Page 10 of Chaplain

Maybe she feels my eyes on her because suddenly Eden meets my stare straight on. Her hungry look across the crowded room makes my pulse hammer. Unable to take it, I force myself to turn away. But her image lingers, making me ache for something I've no right to want. This woman's gonna be the death of me.

Over the next half hour, I attempt to avoid staring at Eden as she finds a seat with a group of ol'ladies, who want her off the dance floor for the same damn reason I do. She seems content with drinking instead of dancing. With her surrounded by the leading women in the club, I can refocus on making my rounds without worrying about who will try to put a claim on her.

Despite her being safe, my gaze travels back to her table every few minutes until I think I will go crazy. I tell myself keeping tabs on her is for the club's benefit. Having Eden here and unclaimed by a member is dangerous. As Chaplain, keeping my brothers in line is part of my job.

To be sure I don't start shit, Ronnie distracts me with a conversation about a group of prospects who've been exaggerating their club status around town. He wants to teach them a lesson at the next patching, and my mind snaps back to my job. We talk

Ronnie asks me what we should do as punishment, but I'm too distracted by Eden's empty chair to answer. As I search the club room for her, my jaw clenches when I see a couple of cocky newbies sliding up to her on the dance floor. They start dancing provocatively with her, their hands roaming freely over her body as they try to grind against her.

A surge of white-hot jealousy rips through me. Before I even think, I'm shoving through the crowd toward her. I force a relaxed tone, clapping the guys' shoulders.

"Why don't you let the lady dance in peace, fellas."

They quickly back off at my warning tone, disappearing into the party. Eden looks up at me, eyes glassy from drinking but a coy smile curling her lips. "My hero," she purrs, draping her arms around my neck.

Despite my better judgment, I let her sway against me for a song with my hands respectfully on her hips. Having her so close clouds my thinking as her perfume invades my senses. Eden seems to take my nearness as encouragement, pressing tighter and trailing a hand down my chest.

"Wanna get out of here?" she asks throatily.

The suggestion brings me back to reality. I gently disentangle from her seeking hands. "Let's get you some water first."

Eden pouts angrily as I lead her away from the dance floor. At the bar, she tosses back the glass of water sullenly before slamming the glass down. The flirty excitement of moments ago is gone, replaced by frosty silence. I know I've hurt her pride. But nothing good can come of letting this escalate, no matter how fiercely I want to.

"C'mon, let's get some fresh air," I say gruffly, guiding Eden toward the side exit.

Outside, the cool night air clears my buzzed head slightly. But being alone with Eden causes a different kind of intoxication. Away from prying eyes, the simmering tension boils over.

Eden leans against the wall, looking up at me defiantly. "Why do you keep fighting this?"

"Eden, you're drunk."

"I had two beers. Quit changing the subject."

I rake a hand through my hair, torn. "You know why. I've got responsibilities—"

"Responsibilities," she scoffs. "That's a cop-out, not an excuse."

I step closer, drawn helplessly into her orbit. "You think I don't want this? Want you?" I force the admission through gritted teeth. "Fuck, Eden. I haven't slept a night through since you came here. But the club—"

"Fuck the club," Eden hisses. Suddenly, her mouth is on mine, hot and demanding. She kisses me fiercely, fingers grabbing the back of my neck to pull me closer.

For a dizzying moment, I let the desire I've been fighting take over. I kiss her back with equal hunger, our tongues colliding urgently. I clutch her hips, pinning her against the wall as we devour each other's mouths.

Eden moans into the kiss, nails raking down my shoulders and back. The sound ignites something primal in me. I wrap my arms around her, crushing her body to mine. We're both panting and delirious when reason finally breaks through the haze of lust.

With a pained groan, I force myself to tear my lips away, resting my forehead against hers as we gasp for air. Every cell in my body screams to keep going, but I steel my crumbling resolve.

"Eden...we have to stop..." I rasp weakly.

She glares up at me, eyes burning, before shoving me back forcefully. The loss of her sears through me like a gunshot.

Eden looks stung. I turn aside, ashamed of my loss of control. "I can't...we can't..." I repeat helplessly.

She shoves my shoulder. "You coward. I know you feel what I feel." Eyes blazing, she turns and stalks away, leaving me reeling in her wake.

I catch up to Eden as she's stumbling angrily toward the parking lot.

"Where are you going?" I demand, taking her arm.

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