by LP Lovell
“Chill out mate.” Cruise holds his hands up.
“You have to excuse him. He’s gotten into a lot of fights around here.” Hugo shouts over the music. Cruise nods his head once before beckoning us to follow him. We make our way through the dancing crowd. Women brush up against me suggestively as I pass. One even tries to grab my crotch. Fucking hell, they’re like animals.
Eventually he points to the corner of the room. I don’t see anything at first, but then the lights flash over the spot and I see a guy. A big guy, who has a red head pinned up against the wall. His hands are all over her, and he’s kissing her. I don’t think, I just react. I rush him and grab him by the back of his shirt, pulling him away from her. He staggers slightly before I punch him in the jaw. Hard. He’s a big guy, covered in tats and honed muscle. He spits a mouthful of blood onto the floor and smiles before he comes at me. He hits me and it feels like a fucking sledgehammer just rearranged my face. I lean against the wall for a second before my brain catches up and tells me to kill him.
Cruise steps in front of me and puts a hand on the guys chest while Hugo restrains me. I fight against him. That fucking prick is going down. “Enough.” Hugo shouts in my ear. “You got him big guy. Now sort your girl out. She’s not being the most co-operative.” I glare at the other guy over Cruises shoulder. Cruise says something to him, and he reluctantly walks away.
My brain slowly starts to come out of the red haze. Lilly. Where is she? I look around and spot Molly standing a few feet away from us with a very angry looking Lilly swaying next to her.
I walk up to her and grab her face. “You okay?” I ask her.
She slaps me away clumsily. “No, I’m not okay, you just fucking punched him!”
My eyes flick over her barely covered body. Her black skin tight dress is skimming the very tops of her thighs, leaving her toned legs on full display. The neckline plunges almost to her stomach advertising her ample cleavage, not to mention I can see every tight plane of her body beneath the material. No wonder that guy was so pissed I pulled him off her. My cock is like an over eager puppy right now.
“You’re done. You’re going home.” I cut her off.
“No I’m not.” She slurs. “Come on Mole.”
She takes Molly’s hand and the pair of them stagger toward the dance floor on their skyscraper heels. Lilly stumbles slightly and almost falls, nearly taking Molly with her. Fuck my life. Cruise appears in front of her.
I can’t hear what she says to him, but she tries to hit him, so I can’t imagine it’s good.
“You might want to sort her out.” Hugo appears next to me. “I’ll get Molly. They’re a pair of drunk rats.” Yeah, only one way this is going. I walk up to her and scoop her up. I throw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s lift.
“Fucking put me down.” She pounds on my back feebly.
“Hey Cruise.” I shout as he turns to walk away. He glances back over his shoulder. “Thanks.” I say. He nods and moves away through the crowded club.
I carry Lilly out of the club and into the lift, her shouting obscenities all the way. Hugo and Molly follow me before the metal gate closes.
“Molly you traitor.” Lilly slurs. “Help me.”
“I can’t. Arrogant arsehole has you.” She mock whispers.
“Kick him in the nuts.” Lilly whisper shouts back. Hugo puts his hand over his mouth to cover his laugh.
Molly starts laughing, and then Lilly starts laughing. “Seriously, help!” She cries through fits of giggles. “You best not be looking up my dress either you fucking pervert!” She shouts as she flails around. “And don’t point me at Hugo!”
“We wouldn’t be able to see up your dress if you were actually wearing a dress, that scrap of material doesn’t count.” I say exasperated.
“Hey, this is Dior.” She retorts.
“More like di whore.” I mumble.
“Did you just call me a whore? Again!?” She starts squirming again.
“Dude.” Hugo cringes. “When did you call her a whore?” He asks.
I inhale deeply. “It was a heat of the moment thing.” I defend myself. “But yeah, it was still shitty.”
“Brave move my man.” He replies with a wince.
“Just so you know, you’re an arsehole.” Molly adds.
“Yeah, I got that.”
“You’re a cock block!” Lilly shouts. We reach the top and Hugo slides the gate open.
