24. Ozren

24

Ozren

W hen Meggie said she was going on a date, I didn't think. I just reacted on impulse, demanding to come with her. It made no sense. She's a grown woman who can go out whenever she wants. She doesn't need an escort. But some instinct in me hated the idea of her out on the town alone, on a date with an unknown man. Or woman. I guess I don't really know all that much about her.

It was entirely inappropriate of me to demand to come along, but now that we're here, I'm fucking glad I did.

What the hell is Meggie doing with a guy like this? First, he doesn't pick her up for the date. Then, he has her meet him at a nightclub where he's chatting up three other women when she arrives.

Why would she go out with this guy when she won't give me the time of day? Why would she date him when Ellis is at home pining after her? We would at least treat her right.

Fuck, every guy I know would treat Meggie better than this asshole.

Is Meggie even into him? I'm not an expert on women's fashion, but the girl is in flats. The light dress she has on is hugging her curves, but it would look more at home in a brunch restaurant than this nightclub. I'm not saying women have to wear high heels and red satin, but baby girl should probably call Emily before her next date.

And who picked this club? I'm not a bar snob, but I'm also pretty sure I could get any drugs I wanted in the bathroom of this place. Meggie deserves way better.

When she walks up to him, she leans in and whispers something in his ear before subtly pointing in my direction. That's right, buddy, she's not on her own, so you better not pull anything.

The guy meets my gaze and laughs, pulling Meggie into his side and giving her a kiss on the temple. A surge of possessive anger floods me, and I fight the urge to punch his face in. He shouldn't get to touch her. He hasn't earned that right.

"Hey, wanna dance?" The woman saddling up to me is just the type I'd normally hit on at a club like this. She's wearing a crop top without a bra, already swaying close, eager and easy. But I'm just annoyed that she's blocking my view of Meggie.

"No." I step to the side.

"Oh, come on big guy," she coos. "You look like you could use a little fun."

"Not interested." I move along the edge of the room until I have an unobstructed view of Meggie again.

The man she met up with is finally sending the other three girls away, but he slaps one of them in the ass as they leave. Fucker is asking for it. Meggie just laughs awkwardly, then slaps the girl's ass too! Like she's trying to play along or make it seem like it's not a big deal that he did it.

But it is a big deal. Meggie's clearly uncomfortable, and I've had enough. I know I told her I'd stay back, but this isn't okay.

I start towards her, but she grabs the guy's hand and tugs him onto the dance floor. It's clear they're arguing, but they're too far away to hear. I walk faster, pushing people out of my path until I'm right behind the jerk.

Is that a woman's name tattooed on his forearm?! I get enough of a look to see Mercy in fancy script before I grab his shoulder. I'm about to yank him away from Meggie, but she yells over the music, "Don't! I'm fine."

"No. You're not."

The asshole chuckles. "Got yourself a protective one, huh, Meggie?"

Something meaningful passes between them, something I don't understand. "Shut up, Knox. Oz isn't mine."

I don't like the sound of that. In a flash of clarity, I realize I want to be hers. Sure, I've been making passes at her for weeks, but it's only now that I realize I don't just want her in my bed. Meggie deserves more than that. I want to give her more than that. She deserves someone who will take care of her, protect her from assholes like this, and treat her like a queen. I could be that for her, if she'd let me.

"You promised you'd stay away." Meggie gives me a little shove, which does nothing.

I cross my arms and glare down at her. "That was before I saw this asshole treating you like shit."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not." I grab her arm, but Knox steps forward and puts himself between me and Meggie.

"She said she's fine," he says.

Oh, so now he's gonna try to be chivalrous? Fuck that.

"Come on, baby girl. You're going home."

She lets out a huff in frustration and blocks my path to the door. "Oz, wait outside. I'll be there in three minutes. But I need you to stop being a caveman and wait."

Her hands are on her hips, and she looks gorgeous, all fiery and furious. My dick twitches against my shorts.

I'm about to tell her I'm not leaving without her, when she shoves her finger into my chest and yells, "Go!"

She's loud enough for other people on the dance floor to turn towards us. I hold up my hands in surrender and back off. Not all the way outside like she asked, but far enough to give her some privacy while keeping an eye on her. She turns her back towards me and scoots Knox into the crowd so I can't get a good look at what's happening. Hopefully, she's telling him off.

After a few minutes, she storms towards me, grabs my hand, and pulls me towards the exit. But now that she's away from the asshole, and touching me, I'm not nearly as eager to go. I use her grip on me to spin her around, right into my chest. "Since we're already here, maybe we should dance a little. Blow off some steam."

My hands come to her hips and I don't mistake the brief tremor that moves through her or the way her skin pebbles. "Dance with me, baby girl."

"I'm tired. We should really get back. Dante will be upset if we're out late and tired at practice tomorrow."

"One dance." I use my hands on her hips to guide her, swaying her body along with mine. Then I remember, I don't dance.

Shit. I'm good in the pool, and my rhythm in the bedroom is a crowd pleaser, but I'm awkward as fuck on the dance floor. Thinking quick, I spin her so her back is to my chest and pull her all the way against me, so she can't witness my pitiful moves.

Feeling our bodies pressed together, she finally relents and begins to truly dance. She dances just as gracefully as she swims.

Within minutes, she's entirely lost herself to the music. I had a feeling she liked to dance, so I try to stop over-thinking and let our bodies move. We flow seamlessly, like we were made just for this. Our bodies, always touching somewhere. My hand on her neck, her arm, her waist, her thigh. Our hips pressed close. We move together and apart and together again, waves crashing closer and closer. Her lips brush my neck and my fingers tangle in her hair.

Carried away, I spin her and crash my mouth into hers. For a breath, she leans into the kiss. She tastes like heaven and feels like sin.

Then, just as quick, she pushes me away. "What the hell, Oz?"

Pride bruised, I jerk back and stomp away, then pull my head out of my ass enough to turn, grab her hand, and haul her out of the club behind me.

I thought we were in the same place. Having her reject me so quickly feels like shit. I don't understand why she keeps pushing me away. I know I'm not repellant. Women are usually more than willing to hook up with me. And I saw the way Meggie looked at me while we danced, felt how her body responded to me, even if I couldn't smell her arousal the way I can with other women. She was into it, so what the fuck? Why'd she shove me away?

When we get to my bike, she silently takes my spare helmet while I stew in my thoughts. She climbs on the back of the bike, but doesn't let her body touch mine, just loosely holds my jacket. I don't pull her close this time, and the ride back to the house is silent.