Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs 1)

I should’ve napped this afternoon instead of working on an assignment.

Climbing out of the car, I wait for Mila and walk with her into the club.

Human by Rag’n’Bone Man is thumping through the space as we walk to the VIP section. I sit down by the railing, so I have a view of the lower floor, and in need of a lot of sugar, I signal a waiter over and order a coke.

Hunter takes the chair next to me, and leaning closer, he asks, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a little tired. I ordered a coke for sugar,” I answer, giving him a wide smile.

“Let me know if I need to take you home,” he offers.

Unable to resist, I lean into him and wrapping my arms around his neck, I press a kiss to his cheek and hug him. Pulling back, I grin, “I need to hug you more, or I’ll never pay off my debt.”

“In that case,” Hunter chuckles as he pulls me back against his chest for another hug.

I close my eyes and breathe in his scent.

Damn, you smell sooooo good.

When he doesn’t pull back, but instead, tightens his arms around me, I take full advantage of the moment and press as close to him as I can.

I feel the warmth from his body seep into mine, and it’s only then I realize it’s actually cold, and I should’ve brought a jacket. “You’re so nice and warm,” I mumble.

Pulling back, he asks, “You want my jacket?”

I shake my head and shift back into a comfortable position on my chair. “I’ll go dance myself warm in a minute.”

My coke comes, and I take a sip from the sugary goodness.

Hunter laughs at something Jase says, and I stare at his features.

When the hell did he get so handsome?

My eyes caress every line on his face, and I’m filled with an overwhelming feeling of awe for him.

I’m in love with you, Hunter.

Jase downs his tumbler of whiskey in one go and jumps up. “Let’s go dance.”

Hunter, Kao, and Fallon join Jase, and I watch them walk down to the dance floor.

“Why don’t you go dance?” Hana asks me.

“I first need to finish my coke, or I’ll fall asleep on the dance floor,” I admit.

“You and me both,” she replies, taking a huge sip of her own drink.

“Jase is such a player,” Mila mumbles, her eyes focused on the lower floor.

I follow her line of sight and watch as Jase dances with a random girl. I glance over the immediate people around him, seeing Fallon and Kao. Frowning, I keep searching until I see Hunter sitting at a table with Nate and Jessica’s group.

Hunter leans closer to Jessica and then laughs at something she says.

Damn, they look cozy.

I only manage the sight of them smiling into each other’s eyes for another five minutes, then I get up. “I’m tired.” I walk to the stairs and take them down as fast as I can. Glancing at Hunter one last time, I see Jessica lean into him, and he begins to lower his head. An intense wave of jealousy rocks me to my core. I’ve never felt anything like it before, and honestly, it’s disturbing.

Fuck this shit. I’m done.

I rush out of the club, and only when I reach the sidewalk, do I realize I forgot my purse on the table, so I can’t even call a cab. It’s a thirty-minute walk at most. I can do it.

I stalk down the road, angry at myself for getting jealous when I have no claim to Hunter.

I thought…

Doesn’t matter what I thought. I must’ve just imagined things. Hunter and I are just friends. At least I have that.HUNTERA curtain of dark silky hair falls over my shoulder, and then I hear Mila say, “I think Jade left.”

“What?” I dart from the chair, and my eyes snap up to our table. Seeing only Hana and Noah sitting at it, I frown at Mila. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, and she left her bag. I thought she was just stepping out for fresh air, but she’s been gone for ten minutes. I went to check, and there’s no sign of her.”

“Christ, Mila! You should’ve told me the second she left,” I snap. I break out into a run, and when the cold night air rushes over me, worry claws up my spine.

I yank my car keys out of my pocket and run to the vehicle. Getting behind the wheel, the engine roars to life, and the tires squeal as I pull out of the parking area. I search along the road as I drive, hoping she just decided to walk home, and nothing bad happened to her.

Dark thoughts start to swarm in my head, making my heart race with fear. I’m about to have a panic attack from worry when I find her down the next street, heading in the direction of Trinity’s campus. For a moment, I feel relief ripple through me.