Love Resisted (Entwined Hearts #2) (21 page)

“I’m glad that’s over,” I whisper to Eric.

“Yeah me too, Missy. After that we definitely need to go out tonight,” he replies as he hands me my clothes. I knew I was taking a chance by attending this booking when it came direct rather than going through my agent. But as I haven’t been able to get hold of Sue for weeks and instead have had to put up with her assistant Carlie, I haven’t been getting much work at all.

I need the money. At least that’s what I've been telling myself to get through it. The place was set up like a typical shoot, and at first I was happy. I met the owner of the company and found out a little more about everything. The advert was for a new hotel, he explained that he had set this new venture up recently. He had other businesses but considering the market at present, he thought this new idea would work fantastically for him.

The hotel was five star inside and out. But when you went into the rooms, well, think,
‘Red Room of Pain’
from Fifty Shades of Grey and you’ll understand what was hidden behind the façade. That part didn’t bother me. In fact, when entering the room they were using for the advert, I kind of wished I was here with Saul, and without the other ten people that were fussing about like worker ants.

The problem for me was when I realised the owner wanted his son to be in the shoot with me, on the bed, or tied up, but always in compromising situations. His son was creepy, and even before I was made aware that he was going to be in the photos, he kept coming onto me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. At one point I thought I was going to have to knee him in the balls to get him to leave me alone. He’s obviously someone who’s used to getting what he wants. So when it was explained that I had to do the shoot with him, I wasn’t over the moon. I could see the delight on his face though and I think that’s the part that actually scared me.

The first pose the client wanted was of me tied up. So my hands were bound behind my back and I had to kneel on the bed with a gag and blindfold on. That was okay until he knelt behind me. I could feel his erection poking me in my back. He leant down next to my ear and while the camera snapped away, he whispered, “I personally picked you to do this shoot with me. I’ve seen your photos and wanted to get you to myself for ages. Maybe after this circus, I could take you somewhere quiet.” And right at that moment, even with a gag in my mouth, I threw up a little bit.

When the gag and other effects were removed, and before they trussed me up for the next
‘look,’
I pulled Eric and the photographer, Sam, to one side. Luckily I knew Sam from other photoshoots. I mentioned that I felt uncomfortable around Pervy Pete, or whatever his name was, and I told them what he had said to me both before and during the shoot.

Sam made sure every photo after that was without us touching. Opting instead, to have stills taken where I was tied up on the bed, and creepo was standing beside the bed holding a rope or a whip. The client argued slightly on behalf of his son, but Sam stood firm and so he gave in.

Now it's three hours later and I’m just glad that Saul wasn’t here to witness how this went down because I think he would have gone all Caveman on me. I’m glad I’m soon to be heading home, as I’m exhausted.

“So how about we get out of here?” I hear from behind me and I jump out of my skin. I’m still standing in my bra and jeans, and although I was wearing less for the shoot, this is somehow different. It’s a violation of my privacy.

“Do you mind?” I ask spinning around and holding my top across my chest trying to keep my dignity.

“Not really, sexy legs,” he says leering at me.

I cringe internally. “Look, you might be the boss' son, but I have a boyfriend and he’s less
boy
and more
man
if you know what I mean?” I tell him, pissed off and not trying to be polite anymore.

“Whoa!” he says looking over my shoulder at who I assume is Eric. Who is probably shooting daggers at him. “I just thought we could get to know each other somewhere more private,” he tells me with a smirk.

I curl my lip. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you politely at least eight times today that I’m not interested. Geez, I said earlier that I had a boyfriend,” I complain.

“Sorry, I just thought you were playing hard to get,” he replies still smirking.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s what Kathy Bates’ character in Misery said as well,” I snap.

“Okay, I get the point. I’ll be out front if you change your mind sweet thing,” he says walking out. My shoulders sag and I quickly pull my top on feeling exposed.

“Ugh! I think I threw up watching that,” Eric screeches from behind me.

“Been there, done that,” I moan.

“Come on, let’s get out of here. I need a night out more than ever now,” he says grabbing my hand and walking me to the waiting car. I just have time to shout
a quick ‘bye’
to Sam as I’m dragged away.

Fuuuck
! I adjust myself. Watching Soph dance makes me harder quicker than any bitch in a porno ever could. When she asked about going out tonight, my initial reaction was to say no, actually to shout,
‘Hell no,
’ and to lock her in the bedroom and stand guard. I know that makes me sound like an overprotective arsehole, but I’ve been so worried about something happening to her. So worried about losing her, that for a while, I forgot about the fact that by suffocating her I could lose her anyway.

