by Ellen March
But her concentration was on the fans, keeping them in place. No way did she want to piss Micah off any more than necessary.
***
Micah watched her from a short distance away—his heart and chest constricted. The pain ripped through him. He had to admit she made one hell of a dancer. Watching her gyrate was making him hard. He glanced around, checking to see if any other male was having his reaction. They were quiet, but he didn’t know what that meant. The expression on one man’s face and the way he strained his neck, hoping for glimpse, clarified the situation. She had each and every one of them panting, hoping she’d drop a fan.
He experienced a deluge of relief when she finished, having revealed nothing. He was also thankful as never before.
However, he was adamant she’d never do it again.
As soon as she finished, he moved to the small dressing room. He caught a glimpse of a naked ass before she slipped a robe over it.
Tying the sash, she looked up. She’d sensed him before seeing him. His black wrath ripped over her. He didn’t speak but crossed towards her and took her by the elbow.
She glared back and attempted to shake off his hand.
“We need to talk.”
“We,” she emphasized, “have said it all. Go find your bitch and leave me the hell alone.”
“I’m warning you, either walk beside me or I’ll carry you out of here.”
One look at his face and she backed down. He was livid. With sharp, choppy strides she walked beside him. He hovered over her as they weaved back through the club. His shadowy presence warned the punters off. Wisely they opened a path.
Charu followed their progress with narrowed eyes. He was acting like a jealous lover. And she intended to discover what was going on.
***
Savannah winced at his grip on her arm, his fingers digging in. She struggled to keep up with his long, furious strides. “Will you slow down?” Her temper dipped again.
Micah didn’t answer, but continued up the stairs to the private area, only pausing at her curse as she tripped over the long robe. She fell sprawling, flat on her face. Her lip split, she yowled in pain.
“Christ, Anna, are you okay?” Instantly his anger evaporated, replaced with concern. Stooping, he tenderly examined her swollen lip.
She dabbed at the blood, could feel the cut on her lip, and threw him a murderous glare. “What are you trying to do, kill me? I told you to slow down.”
Properly chastised, Micah scooped her wordlessly into his arms.
The door of the bedroom closed and Micah lay her on the bed. He gently examined her split lip. “Sorry, honey, how is it feeling?”
She scowled. “What do you care? Go find your bitch. Go on!” Her eyes glazed with tears. “Get lost.”
Wishing she wasn’t such an ornery critter, Micah left. The door closed quietly behind him.
Savannah rubbed her eyes as the tears flowed. She couldn’t stand the thought of him with Charu. Of him sharing his body with her. The more she thought about the two of them together, the faster her tears came.
She curled up into a dismal ball of misery, wishing she was anywhere but at the club. Then she froze at the sound of the door opening.
His soft steps came closer and she felt his hand on her shoulder. He gently rolled her over, and the bed dipped as he sat beside her. The back of his knuckles dabbed at her tears. “Hey, what are these for?” Micah felt a crazy lurch in his stomach. It twisted and knifed at the sight of her pain and misery.
He wanted to take it away.
She dragged in a loud sniff and wished she could stop her snivelling.
Carefully he dabbed at her cut lip. Then he looked down at her. Unusually silent, she refused to look at him. He touched a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“What’s wrong? Why the tears?” He leaned over her. His tongue flicked across her quivering lips.
Feeling his hot breath across her, she shivered.
Micah stroked her forehead, ran his hands through her hair. His eyes darkened as he silently studied her. Her face was pale, her eyes swollen. Her nose was red and her lip cut.
He melted as a strong sense of ownership gripped him.
“I thought you’d be making arrangements with Charu,” she mumbled.
“Anna, I want you, not her.”
A spark of hope reared its head. “So what about the words you said?”
A naughty grin pulled at his lips. “I lied. It was temper talk.” He continued to soothe her, running his hand through her hair. Dropping it, he cupped her face, relieved when she nuzzled his palm.
“I lied too,” she admitted. “I don’t want another man. I want you, Micah.” Her arms curved over his neck and she pulled his head down.
His lips touched hers, butterfly soft, and then the kiss deepened. Until he felt her wince.
“Ouch.” She touched the cut.
“Sorry, baby.” He reluctantly rose from the bed and flashed her a dirty wink. “I’ll kiss it better later, but for now I’d better get back downstairs.”
She nodded, and her dark chocolate eyes splintered over him. “I’ll get changed. See you down there.”
Micah strode towards the door and paused, his hand on the handle. He tossed her a hot look. “And, Anna, I don’t want to see you on that stage again.”
She wasn’t backing down. He was a bossy bastard. “Well, you’d better hope Charlotte comes to work tomorrow.”
Savannah winced at the slam of the door.
***
Micah sucked in his fury. She would listen to him, damn it.
He ambled into the club. There was quite a crowd tonight, and he noticed a small group getting distinctly rowdy. He decided to keep an eye on them.
Micah turned to find Charu beside him. The dress she wore revealed more than it hid. Usually he’d have been interested. She was his type when it came to women.
Usually.
Except this time he wasn’t moved.
“What did you think of our boss? Reckon she’s got a talent for it?”
