CHAPTER 15
FORD
Having spentanother twenty minutes attempting—and failing—to get a rise out of me for God only knows what reason, Lawson finally decided to move the party to the VIP booth I’d arranged for them earlier. However, despite my team’s best efforts, it quickly descended into a free-for-all, so I was beyond relieved when Emerson called out over the music.
“I think I’ll call it a night, Law.”
He steps around two producer friends of his to face her with concerned eyes.
“If you’re ready to leave, then I am, too.”
“No, no. You stay, Law—” Emmy holds up a quelling hand, but the asshat threads his fingers through hers and leads the way out of the VIP booth, leaving me to follow.
My eyes are helplessly drawn to the curve of her spine, following the gentle sway of her hips with each step she takes. But when I lift my head, I instantly spot Lawson Wilde's smirking face as he watches me with knowing eyes, and I instinctively glower in response, seething internally when he openly laughs at me.
Prick!
Thom and Kyle, both stationed at the booth's entrance, lead the way out of Rogue and onto the still-inundated pavement, where two black town cars are waiting.
Fans screaming and paparazzi swarming make getting to the cars difficult, and my stomach sinks when I can just about hear Lawson shout over the furor, “I’m heading uptown, so I’ll come with you, Em.”
I can’t help but clench my jaw as I open the back door for the couple, urging them into the darkness of the vehicle before closing the door.
“I’ll drive. Zane, you’re with me.” My man nods, ducking into the passenger seat as Kyle and Thom move off to take the second car, intent on following in convoy.
As I slip into the driver’s seat, Em’s eyes stay fixed on the rearview mirror. The streetlights outside the car light up her face, and her blonde hair glows like a halo around her head.
I’ve only ever been partial to peaches.
Her eyes told me she’d understood that my partiality was for her lips in particular.
As the thought enters my mind, my dick springs to life as my senses are bombarded with all things Emerson. Her unforgettable jasmine and rose scent. Skin as smooth as silk. A mouth that tastes like the sweetest fruit.
The memory of her arousal on my tongue. The feel of her tight, untouched pussy taking my dick, squeezing me, and begging for more…
What the fuck is wrong with you tonight, Holloway?
My usual stalwart control appears to be deserting me, and with each passing minute, I’m giving less and less of a shit.
“My brother’s in town if you want to come along and meet him, Em. He’s abigfan.”
Knowing he’s clearly still trying to needle me and needing to keep my mind off Emmy, I focus on getting to Ataraxia asquickly as possible. However, I’m listening keenly enough to hear Emmy decline the invitation, and I quickly jump in to query, “Is there anywhere, in particular, we can drop you, Mr. Wilde?”
Off the edge of a cliff, maybe?
As though he’s heard my thoughts, or perhaps even seen them on my face, Lawson shrugs, and his lips part in a broad grin. “I appreciate a man who can take a joke.”
When I catch them in the rearview, laughter and something akin to respect lightens his expression. “Yeah, you’re a good egg.”
I quirk a dark eyebrow, knowledgeable enough about British slang thanks to my friendship with the North family to know that he’s just paid me a compliment of sorts.
Then he leans closer to Emmy, whispering in her ear and making her cheeks flush bright pink before addressing me again.
“You can drop me anywhere here, man. Tryst isn’t far.”
I nod in acknowledgment, though I take the left ahead, bringing us onto the same street as his destination, dropping the asshat—who may be slightly less of an asshat than I’d initially thought—right outside the door.
As he bids Emmy farewell, Zane slips out of the passenger seat, rounding the car to open the rear driver’s side door. “Zane will stay with you, Mr. Wilde.” He opens his mouth to protest, but I firmly cut him off, “For my own peace of mind.”
