Addicted (Addicted Trilogy Book 1) (13 page)

“Very nice to meet you, Marcus.” He was very
attractive, not as handsome as Matt, but pretty darn close. His ashy-blond hair
complemented his light brown eyes. He actually reminded me of the boy next door
but with some sex appeal.

We were engaged in light conversation when I felt
someone tug on my arm. Glancing over, I saw Alek standing behind me, crowding
my personal space.

“Can I have a word, please?” he asked, trying to
appear calm, but I saw the cracks in his appearance. I could see right through
his façade and it made me smile…on the inside, of course. I was happy to see
I’d had a profound effect on the infuriating man.

“No. I don’t have anything to say to you, so you
may as well leave.” I stood firm, my resolve unshakable. Okay, it was shakable,
but I tried very hard to pull off the opposite effect.

Completely ignoring me, he grabbed
my hand and tried to tug me away from Matt—who, by the way, was in the
crosshairs of Alek’s dangerous scowl. They clearly didn’t care for one another.
Matt didn’t trust Alek, for reasons unknown to me. And Alek
wasn’t fully convinced Matt didn’t want to sleep with me. The thought
alone was absurd. He had no romantic feelings for me at all, but there was no
getting that through Alek’s thick skull.

“Five minutes. Please, Sara,” he implored, which I
found surprising coming from a man with his type of power and wealth. I
couldn’t imagine him even
asking
for
the attention of the opposite sex, let alone trying to convince them to be
alone with him.

When he didn’t let go, Matt felt as if he should
step in on my behalf. “She said no, Alek, so why don’t you get lost?”

Oh, no!

“Well, Matt, this is none of your business. This is
between me and Sara. I’m warning you. Don’t interfere.” He was quite literally
glaring at Matt, tempting him to make a move.

“You’re warning
me
?
Who the fuck do you think you are?” Matt yelled as he advanced toward him. With
my eyes practically bugging out of my head, I sucked in a quick breath, glanced
from one man to the other, and put myself smack dab in the middle of them.

“Who am
I
?
I’m the guy who’s
gonna
kick your fucking ass if you
don’t mind your own goddamn business.” He was practically spitting at Matt, so
I knew I had to act quickly. I put my hands up and gripped his upper arms to
try and get him to back up.
Holy shit
!
He was even more defined than I remembered; he would surely hurt Matt if it
escalated any further.

Although Matt was fit, muscular and could hold his
own, I was sure he was no match for Alek. The man was not only taller than Matt,
but he was physically bigger and would surely put a
hurtin
’
on him. I didn’t want any of that to happen. While I’d appreciated Matt
sticking up for me, I didn’t want him to be put in the position of defending me.

“Alek, come on. You wanted five minutes? I’ll give
you five minutes, but you have to move. Now!” I practically shouted in his
face. His icy stare slowly shifted from Matt to me, his face gradually changing
when his eyes connected with mine.

As we were walking away, I heard Matt yell after
us. “This isn’t over,
Devera
!” I knew Alek heard him
because he sucked in a breath and made to turn around, but I grabbed his hand
and pulled him toward the front door.

He nearly crushed my fingers, letting up some when
I smacked him on the arm. “Is it your intention to break my hand?”

“Sorry. I just love the feeling of touching you. I get
a little overexcited, I guess,” he confessed, smiling at me. You would never
know he’d almost been involved in a fist fight a minute ago. The man was the
master at switching moods when it suited him, which could be somewhat
dangerous, depending on the situation.

I let go of his hand when we reached the sidewalk
and saw his face fall, although he recovered quickly.

“You would be wise to tell Matt to back off in the
future, or next time there won’t be any warning.”

“Matt was only trying to protect me. You of all
people should understand that. You should be grateful I have a friend who cares
enough about me to stick up for me, especially against a crazy man such as
yourself.” I tried to get him to see how ridiculous he was being, but I
probably wouldn’t convince him.

“I will admit nothing. And I’m still not convinced
he doesn’t have an ulterior motive, Sara.”

“Alek.” I sighed. “I’m not going over it again. I
told you before. Matt is gay. Please, let it go already,” I huffed. The look on
his face was truly priceless.
I’m sure
he’s not used to having people dismiss him. Ever.

“We’ll see.” His eyes flicked all around, taking
note of our surroundings before shifting his penetrative stare in my direction.