“Yeah alright. Enough with the drunk heckling back there.” I say as I step out of the lift.
“Put me down. I can walk.” She demands.
“Fine.” I slide her down my body until she’s stood. She immediately tries to knee me in the groin, but she’s slow and sloppy. I grin at her feisty temper.
Hugo laughs. “Fucking hell girl, he just took a punch for you and that’s how you repay him.”
“Good. I hate him.” She says as she staggers sideways.
I lead her through the pub and place her in the passenger seat of the Aston. When I turn back around to look at her she has her middle finger pressed up against the window.
Hugo snorts. “Dude. That girl is a handful.”
I sigh. “Don’t I fucking know it.”
“Leave Lilly alone arsehole. If you touch her I’m going to cut off your balls and feed them to you!” Molly shouts from her spot leant against the Mas.
I drag my hands through my hair. Multi million pound companies I can handle. Two drunk women, not so much. “You good to drive?” I ask Hugo. Molly definitely isn’t.
He shrugs. “Sure.”
“Take Molly home in Lilly’s car, I’ll take Lilly to mine.”
He laughs. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
I shrug. “Oh, I can handle her.”
He laughs as he turns away from me. “You are so fucking pussy whipped.”
I get in the Aston and start the engine. “Now just to reiterate, if you are going to be sick tell me.”
“Yeah yeah. I know. The car is holy ground. Just so you know my car is better.”
“Is that so?” I smirk. The streets of London are fairly quiet as we drive across town.
“Uh huh. And you’re not having her back.” She slurs.
“I don’t want it back. It’s yours.” I tell her.
“Even though I hate you?” She asks. The way she says it is so innocent. There’s no malice in it. I glance over at her. She’s turned toward me, her face resting side on against the seat, just watching me.
“Do you hate me?” I ask quietly.
“I don’t know.” She says sleepily.
I nod. I don’t want her to hate me. I guess by chasing her I’m pushing her to hate me, but what other option do I have?
I glance over at her. Her eyes are shut, her red hair spilling around her beautiful face. I smile. She looks so peaceful when she’s asleep. It’s the only time she’s not fighting or running from some unseen demons.
When I pull into the garage I try to wake her but she’s practically comatose. I lift her out of the car and take her inside the house. Her body cradled against my chest feels too good, especially given her state. I place her on the bed in one of the spare rooms. She stirs slightly. I’m not going to undress her. That may be pushing my restraint a little too far. I pull her shoes off and remove her jewellery before covering her with the duvet. I put her clutch bag on the bedside table and stand to leave. I feel her small fingers grip mine.
“Stay.” She mumbles.
I sit on the edge of the bed. “Lilly, you need to sleep it off.” I brush a stray her off her face. Her eyes open and meet mine with crystal clarity. “Please stay.” She whispers.
I find myself nodding. I slip my jeans off and crawl into the bed with her. She immediately curls into my side. My whole body sighs in relief. I stroke her hair where her head rests on my shoulder, and kiss her forehead.
“I love you sugar.” I whisper to her.
“I love you.” She mumbles. This is such a bad idea. My bruised heart can�
��t handle the hope. This right here, this is Lilly with her guard down. As much as this is the real Lilly, it isn’t. This isn’t the Lilly I’ll have to face tomorrow morning. That Lilly won’t love me, she’ll hate me.
I fall asleep basking in the bliss of her touch, whilst dreading the moment when I have to wake up.
Chapter Fourteen
Lilly
I wake up in the morning and I feel like fucking shit. I sit up and immediately need to hurl. I scramble across the room to a bathroom in the corner. I heave but nothing comes up. I break out in a cold sweat and start shaking. Fuck my life, I think I might die. I stagger back to the room I just came from. I don’t recognise it. It’s all expensive furnishings and neutral tones. It looks like a posh hotel room. Where the fuck am I? I glance down to see that I’m still wearing the same clothes from the night before, so that means no sex. I can’t remember much beyond dancing with that guy. He didn’t look like the type to have a pad like this. My bag is on the bedside table. I dig out my phone and send Molly a text asking where she is. I find a toothbrush and some toothpaste in the bathroom and brush my teeth. I wipe the make-up from under my eyes and pull my hair back into a ponytail. Well I look slightly better even if I feel like something a dog just threw up.
