Page 84 of The Secret

“I know something happened,” she shot back.

“You know nothing.”

“I wasn’t kidding about the numbers. She’s looking fucking hot tonight, so many guys have hit on her and she’s batted every single one of them away. That’s how I know.” Her black brow arched pointedly. “Think there’s only been one man she wanted to notice her tonight,”

I turned toward the dancefloor again, still not finding them among the heaving throngs of people. It was so fucking busy.

“If nothing is happening, you’re an idiot. She’s perfect for you. She likes you and I’ve seen the way you look at her. You need to marry this girl.”

Cooper slapped his hand over Freddie’s mouth. “Francesca, give it a rest and leave him alone.”

I shot a look of gratitude toward him as Freddie finally shut up. Contrary to what my sister thought, I hadn’t needed to hear anything she’d said. It served as no reminder of how beautiful Kit looked tonight, how beautiful she always looked. I had no doubt that she’d been hit on, and I was under no illusion how fucking lucky I was that she’d turned them down, nor why I was overwhelmed with immense relief that she had.

I stood up and leaned across the railings overlooking the rest of the club, searching until I finally spotted her, shining bright under the glare of a spotlight. She was waving her hands in the air, jumping around with Wolfie and Alex, totally carefree, her caramel locks flying around her. She was like no one else on the dancefloor, and now I’d found her, I don’t know how I’d missed her, much in the same way I don’t know how I’d missed this side of her in the time I’d known her.

She’d opened my eyes, to more than just her… To the possibility of a whole new life.

Soon, watching her wasn’t enough, especially as I’d also borne witness to more than one guy attempt to get in her space, lowering my tolerance to non-existent. The next guy would get a fist in his face. I thought I’d experienced jealousy before, but then it had been more of an irritation, a mild inconvenience, that I got over as quickly as I moved on. What I’d never experienced was this possessive, overpowering, ugly sensation that surged through me like a tsunami, destroying anything in its path and sucking the air from my lungs, taking me back to the day in the elevator when it had first engulfed me.

Luck was on my side again when I spotted the girls leaving the dancefloor and I made it my mission to cut Kit off before she managed to get back here, because I was done with not being able to touch her.

“I’m going to the bathroom.” I took off down the stairs before any of them could pass comment, which I knew they’d be doing.

I waited until I saw them head my way, stepping to one side as Wolf walked right past me without a second glance, followed by Alex. Before Kit could follow, I caught her wrist in mine pulling her away while simultaneously ducking from the swift right slap her hand was about to deliver, until she realized it was me. Her dropped jaw only made me laugh harder.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I nearly smacked you.”

“I’m not complaining if that’s what you do every time a guy tries to hit on you. I was about to do the same.” I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me, but it wasn’t close enough. I forced her to take a step back until I was pinning her against the wall we were standing by.

Her brows furrowed, as she peered at me through an amused glint in her eye. “What guys?”

“Freddie might’ve mentioned you’d been offered a few numbers.”

“Did she indeed?” she asked with faux innocence.

“Yes. Not that I blame them, but it’s a strictly ‘look but don’t get fucking near enough to touch’ situation. Only I get to touch you,” I growled, leaning away to fully assesses her now she was back where I’d wanted her since we’d arrived at the house; in my arms, “I’ve not had the chance to tell you how fucking incredible, not to mention beautiful, you look tonight. I wish I’d seen you earlier, before anyone else got to see you.”

“Thank you.” She tilted her head taking a closer look at my pained expression. “Wait, were you jealous?”

“Yes, I fucking was. I have no problem admitting that.”

“Really? That’s why you came to find me?”

“Yes and no.” I offered a one shouldered shrug. “Yes, because I was watching you on the dance floor and couldn’t stand it any longer. No, because I wanted to come and find you anyway. I’ve barely seen you all day and you turned up tonight like a fucking knock-out and I’m a weak,weakman. I don’t have the strength to stand on the side lines and watch. Not to mention I’ve only been able to do this…” I bent down, running my nose along her jawline, inhaling her sunshine and spring scent, “and this…” my lips moved along to her pulse hammering hard with the bass of the music, tasting the saltiness of her exertions. Her head tilted, giving me better access, along with a low moan which rumbled up her throat, “and this…” I sucked on her ear lobe, my voice deep and growly, “for a mere twenty-four hours, and if you think that I’m going to let someone else swoop in and take what’s mine…”

It garnered the same reaction it had this morning, reaffirming that this was something I’d be doing over and over as I explored every nook and crevice of her body. She grabbed my face, pulling my lips into a collision with hers amid a passion and intensity that I matched. Her hot tongue swiped against mine before she properly opened up to me, as her fingers moved to the base of my neck and thrust into my hair.

After weeks and weeks of fantasizing about how fine her ass was, I’d finally discovered last night how it felt to have it fit perfectly in my hands as I cupped her cheeks, and that’s what I did again. Lifting her against me, I pushed her further into the wall using my body to shield her from passers-by.

She shifted to lock her legs around my hips and a thunderous groan rolled through me as she rubbed up against my dick, making it even harder than it already was. I groaned again when she removed her lips from mine, and looked at me with both mild amusement and deep seated arousal, her eyes so dark brown they were almost black.

“Can we go somewhere quieter? Someone might see us.”

“Let them see us. I don’t care.” I was beyond caring. My lips found the long slender column of her neck.

“Murray…” she pleaded and I could deny her nothing, even though I wasn’t convinced I could walk.

“Come on.” I put her down, holding her hand tightly in mine with no intention of ever letting go, leading her away from the dancefloor and noisy hordes walking past us. I’d been in this club enough times that I knew where we could be undisturbed.

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