Chapter 15

FIFTEEN

I can still taste Adeline in my mouth.

It's been three days since I kissed her, and the sensation of her mouth still lingers. I imagine her legs wrapped around me, and me buried inside her, fucking her sweet cunt. I haven't been laid in months, so when I step into the shower and jerk off with her strawberry-scented body wash coating my dick, I chalk it up to that simple fact.

After I watch my cum swirl down the drain, I lather myself up with my own body wash, hoping it will erase the scent of Adeline on me.

When I step out of the shower and get dressed, I check my phone to find a missed call from Archer. He's left a message, so I dial my voicemail, type in my passcode, and sit at the edge of my bed, slipping on a pair of socks.

"Hey, man," Archer breathes into the phone, his voice low and sad.

I already know where this is headed. I stop with only one sock over my foot and stare at my phone as my heart sinks into my stomach like an anchor cut from the rope. "I wanted to give you a heads up. I'm in a bit of a bind again, so I won't be able to make it out to the states for a while. It's safer if I keep my distance. Especially for yours and Adeline's sake. But don't worry. I don't expect you to intervene. I don't want you to. I have this handled, and it shouldn't be much longer before it's all straightened out. I did want to thank you for keeping an eye on my sister for me, though. I know she's safe and protected with you... so, thanks for that, man. All right, I'll talk to you later and let you know when I'll be able to come back out for a visit."

The voicemail ends, and I jab my finger on the red button, not even bothering to delete the message. A tight knot forms in the center of my chest.

I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees. Rubbing my fingers against my forehead, I hold back a scream. I wish I could knock some fucking sense into Archer. For years, I've protected him, even taking the fall for his mistakes. And it's nearly cost me everything.

The claws that have made a home in my mind have weakened over the past few months. I wish I could say it was because the root cause of them has been erased, but it hasn't. The voicemail left by my best friend tells me they are alive and well, but Adeline's presence in my life has dulled their sharpness. The pain isn't as agonizing with her around.

Now, he's not only put my life in jeopardy, though, but he's put Adeline's in jeopardy as well.

We've spent the past three days avoiding one another. The silence has been apparent, and so has her avoiding stare. She's remained holed up in her room, even going as far as only going downstairs long enough to make herself dinner before shuffling back up to her room and shutting the door behind her.

Her silence has been loud and clear.

She's accepted my decision in telling her that what happened in the rainstorm can't happen again.

But fuck me if that wasn't the best fucking kiss I've ever had. One kiss with her three days ago, and I still haven't been able to wipe it from my memory.

Good, because I don't want to forget.

Still, guilt ebbs its way into my anger and desires.

Guilt for crossing a boundary with my best friend's little sister when he's under the pretense of me protecting her. Which I am, but I want to offer more than protection to Adeline.

I want her .

After slipping on my other sock, I step into my favorite pair of jeans and quickly slide on a gray T-shirt. I swipe my toolbelt from the top of my dresser and carry it out of my bedroom. I haven't assessed the damage done to the vintage pieces of furniture from the shed yet, but I make it my mission this afternoon to see what can be salvaged. Anything to keep me busy and get my mind off Adeline.

After jogging down the stairs, I make a beeline for the kitchen and open the refrigerator to grab the bottle of water Adeline leaves in there for me every morning. My head is buried deep in the refrigerator when I hear Ember's voice carrying down the stairs.

"It's going to be a blast!" Ember sings. "They have dancers in cages and platforms throughout the entire place."

I swipe the water bottle and grab a stick of string cheese before shutting the door. When I spin around, Ember is standing in the threshold between the kitchen and hallway.

"Oh, hey, Micah." Ember grins. She saunters across the room before leaning over and sliding her arms across the kitchen island counter. She crosses them and picks at her bright pink nail polish, then she whips her pin-straightened hair over her shoulder, looking up at me with glittered shadowed eyes.

"Good to see you, Ember." I nod my head as I rip open my string cheese. I toss the wrapper in the trash bin and bite the end.

"You as well," Ember comments, still smiling. Her eyes dart to my toolbelt. "Working hard, I see."

I wonder how much of what happened the other day Adeline has told her.

Adeline's comment about how we all wear masks has landed right in the center of my chest and refused to budge. I've played our conversation in my mind repeatedly… but I know she spoke the truth. We all walk around wearing masks, only allowing others to see what we want them to see. Does Adeline wear a version of a mask around her best friend?