I open the bedroom door and quickly close it. Fuck, I don’t know this room, but I know that hallway. It’s Theo’s hallway. Shit. Why!? The big guy in the sky must seriously have it in for me. I’ll sneak out. Yes, this is good. He’s probably upstairs.
I grab my bag and shoes. I don’t put them on because they make too much noise. I open the door and slip into the hallway. I press myself against the wall and listen. I can’t hear him. I tip toe across the hallway. The front door is maybe ten yards away down the long hallway. I’m almost there, almost, when the door to the gym swings open on my right. I shriek in surprise. Theo steps into the hallway with a frown on his face.
“Uh, you okay?” He asks.
I nod. My heart is going like a jack hammer, firstly from shock and secondly, because Theodore Ellis is standing in front of me shirtless…and sweaty…and looking so, so fine. I can practically hear angels singing in my ear as he stands in the morning light cast from the windows. My mouth goes dry as I watch a drop of sweat travel between his pecks oh so slowly. Oh god, I’m staring. Fuck, I can’t help myself. He’s all chiselled muscles and inked skin. Look up Lilly, I tell myself. I eventually look up to find the most infuriatingly smug smile plastered all over his bruised face.
“Oh my god. What happened to your face?” His beautiful face.
His eyebrows shoot up. “You don’t remember?”
“Oh fuck. Did I do that?” Shit. I really need to learn to control my temper. He probably deserved it.
He laughs. “You’ve got a good swing sugar, but not that good.” I hate it when he calls me that, because I love it. My stupid heart flutters when he says it.
“I beg to differ.” I grumble.
He smiles. “How are you feeling this morning?” He asks, changing the subject. Why is he being all fucking cheery?
“I, um…Yeah, okay. I need to go.” I stutter as I try desperately not to look at that unbelievable body. Jesus, I don’t even remember it being that good. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, well my spell away from those abs has definitely made me all the more appreciative. Jesus, would it be weird if I touch them, like a quick pet? Fuck, the last time we spoke he was calling me a whore. I need to leave and I need to stop looking at him.
He chuckles. “At least stay for breakfast? You look like you could do with a good feed.” He frowns. “Please….I did take a punch for you…” He grins.
“Yeah well, karma’s a bitch.” I smirk. He stares me down. “Fine, I’ll stay for a coffee. I can’t eat right now or I’ll hurl, and you will tell me what the fuck happened last night, as clearly I am missing a huge part of my night.” I grumble. “Then I am leaving, because I just remembered that you’re an arsehole.”
“Okay. Let me just have a quick shower and I’ll be up.” He says, ignoring my jibe as he heads to his room. Great, and now I’m thinking about him in the shower. Note to self, never look upon Theo’s naked body. It’s the equivalent of a siren’ voice just trying to lure me to my death. Do not be tempted!
I move around his kitchen easily. My heart throbs a little. How many hours have I spent in this house just hanging out, laughing, drinking, eating? It all feels so long ago now, like I can’t remember what it’s like to be in his presence without feeling this intense need to lash out or run. I can’t remember what it felt like to drop my walls, but I did. With him, here, I did.
I sigh as I take a sip of my coffee. His coffee machine makes costa worthy coffee. “You sure you don’t want some food?” He asks as he comes up behind me.
Oh god, my head hurts. “Shhh, quietly.” At least he has a shirt on now, thank god. There’s only so long I can hold out before my vagina assumes control over my brain, hung over or not.
He smiles wide. “I’m glad I’m not the only one whose head is killing me.” He goes to a drawer and pulls out a bottle of aspirin. “Here.” He puts two on the counter in front of me and takes two himself. His face is black and blue. Bruising dots his jaw line and across his cheekbone. I pick up the pills and swallow them.