“So, what’s so important you had to cause a scene? What
did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, kind of already knowing what he
wanted to discuss.

“I wanted to make sure you knew I didn’t come here
with
Jacinda
. I know what it must look like, but I
swear there’s nothing between us. I’m only interested in you, Sara. Please,
trust me.”

Trust
you
?
Well, maybe don’t let another woman grope you.

“Did you ever sleep with her?”
Oh, my God, I can’t believe I just asked
him that.
He’d probably tell me no, though.

Without missing a beat, he answered. “Yes, but it
was a long time ago.”
Okay, I didn’t see
that one coming, but at least he’s being honest.
Although, I then had a
picture in my head of the two of them rolling around naked, and it started to
make me see red.

Which led me to my next awful thought. Why was he
pursing me when he could just as easily hook up with her? Anyone could see how
much she wanted him.

“Well, she obviously wants you. So...uh, why don’t
you leave me alone?” He managed to fluster me, making me trip over my own damn
words.

Narrowing his eyes, he bit his lower lip and tried
to come up with something to say in response to my little outburst.

“Are you jealous, Sara? Are you jealous of
Jacinda
?”
     

What the hell?
Is he mocking me?

“Of her? Really? Be jealous over someone who is so
obviously fake? I don’t think so!” I exclaimed, and quite loudly, too. I knew I
was being petty, but I didn’t care.

“You’re right. There’s no need to be jealous of
Jacinda
. No need at all.”

Stop saying
her name!

“But she obviously wants you, Alek,” I repeated. “Try
and deny it.”

“I’m fully aware she wants me. But
I
don’t want
her
. I want
you
. It’s as
simple as that. I thought you knew this already.”

The words came out before I could stop them. “Why
would you want me when you can have her?”
Shit!
I can’t believe I asked him another stupid question.
Nothing like putting
it out there how vulnerable and insecure I was.

When he didn’t respond, I forced myself to look up
into his gorgeous face, the square of his jaw ticking as if annoyed. Would he
all of a sudden realize I was right and he should be with her? Would he
instantly become aware of how ridiculous it was to chase someone who fought him
at every turn? I didn’t know, but I hoped not.

With every fiber of my delicate heart, I hoped not.

After what seemed like forever, he finally broke
the silence. “Why would I want someone like her when I have someone like you? You’re
the total package, Sara. Don’t you see that?”

I was stunned.

Truly stunned and a bit confused.

“You are beyond beautiful and have a body which
makes me want to lose my mind every time I have the pleasure of looking at it, let
alone touching it. You’re a strong woman who is not afraid to speak your mind,
ever. And although you are the most obstinate, exasperating woman I have ever
met, you make me feel things I’ve never felt before, not with anyone. So again,
I ask you, why would I want someone like her, or anyone else for that matter,
when I have someone like you?”

He was holding my chin up toward his face to make
sure I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

Without letting another second pass, he pulled me
into his embrace and proceeded to kiss me with a passion which should’ve only been
reserved for private. But I gave in to him because I couldn’t hold back any
longer, either. His arms snaked around my back and gripped my shirt, trying to
pull me impossibly close. It wasn’t until I released a small moan into his
mouth did he really unleash his possessiveness toward me. His tongue invaded my
mouth, trying to claim every piece of me. His dominant ways were evident
through his kiss and I found myself loving every minute of it.

We were sadly interrupted when Alexa and Matt came bustling
outside looking for me. It
was
getting late, and I had a busy day ahead of me at the shop. Shuffling his feet
near the entrance to the bar, Matt kept his eyes locked on Alek, glancing over
at me every few seconds to make sure I was okay. Alexa, on the other hand, had
an ear-splitting grin plastered on her face. When she caught my attention, she
winked and made an O face. She actually made me laugh. She was so brazen, not
caring what anyone thought, which made her actions funnier to me.

A few seconds of awkward silence followed. “Well, I
guess I should be going now,” I said, taking a step back. A step he clearly
didn’t like, but there wasn’t any more we were going to do that night. I had to
go, and he knew it.

“Can I give you a ride home?” he asked as he invaded
my personal space again.

“Thanks, but I came here with my friends and I
should leave with them, as well.” His face fell. “But I’ll see you tomorrow
night?” It was a question, not a statement. I knew he’d just declared his
like
for me, but I wanted to be sure he
meant it and wasn’t only keeping me on the line as a back-up. Back-up for what,
I had no idea. But then again, all of the thoughts which ran through my mind
didn’t make a lick of sense.

