The chuckle escaped his lips, but he shook his head. “Not really. I never went to school, grew up homeschooled along with my brother. He had no problems with my differences.”
“You’re lucky then.”
His face got a wistful expression as he gazed ahead of him at the crystal chandelier.
“Luck is a fickle thing, Sapphire. Believe me.” His hands fisted, but then he relaxed, put one arm behind me, and sat closer. “Any plans for the night?”
“Getting laid.” He froze beside me, and I slapped my hand on my mouth, dying in mortification because of what I just said. Did I seriously let the guy know I was looking for a hookup? Who does that? This was just ridiculous on so many levels, but there was no way of taking those words back. “It’s been a long time for me,” I added defensively, and if it was possible, it made him tense beside me even more. What was this guy’s deal anyway? “Not that the last time was anything spectacular, mind you, but at least I got off.” Well, if we were counting the actual sex and not what happened with his brother. Because his brother had some spectacular skills.
His hand covered my mouth, so I finally shut up and part of me was grateful for that. Maybe the drink had some truth serum added?
“No need to continue.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry for ruining your plans.” He looked down, let go of me, and placed his drink back on the table while trying to adjust his damn glasses again, which kept sliding down his nose. To some extent, the whole action was adorable.
“You didn’t ruin it. It was a stupid idea anyway.” What were we doing here in this club where everything felt out of place? None of it ever appealed to me, and he didn't seem like the type either. Who were we trying to fool? Making up my mind, I stood up to his utter confusion and gave him my hand.
“Want to get away from here?”
His eyes widened in surprise and he opened his mouth, but then his eyes rose and his expression hardened. Curious about what got such a reaction from him, I glanced behind me, but there was nothing but mirrors. When my eyes were back on him, his expression was closed off and he shook his head. “I can’t go right now.”
And he needed to look into the mirror to come to this conclusion?
His reply stung. I wasn't offering sex or anything, just a walk on the streets in New York, but clearly he wasn't interested.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and tried to smile, acting fine when I was anything but.
“Right. Okay, then. I have to go. I have an early shift tomorrow at work.” Which wasn't a complete lie, even though translating word documents didn't require me to get out of the house. He stood up and made a move toward me, but I took one back.
“Sapphire.”
“No, it’s fine.” Without waiting for his reply, I quickly moved through the bodies and inhaled the fresh air outside the club, enjoying the cooling sensations of the wind on my skin. To my surprise, a cab was waiting for me, which almost never happened in such places, so I got inside after giving my address and tried to forget this bizarre night.
The side of my head rested on the window and I closed my eyes. The image of the sinful stranger, the club owner, popped in my mind and a tremor ran through me.
His kisses, his touches, his smell. He was a constant guest in my dreams; thoughts of him made me wake up sweaty and needy, not that anything helped to dull the ache.
And he didn't even remember my name.
Hysterical laughter came out of my mouth and I was powerless to stop it. The cab driver turned and raised his brows, but said nothing, and thank God for that. Finally, when my sides started to hurt and tears ran down my cheeks, I got myself together and wished to forget all this mess.
Then it hit me.
I never learned their names.
How those brothers managed to get information from me when I knew nothing about them was beyond me.
Sociopath
Alan was taking her home per my instructions, in the cab I had specially ordered when she started to run away from the club.
I sent someone to keep an eye on her until she got home. As much as I wanted to punish and kidnap her, no one else was allowed to touch Sapphire. She lived in a shitty neighborhood after that family of hers disowned her.
No one messed with what was mine.
No one but me.
Unfortunately, it was inevitable.
Once inside the study, he spun me around, my back to the door as he placed his palms on the sides of my head. He gazed at me with lust-filled amber eyes as I licked my lips. His eyes followed my movements and I couldn't wait anymore. My hands grabbed his jacket, pulling him closer to me as my mouth ended up on his.
My imagination convinced me kissing him would be like hot lava flowing over me.
However, nothing happened. He stood there silent, with no movement. He didn't open his mouth for my tongue. My body froze as cold spread inside me. He didn't want me; how could this be? Desire filled his eyes. Humiliation had a sour taste. I let go of him and began to move away, when suddenly his hands grabbed my ass and lifted me up as a yelp escaped my mouth. My legs circled his waist as his lips instantly sought mine with a demanding and heated kiss that made my toes curl. His tongue roamed chaotically in my mouth, our teeth clashing.