Stay Close (For You 1)

I’d never seen eyes like hers staring back at me. They were emeralds sparkling with truth, and they saw straight to my core. She never flinched at what she found in there. She touched me, and I felt like she cast a spell. The warmth spread to every inch of my body, coating me in her protection.

Was I really the one trying to keep her from danger? How could she undo me like this and still make me feel like she’s holding me together? It’s inexplicable, but I want to cling to her light.

I watch as the girls enter the club without being carded. I pull up to the curb, toss my keys to the valet and slip him a bill. “Keep it close,” I say in his ear as he glances down at the hundred, and nods.

The bouncer lets me in with the same courtesy he extended the twins. I try not to think about how many other underage people he lets in here.

The music is loud, and almost immediately it’s deafening my senses. I ignore it and scan the crowd as I blend into the corners of the room. I don’t want her to know I’m here, but I want to make sure she’s safe.

It takes only a second to spot the redheads on the dance floor. It’s crowded, but they dance together and people leave them alone.

I grit my teeth when the crowd clears enough for me to see what she’s got on. Her dress is so short it nearly exposes the bottom curve of her ass. I walk to the bar, which has a direct view, and order a shot.

She loves to dance.

Her small body moves with the dark beat of the bass as I throw back a shot of vodka. There is no burn as the liquid warmth hits my tongue and melts down my throat. I clench the glass because I can’t put my hands where I want them.

The seductive curve of her waist as it cascades to the flare of her hips… I watch transfixed as they move side to side. Side to side. Her body is like the pendulum inside a grandfather clock, and I can’t look away.

The music is deafening, but if she were to simply whisper my name, I would be at her feet, begging to touch what I shouldn’t, taste what doesn’t belong to me, run my hands along the sweet innocence she taunts me with. An innocence I shouldn’t want but crave. Something so pure and untouched like nothing I’ve ever known before.

Slamming the glass down on the bar, I’m both disappointed and relieved when it doesn’t break. Maybe the cut of the glass could cool the feelings I have pulsing though me but I doubt it. Not with her. I’m not sure anything ever could. I would welcome a pain that’s greater than my ache for her. For there is nothing more powerful than the spell she has me under.

I’ve been hired to protect her.

But as I push away from the bar and walk towards her, I can’t help but think that perhaps someone should have protected her from me.

I watch as Pandora steps away from her and goes to the bar on the other side and grabs a bottle of water. She leans up against the bar, watching her sister as she catches her breath. Penelope still dances, and I can’t stand the distance anymore.

The physical distance between us now, and the distance I put between us last night. I hated how she was so cold to me today. It made me miss every part of her, every look in her eyes. I can’t have her keeping that from me.

I see Pandora’s face when she spots me, and she knows they’re busted. But to her credit, she only shrugs and nods towards Penelope. As if it’s her fault they’re here.

Penelope is facing away from me as I walk onto the dance floor. I don’t know the song that plays, but it’s slow, and her body knows every beat.

I should grab her and drag her out of here. I should make her go home and explain that this isn’t smart or safe. I should do anything but slide my hands to her hips. But that’s exactly what I do.

She tenses when I pull her back against my front. I mold her body to mine and press my lips to her ear. “It’s me, krasotu.”

She stills again, but I run my hands along her hips and start to move. I don’t think she wants to move with me, but she can’t stop herself. She loves it too much.

I feel the energy flowing from her, and it passes to me. The music is dark, and the song talks about diamonds. I want to strip Penelope bare and pour them on her. Her skin should only be touched by something worthy of it. Not me. Not my hands. But selfishly I don’t take them off her.