Addicted to Love (Bayou Devils MC Book 2) Page 11

  He lays his hand on mine and arches a brow when he realizes I’m trembling. “You sure about that, sweetheart?”

  “Yes,” I whisper, my words weaker and I swear I can feel Damian’s gaze boring into the side of my face.

  “Carly, if someone bothered you, we will deal with it. I can go get the bouncer.”

  “No, that’s not necessary. It’s just… there is a man staring at me from one of the tables.”

  Dalton lifts his head and scans the crowd, his face hardening. “Yeah, I got him.”

  “He’s still looking at me?”

  “Yeah, he is. Let me get someone to throw him out, okay?”

  Hearing the concern in his voice, I feel stupid. Nothing about Damian suggests he’s a danger to me and my mother would be horrified if I had someone she knew thrown out of a club.

  “No, you don’t have to do that. I’m being ridiculous. Sorry.”

  He studies me, not buying what I’m saying at all, but he finally sighs. “I’m staying right here so you just yell if you need anything.”

  I nod. “Thank you, Dalton.”

  As Dalton walks off to help someone further down the bar, I casually glance in Damian’s direction again and when our eyes meet, he stands. A predatory smile stretches across his face as he starts moving toward me, almost stalking across the sleek wood floors as my phone rings from my bag. My heart races for some unknown reason as I dig the phone out of my purse and when I see Chance’s name on the screen, butterflies dance in my stomach. Damian weaves through the crowd and I stand up, throwing a twenty down on the bar as I accept the call.

  “Fucking finally, woman!” Chance yells down the line and just the sound of his voice is enough to soothe me. I start working my way toward the door and glance back to see Damian standing next to the barstool I just vacated, searching the crowd for me. “Carly, are you there?”

  “Chance,” I say into the phone, my voice shaky since I’m on the verge of tears. I’m annoyed with how weak I’m being lately – how weak Chance is making me.

  “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  Hearing how concerned he is, I shake my head as the exit comes into view. Sweet freedom. Glancing behind me one more time, I sigh when I find Damian at the bar. He smiles and waves at me before I whip my head forward again just as I reach the door.

  “Carly!” Chance yells from the phone in my hand and I suck in a breath.

  “I’m fine. I’m sorry.”

  Hanging up, I slip out into the warm night feeling weaker than I have in years and completely disgusted with myself. My cell rings again as I walk down the sidewalk to where I parked my car and when Chance’s name pops up on the screen, I silence it.

  God, how could I be so stupid?

  Once I reach my car, I climb in and lock the doors twice before finally releasing a breath. It’s never been like this before. Sure, that night has haunted me for twelve years, but I’ve always been able to deal with it. And while I’m more careful than other girls my age, I’ve never freaked out because a guy was looking at me. Maybe I’m finally losing my mind. Shaking my head, I start the car and turn up the music to try and drown out my thoughts but it’s not as successful as I had hoped. Add in the fact that Chance is calling me every two minutes and it’s a small miracle when I finally pull into the designated parking space at my apartment.

  I quickly get inside and in the elevator, dreaming about falling into my bed and pulling the covers up to my chin. Lord knows I need a good night’s sleep tonight if I’m going to deal with my mother tomorrow. A groan slips out of my mouth and I press my fingers to my temple at the thought of seeing her. Maybe I should feel bad. I mean, she is my mother after all but she’s never done much to deserve the title. She has two modes – the first is when she’s more interested in her new man and his fortune. That’s when Ivy and I might as well be invisible. And then there are the times she’s trying to set Ivy and I up with men who match her qualifications. I spent most of my life missing the idea of the woman my mother could be or desperately trying to avoid her. There is no in between. I sigh just as the elevator doors open and it’s only then I notice the yelling coming from the hallway.

  “Don’t tell me you don’t have anything!”

  “Chance?” I call, stepping off the elevator and stopping to stare at him as he paces back and forth in front of my door, yanking at his hair like he might rip it right out. At the sound of my voice, he stops and jerks his head up. His eyes lock onto me and the relief on his face overwhelms me.