“Thanks.” I mumble. “So, why am I here? We’re not exactly on good terms after our last meeting.”
He smirks as he cracks some eggs into a bowl. “You and I will never be on bad terms sugar.”
I roll my eyes. His arrogance knows no bounds. “Okay, I’ll rephrase. You’re on my shit list and I think you’re a prick. So how did you get that shiner?”
He clenches his jaw and makes an effort not to look at me. “I came to the Underground and I saw you with a guy. You were really drunk and he was very…handsy. I punched him. Turns out the guy has a swing like Mike Tyson.”
I put my head in my hands. “Seriously, you have to stop doing this Theo.” Then I remember why I went to The Underground in the first place. “You paid Cruise off.”
He takes a deep breath and stops what he’s doing. His eyes meet mine across the breakfast bar. “I did, but it was a heat of the moment thing. It was straight after our fight in the alleyway.”
“That wasn’t a fight Theo. That was you being a fucking arsehole and you know it.” I try to sound stern, but raising my voice hurts. “Why go after Cruise?”
He leans his forearms on the bar and drops his head. “I’m sorry okay, for all of it. I see now that Cruise is a good friend to you, but I can also see that he wants you.” He lifts his head and his eyes meet mine.
“You have to stop.” I whisper. “This is crazy. You’re paying my friends off, you punch a guy for touching me. Oh, and don’t think I don’t know about Hardy either. He told me you tried to buy him off.”
He offers me a small smile and he reminds me of a little boy caught doing something naughty. “Trust me when I say I have my reasons. I will never be rational when it comes to you, Lilly.” He shrugs unapologetically. His eyes meet mine with a startling intensity. “No matter what happens between us, I will never stop fighting for you.” I wouldn’t want you to, I think. Something passes between us. That deep routed connection that we have pulls at me. He’s inside my walls no matter how hard I try to keep him out.
He moves around the breakfast bar until he’s stood in front of me. “I am so sorry for what happened at Note.” He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair away from my neck. The feel of his fingers on my skin makes my pulse jump and my breath hitch. “I was angry and you’re right, I was a prick, but know that anything I do, I do because I can’t bare losing you.” His eyes hold mine, pulling me in and dragging me under. I feel like I can’t breathe, as though I can’t fight. I want to just let go and drown, because it would be easier than fighting him.
His hand trails from my neck, across my collar bone sending goose bumps all over my skin. He moves closer until our lips are almost touching. I’m powerless in his presen
ce. I suddenly can’t remember why I shouldn’t just kiss him.
I jump when my phone starts vibrating and jumping around the breakfast bar. It breaks whatever weird trance he has me in, and I Jump at the chance of escaping him.
“Hello.” I answer.
“Is that Miss Parker?” A male voice asks.
“Speaking.” Theo moves away from me to carry on whatever he was doing.
“Look, I just found this woman passed out at the back of Scream. She hasn’t got a phone, but your card was in her bag. Her ID says her name is Cassandra Blake. Do you know her?” I look up to see Theo watching me. I smile quickly.
“Um yeah, look I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks. I’ll move her inside okay. Just knock on the staff entrance round the back.” He tells me.
“Will do. Thanks.” I hang up. I can’t tell Theo, or he’ll know I gave her my number. She needs help, and if I tell him then he may not give it to her. I need to assess the situation first.
“I have to go.” I tell him.
“Work on a Saturday?” He frowns.
“Um, something like that. Theo, can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
“If I weren’t around, would you help Cassie?” I ask quietly.
His entire body goes rigid tense as he looks away from me. “Irrelevant of us, she’s trying to force me into a corner. I’m not going to help her do that.”
“But when the baby is born?” I push.
He sighs. “Then I’ll deal with it. Why are you asking me this, Lilly?” His eyes meet mine, tension swirling in their depths.
“Because I hate the thought that you’re abandoning your child because of me.” I stand and move toward the stairs.
“Is that what you think? That I would abandon my own child?” I don’t answer because truth be told, I don’t know the answer to that.
