Page 17 of Claiming Rose

Rose forced herself to walk on weak legs into the ladies’ room before collapsing on a nearby bench. “Well, that was so not fun.”

“Are you okay?” Sierra asked sitting down next to her.

“I’ll be fine.” Rose believed that. She just needed a few minutes to sort everything out. She hadn’t really expected to see Thomas. One good thing had come from it. She knew without a doubt that she was over and done with him.

“Oliver,” Rose whispered his name. How was he feeling? She needed to get to Oliver and let him know that Thomas meant nothing to her. “I need to change.”

“Sure.” Tessa opened Rose’s bag. “We’ll have you ready for the club in minutes.”

* * * *

Oliver stood with his back to the bar and his gaze glued to the doorway. Was Rose okay? She’d looked a little shell shocked after the confrontation with Thomas. Oliver had never been so glad when Damon told him Thomas was confronting Rose.

Max had been at the door when Oliver came out of the club, and together they went outside. Rose looked like she was holding her own, but when Thomas grabbed her arm, it was all Oliver could do to not beat the crap out of the man touching her.

When Oliver had reached her side he put his arm around her and tucked her to his side. Some of the stiffness in her body disappeared as she’d sunk into his hold, but then Thomas kept talking. Oliver had been about to tell Thomas off when Rose spoke up.

Oliver’s gut had tightened, worried for a moment that Rose was going to tell Thomas that she loved him and would take him back. It shocked him when she said she’d found a Dom she loved and admired and Thomas was history.

When had she fallen in love with him? Heck, when had he fallen for her? Oh, yes, he loved her. He might not have said it to her, but her declaration made him proud and happy. Rose was perfect for him, he’d known that for a long time.

“Take it easy,” Damon said coming up beside him. “You look about to explode.”

“What is taking her so long?”

“Tessa and Sierra are with her and they’re probably having a girl talk. If something was wrong, one of them would come get you.”

“I hope you’re right.” The door opened and Oliver held his breath.

Tessa and Sierra walked in and Oliver felt his heart drop. Then there was Rose. His heart pounded in his chest. What was she wearing? Or should he say not wearing. The woman was sex on a stick. The red lace teddy made her skin glow, and the black lace boy shorts showed off her long legs. His mouth dried out as she walked up to him.

“Sir,” she said softly.

“Rose, love.” He had to clear his throat to talk. “You look gorgeous.” He shook his head. “Wait that came out wrong. You are always gorgeous, but this…” He waved his hands.

“Easy, Sir.” Rose captured his hands with hers. “I wore this for you.”

“I love it.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them, before pulling her close. “We need to chat. Shall we go to the quiet area?”

“Why don’t we talk here.” She braced her hands against his chest and gave a little nudge and he felt the bar stool behind him.

“I want to hold you, and I can’t do that here.” He put his arm around her waist and guided her away from the bar to the small area in the back of the club. You could still hear the music and people from here, but it was a place where couples could sit and talk quietly.

Oliver sat down on the brown sofa and pulled Rose onto his lap.

“I really need to talk to you, Sir,” she said. Her fingers guiding up and down his chest.

“In a minute.” Was he worried that she was going to tell him good-bye? Maybe a bit, but he wanted to talk with her first. He fought not to be distracted by her touch, but it was hard. “I promise this won’t take long.” It all depended on her answers.

“Fine, Sir,” she said with a huff.

“Attitude,” he said softly but in a firm voice.

“Yes, Sir.” She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.

“Are you okay after the confrontation with Thomas?”

“Oh yes, Sir. He doesn’t deserve your worry. He’s the past and you are my future, if you want to be.”

---