A muscle ticked along his jaw. “Guess so,” he said. Then he spotted Savannah, weaving through the crowd.
At the same time, Charu leaned into him and draped an arm round his neck. “How would you like me to dance for you?” she whispered.
He glanced down at her upturned face and happened to catch Savannah’s flash of anger. Even from that distance, he could see she was killer furious.
Just great, he thought with a wave of frustration.
Micah turned to Charu. “Maybe another time.” His attention was fully focussed on his scruffy blond.
***
For the remainder of the evening she deliberately avoided him. Each time he closed in, she skilfully dodged him.
Until he detected the small, boisterous crowd of men surrounding her.
Savannah was in a rip. “I only want you.” She mimicked him beneath her breath. Lying bastard. When she’d walked in and seen the bitch all over him, Micah had appeared to be enjoying himself. The guilty flush that she’d spotted was only because she’d caught him.
Well, he could go to hell.
“Hey, doll, fancy doing a private dance?” asked a distinctly slurred voice.
Savannah suddenly realized she was being circled by several men. They looked dangerous and horny. One grabbed his crotch suggestively.
“Want a bit of this?”
She backed warily away, searching for Micah. Savannah wondered if the randy git was already having it off. Typical. When she needed security, he wasn’t around. Well, to hell with him, she could take care of herself.
Raising her chin, she shot the man a glare. “No, now leave me pass.” She made to move and found an arm whipped around her hips whilst a set of wet lips creased over her neck. She squealed and dug an elbow into a soft stomach.
Hearing a grunt, she wrested herself free.
Unexpectedly, a body flew through the air, landing in a heap on the floor. Micah caugh
t her round the waist and shoved her roughly behind him. His fists and legs snapped out. He was a wild, vicious storm of fury.
Standing protectively before her, he motioned to the remainder of them. “Get out now before I change my mind and tear you limb from limb.”
Savannah swallowed. She could feel the raw, primal energy flowing from him. The room had fallen silent. Micah looked around. “All right, people, the show’s over.” He turned to Savannah, and she shrank beneath the white hot rage she saw in his face. “You! Upstairs, now.”
She raised her chin. No way was she showing him how scared he was making her. “That’s not how you speak to your boss.”
He’d been about to spit back that it was exactly how he spoke to his woman, one he wanted to protect. Then stopped. He was here for a couple more weeks, period.
And then he was leaving.
“Now.”
She hesitated for a second before obeying him.
Micah watched her wide ass swaying as she thundered off and closely followed.
Silently he shadowed her to the entrance of the private quarters. “Go upstairs. I’ll wait till the club clears and then we’re going to have a talk.”
Savannah spun round, her eyes flashing. “If you think for one minute you’re screwing that bitch then coming to me, dream on.” She slammed the connecting door shut and stormed up the stairs.
Micah glared at the wooden panel that had narrowly missed his face and clenched his fists. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to throttle her or make love to her. Because, either way, she was driving him insane.
***
It was over an hour before the last of the stragglers left the club.
Charu sat at the bar, holding a glass of amber liquid. She carefully studied Micah’s stiff countenance. He was wound up; she could tell by every rigid action. Pouring him a drink, she handed it to him. “Here. Think you need a nightcap.”
He hesitated before nodding and perched on the stool beside her. The brandy seared his throat. Micah drew back when her hand stroked his face. As she slipped off the stool and moved into him, Micah toyed with the idea of insisting he was gay.
However, his anger at Savannah made him reckless. He didn’t know what she was doing to him.
Instead, he decided to give Charu what she wanted, what Savannah thought he was doing anyway.
His arm dropped around her waist. It was tiny, not an ounce of extra flesh. Surprised to find he missed that, he wished he didn’t compare the two women.
“I knew you weren’t gay,” she whispered. Her arms snaked around his neck and her lips found his. She poured herself over him, her tongue duelled with his, and her hand dropped to his crotch.
Micah pulled back. The kiss did nothing for him. His crotch wasn’t even sniffling awake. All he could think was that she didn’t have the sweet taste of Savannah.
She didn’t fit as snugly against his body. He looked down at the shock registering on her face as he shoved her back, away from him. “Sorry, Charu, but I’m up to bed, alone.” Knocking his drink back, he left her sitting at the bar.
She rolled her long nails angrily on the surface and hoped that the fat one’s days were numbered.
Picking up her mobile, she dialled the number, heedless of the time. At last he answered it. She could tell by his tone he was pissed with her. “I still haven’t found the ledger and I want to know what we’re going to do about the new owner.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll arrange an accident, but in the meantime, stop panicking. And stop ringing me at this bloody hour.” The call died as he hung up.
Thoughtfully, she finished her drink. She couldn’t wait for him to arrange it.
Because then she’d work on Micah.
Chapter Eleven
Micah pushed at the door. It was locked. “Open this now, Savannah.”
She heard him but was lying on the bed, sulking. It was typical of her luck. Just as she’d found a man, he had to be a lying, randy bastard. “Go away, I’m sleeping.” Then she closed her eyes, wondering why she talked so much crap.
“I’ll count to three, and this goddamn door had better be open.” He waited. “One, two,” and paused listening for the sound of movement, “three.”