Some men would say that they’d take the risk of living their lives without their person just to know she’s safe. I guess I’m selfish. I haven’t just opened my heart to then do something that will push her away. I need her. She is the air that fills my lungs, the blood that flows through my heart. And the truth is, if I lost her now, I might as well give up breathing. Because I wouldn’t even be surviving, I’d just be existing, and I don’t want to exist without her.

So we decided to come to a club. Fuck knows where that idea came from? Actually, it was probably Eric. Everyone was up for it though. Well, when I say everyone I mean Soph, Pea and Eric, the rest of us, yeah not so much. Knowing there’s still a threat that’s very real, I thought maybe going to a restaurant would be a better choice, but Soph wanted to dance and so did both Pea and Eric. After Soph filled Eric in on everything that had been happening, he’s decided to almost live at our house, acting like a little guard dog. It’s actually kind of cool to see the bond they share and Rich has fully integrated into the group now too.

Since almost the moment we got here, the three of them have been on the dance floor while the rest of us positioned ourselves at a table with a direct view of them. Con always gets agitated at clubs because he doesn’t dance unless it’s like a joke, so he has to watch Pea up there and hope that no guy touches her. However, I think her very pregnant belly puts most men off and thankfully there seems to be a gap around the women because of it. Soph and Eric have had a few shots too many and Soph won’t come off the dance floor, but I love to watch her. She’s beautiful anyway; she was born to dance, there’s no denying it. I know her dad would’ve wanted to help her achieve that dream if he were still here.

‘Gravity’ by DJ Fresh is the next track to pound out of the speakers covering the room and Soph morphs from club dancer to professional dancer in the blink of an eye. Seconds after she starts moving people start watching. She uses the music’s rhythm to punch her movements into the space likes she owns it. As if they understand that something special is happening people start turning to watch and suddenly everyone moves in around her, drawn to her like moths to a flame.

And she is the flame, the most beautiful, brave, fierce flame.

My flame
.

I get up and make my way through the throng, aware that I still need to be able to see her. Partly for her safety, but more because it’s hard to take my eyes off her. I stand in the surrounding circle and watch her dance. Her eyes are closed and she’s in the moment, the one she’s told me about before.

“I close my eyes, and it’s like everything else melts away. It’s just me and the music and my heartbeat. I feel every beat of the tune, but it’s more. There are some songs…ugh, it’s hard to explain.”

She shook her head and bit her bottom lip.

“There are some songs that make you feel the words too. Like they live through you, like you need to act the meaning out. You’re spellbound and have no control. But these songs usually have the biggest meaning. They’re the songs that tell someone all you can’t say yourself, everything you need them to understand.”

I just watch her. She’s stunning.

I’m going to marry her one day.

The music changes to Usher, ‘I Don’t Mind.’ Slowly Soph’s movements draw in and become more contained as her eyes open. She jumps when she sees the crowd and people start cheering. I smile, but then as a couple of guys take a step toward her, I move in and slide my arm protectively around her shoulders.

“You’re so sexy, I can’t wait till I get my head between your legs later,” I whisper in her ear. She looks up at me through hooded eyes completely unaware that she was probably going to be chatted up. “Let’s go sit for a bit?” I say and she nods. I look around and see Pea and Eric grinning at us and I snag them both with a head nod and mouth that we’re going to sit down. They follow and we make it back to the table. Four women are now at our table and are obviously trying to chat to a very uncomfortable Con and Rich and an unimpressed Dane.

Soph leans into my ear. “Oh joy,” she mumbles and I chuckle. Pea walks over to Con and gets in-between him and the woman chatting to him.

The woman immediately shouts, “Hey!” But doesn’t say anything else after Pea sits on Con’s lap and Con takes her mouth with his and proceeds to do way more than what’s considered just kissing. The remaining women who are sitting with Dane and Rich look at me, so I quickly slip my arm back around Soph and I hear her laugh.

Dane is now giving me a
‘help me’
look and I just wink at him, so he gives me the bird. I know I’m wearing a shit-eating grin when I lean over the table and say loud enough for them all to hear, “You all ready to go?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bunch of men so eager to leave a club, it’s actually really comical.

When we get outside and start walking back to our beachside house, Soph tells me, “I know one of those women back there.”

I look at her surprised. “Really, babe?”