I'm guilty of this; taking the fall for those I care about at the expense of my own reputation and keeping the heart of the truth buried under a mountain of masks.

"A lot of work to do around here," I say around a mouthful of cheese.

"Understandable." Ember nods. "I'm glad you were able to get rid of all the fucking spiders and cobwebs around here." Her eyes roam over the kitchen. "Doesn't scream Addams Family or Haunting of Hill House so much anymore."

I laugh. "Thanks, I guess."

"Oh." Ember waves me off. "That was totally a compliment."

"Right." I smile, fishing back into the refrigerator for a beer. If I'm going to make it through all this furniture without thinking about my moment of weakness with Adeline, I'm going to need to loosen up a bit.

I crack open the can and take a swig before setting it back down on the counter, which I lean against and finish off my early dinner snack consisting of one stick of string cheese.

I swallow the last bite when Adeline steps into the kitchen, and I nearly choke as the nugget of cheese slips down my throat.

"Okay, I'm ready." Adeline taps her fingertips against her bare thighs. Two strappy high heels dangle from the ends of her fingers.

Ember's head whips around as she pulls herself back to a stand.

"Holy fucking shit." Ember gasps. "You are stunning."

Adeline's cheeks blush red as her eyes swing up to meet mine.

Heat blooms in my chest, and my body feels like it's bursting into flames. I suddenly feel exposed, like my session in the shower earlier is somehow common knowledge. As if Adeline knows I haven't been able to shut the thought of her out of my mind, and I fucked myself with my own hand, using her body wash to help.

The flecks of sage green in her eyes are amplified by the purple eyeshadow painted across her lids. Bright glitter dots the inner corners, and smooth, crisp black eyeliner is swept across the top of her lashes. Her hair is pulled high and tight into a ponytail, the pin-straight ends dancing across her bare back. The thin straps of her silver sequined dress sit across her glittered skin. Flecks catch the light in the kitchen. Glitter is sprinkled across every inch, highlighting her bare breastbone and the curves of her shoulders. The moving shimmering fabric dips down to rest above her belly button, and when she moves to stand beside her best friend, her back is completely exposed.

She's worn skirts and shorts, even tank tops before, but something about this dress is different. It's as if she's been hiding her body, her true silhouette.

And fuck me, she's stunning.

"I was so right to give you this dress." Ember beams at Adeline. She circles her, holding onto Adeline's hand as she examines her. "Fits you like a glove. Isn't she beautiful?" Ember tosses me a look.

I cough, turning around to take a sip of my beer. I tip the can higher, savoring the fizzy liquid down my throat.

"Ember," Adeline hisses. "It's fine. You don't have to ask him a question like that."

"Why shouldn't I?" Ember asks, an edge lacing her voice. "The answer is easy. Any straight man with a working dick can see you look fucking phenomenal in this dress. Besides, you are a supermodel, so I feel like it's a given."

I grind my jaw, a conflict of emotions brewing inside me, so I clear my throat and turn back around, not wanting to raise suspicion.

"Thank you for doing my makeup." Adeline turns to Ember with a softened expression. "I haven't looked in a mirror, but I know you did an amazing job."

"You should look in a mirror," Ember says, wagging her finger over Adeline's face. "This is some of my best work."

Adeline's sweet mouth turns upside down while she avoids looking at her best friend… and the mirror hanging on the wall down the hallway.

"We should get going." Adeline inhales a deep breath, puffing out her chest. She presses her hands to her bare thighs before bending down.

I watch her carefully as she slips one foot into her black heel. She rolls it to the side while she works the clasp.

My cock twitches as I survey the length of her legs. Her dress hitches higher, the fabric stopping just before it reveals everything underneath. Her back is bent in my direction, displaying the pale pink flower tattoo peeking out from across her ribs.

Adeline moves onto working on her next shoe when Ember breaks my attention.

"We're celebrating our birthdays."

"What?" I snap my head up to see Ember staring at me.

There's a playfulness in her expression. She glances at Adeline before turning back to me. Still, I don't know how much Ember knows of what happened or if she knows anything at all. Something tells me she's usually like this, regardless.

"Well, Adeline's birthday was a few months ago, but my twenty-first is today." She presses her hand to her chest. "We're celebrating."

"Oh," I choke out. "Happy birthday, then."

"Thanks." Ember giggles.