  “Never mind. I’ve got her,” he says into the phone and hangs up, slipping the phone into his pocket as he storms down the hall. When he reaches me, he crushes me to his body and I breathe him in for a moment, feeling more at ease than I have since I left the club.

  “Why are you here?” I whisper into his neck and he pulls back sharply, an intensity in his eyes that is just as exciting as it is scary.

  “What the fuck do you mean why am I here? I call you and you’re God knows where, freaked out, and then just hang up on me and I’m supposed to sit my ass at home and wait to see if I hear from you? Think again, Princess.”

  I shake my head and try to pry myself from his grip, but he grunts and holds me closer. “It was nothing, Chance. I’m sorry I worried you.”

  “Bullshit,” he growls, still refusing to let me go. I swear, as he looks down at me, I can feel him breaking down my walls piece by piece and I’m desperately trying to reconstruct them before he worms his way into my heart but he’s making it difficult.

  “Don’t y’all know what time it is?” someone hisses behind him and I peek over his shoulder at Ms. Cheryl standing at her doorway with a stern look on her face.

  “I’m so sorry. He was just leaving.”

  His mouth hovers by my ear and I shiver when he lets out a small growl. “I’m not going anywhere, Princess.”

  “Well, I don’t care if he leaves or not but shut the hell up. Some of us are actually trying to sleep.”

  I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She huffs before turning back into her apartment and slamming the door. Turning to Chance, I give him a determined look that he just grins at. “You can leave now.”

  “That’s not going to fucking happen.” He grabs my keys out of my hand and tucks his arm around my waist before leading me to my door and unlocking it. After ushering me inside, he locks the deadbolt and tosses my keys on the entry table.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  He arches a brow. “That’s funny. I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

  “Meaning?”

  Smirking, he steps toward me slowly, almost like an animal stalking its prey and it takes every ounce of restraint I have to not back up. “Meaning Tuesday was one of the best nights of my life and you’ve been avoiding me ever since.”

  “Well, I’m glad it was so good for you but maybe it wasn’t for me.”

  He presses his body against mine as his arms wrap around my back, keeping me from escaping as his eyes burn. “New rule. Stop lying to me.”

  “I don’t agree to that.”

  “Tough shit. Not that it matters much if you agree or not. Every time a lie slips past these gorgeous lips,” he says, trailing his finger over my bottom lip. “I know it. Maybe you can hide from the rest of the world, but I see you.”

  My heart pounds and tears burn my eyes as I stare up into his and in a moment, from one simple look, I know he’s telling the truth. He can see me, all the broken misshaped parts I hide from everyone else are visible to him. It’s fucking terrifying. Looking away, I try to pull back and while he loosens his hold, he doesn’t release me. After sucking in a few breaths, I feel more in control and meet his eyes again.

  “You need to leave.”

  His eyes soften and he shakes his head, stroking his thumb over my cheek. “I’m not leaving you. Now, why don’t you tell me what happened tonight?”

  “You know what? I’m really exhausted and I just want to crawl into bed ri
ght now.”

  He nods and spins me in his arms so my back is pressed to his front and his arm is securely around my belly. “Sounds good. Let’s go.”

  “You’re not invited,” I huff and he presses a kiss just behind my ear but says nothing else as he guides me to my bedroom. As soon as we walk in, a sense of calm descends over me and my king-sized bed calls my name. The lights of Baton Rouge twinkle from the large windows and I sigh as Chance releases me.

  I turn to face him and he smiles, his dimple popping out. “What are you doing?”

  “Waiting for you to get in bed,” he whispers as he leans back against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest.

  “And where are you going to be?”

  He looks down to his boots before looking back up at me. “Right here.”

  “All night?”

  He nods and I roll my eyes with a dramatic sigh.

  “For fuck’s sake, get in bed.”

  “Naw, baby. I’m good here.”

  I shake my head as I push my jeans down my legs and kick off my heels. “Don’t act like this wasn’t your plan all along. Just get in bed.”

