and I knew he saw by the small smile claiming his face. Sometimes he was so hard to have a serious conversation with. Seeing his smile always had the opposite effect on me than I wanted. I should be angry, but when he smiled, I wanted to too. "What's wrong with having someone who cares for you?"
"Limitations and liabilities." He answered easily and I frowned. He'd definitely been asked this question before.
"I don't understand." I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and fought the shiver the biting air induced on me.
"In relationships there are limitations and liabilities." He shrugged. "I see it all the time, guys take on girls and they become a fraction of the man they once were. I have too many secrets and too many habits to take the time to worry about a relationship."
"So essentially, you're afraid of someone getting close enough to you that you might actually have to be forthcoming? You're afraid of thinking more about someone else than about yourself?"
Dace's jaw twitched and anger deepened his blue eyes to black. It was frightening, but I held my ground. I knew I'd struck a nerve, but if he wanted to be friends with me then he had to get over the challenges I would present, because I had no desire to sit back and take his bullshit. Some of the shit he did and said was just downright ridiculous.
"Let's get inside." His eyes didn't sway from my face. "It's getting cold."
"Yeah, it's cold." I muttered before I spun around to the door. This time Dace didn't stop me from walking away, but he did follow.
Dace unlocked the door with his key and held it open only long enough for me to slip by him. The large man who called himself Rex was seated at a table near the door. He wore a black leather vest with a pair of dark jeans. His boots were untied and his knees were spread apart. He looked like a lazy lump on a log, but despite his appearance, I had a feeling he was capable of quick reaction and brutal consequence.
"Rex," Dace nodded. "Everyone here?"
Rex swiped at his lips, wiping stray sub sauce from trickling down his chin. "Yeah," his voice was deep. "Daman too."
Dace stiffened. "Daman's here?"
"He is." Rex took another bite, not bothering to swallow before speaking. "He wanted to know when you arrived." His eyes swiveled to where I stood, feeling awkward. "He want's to know why he's taking your place tonight."
Dace stiffened. "I'll talk to him."
"You know where to find him." Rex stated.
Dace looked back at me. "Come on." He commanded as he strode to the hall, disappearing into the dim light. I followed, determined not to fall behind. His strides were much quicker than usual and I couldn't help but wonder if Rex had somehow angered him - or maybe it had been me who'd angered him before we'd even stepped into the club. Dace was so hot and cold, it was hard to know what would anger him and when.
Dace turned and I knew we were only steps from standing on the dance floor. He spoke without turning to face me. "You can chill at the bar until Impact opens…get to know some of the girls."
"Sounds good." I nodded more to myself than him. I was nervous. "Where will you be?"
"In my office, or Daman's." His tone was low. It sounded hostile and I didn't reply. I didn't want to piss him off any more than he already was. As soon as I caught sight of the bar, I started walking away from him but his hand on my wrist stopped me. "I'm sorry I'm being an ass."
"It's all right." I smiled assuredly.
"It's not." He dropped my wrist to run his hands through inky black hair. "I'll see you later, okay?"