Page 22 of Past

Chapter 10

Allie

“If you’re planning on killing me in this alley, just know your sister would find out,” I joke as Elliot leads me down a dark alley in the next town over from ours. We haven’t said much on the hour drive, and I’m a little confused where he is taking me. Elliot glances back at me with a smirk.

“Sometimes the best things in life can be found in the most unusual places,” he says, stopping at a bright-orange door lit up by two outside lights. Elliot knocks three times and the door is opened by an older, Middle Eastern-looking man and the sound of Latin music fills my ears. He grins at us, and Elliot walks in, with me close behind him.

My mouth drops open as I see the bar we are in. One side is a large bar, and the rest of the room is full of couples and people dancing to a sexy, Latin song. The dances they are doing look seconds away from them having sex. I’m glad I’m wearing my tight, red dress, which I know Elliot likes, the kiss he gave me when he saw it was proof enough.

Elliot pulls us over to the bar, where he takes off his leather jacket and puts it on a seat. There’s a band in the corner. Someone is playing large drums of different sizes, two people are playing guitars, and they are singing, but the main attraction is the large piano that is being played away.

“Come and show me how sexy you can be, angel.” He holds out a hand, a clear challenge in his gaze.

I take his hand, and as he moves us into the middle of the couples, the song changes. A slower, more sensual song is playing, and I move closer as he moves his large hands to my hips. I move my hips slowly at the start–to the beat of the music–as I slide my hands up his chest, and to my surprise, he moves in time with me.

Who knew Elliot King could dance?

I didn’t, but as he leads the dance, pulling my body against his and letting me grind against him, it’s proven that he can dance. My hands are around his neck, my hips rub against his as we both lose ourselves to the music. Elliot takes my hand and spins me out, then pulls me back so that my back is to his front as we move. His hands slide down my sides, his thumbs graze against my breasts as they find their way to my hips, and I slowly move down his body after I turn around. When I get as low as I can, I turn and rise slowly up his body, moving my hips slowly as he watches. My breath catches as his dark-green eyes lock onto me and his hand winds into the hair on the back of my head as he pulls me forward into a scorching kiss.

I don’t know long we dance and kiss, but eventually, he takes my hand and leads me to the bar.

“How did you learn to dance like that?” I ask him after he orders us some drinks. I don’t ask what he got me; I don’t care because my mouth feels dry from dancing with Elliot. Another part is beyond wet, but I’m trying to ignore that.

“My father brought me once to do some business. He left me here and some girl invited me to dance. It was weird at first, but I kept coming back.” He shrugs.

“Why was your father like that?” I ask him.

“I don’t know, Allie. He used us in any way he could to make money. It wasn’t just about money, but it was like he enjoyed seeing us suffer,” Elliot says, his voice devoid of any emotion. He could be telling me about the colour of the paint on the wall instead of his sensitive past.

“He sounds like a real piece of work,” I say, and he nods.

“Elliot, my man, how are you doing?” a Jamaican-sounding man says from behind the bar as he comes over. The man looks in his early thirties, with long dreadlocks falling to his waist. He is wearing a green shirt with little palm trees on it. Mixtures of bracelets are on his arms, and he is very attractive.

“Glen, I’m doing well. How’s the boyfriend?” he asks.

“We just moved in together, I’m going to ask him to be the old ball and chain soon,” he says.

“That’s great, man.” Elliot smiles widely. He clearly likes this man. The man we ordered drinks from earlier brings us our drinks, and Elliot gives me mine. He has a beer and mine is some kind of pink cocktail. It tastes amazing.

“Who’s the pretty lady with you? I’ve never seen you bring someone here before.” He nods his head at me, and Elliot puts his hand on my leg.

“This is Allie,” Elliot says, and I hold a hand over the bar to Glen for a handshake. Glen takes my hand and tilts it over for a kiss.

“What is a hot thing like you doing with this broody fucker?” Glen says with a nod in Elliot’s direction.

I laugh and answer. “He’s good with his hands.” I wink at him as he laughs.

“I’m guessing the good looks are a help,” Glen says, and Elliot chuckles. “Gotta be going, man, see you around, yeah?” Glen asks.

“Yeah, man,” Elliot says. Glen winks at me before he goes, making me laugh.

Elliot’s phone starts ringing with that milkshake song, causing a few people to look in our direction as he answers it.

“Hey, what’s up?” he answers loudly over the music. “Yeah, I'll be there,” he says. I give him a questioning look as he puts the phone down.

“We’ve got to get back. That was Harley. Someone has broken into my club and smashed the place up,” Elliot says with a look; a look that makes me feel sorry for whoever it is.

“Do you have cameras?” I ask. As we walk out, Elliot holds me close to his side.

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