Chapter 2 0002

CAITLYN'S POV

I wasn't supposed to be here.

That was my first thought I stepped into the club with dizzying strobe lights of different colors as the floor seemed to hum with the bass of the music being blasted over the speakers.

Bodies writhed on the dance floor, people laughed and rubbed off on each other. In the corner, I could see some men lounging on red leather couches, watching with approval as scantily clad women and men alike entertained them.

I immediately looked away, my hand finding Leah's as I felt subconscious of the simple gown I had worn.

The last thing I needed was someone recognizing meㅡ Luckily, this was the part of town where none of my father's minions in the church came around.

“I think we should turn back,” I protested over the music as Leah pulled me forward, excitement in her gaze as she forced me to sit down on the barstool at the counter.

“Absolutely not. We just got here,” She gave me a glare that lacked heat in it as she turned to the middle-aged barkeeper, who was already sizing the two of us as though trying to gauge if we belonged here.

I mean, Leah looked the part. She wore a V-shaped neck like gown that revealed a lot of cleavage and barely stopped above her mid-thighs. While I… well, I looked every inch of how I was raised. The only difference was the simple necklace around my neck that I loved to fiddle with when I was nervous.

“Here” The man slid a glass of something to me, his gaze narrowing at me. “Sure you can handle whiskey?” He asked me, his gaze darting to Leah who was already chugging down a glass.

He clearly saw that I was out of place and heat rushed to my cheeks. I hated standing out. So, I pulled the glass closer like I knew what I was doing. “Not my first rodeo” I glared at him, taking a swig of the liquid.

Oh. Jesus fucking Christ.

What was this?

I almost spat out the bitter liquid but I forced myself to keep it down, forcing the disgusting and warm liquid down my throat as though trying to prove a point.

The man raised a hand in surrender, his blue eyes glinting in the dark as he looked behind me suddenly, his posture straightening.

The air in the club seemed to change almost instantly, and I turned around to see what had happened.

The people on the dance floor paved a path as a group of people walked past, their leather jackets looking out of place but commanding respect and attention.

My gaze narrowed as I stared at them, my glass still to my lips. Who were they?

I strained my neck to see the center of attention then I saw it. I saw him and my breath hitched in my throat. He stood tall and imposing, effortlessly resting a sleek helmet under his armpit, a cold expression on his almost perfect face. His skin was tanned, contrasting sharply with the bright blue eyes that stared forward. I found my gaze trailing down his body, my breath catching when I found myself staring too long at the outline of his abs that were visible under the compression shirt.

Feeling scandalized and silently berating myself that I would soon be a married woman, I forced my attention back to the bar and buried my face into the glass, willing the heat to die out from my cheeks. “Fuck” I cursed, chugging down the remaining contents of my glass before turning back to the barkeep. “Another one” I requested.

Leah and the man looked at me with the same expression. “You okay?” Leah asked, her gaze torn between me and the men who just walked in.

“Yeah,” I waved a hand vaguely as the man filled my glass again. “I'm perfect” I drawled, forcing the liquid down my throat again.

She tapped me and stood on her feet, pulling her dress down a bit. “I'll be back in a few, yeah? Hopefully. Gonna go try my luck on the hot blonde there,” She nodded off to one of the private lounges with low lights, and I nodded.

“Have fun” I managed to whisper as she scurried off.

Way to go, Leah. Great idea.

I don't know how long I sat there or how many glasses I ended up chugging, but when I forced myself to my feet, my legs wobbled with the effort, and the room seemed to spin on its axis.

“Are you okay, ma'am?” The barkeep asked, his voice echoing in my aching head.

“Yeah, I just…I need to get my friend and get going” I mumbled, tripping over my words as I stumbled forward, trying to dodge the people who were in my way.

My gaze darted to where the blonde guy she spoke about sat, but he wasn't there again, and neither was she. Oh, for fucks sake.

My feet carried me forward as I decided to check the private rooms in case she had gotten lost in the moment and followed him to his room.

As I rounded the corner, I bumped into something hard and let out a soft gasp. The ‘thing’ slowly turned around to look at me and I was met with piercing blue orbs that stared down at me.

Not something. Someone. The man I had been staring at like a meal earlier. I needed to get out of here. No one else was in this corner and…

For a moment, I couldn't move, I could only stare up at the imposing build of the man. “Iㅡ”

“Who are you?” His voice made something in me twist and I let out a groan.

“I'm looking…” I paused, my brain swirling. What was I looking for?. “Youㅡ” The words fell out of my lips before I could stop myself, and it felt like I wasn't in control of my lips anymore.

I could feel his gaze slowly raking over me. “You work here?”

“Mhm. Yes” I mumbled, unable to stop myself from reaching out to trace the edge of his jacket. He was so soft.

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair as he muttered a “can't even send a completely sober lady to my room. I wonder why I even pay so much here” Then he turned to me. “Come here”

And all I could remember was

Falling into his arms and the sound of the door clicking shut then…darkness.