Hotel O

“Why do you even care? Why are you still trying to tell me off? You don’t want me, then let go of me.” I try to jerk free, but he won’t release me, and it’s pissing me off.

He pulls me closer and whispers, “I care because I don’t want you doing things you’ll regret …”

“Like what?” I hiss.

“My job is my life. Nothing jeopardizes that. Nothing.”

Really? After everything we did, that’s what he’s worried about? His job? That’s why he was such an asshole to me?

“Are you threatening me?” I ask.

“No. I just want to make sure you understand my identity, the chatroom, the hotel, all of it is a private matter. It’s important.”

My lip twitches. “Oh, so what? You’re afraid I’m going to tell people about your filthy kinks? About how you make girls strip in your office?” I have no pity for him. “Tough luck.”

“Hey, don’t think about telling anyone …” he growls.

“Or what? You’re going to force me to do more of your bidding on camera? Make me strip naked in front of all these people for your own pleasure? What else did I forget?”

His fingers are still firmly locked around my wrist. “Don’t pretend as if you didn’t like it. You begged me for more of my time. That’s what you wanted, right? Why you came to my office because you wanted my cock filling your pussy. That desperate for more …”

Fuck no. I won’t let him trample all over my dignity in public too. He might’ve gotten away with it in private, but not here, not now, not like this.

Without thinking, I chuck my entire glass of tequila at his face.

The shock causes him to release me, and I quickly walk off, vanishing into the crowd.

The music blares through the speakers, and I have trouble finding my bearings. My blood boils, but at the same time, I want to cry. I can’t stop the tears from filling my eyes, but dammit, I won’t let them fall.

Finally, I spot Flynn, who’s dancing with a girl in the middle of the room. I don’t want to disturb him, so I sit down at our table instead. Sighing out loud, I grab my cell phone and check the time. It’s not even past ten yet, and I’m already done with this evening.

God, I wish I never saw Declan here. As if my night couldn’t be any more ruined. It’s as if he chose this place on purpose. Or maybe he followed me. But he wouldn’t do that, right? He’s the one who wanted to get rid of me, not the other way around.

And he was rude and insulted me too. Prick.

“Hey.” Flynn suddenly appears from the crowd of people, this time without the girl. “Are you okay?” he asks when he sees my face.

I’m having trouble keeping myself together right now. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or the thought of Declan that’s making me want to sink into the floor and disappear forever.

“Kat?” his soft voice as he sits down beside me breaks me a little, and I can’t stop a tear from flowing down my cheek.

“Shit, what happened?” he asks as he puts an arm around my shoulder.

“He’s here,” I say. “That guy.”

“The one you fucked? The asshole?”

I nod.

“Did he come up to you?” he asks.

I don’t even dare reply. I don’t want him to get upset too.

“If he hurt you, tell me, Kat, or I swear to God, I’m going to find that son of a bitch and punch him in the face right now,” he says through gritted teeth.

“No, no, don’t. Please,” I say, grabbing his arm so he won’t get up. “Just don’t, okay? Promise me.”

“Fine, I promise,” he growls.

“Thank you,” I say. “I don’t want to make a scene. I just want to forget about it all and pretend he doesn’t exist.”

“Okay.” He makes a face and sighs. “Fuck … did he follow you here or what?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think he did. It’s just …” I don’t even know how to finish my sentence. All I wanna do is go home and drink the night away behind my little TV. Alone and miserable.

“Aw, c’mon,” Flynn says. “Let’s go.” He pulls me up from the couch and drags me along with him.

“Wait,” I say, stopping in my tracks. “What about that girl you were dancing with?”

“I got her number,” he says, winking as he pulls me along. “Don’t worry about me. Let’s just get you home.”

I let him lead me outside. I’m way too tipsy and annoyed to even care to stay. Besides, there’s a nice breeze that keeps me wide-awake.

Flynn helps me into the passenger seat of his car, and then he jumps behind the wheel. He still seems fresh as a bird while I’m sinking into the chair like a badly baked soufflé. I’m so glad he didn’t accept my drink. I’d have to feel this way but with a fucking cabby listening to all my gripes and moans.