Chapter 20

There’s that part in romance movies when the female character can’t see the male character, yet she knows he’s there. Their connection is so strong she can feel him. That’s how I feel right now. I know Drake is here. His presence is larger than life and he exudes power. Maybe it’s not that we have a connection, but it’s just his way. Maybe everybody can feel him this way. However, when I take a seat at the piano, I turn my head and immediately I’m locked in his gaze. My eyes travel from his stern expression down to his white button-down shirt, the first few buttons undone, exposing his colorful skull tattoo at the base of his neck. He smirks at me as my gaze moves back up to his face. I watch as an attractive blonde waitress with a perfect body approaches him. He speaks to her, but his attention stays on me completely. It’s as if he sees no one other than me. I won’t let it go to my head though, because this is probably one big power trip. That’s why he wants me, only because he can control everything. I force myself to focus on the piano as my fingers strike the keys.

I think the reason I’ve been successful in this career is because most pianists that play in clubs simply perform well-known songs. However, I wrote my music mostly, with the occasional cover thrown in. While people enjoy hearing songs, they know the crowd has become familiar, so a lot of my songs are no longer new to them. Some of my songs are instrumental, but more than a few have vocals as well. The people who come to see me seem to enjoy it. I don’t call them fans even when I know they come for me. That seems uppity and pretentious, two things I never aspire to be. Closing my eyes, I sing about love and loss while the crowd sits quietly, as if they are focusing on every single word that flows from my mouth. When I look out at the people, most of them have eyes on me, but not like Drake. He stares at me with an intensity that nearly melts me to the core. His gaze makes me feel exposed in a room full of people, as if they can see every part of me, even the parts I desperately want to hide. I take a deep breath and focus on the keys. Every note, every chord, the emotions, the words that come from my broken soul.

Cuts so deep.

Watch me bleed.

Feel the pain.

See me die.

A little each day.

Broken in pieces.

Nothing left to mend.

You took the only thing I need.

Me.

I have nothing left to give.

You win.

When I look backat Drake as I finish the last few notes of the song, I notice something I didn’t think he was capable of. He appears to be overcome with emotion. Is it possible the big evil monster has a heart, after all?

I stand beside the piano, giving the audience my thanks as they clap and cheer. While I know Drake is watching me like a toddler that might take off running at any moment, I decide to act like I normally would. Walking over to him, I announce, “I’m getting a drink.”

His glare game is strong as he arches an eyebrow in disapproval, “One drink, Sunshine. Then we’re going home.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I roll my eyes. “I don’t have a home. Remember? Some psycho burned it to the ground.”

The muscles in his jaw clench as his eyes darken to near blackness, “Natalia,” he growls, the sound reverberating through his chest, “One drink. Don’t test me, Pretty Girl.”

I don’t respond. I flip my hair over my shoulder, giving him all of my attitude, and walk over to the bar.

* * *

Drake

This beautiful womanis pushing all my goddamn buttons. I’m ready to snap and carry her out of her caveman style. Natalia is fucking clueless about all the men staring at her like they have a fucking chance in hell with my girl. She smiles and talks amongst her fans, takes her drink and sips it before thanking the bartender. I don’t think she even noticed when I stood up and followed her while her sassy ass went to the bar. My blood boils as I spot a man grabbing her arm and she simply allows it. Finally, she attempts to pull her arm free, but he wraps his other hand around her waist and pulls her into his chest. Wrong move on the wrong fucking girl, dickhead.

He lowers his head like he’s going to kiss her when I get close enough for him to hear me. “Put your slimy tongue anywhere near my woman and I’ll cut it out.”

His gaze snaps from her to me. “Your woman?”

I nod, “Yeah. She’s mine. So kindly remove your fucking hands from my woman before I remove them for you.”

His gaze moves up and down my body as if he’s sizing me up but makes a life saving decision and lets her go.

“Natalia. Let’s go.”

I expect her to argue, but she doesn”t, which is good because I’d carry her out over my shoulder if it was necessary. Taking her hand in mine, I extend her arm so I can make sure she’s okay, but instantly see red indentations from the asshole”s fingers.

