Chapter 239
The music swallows us whole, bass thumping, bodies pressed close, heat and movement everywhere. Lilly dances like she was born for it, carefree and electric. I try to keep up, laughing despite myself, letting the rhythm carry me.
For a moment, just a moment, I forget. Well, that is until someone bumps into Lilly.
A tall, dark-haired man with a charming smile. They exchange a few words I can’t hear, and then just like that, he spins her away.
“Lilly!” I shout, but she only throws me a thumbs-up over her shoulder.
Traitor.
I step back, suddenly very aware of my body, my condition, and the sweat clinging to my skin. I make my way back to the booth, heart still racing, and sit. I’ve barely settled when someone appears in front of me.
“Bonsoir p>
I look up. He’s handsome in an effortless way. Clean-cut, kind eyes, and a soft accent. He leans closer so I can hear him over the music.
“I hope I’m not interrupting. I saw you sitting alone p>
I smile politely. “My friend abandoned me p>
He chuckles. “Then allow me to keep you company p>
He sits, respectful, not crowding me. We talk about Paris, about travel, about nothing important. He leans in now and then, his voice warm near my ear.
He’s nice, I’ll admit, but the problem is I feel nothing.
He doesn’t make me feel the way Adrian does or the way Noah once did. If anything, what I feel around him is closer to how other men used to make me feel. No spark. No flutter. No pull… Just emptiness.
I enjoy his company, though and he’d make a good friend.
We continue talking and just as I am getting into it, the air changes again and a shadow falls over us.
A hand closes around my wrist. I gasp and turn only to come face-to-face with Noah.
His jaw is clenched, and his eyes are dark and furious.
“What the hell are you doing?” he snaps.
Before I can answer, he yanks me to my feet.
“Hey I protest, stumbling.
The man stands. “Is there a problem p>
“Yes,” Noah growls. “There is p>
He pulls me away, threading through the crowd like a force of nature. Lilly appears out of nowhere, eyes wide.
“Noah, what the hell p>
“Stay out of this,” he snaps without looking back. “I’m taking her back to the hotel p>
“You don’t get to p>
“I said stay the fuck out of it p>
The cold authority in his voice stops her.
He drags me outside, the cool night air hitting my face as we reach the car. The door opens, closes, and suddenly we’re moving.
Silence stretches, thick and volatile, but the moment we step into the suite, it explodes.
“Have you lost your damn mind?” he shouts. “A club? While pregnant? Letting strangers touch you p>
I spin on him. “He didn’t touch me p>
“That’s not the point p>
“Yes, it is!” I fire back. “What is your problem, Noah? You don’t get to control where I go or who I talk to p>
“You’re carrying my child p>
“And that gives you what? Ownership? Have you forgotten that you don’t want this baby p>
His chest heaves. “It gives me the right to protect you p>
I note he ignores every other thing I’ve said, but to hell. It doesn’t even matter.
“Protect me?” I laugh bitterly. “You weren’t protecting me. You were pissed off and jealous p>
He steps closer. “Don’t try to fucking twist this p>
“I’m not twisting anything. You ignored us all night, then lost your mind because another man dared sit next to me p>
We’re inches apart now. So close I can feel his breath, see the conflict burning behind his eyes.
“That’s not it,” he says hoarsely.
“Really?” I challenge. “Then what is it? Because I’m dying to know p>
His jaw tightens, teeth grinding so hard I’m convinced he’s about to crack a molar.
“He was a fucking stranger,” he snaps.
“Yeah,” I fire back, jabbing a finger into his chest, “and Lilly was dancing with a stranger too but you didn’t react the same way. Just admit it.” My voice drops. “You were jealous p>
He doesn’t answer. Instead, his gaze drifts to my mouth.
The room stills. Everything inside me stills. Hell, It feels like the whole world has come to a standstill.
Slowly, like he’s fighting himself, he leans in.
My heart slams against my ribs, and for one reckless second, I’m that girl again. The one who craved him. For one stupid second, I almost let it happen.
Then I remember what happened last time. I remember how toxic we are together.
I can’t let this happen.
He’s been drinking, and if I let it go any further, it’ll blow up in my face all over again. I’m not ready for the aftermath of another bad decision and I refuse to kiss a man who hates me.
Been there. Done that. And I still have the scars to prove it.
For once, I’m finally learning from my mistakes.
I pull back, stepping away, my eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
There is a beat of silence before he turns and leaves, the door slamming shut behind him.