He reached for my hand, his eyes quickly shifting
to Matt before he leaned in and gave me another kiss. A passionate, lust-filled
kiss.

He was marking me. Claiming me in front of the one
guy he viewed as a threat.

I sure hope
he isn’t thinking of throwing me over his shoulder and beating his chest like a
caveman.

That would be
taking it a little too far.

Sara

Agreeing to let me use her car, Alexa knew all
about the dinner plans I had with Alek. Every time she brought it up, she would
wiggle her eyebrows and laugh. It was her not-too-subtle way of letting me know
she thought Alek and I would sleep together afterward. I dismissed her antics
with nothing but a smile. In reality, I didn’t know what would happen. I’d never
wanted anyone more, but I also didn’t want to be just another notch on his
bedpost, especially since I didn’t have any of my own.

I was trying not to overthink the upcoming
situation, instead focusing on what I was going to wear. I didn’t want to go
super comfy, but I didn’t want to get too dressed up, either. It was supposed
to be a casual dinner at his house, or so that was my interpretation from the
nonchalant way he’d invited me.

As if reading my thoughts, Alexa barged into my
room all excited. After a very long debate, we settled on an outfit we both
deemed appropriate. A red, sleeveless top with cream satin edging around the
deep V and shoulders was my first and only choice, fitting me to perfection. I
paired it with my best pair of dark skinny jeans and my leopard-print heels to
kick it up a notch.

Feeling sexy, I made sure to wear my best
underwear, a black lace bra and matching thong I’d spent a small fortune on a
while back. But I’d never had a reason to wear it before. Again, not saying I knew
what would happen, but at least I’d be prepared.

As I was finishing up my hair, Alexa yelled to me
from the front room.

“Hey, Sara, a package was delivered for you. It’s a
small manila envelope, and it feels like there’s something small and hard
inside. Hurry up so you can open it.”

I wasn’t two feet in the living room before she
shoved the envelope at me.

“Open it, open it. I want to see what it is
already,” she said, jumping from one foot to the other, her blonde hair
bouncing over her shoulders. I had to admit her curiosity and excitement was a
little contagious.

I finally tore the top of the envelope off and
turned it upside-down. What fell out couldn’t possibly be what I’d thought it
was, right?

“Holy shit, is that what I think it is?” Alexa asked,
staring at the object in my hand.

“It fucking better not be,” I bit out, surprise and
irritation woven into my tone.

The small, hard object was an Audi key ring,
complete with an extra valet key. I didn’t even have to ask who it was from.

We were making our way outside to see if it was for
real when my phone dinged. It was a text message from Alek.
Of course.

Don’t overthink
it, Sara.

I’ve pre-loaded
my address into the navigation system.

Looking forward
to seeing you. – Alek

Once we stepped outside, we practically tripped
over it. There, in the very first parking space, was a bright red, shiny new
Audi. Alexa grabbed the keys from my hand and clicked the unlock button, instantly
sliding into the driver’s seat. Slowly making my way around to the passenger’s side,
I opened the door and hesitantly entered the car.

Alexa broke the silence with her usual banter. “What
the fuck, Sara? He bought you a car? A brand new Audi? Do you know how much
these cars cost? Wow!” Her excitement only fueled my disbelief.

“Obviously, I can’t accept the car, Lex. There is
no way in hell I’m letting him buy me a car, let alone a brand new one.” I
think I was trying to convince myself more than Alexa at that point.

“What do you mean you can’t accept it? This is
probably chump change to him.” Her eyes were busy taking in every fancy aspect
of the vehicle. “And you
do
need a
car, Sara, so why not? He obviously wants you to have it.”

I did need a car, but I didn’t need
that
car.

“I’ll drive it to his house tonight, but I’m
leaving it there. I can’t accept it. It’s too much.”

 
“You’re
crazy, girl.” She laughed, honking the horn and jumping from the noise. “But at
least you get to drive it, even if it’s only for one night.”

Finally, after ten minutes of sitting in a car I
was only going to give back, we made our way back inside.

Once I was finished getting ready, I took one last
look in the mirror and grabbed the rest of my things before heading toward the
front door once again.

 
“Be careful and
have fun, Sara. Seriously, enjoy yourself tonight.” She winked and closed the
door behind me as I left.