  “I have no plan,” he says, pushing off the wall. “Just can’t stand the thought of leaving you right now so if you don’t want me in your bed, I’ll stay right here.”

  Another brick in my wall is demolished and tears sting my eyes for a second time tonight. “Please sleep with me, Chance.”

  He studies me for a second before approaching me slowly and sliding his hand into my hair. My eyes flutter closed and I take a deep breath as a feeling of calm overtakes me again.

  “Look at me, Princess,” he whispers and I open my eyes, immediately swallowed up by the warm glow in his gaze. One corner of his mouth ticks up in a soft smile as he slowly lowers his head to mine and kisses me. It’s a soft sweet kiss that melts me to the core and as he pulls me into his body, I wonder how I’m even still standing. When he pulls back, his smile is even bigger and he brushes his thumb over my cheek once before pulling away from me and kicking his boots off.

  “You gonna finish getting ready for bed or you gonna stare at me all night?” he asks, teasing me, and I shake my head as I reach down and pull my shirt over my head. He does the same and I barely hold back a grin. It almost feels like a game as I let my bra slide down my arms and he pushes his jeans down his legs. When we’re both in our underwear, we just stare at each other for a second before he marches over to me and lifts me into his arms.

  “What are you doing?” I squeal, gripping his shoulders and he grins.

  “Taking you to bed.”

  I shiver and he turns out the lights before carrying me to bed, wrapping his arms tightly around me. I bury my face in his neck and let out a contented sigh. I may never admit it out loud as long as I live but I’m glad he’s here with me tonight.

  “So,” he prompts, pulling back to look me in the eye as he trails his thumb down my cheek. “You going to tell me what happened tonight?”

  I shake my head. “No.”

  “Wrong answer.”

  I lift my chin in defiance and meet his stern look. “Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s the wrong answer. It was stupid and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  “Fine. Tell me something about you, then.”

  I grimace and his lips pull back into a grin. “Can’t we just go to bed?”

  “Nope. I’m wide awake.”

  I groan, trying to roll away from him but he keeps me locked securely in his arms. “You’re so annoying.”

  “Aw, you don’t mean that, Princess.”

  “Yes, actually, I do,” I say, turning back to him and he pouts at me. “Okay, fine. I don’t mean it.”

  “See? Now, what are we going to do? It’s barely eleven on a Friday and I refuse to let you become an old lady at twenty-eight.”

  I watch him for a moment, losing myself in the eager look on his face, before sighing and sitting up in bed.

  “All right. I have something we can do. Wait here.”

  His eyes flash with excitement and I laugh under my breath as I slip out of bed and walk into the kitchen. Slipping the bag of popcorn into the microwave, I press cook before going to the cupboard and uncovering my secret stash of sweets I keep for occasions like this one. I sort through some of it before deciding to just take everything back with me and the microwave beeps as the smell of popcorn fills the kitchen. After grabbing the bag of popcorn and scooping my candy up in my arms, I slowly walk back to the bedroom, trying not to drop anything.

  “What the hell?” Chance laughs as soon as he sees me and I grin as I drop everything on the bed with a thump.

  “Well, you wanted to do something and get to know me so I’m going to show you my number one guilty pleasure.”

  He eyes the food warily before glancing up at the TV on the wall. “You’re not going to make me watch chick flicks, are you?”

  “Oh, hell no. It’s way better than that.”

  He lifts a brow, fighting back a smile. “Porn?”

  “Ew!” I yell, throwing a chocolate bar at him and hitting him square in the chest. “Not porn. Besides, I thought what we did was way better than any porn I’ve ever seen.”

  He grins, flashing me a dimple as he nods his head. My cheeks burn. I can’t believe I said that.

  “Yeah, there’s an idea. Let me go melt this,” he says, holding up the chocolate bar, “and I’ll lick it off your body.”

  “Do you want to learn something about me or not?” I ask, propping my hand on my hip and he nods, patting the bed next to him. With a smile, I crawl up and sit next to him before grabbing the remote and turning the TV on. It takes me a few seconds to find my favorite ghost hunter show but when I do, he laughs.

