Page 14 of The Doctor

Kylo’s lips curled at one side, and he shook his head before reaching for and unclipping the rope. “Just don’t tell him it was me that let you in.”

Chloe and Sadie rushed through the small opening without a glance back at me. But I paused at Kylo’s side as the big man’s thick hand around my arm stopped me. He lowered his face toward me, then pointed to his cheek.

This was one ritual I didn’t mind a bit.

I smacked my lips against his skin, laughing when I pulled away and found a perfect kiss stamped across his cheek in my favorite lipstick.

“You’re the best, Kylo.”

“You know it, kid.”

Kid. Kid.

Kid.

My mind spun around the word as I pushed my way through the entrance. I had to blink away the images that flashed in front of my eyes.

Zeno, naked, his hard cock pressed into my stomach, his soft lips a cushion under mine.

Zeno, standing before me, his skin so smooth and velvety against my palm.

Zeno, chasing me through his house, and my disappointment when he stopped at the foot of the stairs instead of tackling me, taking from me what I would freely give the only man I’d ever loved.

Instead of Zeno in front of me, it was a hoard of men and women—nothing more than a bunch of boys and girls—all vying to be seen as they danced to the pulsing beat of the music pounding through the club.

Chloe and Sadie were nowhere to be seen.

Winding through the crowd, I made my way to the stairs at the back that led to the VIP section and my destination for tonight.

I hadn’t wanted to come out with my friends. I’d much rather have sneaked out, then sneaked in to Zeno’s bed. I knew the code to get in through the Fort Knox of his front door. I could have done it. I could have been there right now, picking up where we’d barely begun the other day.

But there was something I needed more than I needed him at this moment.

And I hoped he was upstairs.

“Clara!” Sadie’s whining voice cut through the loud noises swirling through the club. I found her without issue, her heel stomping into the deep red carpet at the base of the stairs. She was closer to toddler than girl as she did it again, pointing over her shoulder at the bouncer blocking her way. “He won’t let us in!”

Jimmy’s stiff posture relaxed slightly as I pulled to a stop in front of him. I mimicked him, crossing my arms over my chest, then breaking into a smile when he did.

“I take it these two belong to you?”

Instead of answering right away, I crooked my finger at him, gesturing for him to lean closer. When he did, I pressed a lipstick stain into his cheek.

“Of course, they do.” I squeezed his thick biceps, and he surprised me by wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

“Your brother’s going to kill me someday.” Jimmy peered down into my eyes, and I tried to shake off my discomfort when he wet his lips with his tongue. “And some days, I think it could be worth it.”

“Ok, eww. Enough with this little love fest.” Sadie stomped her foot. “Are you going to let us in, or what?”

Jimmy released me, the strange softness in his eyes turning into hardened stone as his gaze dripped over my friends and returned to me. “You promise to keep an eye on them?”

“Of course!” Of course, that was a lie.

I was here for one thing and one thing only.

He nodded, then stepped aside. My friends darted past me, up the red carpeted stairs. I tried to follow but got stopped the way I had out front.

“One more for the road?” He pointed to his cheek.