by Mary Abshire
Chapter Thirteen
Emily danced as the tunes kept mixing into new ones. The fast beat kept her and everyone else around her energized. She’d lost track of Jessica and Erik. The two had been dancing closely most of the night. After they’d left, a handsome young man with light-brown hair slipped in to be her partner. He wore a blue shirt and khaki pants. A couple of times he’d moved close and swayed in line with her movements. When he’d tried to press his body to hers, she’d backed away discreetly. The constant attention and touches annoyed her, but she was having too much fun to leave yet. Besides, she had to keep the act up if others were watching. Based on Andrew’s tip, she believed someone was.
She’d glanced at Andrew a few times while she’d been dancing. He seemed to enjoy the company around him. Two ladies in particular had stayed close to him most of the night. No matter who his partner was, they all wanted to get their paws on him. His ability to handle so many women impressed her. But then again, he was a man. Every one of them had sex on the brain twenty-four hours a day. Well, close to it. And since Andrew couldn’t have sex he was probably taking advantage of his opportunity to touch any lady he could come in contact with.
Sweat had formed on the back of her neck and forehead. The heat from so many bodies had started to take its toll on her again. She slowed her movements and fanned herself. Of course, that didn’t cool her one bit. She lifted her locks and continued dancing. As the tune mixed into the next one, she considered leaving.
The night had been a success in Emily’s mind. She’d learned a lot about Jessica. She was only a year younger and had finished college. Since she couldn’t find a decent job to pay bills, she’d started selling her body. She’d been a working girl part time for a few years while she worked a regular job. Jessica seemed like a smart young woman, but she worried about her future more since she’d been arrested. She spoke highly of Michael and said he’d been nothing but kind to her. Of course, she didn’t get paid for her services from him and she had to go home with him at least twice a week. Emily thought he was taking advantage of her, but she didn’t seem to think he was since he was working on getting her charges reduced.
Meeting Michael had been an achievement. Their conversation hadn’t been long, but at least Emily had spoken to him and obtained his business card. She’d have to call and set up a meeting with him first thing in the morning. The man had seemed professional and courteous. He’d treated her with respect and hadn’t acted rude. If it weren’t for Andrew’s ability to see auras, she wouldn’t have suspected Michael was a demon scumbag. And while she doubted becoming a client would help, it would get her close to him. If she’d portrayed a hooker without pending criminal charges, odds were likely she and Andrew would’ve had to spend more time in the city to figure out a way to get rid of the demon.
Emily’s body temperature had reached a point she couldn’t tolerate it anymore. Her clothes started to feel damp along her back and her arms were getting tired of holding her hair up. She lowered her limbs and halted her dance moves.
The young man dancing in front of her leaned close to her ear. “You want a drink?” He stayed near her face, waiting for a response.
She gave a single shake of her head. “I’m going to head out. It’s too hot in here.”
“I’ll walk you out,” he said over the loud thumping music.
He seemed friendly, so she didn’t argue. Besides, she knew enough self-defense moves. If he tried anything, she’d give him a punch to the nose or kick to the groin to send him away.
She squeezed between bodies, heading off the dance floor. The thin guy followed her. She’d considered looking for Andrew, but decided he could do whatever he wanted. His protection services weren’t needed.
The crowd thinned halfway to the exit. Servers at the square bar continued to fill orders at a quick pace. It amazed her how they managed to keep up with so many requests from customers. The tips had to be nice.
“I’m Derek,” the young man walking beside her said. “Do you live nearby?”
She paused near the exit. “No, I don’t. And you don’t have to walk me out. I’m just going to the subway two blocks from here.”
He shrugged. “It’s cool. I don’t mind. I could use some fresh air.”
“I’m Carrie.” She offered her hand and he shook it. Her wristlet dangled from her wrist. “Thanks for dancing with me, Derek.”
“My pleasure,” he said.
“Let’s go,” she said with a tilt of her head.
Emily left the club with Derek at her side. Lights from cars driving down the street lit up the sidewalk. The cool air seemed to pass right through her clothes. She felt a slight chill at first, but as she kept walking, her temperature adjusted.
“Are you from the city?” Derek asked.
“No, I recently moved here from Florida. What about you?”
“I live outside the city. Do you live alone?”
His line of questions set off her internal alarm. He could’ve been curious, but asking a complete stranger if he or she lived alone sent the wrong message.
“No, I live with someone. What about you?” she asked as they reached the first intersection.
“I can’t afford to live alone.”
“This city isn’t cheap.”
The light changed and she stepped from the curb.
“Do you go to EC often?” he asked.
“Yeah, I like it there. Do you go much?”
“I don’t come in the city much. You’re very beautiful.”
They reached the sidewalk and continued forward.
“Thank you, Derek. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-one.”
“You’re young.” He looked maybe nineteen. He could’ve been for all she knew. Fake IDs weren’t difficult to acquire.
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Twenty-five.”
“That’s cool. I like older chicks.”
“Am I a chick?”