  “This is your guilty pleasure?”

  I nod. “Uh-huh.”

  I press play and he wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him as he kisses my forehead.

  “Thank you,” he whispers and I feel it right in my chest because I’m giving him a tiny little piece of me and I like that he recognizes that. Tossing another piece of candy at him, I nod and pull away slightly.

  “Just don’t eat all the chocolate and we won’t have any problems.”

  He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer as the episode begins playing in front of us. “I’ll remember that.”

  Chapter Nine

  Carly

  My hand trembles as I brush a piece of hair out of my face and I frown, shaking it at my side like that might somehow expel my nerves. Glancing back up at my reflection, I dab some concealer on the dark rings under my eyes. The stress of this past week is obviously taking its toll on me and I’m not in the best shape to go plunging back into the world I hate. On top of that, I have to deal with my mother, which is trying, even on my best day. There is a small part of me that is really relieved Chance will be there with me but mostly, I’m just annoyed that he seems to be winning this unspoken battle we’ve been participating in.

  I woke up this morning wrapped in his arms and my first reaction was not to get away from him. Instead, I snuggled closer and smiled when his arms tightened around me. Then, he convinced me to do something I’ve never allowed another guy to do before – take me out for breakfast. This isn’t me. I don’t become the sentimental girl anymore or put emphasis on things that mean nothing but when Chance comes around, it’s like he erases my past. I’m a sixteen-year-old girl again and he’s just a boy who makes my heart race. Of course, as soon as he leaves, the spell fades and I hate myself for being so weak. Nothing good can come from this – I know that – but it does nothing to stop me.

  The real problem is I have no idea what is happening between us. I’m trying so hard to keep things casual and then as soon as he comes around, all that flies out the window. We’ve only had sex twice, but it feels so much more significant than that. Maybe the problem is me. Maybe along with losing my mind this past week, I’ve also broken boundaries that were there for
a reason. I need to find a way to stop it; I just don’t know how.

  A knock at the door pulls my attention away from the mirror and I take one last look, sighing as I run my hands down the front of my dress. After slipping my heels on, I grab my clutch and march to the door, determined to get control of this situation again. Swinging the door open, I pause, my eyes widening as I take in the man in front of me. Chance grins as my gaze travels down his body, appreciating the way that he wears the hell out of his black suit.

  “See something you like?” he asks, winking at me with a knowing smirk on his face and I take another moment to look him over before shrugging.

  “Not bad. Although, I half expected you to show up in jeans, so anything is an improvement.”

  His brow arches and he shakes his head as he slips his hands into his pockets, looking casually cool and hot as hell. “If we had time, I would haul you inside and fuck some of that sass right out of you.”

  “Sure, you would.” I chuckle, trying to cover up my desire. My hand trembles for a whole new reason now, remembering the way he controlled my body Tuesday night and I contemplate dragging him inside instead of attending this gala.

  “Keep it up, Princess. I’d love to prove you wrong later,” he assures and heat rushes to my cheeks as I bite my bottom lip and drop my gaze to the floor. Taking a step toward me, he nudges my chin with his finger, guiding my gaze back up to his and I’m met with a triumphant smile.

  “I thought we had an agreement about the lying.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure, you don’t.” He chuckles as he holds his hand out to me. “Ready to go?”

  I nod and he reaches forward, gently grabbing my hand and lacing his fingers through mine before guiding me out of my apartment. He doesn’t release me as I lock the door and unwelcome warmth spreads through my chest as I peek over at him. A smile teases his full lips, but he doesn’t meet my eyes as we walk down the hallway to the elevator. I hate that he knows he gets to me despite all my efforts to keep our relationship casual. There’s a certain helplessness, which accompanies it that I hate. Stopping in front of the elevator, he presses the button and moves behind me, holding my hips in his hands as his warm breath fans out over my neck. A shiver winds down my spine as I struggle to keep my eyes open.