Adeline's finished strapping on her shoes and moves to stand next to Ember. She's standing on the other side of the island from me, but she may as well be in front of me. I itch to touch her again. A part of me wants to throw her over my shoulder and carry her back to my room, not allowing anyone else to see her.

The thought of other men getting the privilege of seeing her dressed like this makes my blood boil at a temperature I didn't know was possible.

I flex my fingers, willing the tension to leave. I want to hit something or go out into the backyard and tear up the furniture I allowed to get ruined.

"All right, you ready?" Adeline asks Ember, tucking her matching sparkling clutch under her arm.

I pin my eyes on Adeline, letting them move up and down. I can't stop looking at her, at everything, from the way her hair is pulled high and tight, revealing all the angles of her beautiful face to the way her dress clings to the curve of her hips. I hadn't noticed until now, but Adeline hasn't been wearing makeup since the day she moved in. Her lashes are noticeably darker than usual, and her lips are painted a matte purple-red color. She's always beautiful, but with makeup on, she's slipped into model mode—a mode I've seen plastered online and in magazines.

"You should come with us," Ember blurts out.

"Ember!" Adeline gasps, shooting her best friend a glare.

"What?" Ember asks. She lifts her arm in my direction. "He's your roommate, and he's Archer's best friend. It's not like we're asking a stranger to join us."

"Really. I'm sure Micah has a ton of work he wants to get done here." Adeline shakes her head, her shoulders slumping. She plants one hand on the island and swings her gaze to mine. "You don't have to go."

Something about her pleading, embarrassed eyes relights the spark inside me, much the same as the insatiable sensation I got when sitting on the bike the other day before kissing Adeline in the rain. I should say no and walk away. I should stalk out to the backyard and take all my pent-up, sexual frustration out on vintage furniture now turned to garbage.

But I know it won't be enough. All I'll do is spend my time worrying about Adeline. I'm supposed to protect her. I know she's strong and she can protect herself in some capacity, but another quick glance at her long, bare legs and her fully exposed breastbone has me rethinking my decision to stay here.

"Where are you going?" I casually ask.

Adeline sighs, and I see the annoyance. She's tried hard to keep me at a distance since I stopped what we were doing before it went too far.

"Exodus." Ember leans forward, bringing her face into view.

Well, fuck. Exodus is one of the city's most popular nightclubs. VIP sections, dancers in cages, and a maze of a platform running across the entire dance floor. Exodus is a club for the elite and most prominent figures in Boston, especially their spoiled college kids who've never struggled a day in their life.

It's a place Archer and I used to frequent when we were in our twenties.

It's also a place I know will be packed with men salivating over themselves with the way Adeline and Ember are dressed.

"Is it just you two going?" I ask Ember, swallowing down my urge to object.

"No, we're meeting a few of my classmates at Empire Beauty School. Some artists and photographers. We've reserved a booth." Ember shrugs. "It'll be fun. You should totally come with us."

Adeline avoids my stare, keeping her gaze on the counter while I focus on her chest as she breathes.

My heart sinks, and although I'm frustrated, I don't want to keep pushing her away. I want to respect her for keeping her distance.

It's for the best.

Despite what my heart and body is telling me, I'm not good for Adeline. Not when I'm keeping so much of the truth from her.

"It's okay," I tell Ember. Adeline snaps her head up. "You two go celebrate."

"Okay." Ember sighs. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where we'll be."

Adeline keeps her gorgeous, glittered eyes on me while my gaze falls to her mouth. It takes everything in me not to change my mind. I want to kiss her. I want to know what her lips taste like when they look as sinful as they do now.

But I can see she doesn't want me to go. I'll only be a distraction.

"Thanks." I give them both a tight smile before setting my unfinished beer on the counter. "Have fun."

Ember makes her way down the hallway, checking herself in the mirror before opening the front door. She steps out, leaving me and Adeline to ourselves.

She doesn't speak a word to me. Silence lingers between us.

If I could, I'd cut the tension with a knife, but I'm at a loss for words. My need and want for Adeline are crystal clear, but all the ramifications that come with breaking this line with her involve crossing into unknown territory.

She knows it, too.

Not caring whether I'm crossing that line right now, I walk over to Adeline and place my hand over hers. She inhales a sharp breath and holds it, staring at our hands.

"Happy belated birthday." It's the only thought that comes to mind.

Adeline doesn't give me a smile. Her chest quakes with a shivering breath before she slips her hand from under mine. "Thank you."

