Chapter 2
Carter
“Hey, man,” I greet Spencer at the bar of the club with a pat on his back.
“Took you long enough to get here.” He smiles, giving me a one-arm hug.
“I was on the other side of town and wasn’t exactly planning on coming out tonight,” I explain, taking a seat next to him on one of the stools in front of the bar. I was going to stay home and work, but I need a drink. I have been at battle with myself for the last twenty-four hours, wanting to track down Fern.
“Still having problems with the Tensus case?” he asks, calling the bartender over with a flick of his wrist.
“Nah, we should be closing the case next week, depending on what judge we get,” I tell him, shaking my head. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see red flash in my peripheral vision.
My head turns, and my blood ignites with rage and desire as I watch Fern walk through the crowded dance floor, wearing a little black dress and heels that make her legs look a mile long and should be fucking illegal. Tracking her movements, I watch her walk to a table with a few other girls. All of them seem to be having a good time, but my girl looks uncomfortable and out of place amongst them.
“Do you know them?” Spencer asks, nodding toward the table my eyes are glued to.
Grinding my teeth, I nod then mutter, “I’m gonna get out of here.”
“You just got here,” he complains, but I ignore him, get up from the bar, and stalk toward the table of girls, who all wa
tch me with lust-filled eyes as I get closer. Well, all except one set, which belong to a girl who has them pointed toward her lap.
“Hey,” one of the girls purrs, licking her lips.
“Fern,” I bark, ignoring the other bodies at the table.
“Carter,” she whispers as her head lifts and her gaze connects with mine. I watch fear enter her eyes as she looks around.
“Come on. I’m taking you home,” I growl, holding out my hand to her.
“I—”
“Now,” I thunder, making her jump as I pull her out of her seat and lead her through the crowd on the dance floor without giving her any other choice.
My jaw starts to tic, watching the men looking at my property with lust as we pass them. I have never felt anything like I’m feeling right now, and I know I need to get her out of here before I do something I will regret. Stopping, I swing her up into my arms, hearing her squeak as I carry her the rest of the way out of the club.
Pulling in a lungful of cool night air, I move to my car, setting her on her feet so I can open the door.
“Carter,” she whispers as I place her gently into the passenger seat and buckle her in. Ignoring her, I slam the door shut, jog around the car, get in behind the wheel, and start the engine, turning up the heat when I see her rub her arms.
“Where does your family think you are right now?” I ask her, knowing there’s no way in hell her grandfather knows she was going to a club.
“They think I’m staying at Alicia’s house,” she whispers, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
“You lied?” I ask just to clarify, seeing her face pale.
“No, I...” She pauses, taking a breath, and I feel my pants get even tighter as her breasts strain against the material of her dress. “I didn’t know they were planning on going out. I thought we were going to a movie and dinner.”
“How’d you get into the club? It’s twenty-one and up.”
“This,” she says, pulling a fake ID out of the little purse in her lap.
“Do you know how much trouble you could have gotten into if you got caught...what could have happened to you if you were left alone?”
“I know,” she says then tears begin to fall from her beautiful eyes, causing my gut to clench. Unhooking her seatbelt, I pull her into my lap and smooth my hand over her hair, feeling it for the first time, realizing it’s even softer than I ever imagined, and she feels even smaller in my arms than I thought she would.
“Hush, baby. You’re safe, and nothing is going to happen to you.” I rock her until she calms then place her back into her seat, helping her buckle up once more before putting the car in drive and pulling away from the curb.
“Um...Carter, my grandparents’ house is the other way,” she says softly, and I grab her hand in mine.
“You’re staying with me, beautiful.”
“What?”
“Do you really want to go home and tell them you lied about what you were doing tonight?” I ask her, stopping at a red light and looking at her.
“No.” She pales.
“I didn’t think so,” I mutter, pressing the gas again.
It feels like the ten-minute drive to my building takes an hour, and by the time we arrive, my hands are holding the steering wheel so tightly that I may have to get it replaced. Her scent is intoxicating me. I swear I can smell her fucking cherry from where I’m sitting, and I want it.
Getting out of the car, I command her to stay put and wait for me to come around and get her. I have never been one for dominance—I don’t play that way—but I need her to listen to me. I want her to follow any rules I lay out for her. I want her to do exactly what I say. I don’t even understand why it’s so important.
Opening her door, I drag her out and head toward the elevator with her hand held tightly in mine.