He cursed her sarcastic shout of “Four!”
Savannah knew he couldn’t get in. With a huge sigh, she gave in to her lethargy and languidly examined her fingernails, relieved that she wore another oversized T-shirt-cum-nightdress.
“So, honey, that’s the way you’re playing it,” he muttered. Raising one powerful thigh, he kicked the door open. It slammed and splintered, hanging limp and lopsided on its hinges. With a scream, Savannah scrambled up on the bed, warily watching him. “Don’t you come near me!”
Micah slowly advanced, his chest heaving, struggling to keep his temper under control. He had never in his entire life met such an irritating female. “I told you I wanted to talk.”
She pointed to the clock. “Can’t we have this conversation at a decent time? Most people are asleep at three in the morning, and look what you’ve done to my door!”
“Then you’ll learn to listen to me in future.”
As her fear abated, her temper kicked in. “What do you think, my middle name is Lassie? I answer to no one, least of all you.” She rose onto her haunches and leaned forward, jabbing her index finger into his chest. She was fully aware of how it annoyed him.
He grasped her wrist. “I told you to stop doing that.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
Suddenly a female voice chimed in. “What on earth happened?” asked Charu. She stood in the doorway, eyeing them both speculatively.
“He wanted to come in, but forgot to open the door first.” Savannah’s words dripped with sarcasm, and she gave him a wilting glare. She followed it with another directed down at his hand. It still held hers in a vice grip.
Jealousy seared through Charu. She still couldn’t get why he preferred the fat bitch. She pushed a smile out—a cat that’s got the cream type. Smug. “You can’t make your mind up, can you?” She gave him a conspiratorial wink. “You’re a naughty man, you know that? We had such a good time downstairs. Alone.”
“Shut the hell up,” snarled Micah.
Tinkling with laughter, she strode off, satisfied she’d given Savannah reason to doubt him.
Micah switched his attention back to Savannah. His head rocked back as her hand lashed out, hitting him full force across the cheek.
“Get out!” she screamed. “You’re sacked. I want you to leave my club.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Micah clamped her other wrist before she could whack him again. He pinned her to the bed, holding her writhing body against his. “Will you cut it out?” It was like trying to hold down a hurricane.
She ignored him and continued her rant, “And you’ll pay for that door. I don’t care how broke you are.”
“Take it out of my wages.”
“Let me go!” she screamed.
“No.” Micah knew only one way to shut her up. His lips dropped and seared over hers.
Savannah tried to stop her body from reacting to his wicked assault. She tasted the brandy on his lips, smelt the perfume.
And exploded.
She nipped savagely at his lips. “I can scent her on you, Micah, you bastard.”
He reared back, sure that in the mood she was in, she would rip his tongue out, given half a chance. “Okay, I kissed her, that’s all. I was angry with you.”
“Don’t you go blaming me, you randy git.”
“Hell, I didn’t want her. Jesus, woman, will you listen to me?” He never explained himself, and now, for the first time in his life, he was attempting to but she wouldn’t listen.
Savannah stilled, chewing her lip, then winced. She’d forgotten the cut. She was so not going to make it easy for him. But Christ, how she wanted him! She was desperate to believe his words. For purely selfish reasons, she reminded herself.
“When I saw that man hold you, and the r
est circling, I was scared.”
She flicked her gaze up, startled at his admission. “You were? Why?”
He didn’t answer. “I was also furious. Because if you hadn’t done that damn dance it wouldn’t have happened. But they saw you up on the stage, then alone on the floor.”
She rolled her eyes. “Great, here we go again. Can we agree to disagree on this one?”
Micah tried not to shake her. “Those men wanted you, would have taken you against your will if they’d got you outside. Do you understand?”
“I had it all under control.”
“Like hell you did, and stop making out you’re so capable, will you?” Micah was livid that she wouldn’t admit she needed looking after. That she was way out of her depth running a club like this. She was like a fawn in a group of lions.
Then he remembered her stinger of a slap. Maybe not quite a fawn …. Still, she was so gullible he knew she wouldn’t cope.
Her eyes darkened. So he thought her a wimp, did he? Most probably he preferred the bitch down the way. “Get out of my room. I can look after myself. I’ve been doing it long enough.”
“Then maybe it’s about time someone looked out for you.”
She cricked her neck, looking up at him. “Are you offering?”
“While I’m here, yes,” he hedged.
She paused, not liking how he phrased it. “It sounds as if you are planning on leaving.”
“You just sacked me,” he reminded her with an arched brow.
He felt her resolve weakening. Could see the hesitancy in her face. The way her eyes clouded over as she nibbled on her lower lip. Slowly, he bent his head and licked her cut. His breath skated over her. “Honey, I promise I didn’t screw Charu. It was a kiss, that’s all.” He felt her stiffen. “And I didn’t like it. Can you feel how hard I am for you?”
Savannah couldn’t deny it. She’d felt it all right—he was growing against her stomach. Plus, she liked his words.
“I didn’t even get to lazy lob.” Again he gave her throat a soft, sweet lick and sucked gently. A tiny moan escaped her mouth, encouraging him.
“Will you leave my wrists go?”
