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Chapter 15
Grace
AsHaydenandTessasway beside me on the dance floor, I lose myself in having fun. It’s easy with both of them. Hayden is like a wall that keeps everyone away from us, as no man would dare grind against us with him around, and it makes for a fun night. He’s goofy one moment and suave the next, and Tessa keeps shooting her eyebrows up in question, but I pay her no mind. If seeing the man who shall not be mentioned has reminded me of anything, it’s that I’m not ready to date yet.
After three glasses of champagne, there is no hiding that I have to take a break from dancing and hit the ladies’ room.
As soon as I walk out of the bathroom, I’m met by a man wearing a suit and a serious look on his face. “Grace Kensington?”
I nod nervously. Did Tessa do something to get us kicked out? She probably tried to sneak upstairs.
“Follow me.” The man’s instruction leaves no room for argument. I follow along and am only momentarily surprised when he guides me into the elevator. With each passing floor, the anticipation grows to an almost manic level. He doesn’t say a word, just looking straight ahead, focused on his job. Which I’m guessing is delivering me to a certain location. As I start to open my mouth to ask where we’re going—to demand he bring me back to my friends—the elevator door opens and he presses me forward into the hall.
I’m not the least bit surprised when he opens a door and tells me to wait here and then he disappears without another word.
What the hell just happened? Do I have absolutely no fight or flight reaction? Am I one of those women in my stupid novels that gets kidnapped and tortured and enjoys it?
What am I doing just standing here and waiting for my death sentence?
Before I have time to answer my own insane questions, the door swings open and my executioner arrives.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, anger heating my body. It’s a stupid question. I knew he was going to be in here. The minute the bouncer approached me, I knew where I would end up and I still came.Why?
Cash’s eyes hold so much emotion as they gaze into my own. “I had to see you.”
I scoff. “What?”
“I tried calling,” he offers.
Rolling my eyes, I retort, “Changed my phone number after someone posted it online anonymously. Got a little tired of the late-night calls from men asking how much I charged.”
Cash winces. “I was in a bad place, Grace.”
I can’t even look at him. Grabbing the railing to balance myself, I look down at the club and away from his penetrating gaze. “Well, you’ve got me here. Say what you need to say so I can get back to my friends.”
“Hayden,” he grits out, as if it pains him to say it.
I don’t spare him a glance, ignoring whatever immature jealousy he’s sporting.
“I can’t bear to see you with him,” he whispers, his voice closer now and the warmth of his body within inches of my own. I lean closer to the railing, trying to keep him from getting too close. As he steps farther into my space, I feel my body coming to life with the promise of his touch.
Traitorous body parts.
“You don’t get a say in my life. You lost that right when you left me broken on the floor,” I manage to remind us both.
I need that reminder more than I’d like to admit. I circle my thoughts back to that night, but Cash’s pull is stronger as the palm of his hand lands on my hip, pulling my body into practical submission.
“Does his touch set fire to your skin like mine does?” he grits huskily into my ear, his breath sending a shiver of betrayal down my arms. With his left hand still on my hip, he presses against me and trails his fingers up my bare arm, and I have to hold back my whimper.
Do not let him know he’s affecting you.
“Do you possess his thoughts like you do mine? Making it impossible for him to work, to breathe, to fucking sleep at night without dreaming of your taste?” His tantalizing voice dances against my skin as he brushes the barest of kisses against my shoulder, and my legs clench together as I squeeze my eyes shut.
A shiver takes hold of my body as he inhales me, as if he’s taking a shot of my spirit, my vitality, a hit to hold him over until next time.
Staggering breaths work their way through my lungs, and I try to push back, but his hand grips me tighter. “Please, Grace, put me out of my misery.”
I don’t know why I reply, “How?”
