Look After Me (34 page)

“Well, yeah. Of course I trust you.”

“Then get dressed. I’ll tell you more when you come back out.”

“So you’re not going on a date?” Sometimes my mouth doesn’t know when to shut the hell up.

She smiles. “Only if
you
want to call it a date.” Grabbing a slice of pizza, she steps away from me, taking a bite.

“Okay.”

Feeling a mixture of intrigue and confusion, I head towards my room and change into a pair of my nicest jeans and a blue shirt before heading back out. My hormones go haywire when I see she’s leaning over the countertop, looking down at her phone, her skirt a centimeter away from showing off her perfect behind. Spreading both hands over her fine derrière, she jolts at my very touch.

“You shouldn’t bend over like this,” I whisper in her ear, causing her to shiver.

Settling her phone down, she turns to face me, smoothing her hands over my shoulders. “And why not?”

“Because, Addison, you have one fine ass and perverts like me will grope you.”

“I kind of like having your perverted hands all over my ass.”

I press my body closer so my chest is touching hers. “Talking like that will only delay your secret ‘only if you want to call it a date’ plan.”

With a gentle push, she steps away from my grasp, taking another slice of pizza. “You’re right, I always seem to get sidetracked when I’m around you.”

“Ditto,” I agree, taking a slice of pizza before Addison eats it all. “So what’s going on?”

“Instead of our usual meeting, we’re going out. Sort of a test, if you will.”

“A test?” I question, already not liking the sound of it.

“You’re doing amazingly. So amazing, in fact, that you’re edging towards the end of your treatment where you’re no longer required to see your counselor anymore. I want to see how you cope in an environment where temptation could arise, so we’re going clubbing. Well, not
clubbing.
My dad wants me to scope a band that is playing tonight which is a great opportunity. Plus, I haven’t been out since I was attacked, so tonight is just as much about me as it is about you. I thought we could confront our fears together. Are you okay with that? If you feel that you’re not ready, I understand and I’m not going to force you, but I do think it’s crucial that we push ourselves to get out there.”

I’m quiet for a moment as I let her words sink in. “You really think I’m ready for that?”

“Honestly, I don’t know, but we won’t know until we try. I’ll be there every step of the way. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

Her promise does crazy things to me and knowing that I’ll have her by my side as I step out of my comfort zone is the only reason why I give the answer that I do. “Okay. Let’s do this thing.”

I try not to show it, but I’m absolutely petrified the moment I step over the threshold of the club. It’s as if I can almost sense the drugs around me, and my skin itches with a sudden urge that I haven’t felt in a while. Thankfully, it only lasts a moment before the feeling of Addison’s hand within mine calms me. Once we’ve checked our coats in the coatroom, we head on over to the bar.

“How are you feeling?” she asks as we wait for the bartender to serve us.

“I’m good. It was weird at first, but I’m okay now.” I pause before asking Addison what she would like to drink.

“I’ll have a beer.
Alcoholic,
please.”

I chuckle, remembering how bad non-alcoholic beer tastes. The bartender serves me and when I take the two bottles of beer from the side and hand one to Addison, her pretty hazel eyes grow wide when she notices a beer bottle in my hand. I hold my beer up.

“If tonight is a test, then I should do this properly, you know?”

“Good idea, but I’d just stick to one or two beers. You don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself. You have to learn how to crawl before you can walk again.”

“I love it when you talk therapeutic crap to me.” I chuckle as she playfully slaps me across the chest.

“You’re such an ass,” she says with a sexy smile.

We head over to an empty table and sit down. I take my first swig of beer since Lily’s birthday in September, and the moment the amber liquid hits my taste buds, a satisfying sigh leaves my lips.

“I forgot how
good
beer tasted.” I take another well-deserved sip before relaxing into my seat. “So how come your dad has you scoping the band that’s playing tonight?”

She takes a small sip of her beer, placing it on the table. “He’s out of town, so instead of sending somebody from the label, he sent me. Less conspicuous this way, and I love scoping out bands for him. He knows I’m looking purely for the talent and not for potential money they can make, unlike the label. Dad likes my honest opinion.”

I smile, loving the way her eyes light up at the mention of music. “Have you ever thought about working in the music business?”

“My dad wanted me to. He even wanted me to become a partner once upon a time, but as much as I love music, I didn’t want it to become my life. It’s always been counseling for me, but I do love being a spy for him once in a while.”

I tip my beer to my lips and take another sip before placing it beside Addison’s. “So what’s this band called?”

“Wilted Hearts.”

I chuckle.

“What?”

“Nothing. It’s just kind of ironic that’s all.”

“What is?”

“The name.”

Her eyes squint with confusion. “I’m not following.”

“My heart is identical to their name. It’s been wilted for a long time now.”

Her face softens with understanding, the confusion being replaced with sadness—and a sullen flare of anger in her eyes.
Is that jealousy I can see?
By the time I’ve asked myself that question, her eyes return to normal and I’m left wondering if I just imagined it.

“Well, maybe you should head backstage after the show, and exchange notes or something.” Her lips smile around the bottle she’s just taken a swig out of and I burst out laughing.

“I might just do that.”

After about twenty minutes, the band finally comes on and I have to say they are pretty awesome. Not as broken-hearted as I would have thought.

After two songs, Addison stands up and takes my hand. “Come on, let’s dance.”

Rolling my eyes, I begrudgingly stand and let her lead me to the jam-packed dance floor. She begins to move her sexy little body in front of me and I find it impossible to take my eyes off her.

She’s hypnotic.

Feeling the urge to have her close to me, I pull her body to mine and we begin to move together as one, dancing to the rhythm of the gruff beat. She looks up at me with a sexy smile etched along her pretty face, her hands coming up to rest on my shoulders and her fingernails digging into my flesh. That one move turns me on in an instant.