He scratched his cheek. “I think you’re more of a babe. A very fine babe.”
She chuckled. “You’re sweet.”
“Have you got a boyfriend or lover or…”
“No,” she said as they came up to the next street. “Have you got someone to keep you warm at night?”
He grinned. “Well, I was hoping you would.”
Her brows shot up. “Oh really?”
“Yeah, you’re very attractive.”
Emily suspected the kid had a massive boner since he continued to give her compliments. Sure, they were nice. But he was way too young for her. Besides, if he really wanted to meet a nice girl to have and to hold, a club was not the best place to meet one.
“Are you trying to pick me up?” she asked with a sly grin.
“Well yeah, you’re one hot babe.”
She bit her lip to stop from laughing. He had to be younger than twenty-one.
“And what makes you think I’d take you home to my bed?” she asked.
The crosswalk sign illuminated. A car sped by in front of them as they crossed the street.
“Because I’m a good guy. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. And I aim to please thee,” he said, grinning.
“I bet you tell all the girls that.”
“Ladies deserve respect and intense orgasms.”
The laughter flew out of her. She’d have to remember to tell Andrew Derek’s words of wisdom.
“Derek, you’re on the right path,” she said before they headed down the stairs to the subway.
A train sped into the tunnel by the time they reached the main floor. The wind had kicked up and felt good to her heated flesh. A foul odor lingered in the air. Shoes clacking softly on the concrete, she proceeded to the terminal.
“How far do you have to go?” he asked.
Emily stopped and faced him. “Pretty far, then I have to get off and take another one. You can go back, Derek.”
He stepped closer. “Can I go home with you?”
“I don’
t think that’s a good idea.”
“I have a really big dick. I think you’ll like it.” He took hold of her wrist and pulled.
“Derek,” she said as she resisted him. “You seem nice. Don’t fuck with me.” She twisted her arm and then jerked free from his grasp.
“I just wanted you to feel it.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Can I at least get a kiss? Just a little kiss?” He took a step forward and she moved one back.
“Derek, I really don’t—”
Before she could finish, he had both hands on the sides of her face and was holding her while he pressed his mouth to hers. His swift move had surprised her. She kept her lips closed so he couldn’t slide his tongue inside. He tried and rubbed his nose against her. She gripped his wrists and tried to push him off, but he held her firmly. Anger began to rise within her. She heard a smack, then in a flash, Derek’s hands slipped from her cheeks.
Andrew had shoved him aside. Fist clenched, he swung it at Derek. He hit the young man in the face. Derek fell back and crashed onto the floor. Fortunately, he managed not to hit his head. Andrew towered over him like a giant pumped up on drugs. Blood flowed out of Derek’s nose. He scrambled to crawl back from the beast coming toward him.
“Stop it!” Emily yelled.
Andrew came to a halt. He stared down at Derek with deep loathing. His muscles were taut and his hands balled tightly.
Emily strode up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Stop it right now!”
Breathing heavy, Andrew slowly twisted to look at her. Fury swam within his eyes.
“Fuck this,” Derek said before he darted away as quick as he could.
“What the fuck?” She shoved the side of Andrew’s arm, though it had no effect. His muscle was as hard as stone.
She shook her head and turned away from him. Frustration boiled deep inside her from Andrew’s hasty action. He was worse than a father watching his daughter go to a prom. Emily thought he’d make a good pimp, but she never thought he would take extreme measures. The night had been such a good one until an overprotective angel had fucked it up. Maybe working with him wasn’t such a smart move on her part.
Chapter Fourteen
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Emily asked in an angry tone.
“He forced himself on you. I saw him,” Andrew said.
He’d followed her from the dance floor, out the club, and to the subway. The young man had been eyeing her like candy all night. He’d touched her plenty of times while they’d been dancing. When he’d watched Emily yank her hand free, Andrew knew he had to act. The boy had surprised him trying to kiss her. Rage had filled Andrew. He’d grabbed the young man’s shoulder and then tossed him back. The one punch had dropped the boy like a fly. Andrew would’ve squashed the bug had Emily not stopped him.
“He was just a kid and I had everything under control,” she exclaimed.
“Oh really? Then why didn’t you kick him?” He stepped closer to her.
“He was just a kid desperate for a kiss.”
“He grabbed you earlier and you jerked away. I saw it. Kids who use force are up to no good.”
She crossed her arms. Her purse bumped into her ribs. “What color was his aura?”
He delayed his response, knowing it would add fuel to her fire.
“Was it white?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said behind clenched teeth.
“That’s what I thought.”
“But—”
“No! He wasn’t a bad person. You didn’t need to punch him. I had the situation under control.” Her eyes were wide with fury.
“I don’t think you did and you should never underestimate people. He had his hands on you all night long. He wanted more than a kiss. And if he could’ve had his way, he would’ve forced himself on you.”
She pressed her lips together before she stormed past him.