Her words stab me in the chest. She's giving me the cold shoulder, and I deserve every bit of it.

With those two simple words still lingering in the air, I watch her walk out of the kitchen and down the hallway to meet Ember in the driveway. I watch her climb into the back seat of a black car, casting one more look up toward the house.

I swipe my toolbelt from the island and leave the kitchen before I give myself a chance to change my mind and follow her. I slide the back door shut with more force than I intend. My chest squeezes, and my blood pressure rises.

Stalking over to the pile of furniture, I stop in front of the grandfather clock Adeline desperately tried to save. The varnish is bubbled, and the stain is faded. The intricately crafted hands of the clock are frozen in time.

I don't know when they stopped working. Was it years ago, or was it the day I found myself feeling something for the first time since I could remember? I rip the hammer from my toolbelt and wrap my fingers tightly around the handle.

Pressure builds behind my eyes, and I find myself looking back at the sliding glass door connected to the kitchen. A tight sensation tugs at my chest, and I know I'm only fooling myself. I've been fooling myself for days.

The vision of Adeline walking away from me in that dress refuses to leave. I imagine a different scenario—one where I said yes to Ember's invitation.

I imagine Adeline's eyes if she had looked over her shoulder one last time before pushing through the front door.

The hammer slips from my grip and lands on the ground with a dull thud. I leave it and the grandfather clock behind, and head back into the house, knowing I won't be able to shut my mind off otherwise.

Then when I jog up the stairs and back into my room, ripping off my T-shirt and jeans, replacing them with one of my suits, the spark I felt when I'd kissed Adeline the other day lights in my chest again.

The bouncer standing outside the front door to Exodus immediately recognizes me. It's been years since I've stepped foot in this club, but he acts as if no time has passed.

Everyone standing in the line wrapped around the building whines and groans when the bouncer unclips the rope barrier, allowing me inside without paying or checking my ID.

I give Hank the security guard a curt nod, remembering him from the days Archer and I would come in here after a long night of flying from one side of the country to the other. After signing a few business deals, we'd snag a flight on my private jet and meet a few of our college buddies here for an all-night bender, sometimes waking up the next morning just to do it all over again.

That life seems so long ago, and I try to push it from my memory as I step into the club. Sectioned off VIP booths surround the expansive dance floor. A large crowd of hundreds of people fills the center. Between each of the VIP booths runs the length of the elevated dancing platform. Each runway leads to one of the dancer's cages. The club is completely packed. Blue flashing lights pulsate across the entire club, and the DJ set in the back raises his arms in the air as he bobs his head to the beat playing over the loudspeakers.

The sea of party goers jump along.

I narrow my eyes, hoping to see Adeline and her group through the darkness. I scan each of the booths, remembering Ember said they had a VIP section reserved, so I weave through the sea of people passing through the space between the VIP sections and the bars, growing closer to the booths.

When I push through to the other side and catch Ember's strawberry blonde hair in one of the booths in the distance, I see she's standing between the seat and the table, swaying to the music as she holds her drink. The bartender serving their section another drink for one of their friends. Beside Ember, a couple is kissing, unable to keep their hands off one another.

My heart sinks when I don't see Adeline anywhere near Ember or their section. I scan the crowd again, surveying each of the booths, hoping to catch a glimpse of her shimmering dress.

I start making my way to the other side of the club, toward Ember, when I see Adeline on the opposite side. Her shimmering dress catches the blue and white strobe lights swinging over the length of the club.

Her long, dark hair sways back and forth as she bends her hips while dancing to the music. With her eyes closed, she runs her hands down the length of her body, tilting her head to the side. She's lost in the music, not caring who is watching. I stay where I am and watch her for a few moments, the knot in my chest tightening again.

My feelings for Adeline are fragile, and ones I can't ignore for much longer. I'm a fool for continuing to pretend as if our kiss in the rainstorm didn't amount to more than a kiss. I touched her. Touched her in places I'd never imagined before. But she'd also awakened a part of my soul I thought had died. Watching her now, though, I'm certain I want her. I just don't know what to do about it or where to start.

I push my way through the crowd, taking the three steps down to the dance floor. Elbowing my way across, I finally make a break through the crowd, but I screech to a halt when I see the man Adeline is dancing with.

