Chapter 11 - Simon
Blair is glaring at me angrily. I’m watching the emotions flood her as she clenches her fists at her sides. She’s not backing down. But neither am I. I’m too upset.
But even as I lecture her, I know in the back of my mind I’m not being fair. I saw how she handled that guy. She didn’t encourage him. She walked away, and he followed, and even then, she was making it clear that she wasn’t interested. Her body language was completely closed off and even defensive toward him.
I wanted to rip that asshole apart for touching her.
I wanted to tear his hands from his body and watch him writhe in pain.
Jealous rage snakes through me in dark and dangerous ways. I clench my jaw, trying to grab hold of myself so I don’t end up taking it all out on Blair.Stop shouting at her. She’s not the one in the wrong here.But the emotions flooding me are getting the better of me.
“I’m not letting you out alone again!” I snap.
This time, she doesn’t even reply. Her face changes.
Her eyes grow wider, and suddenly, it looks like she is about to burst into tears.
“Blair?” I stammer, feeling terrible for being so harsh with her.
She shakes her head and looks away, swallowing hard. When I reach out to touch her, she doesn’t flinch from me in the slightest, like she usually does, but I realize her body is shaking slightly.
What in the world is going on?
“Blair, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you like that. It wasn’t fair of me,” I sigh, pulling her close and wrapping my arms around her. I’m disappointed in myself. I had no right to treat her like that. Now I’m the asshole I need to protect her from.
I stroke my hand through her hair and mutter sorry again.
“It wasn’t you. I just… I hate it when guys get like that,” she mumbles against my chest.
I can only just make out what she’s saying.
I glance around the club. It’s noisy, packed, and stuffy.
“Come on, let’s get some fresh air. I think you need some fresh air,” I say, wrapping my arm around her waist and leading her away from the bar toward the doors.
She lets me guide her all the way to my car parked in the lot near the club. I can tell she’s a little drunk. Or a lot drunk. She certainly had enough tequila shots to have that effect.
I open the door and help her inside, making sure she’s in safely before I close it.
Once I’m in the car, I notice how upset she still is. I reach out and gently touch her cheek. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s over. I’m really sorry for the way I reacted. I know I crossed the line,” I say gently. “I lost control there for a bit and took it out on you,” I sigh.
“Were you following me?” she huffs, glaring at me, her eyes narrowed and full of accusation.
“I was, yes. But I had no intention of interfering with your night at all. Not until that guy showed up. I didn’t want to ruinyour fun. I just wanted to keep an eye on you and make sure you were safe,” I try to explain.
She shakes her head. “You said I would have freedom,” she complains.
“What if Jaco’s guys are still looking for you, Blair? I didn’t want to take the risk. I’mnotsorry I followed you. I had good intentions. You wouldn’t even have known I was there if that guy hadn’t gotten too forward.”
She bites at her bottom lip and narrows her eyes at me, studying my face as though she’s trying to work something out.
I’ve been watching her dance all night in that tight black dress, and it’s been a challenge to stay away from her. But I meant what I told her. I had no intention of interfering.
“You were very scary in there,” she whispers.
Sighing again, I push my hand through my hair.
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say, my eyes drifting over her body.I wanted to be dancing next to her. I wanted to feel her against me while the music pulsed around us.