The young man’s aura indicated he had a clear path to heaven if he died. But people can change. One bad choice can alter a person’s final destination. She should know better than anyone.
“Emily,” he said.
The train had arrived. She stopped in front of one of the entrances. The doors parted and she stepped inside. Andrew followed her to a seat near the front. He sat across from her so he could face her. She refused to look at him.
Damn it all to hell. Her anger toward him seemed unfair. The guy had forced a kiss on her. She had the ability to protect herself, but she hadn’t. She should’ve pushed him away when he grabbed her wrist. He shook his head in frustration.
“He was going to hurt you,” Andrew said.
“No, he wasn’t,” she said flatly.
“How do you know? Didn’t you see the signs?” he asked, annoyance thick in his tone. They were quite visible to him.
“You don’t need to be such a jackass,” she snapped.
He glanced behind her. The few people on the train were too far away to hear their conversation.
“So, I’m the asshole because I stepped in and saved you from a man trying to take advantage of you?” he asked.
She uncrossed her arms. “You’re a fucking asshole because you rushed to judgment. You didn’t know him or what type of conversation Derek and I had. You never gave me a chance to defuse the situation without violence. You assumed he wanted one thing only. You assumed I couldn’t defend myself. And those are just a few reason why I think you’re an ass.”
“He did want one thing from you,” he said in a calmer tone. “How could you not see that?”
“I was handling the situation,” she said through her gritted teeth.
“It looked like he was handling you.”
She shook her head and turned to the window. Her distress over the matter confused him. He’d thought she would’ve been pleased for his help. Instead she saw him as some violent person. Why? Why couldn’t she see his intent as an act to protect her?
“Were you enjoying his attention?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
“You seemed to have enjoyed his hands all over you at the club.”
“Other people had their hands on me too, including you.” She glared at him.
“Then I guess you enjoyed all the attention.”
She crossed her legs and arms. “I’m supposed to be portraying a hooker.” She rocked her foot back and forth.
“You’re doing a fine job of it.”
“Fuck you!” She spat before she shot up from her seat. “I don’t have to put up with your shitty attitude.”
His heart jumped. He hadn’t meant to say such hurtful words. Clearly, she’d taken great offense to them. He rose in front of her. “All I’m saying is that it looked like you were enjoying the part too much.”
“Not that I have to explain myself to you, but I’m not enjoying this act. I don’t like strangers putting their dirty fingers on me. And if you’d been paying close attention, you would’ve noticed I didn’t let anyone other than you grope me.”
She walked away from him. He could almost see the steam rising from her heated fury. Maybe he’d gone overboard. He recalled times when she’d shifted her dancing position to avoid men touching her breasts. She’d removed hands wandering near her ass, except his. And when men had bumped against her, she’d backed away from them subtly. The only man she’d allowed to groove next to her for more than a few minutes had been him.
He ran his fingers through his hair. He’d made a big miscalculation. He had rushed to judgment. And now he felt like a pile of crap. No, he felt worse.
The train slowed as it rolled into the station. After it stopped, he followed her off and through the tunnel. Her steps were heavy and she never checked to see if he was behind her. When they reached the next terminal, he kept a small distance from her. In her state of mind, he considered she might try to smack him. Given her temper, he was surprised she hadn’t yet.
While his anger calmed, he realized he’d been wrong to think she had been enj
oying all the attention. But he still couldn’t figure out why she hadn’t rejected the young man’s kiss. She’d spent a decent amount of time dancing with him. Curiosity drove his steps toward her.
“Did you like him?” He waited for her to respond, but she never did. “You didn’t push him back when he kissed you.”
She slowly turned to face him. Her ice-cold glare made his stomach flip flop. “I didn’t get a chance to push him away. You stepped in before I could.”
“Then why are you mad? I got rid of him when you intended to do the same.” Confusion wracked his brain. He’d taken care of the problem for her. She should’ve been grateful.
She ignored him while they waited for the next train to arrive. He deserved to be in the doghouse for assuming she had been embracing her new career. Watching all those men touch her and get close had irritated him to no end. But he’d acted appropriately by stopping the young man from forcing his way onto her. Couldn’t she see that? If she’d acted as a hooker, then he’d played the pimp and stepped in to protect her. Those pink lips of hers weren’t free.
He moved a little closer to her. “I was trying to look out for you. I am your business partner. I have a job to do.”
She still refused to acknowledge him. Sighing, he ambled nearby with his hands hidden in his pants until their ride finally pulled into the terminal. He stayed behind her as she boarded the train. She took a seat near the door. Once again, he sat across from her. This time, she stared directly at him. He had no doubt she was still mad.
“I’m sorry,” he said after the train began to move.
She covered her arms in front of her chest again. “For what exactly?”
“For thinking you were enjoying the shoes of your new role.”
She smirked. “Is that it?”
He swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. Only one thing came to mind. “For being a dick.”
Her headshake indicated he’d given the wrong answer. How could it have been inaccurate? Didn’t all women who were upset with men regard the opposite sex as jerks?