I tilt my head to the side and narrow my eyes, blinking to make sure I'm seeing him correctly. He's vaguely familiar. With his sharp, clean-cut look, and his dark black suit, I take a moment and try to place him. An icy chill slithers down my spine when he closes in behind Adeline, reaching around her to place his hands on the front of her thighs. He's closing the space between them, but not before the bright strobe light swings over him, shining a light on the snake tattoo wrapped around his neck.

Soren's associate from the bar.

Heat simmers under my skin, injecting itself into my veins. I grind my jaw and take a step forward, ready to lunge at him and rip her away, but I don't want to cause a scene. Adeline has constantly gotten onto me for interfering when I shouldn't, but the need to get her away from him overrides my sense of reason.

I run my hand over my mouth and take a deep breath before shoving it into the pocket of my suit. I curl my hand into a tight fist and wait for the right moment. Adeline hasn't seen me yet, but I wait until the next song plays before making my move.

The song effortlessly rolls into the next one, and Adeline slips her hands over the man's and pushes them off her. He takes the hint and backs into the crowd a little more. He hasn't taken his eyes off her, but I take my shot and elbow my way through the few people dancing between us to grab onto Adeline's hand.

She yelps with my sudden touch as I pull her into the crowd. My heart is pounding, and I have no clue whether Soren's associate sees us or not.

When I'm certain there are enough dancers between us and him, I stop.

"Micah," she says, her jaw dropping. "What are you doing here?"

"Ember invited me, remember?" I look over her shoulder. "But it's clear you were preoccupied."

"I was dancing." She's clearly annoyed I've shown up. The pain and regret I saw in her eyes in the kitchen has returned. "You know, it's what people do at clubs like this."

"I thought you were here to celebrate your best friend's birthday." I can't help it. Seeing Adeline dancing with Soren's associate has me on edge and raging with jealousy. I'm furious with Archer, and I'm angry at myself for not being here to protect Adeline. I doubt him dancing with her was pure coincidence, especially given Archer's voicemail earlier.

"I am celebrating. Is this what you came here for? To ruin my night?" She seethes with anger. "I was having a good time."

"That man had his hands all over you."

"So did you the other day. But apparently, it doesn't have to mean anything. I must not mean that much to you if you allowed me to walk out the door earlier. You don't have the right to get upset with me for dancing with someone else."

I take a step forward, eliminating the space between us. "You have no idea how it fucking killed me to watch you walk out the door dressed like this." I lower my voice, not wanting others to hear.

"Seriously?" She gapes, crossing her arms over her chest. Her breasts spill out of the fabric. "You're going back to this? Treating me like a child?"

"No," I growl, leaning close enough to bring my mouth to her ear. "I'm treating you like a fucking woman. Trust me, the images of what I want to do to you in this dress haven't gone away since you walked out that door. But I must admit, it's getting pretty fucking exhausting trying to protect you and warn you about fucking assholes who just want to fuck you." I fight to keep my hands off her. Her body is like a magnet. Especially in this fucking dress.

"You don't need to protect me. Or rescue me!" Adeline yells over the pounding music, jerking back, her cheeks flaming red and eyes lining with tears. "I'm fully capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it all my life."

"Sounds familiar." I scoff, thinking back to the day she claimed she didn't need me to rescue her at the pool.

"I meant it then, and I mean it now." Her eyes narrow.

"You have no idea who that man was that you were dancing with."

"And you do ?"

I look past her shoulder, watching Soren's associate disappear behind a curtain toward the back of the club. His eyes catch mine before he fades into darkness.

"I'm not doing this with you, Micah," Adeline mutters. "I can't." She holds her hands up and spins back around in the direction of where Soren's associate disappeared.

"Adeline, wait."

She pushes her way through the crowd and ignores me. I'm quick to follow, but I struggle to keep up. The crowd swells, and the deeper we go onto the dance floor, the more people there are between us.

"Adeline!" I yell, keeping my focus on her long ponytail.

I finally catch up to her before she makes it to the spot she was dancing in earlier. She spins around, and when her eyes find mine, they're fueled with more anger.

She crosses her arms beneath her chest. "You can't just come in here, demanding I listen to you, and tell me you want to do all these things to me then not act on them. I don't think that's why Ember invited you."

She turns on her heel, but I wrap my hand around her wrist; the crowd surrounding us forces us together. Our faces are less than an inch apart, with her nose practically touching mine. The heat radiating off her body surrounds me.

I look into her pleading eyes—ones that tell me she wants me to finally break down the remainder of the wall I've had in place between us. The crowd grows impossibly thicker when I bring my mouth to her ear. She shivers next to me, resting her cheek against mine.

