Page 24 of The Passion

And there it is. The turn-off I knew was coming.

There is a difference in a man who can hold his own in banter and innuendos with me in a way that has me wanting more, and a boy who just sees me as a conquest and who is desperate for me to drop to my knees for him.

“Like I said, brash was the perfect word.” Picking up my purse off the bar next to me, I step down off the stool and take Harper’s hand at the same time. “Sorry, boys, we have a car waiting.” We don’t, but it’s time to leave, and I also know that Harper has drunk too much for me to let her leave with any man.

“But…” she protests as I wait for her to say her goodbye. She rolls her eyes at me, because she knows she is going home with me whether she likes it or not.

“No need for the car, I can have our driver take you home once we’re done.” Ughhh, now his voice is starting to annoy me.

“Thank you, but we are already done.” Putting my arm around Harper, I start for the door. Part of me feels sorry for the guy who thought he was in for the night, and I have ruined his plans, but he can blame his friend for that.

Even though I hadn’t called the car, it’s already waiting for us, knowing my security would have called it as soon as I looked like I was moving from the bar. Doesn’t matter where in the world I am, Harper makes sure we are covered with at least minimal security. I hate having to live my life like this, but it is what it is.

“I wanted to go have sex with that guy.” Harper is pouting in the back seat like a child, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Yep, pretty sure the dirty dancing gave that away, but let me assure you, tomorrow you will thank me for not letting you.” I look across at her already struggling to keep her eyes open now that she is sitting still.

“You’re just pissy because no one measures up to Mr. Wonder Ass in your eyes. I gave you a whole nightclub full of fuckable men, and you couldn’t even find one worth taking home.” I can’t help laughing at her drunk rant now.

“Mr. Wonder Ass. Oh, I’m sure he would love that name. But I can tell you now, he is the last person I want to be getting back into bed with again. I just didn’t find anyone who was worthy of me tonight, certainly not a boy who is trying to live out his older-woman fantasies. You promised to find me a man.” But damn you, Harper, for bringing up Flynn again. I thought tonight was supposed to make me forget him. Instead, all I will be able to think about is the vision on that video of that fine specimen of an ass on the man I can’t stand.

Why is the universe so cruel?

Feeling the weight of her head on my shoulder, I can already hear the soft snore of Harper’s that she gets when she has been drinking. Great, not only did the night not turn out how I was hoping but now I have sleepy Harper to get into bed too. Should have just stayed home like I intended.

As we are driving, I do something I shouldn’t and open the Google alerts I have on Flynn. I’m starting to believe I’m a masochist, tormenting myself by doing this. I keep telling myself it’s so I know if anything happens with the video, but the reality is that I can’t seem to shake him.

I wish there was nothing to see and the pictures were of boring things like business meetings, him leaving a hotel and getting into his car, discussions on the clothes brand he is wearing—but they’re not.

As usual, it’s the event he attended tonight with a very beautiful blonde woman on his arm. The photos of them at the dinner are nauseating, the way she is looking at him with her doe eyes. She has no idea that he’s someone who can’t be caught. No matter how good-looking you are or the pleasure you might bring him.

I scroll past it hoping to move on to something else, but of course, that’s not possible. The very next post is of him taking that same woman home at the end of the night. Posted less than an hour ago. And there is no mistaking what is about to happen between them. He is standing on the doorstep of her place, kissing her like she is his last meal. Clicking through to the next picture, and my stomach falls.

Damn these photographers and their long lenses!

The last image they have captured is Flynn pushing her up against the wall just inside the door, kissing her on the neck as he closes the door.

The burning of that image in my head hurts as it reminds me of our night together where he did the same to me.

I was nothing more to him than this woman is tonight.

He can’t keep doing this to me. Holding me hostage, as much as I don’t want him to. I’m stronger than this and determined to forget him.

If there is ever a man for me to want more with, it’s not a player like him!

Getting Harper into bed and settled, I have left her a note for when she wakes, although I don’t expect that to be for hours. And then I head back down to my car that is waiting for me.

I’m about to do something probably so stupid I will regret it in the morning, but I can’t think of any other way to fix my problem.

“Where to, Lady Kentwall?” my driver asks without looking at me.

“Les Caves du Roy, thank you.” Seeing the headlights of my second car containing my security detail pulling out behind me, I know they are probably all cursing me for going back out, but that’s what they get paid for. To follow a crazy woman who is going to find a man to fuck Flynn Taylor out of her system with.

Walking into the nightclub, I need another drink because the ones from earlier in the night have definitely worn off.

The fun-loving woman that was out with Harper before is gone, and with shoulders pulled back and my resting bitch face on, I stride with all the confidence I have toward the bar and order a scotch and then turn to survey the people around me.

And that’s when I see him.

---