Page 17 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

Madison’s eyes meet mine with a devious smile, knowing this game we are playing has only just begun—and I fucking love it. I stand at the threshold of her door and take notice of the bottle of red wine on the kitchen counter.Ahh, she needed a little liquid courage to take the edge off. Her cheeks heat a beautiful pink when she realizes where my gaze has gone.

“I was nervous…and wine always…calms me…” she trails off as I pull her into a hug, unable to keep my hands off her.

“I already told you, there is no reason to be nervous around me. You are safe with me, love. I promise you,” I try to reassure her. She relaxes her shoulders, releasing all that tension she was holding. Leaving her hands linked around my back, she pulls away slightly. Gorgeous brown eyes look up at me with more confidence than she was sporting prior.

“It is nice to ‘officially’meet you, Killian,” she giggles. “Even though it feels like I have known you for years.”

“It's a pleasure to ‘officially’meet you as well, Ms. Marrone,” I agree while running my hands down her arms.I already know so much more about her than she knows of me. I take her hands in mine and give them a gentle squeeze. “Ready to go?” I nod towards the car in the driveway.

“Yes. I can’t wait to see what Schmitty’s looks like with the owner on my arm,” she winks.Oh sweetheart, you are in for a surprise. She grabs her leather jacket off of the chair, slips it on, and wraps a Burberry scarf around her neck. I step outside, giving her space to lock up the house.

She pulls the handle closed after locking the door from the inside. I wrap my arm around her waist and help her down the few steps off her porch. I guide her to my murdered out Cadillac, open the door for her and help her in. I’m about to close it when a ridiculously adorable laugh escapes her plump lips. Pausing, I hold the door open just enough to lean my head in.

“Is something funny,my Queen? Is this chariot not up to your standards?” I inquire in the most proper voice.

“Oh no,sir. It isveryaccommodating. It suitsyouperfectly. You know…with the whole…‘Darth Vader’ thing you got going on—that's all,” she snickers again.Damn this woman and her sarcasm.Don’t even get me started on what it did to my cock, when she called me sir.

* * *

We are parkedby the back entrance. Madison’s eyes go wide as she notices two of my men walk toward us. I get out to greet them.

“Sir.”

“Killian,” they say in unison, nodding and shaking my hand. I am about to open Madison’s door when she opens it and gets out herself.One thing she will need to learn while she is with me is that she’ll never open another door again. I take her hand in mine and walk us to the door. This time placing my hand on her lower back and opening it for her.

“Maybe it would be fun to make up our own secret handshake—just for shits and giggles,” she smirks at me while entering the building.Jesus, this woman is so sassy. I fucking love it.

I wrap her hand in mine, curling my fingers around hers. I caress my thumb over her soft skin, bring her knuckles up to my lips and place a gentle kiss. “How’s that for a handshake?” I beam.

Madison looks at me, raising an eyebrow when I press the button for the elevator. She has been curious as ever since I alluded to there being another side to this bar. When it arrives, we step in, and I punch in a code to access the lower level.

“Can you keep a secret, lass?” I turn to her as the elevator makes its descent. Her eyes light up with eagerness. She nods her head once while gnawing on her lower lip.

The elevator doors open to a large corridor. Two more of my men stand at each set of doors at the end. I place her hand back in mine and walk us to the entrance of the underground club. The doors on the left go off to mine and Liam’s private offices; the doors on the right open to the club. I push open the door on the right and usher her in—

“Welcome toThe Triskelion, beautiful.”

“If I Lose Myself”by OneRepublic and Alessois playing through the speakers as we walk in. I lean over the glass balcony to look around, amazed at the sight in front of me.There is no way Schmitty’s is upstairs.

Don’t get me wrong, Schmitty’s isn’t a hole in the wall,but it’s not this.

There are two levels with staircases on both sides that lead down to the dance floor and a wall-to-wall bar. The DJ is performing from a large, central stage, slightly raised above the dance floor. Half-naked dancers are in clear birdcages on either side of the stage. A huge chandelier hangs from the industrial ceiling with exposed beams and more laser lights.

The upstairs is a U shape. There are sections of dark couches and tables spread throughout. They appear to be VIP areas. A few closed doors line the walls of each side—frosted glass obscuring what hides behind them. Lights and smoke scatter the room as I scan the faces of a few of those dancing. Quite a crowd has gathered here. All of them seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Wait.Is that my anatomy professor?

The bar is directly across from the stage. A giant waterfall wall with neon underlighting cascades from behind it. The top of the bar is sparkly white quartz, and the base is some more frosted glass.This place is fucking awesome.I wish Leah and Lexi were here to see this right now.

I feel hiseyeson me as I process this all.“What do you think?” He asks, casually leaning against the balcony railing—like theGodthat he is.

Dark dress pants cling tight to muscular legs, leaving little to the imagination.Holy crap. His white dress shirt is tucked into his pants, with the top two buttons open, exposing his chest. And a simple black leather belt with a silver buckle wraps around his hips. His dark hair is neatly brushed back and buzzed on the sides, with a few grays scattered throughout. Five o’clock shadow peppers his strong jawline. Damn,he is the definition of Tall, Dark and Handsome—that’s for sure.

I walk over and wrap my hand around his upper arm. “Killian, this place is incredible,” I shout over the music. The smile I get in return is one full of pride.

A scantily dressed waitress comes up next to us. “Would you like a drink, Mr. Kennedy?”

He turns to me, paying no mind to the waitress at all. “Would you like something to drink, love?” he whispers in my ear, wrapping a hand around my waist and pulling me flush against his hard body. His clean, refreshing scent floats in the space around us.

“Sure. I’ll take a glass of Prosecco, please.” I look up at him, curious what he’ll be drinking. My heart begins to beat wildly. I am finding it hard to be near him without being extremely turned on. It doesn’t help that I’m pressed up against him.

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