"We can't." My voice rumbles in her ear. "I'm not good for you."

She jerks back, stiffening her spine, her eyebrows slanted in frustration. "Suddenly you're not good for me? You act like I care you went to prison or that you've been through some shit in your past. I don't care about that, Micah."

"I'm not good for you." I chance another glance up to the black curtain.

The man with the snake tattoo emerges from behind it. But this time, he isn't alone. He's with his twin; the other one of Soren's associates. They both stand at the edge of the dance floor, looking down. The man with the snake tattoo points to the spot where he and Adeline were dancing earlier. Unease grows in my stomach, and another chill slinks down my neck.

Why are they here? Was the man with the snake tattoo dancing with Adeline on purpose? Are they keeping tabs on her because Archer has found himself in Soren's debt once again?

The lengths to which Soren will go to get even with Archer are unknown, but I know tonight isn't a mere coincidence. My stomach turns.

"We need to get out of here," I tell Adeline.

"What? No."

"Can you just trust me?" I ask desperately.

Secrets. I'm tired of keeping fucking secrets. But I need to get Adeline out of here. Right now.

"Give me one good reason why I should trust you?"

"Because…" I swallow, eyeing the men stepping closer to the dance floor. I swing my gaze back to Adeline's. "I just need you to."

Groaning with frustration, Adeline pushes me back. I don't go far, considering we're squashed in the crowd like a can of sardines.

"Go home, Micah. Go home and figure out how to get over whatever secrets you're hiding and battles you're struggling with. Leave me out of it." She shoulders past me, heading in the direction of Ember's VIP booth.

The men haven't spotted me, but I can't take any chances. Flashes and memories of Archer curled into the fetal position on the floor, with blood spilling from his mouth as Soren hunched over him, vowing retribution if he didn't pay up are all I see

I curl my hands into tight fists and follow Adeline. She's more than ten feet in front of me, and I'm unable to keep up. When I reach the three steps leading back up to the VIP section, Adeline leans over and whispers into Ember's ear. Ember nods and gives her a soft smile before Adeline swipes her clutch from the table. She gives everyone a quick wave goodbye before turning on her heel and heading toward the front of the club.

I don't bother wasting my time looking over my shoulder to see if Soren's men have spotted her or me.

I just know I need to get Adeline out of here.

I don't know where she thinks she's headed, but I'll be damned if she leaves with anyone other than me. Not when the threat of Soren and his men is so close.

I don't catch up to Adeline until we're both in the pitch-black tunneled hallway leading to the front door.

People pass us, but it isn't as difficult to navigate as it was back in the club. I jog the rest of the tunnel, catching Adeline before she pushes through the large glass doors. My fingers wrap around her wrist, pulling her to a stop. Her back falls against the wall, and I pin her with my hips.

Tipping her chin, she pins with a sharpened glare. "What the fuck, Micah?"

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere." She presses her lips into a tight line, her nostrils flaring. "It's none of your business."

"It is my business."

"You aren't mine," she points out. "And I'm not yours."

My dick twitches, and jealousy settles into my bones. I want to make her mine. "You aren't leaving here with anyone but me."

She laughs with an unamused smile. "For someone who claims to be wiser because they're twelve years older than me, you sure are acting childish, making demands when it isn't your place."

My heart hammers in my chest, and my nerves are still on high alert. I don't know what Soren's men planned on doing with Adeline, but something tells me if I didn't show up when I did, she wouldn't be standing here with me now.

"I'm leaving," Adeline says. "But I'm not leaving here with you." She crosses her arms over her chest, planting her heeled feet to the marbled floor.

I stare into her eyes, and my heart flutters. With a tilted smile, a laugh escapes my throat. "We'll see about that."

I bend down and quickly wrap one arm around her waist and the other around the back of her thighs, then I hoist her over my shoulder as a loud yelp shoots from her pretty little mouth.

"Micah, stop it." She grunts, kicking her feet. "People will think you're kidnapping me."

"Let them." I push through the door with my free hand and head toward the curb where the valet parked my car.

"Wait," Adeline says, catching the attention of Hank the security guard.

Hank gives both of us a wave, and I give him a smile. "Have a great night, Hank."

"Have a good night, Mr. Harding."

Adeline grunts again, her arms relaxing as she gives up her fight. "Ugh, you're so frustrating."