“Does it hurt?”

She nods. “A little, but I’ll be okay. I’ve had worse.”

Leaning down, I kiss her marks gently before motioning for Jack, one bouncer, to come over to us. When he does, I give him instructions. “Stay with her. I’m going to take care of the dick that assaulted her.”

While it’s technically his job to handle this situation, he knows better than to argue with me about it. Walking over to the man who touched what’s mine, I pull my fist back, and it lands square on his jaw. He stumbles all over the place while grabbing his face, moaning in pain, and I pull my arm back and hit again in the same spot.

“Keep your hands off my woman. Next time you die.”

Immediately, I turn back to a horrified Natalia and tell Jack, “Escort him outside. He is not to be permitted entrance again.”

I take her uninjured hand in mine and walk her outside to my waiting driver. Once I help her inside, I instruct the driver, “La Fontaine.”

After raising the privacy glass, I take her hand and look at her arm again. I don’t like the way my chest tightens when I see red marks on her flawless skin. Which is irony at its finest, considering she looks beautiful when I mark her. Natalia closes her eyes and moans lightly as I run my fingers over the spot where he squeezed. That little black dress with the low cut ‘V’ is begging to be ripped from her delicious body. Wrapping my hand around her throat, her eyes snap open, and pure lust fills her gaze, “Dirty fucking girl. You love it when I steal your breath, don’t you?”

She doesn’t speak as I squeeze slightly, but she nods in agreement. I place my hand around her waist and dash her to the other side. Lying her down on the seat, I climb over her, pressing my lips to hers and take what I’ve wanted since she walked out onto that stage. Her mouth opens on a moan and I push my tongue against hers. Natalia reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair, causing me to groan. She digs her nails into my scalp and it makes me go feral. The car slows to a stop, but I’m desperate to watch her come. I hold myself up and tell her, “Spread your legs.”

Wasting no time, I reach between her thighs and reach my hand inside her panties and thrust two fingers inside her wet pussy. Tossing her head back, she cries out when my thumb brushes against her clit. Every time I pull my fingers out, she thrusts her hips up, chasing the friction she needs.

“Greedy Pretty Girl, come for me.”

Her eyes glaze over as she tightens around my fingers and cries my name. Fuck. My name falling from her lips does something to me. My cock is hard as a rock and I want nothing more than to slam inside her, but I won’t. I will torture myself because my girl needs to eat. I pull my fingers out of her cunt and push them into my mouth so I can taste her. She watches me with renewed desire, “Want a taste, Pretty Girl?”

Leaning forward, I kiss her, making her taste herself on my tongue. Some women aren’t into this, but mine is. She sucks on my tongue, taking her flavor from me, and within seconds, my dick is ready to burst into my pants.

“Come on, baby.”

She lays there appearing sated with a smirk on her face, “What if I’m not hungry?”

I raise an eyebrow in annoyance. “You will eat. Or there will be severe consequences. Besides, you’re going to need the sustenance to get through tonight.”

While I have no problem sharing my little toy with my brother, I’m happy to get to spend time alone with her.

“Why is that?” She asks innocently, as if she doesn’t know.

Rubbing my thumb over her bottom lip, I groan when she bites the digit.

I chuckle lightly. “I’m going to fuck until you can no longer stay awake. Then when you finally fall asleep, I’m going to fuck you again. Now let”s go.”

Helping her up, I open the door and get out and help her to the street.

La Fontaine is a restaurant my brother Damian owns. Under normal circumstances, I might be concerned about him dropping in and seeing us together, but I know he”s busy with Domenic and Dante tonight.

Her eyes sparkle as she smiles widely. “This is Kat’s favorite restaurant. I’ve heard so much about it.”

This entire thing started because I simply wanted to fuck her. Natalia’s happiness was never part of the equation. Yet seeing her smile like this makes me wonder if I could have the impossible. Then I remember her words, “You’ll never have my heart.”

She would be right to keep that from me. Long-term commitments are not my thing. I’ll never be able to give her what she needs. Maybe my brother can, but I can’t. I will need to let her go, but not yet. For tonight, she’s mine, only mine.