Before the heat can capture us within its passionate grasp, Addison moves away with a knowing wink and turns her attention to the band. Rocking out to the heavy rock acoustics, she leaves me behind to check out her incredible ass. One song fades into the next, and by the time the band finishes their first set, we’re both drenched in our own sweat. But I feel good; I’m relaxed, any anxieties I felt when I first entered the club have long gone.

Addison’s exhausted body falls into mine, breathlessly laughing. “I need a drink!”

We head over to the bar where I order both of us a bottle of water before guiding us over to an abandoned table. She collapses heavily into the booth and gulps down the entire water before I’ve even taken the top off mine.

“So,” I begin after taking a drink of my own water, “what do you think? Do Wilted Hearts have your approval?”

“Definitely. They’re awesome. They’re raw and edgy, and original too. My dad would be insane not to sign these guys.” She slides closer to me, her bare leg pressing up against mine and I don’t think there’s a part of my body that doesn’t feel it. It’s disconcerting how much she makes me feel and whenever I’m in her vicinity, I always feel something. Whether it’s lust, jealousy, earth shattering electricity or love
—no, I didn’t say that
—there is always some emotion running through my veins. She’s giving me my life back in ways I never knew was possible.

“You seem like you’re having fun.” Addison’s words shake me from my thoughts.

“Yeah.” I smile. “I am. I didn’t think I’d have this much fun, but I’m having a really good time. And no sudden urges. I think you’ve healed me.” A sudden feeling of euphoria strikes between us and I find myself leaning into her, my fingers caressing her bare thigh. “Are you?”

I notice how her chest begins to rise and fall with my touch and her eyes glaze over, darkening with hunger. “Am I what?”

I smirk, my fingers inching further up her skirt, causing her body to tremble. “Having fun.” I press my lips to her ear and I grin when I feel her shiver beside me. “I know tonight was hard for you too.”

Her body trembles at my words and her response has my fingers edging to the lining of her panties, teasing the gap between the material and her sensitive skin. I’m so close to plunging deep inside her and pushing her over the edge. My eyes take in her flushed face before I brush my lips against hers. The kiss is short-lived when she suddenly pushes at my chest, her body tensing.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my body instantly turning possessive. I try to follow her line of sight, but since the club is packed with bodies, I don’t know what she’s looking at.

“Zander, the guy I went on a date with, whose
girlfriend
beat me up. He’s here.”

Zander?
I could have told her the guy was a douchebag just by his name. “Where?” I ask my body tensing—along with my fists—searching the crowd for a douchebag who looks like a
Zander.

Fucking Zander.
What kind of name is that?

“He’s at the bar. The one wearing the black shirt, with the blonde on his arm.” It takes me a moment to find them and when I do, anger fills my entire body.

Fucking asshole.

Suddenly I’m walking, heading straight in their direction, my fist clenched tightly.

I can hear Addison shout my name from behind in a panic, but I ignore her. My anger is too futile to just let this dick get away with having
my
girlfriend beaten up by
his
girlfriend because of his decision to be a cheating scumbag.

Did I really just call Addison my girlfriend?

I continue my pursuit until I’m standing behind the guy and tapping him on the shoulder. He turns around and just looking at his smug face makes what I’m about to do a lot easier.

“Are you Zander?”

“Yes, do I know you?”

“No, but you know my friend Addison. I think this belongs to you.” Without an ounce of hesitation, I punch him hard in his face, causing him to stumble back into the bar, blood pouring from his mouth. My knuckles throb, and if it weren’t for my military training, my hand would be broken for sure.

Once he’s over the initial shock, his facial features tighten and he looks ready to blow a gasket. “What the fuck! You broke my tooth, you asshole!”

“You’re lucky that’s all I broke! It’s nothing compared to how your
girlfriend,”
I say towards the girl standing with her mouth hanging open, “left Addison, after she brutally beat her because you’re a cheating scumbag. I hope you rot in Hell.”

I go to turn around, but he jumps on my back and we both crash to the floor from his unexpected weight. While I’m still in a haze, he somehow gains momentum and straddles me, punching me in the face. He only gets one punch in before adrenaline soars through my body and I retaliate by pinning him on his back and punching him repeatedly in the face. It isn’t long before the bouncer hauls us off each other.

“That’s it, you’re both out of here before we call the cops!” another bouncer shouts through the music.
Zander
desperately tries to fight his way from the man’s grasp and I grin when the guy drags him back, causing Zander to hiss out in pain.

“That guy punched me!”

I can’t help laughing at his whiny ‘school playground’ accusation. “Aw, do you want your momma to kiss it better?” I goad in a baby voice, causing the vein on his forehead to pulsate with anger.

“You’re going to pay for this! I’m going to press charges.”
Has this guy fricking heard himself?

“Do what you want, pretty boy! Have me arrested! Just the satisfaction of punching you in the face is worth it. Do it. I fucking
dare
you.” I don’t know what I’m saying—the words are just coming out of my mouth like verbal diarrhea.

He looks over my shoulder, a sudden hunger dancing within his eyes. “Addison looks mighty fine. I should have fucked her when I had the chance.” My nostrils flare and through my heated anger, I break free from the bouncer’s grasp and charge at Zander.

“Sebastian!” I hear Addison’s alarmed voice from behind as I shove Zander in the chest.

“You don’t speak about Addison like that, do you hear me?” I roar just before I’m being shoved back and hauled away, with Addison following behind.

The bouncer drags me through the club and throws me out into the cold, damp air. “If I ever see you in this club again, there’ll be trouble. Now get the fuck out of here.”