12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I'm having a great time. The couple of drinks definitely helped. I've got a slight buzz going on, not enough to make tonight a blast yet, but I'm in no rush. It's just after eleven, so we've got plenty of time to have even more fun.

"Hey, Naomi—" I spin around to where I remember last seeing her. She's not there and neither is the chick with the badass mermaid make-up and glittery crop top.

I blink a few times as my brain works through that information. The music changes to a quicker song and Rob, the guy from Texas with the sports car addiction, shouts like a cowboy. The girl he's dancing with cheers, attacking his mouth as he gropes her tits.

Shaking my head, I smile. I bet Naomi is up to no good, too. Restroom maybe? Or the alleyway out back?

A shiver crawls down my back at the thought of a dark, dingy back street. Pinpricks cover my skin. Suddenly, I feel like I'm being watched, like someone is about to bust into the club and start a fight with me because I beat up their gangster friends .

"Chill, Leo, no one's coming for you," I mutter to myself, heading to the bar for another drink. Or maybe to be near people I know so I can feel safer.

It proves harder to make my way there than it was to get to the dance floor. The club is now packed to the brim. Most of the people are too drunk to notice me even as I try to shout sumimasen over the blasting music. The feeling that someone is here for me intensifies, making my stomach twist in like it does when I'm about to walk into something I'll regret.

As I fight my way through college kids and tourists so I can get to the bar and drink the rest of my sobriety away, I scan my surroundings. The feeling just under my skin heightens even further, making me overly aware of my breathing and the cold sheen of sweat soaking my clothes.

I imagine this is what rabbits go through when they sense a predator nearby. I don't see one though. It's like something in my brain just clicked and decided I was in danger for no reason. Two minutes ago, I was having fun, and now I'm spooked like a kid about to do a dare at a graveyard.

Is it because I lost Naomi?

I suck in a deep breath. Or is it because of last night? Because Kwanchai showed up?

I replay the encounter in my mind, shuddering. I didn't, even for a second, believe it was just a coincidence that I met him at the convenience store. And I don't mean just because he said he wants me as a bodyguard. Which… What's with that anyway? And why does he have my personal info? It's creepy, honestly.

Except, I swallow as I push past a couple grinding against each other, creepy isn't the only thing it is. It's kind of impressive, in an I-definitely-shouldn't-get- involved kind of way. It makes me curious to know what Chai's deal is. I mean, I kind of get it—I lowkey saved his ass the first time we met. Maybe it's an honor thing? I read something or other about that being a big deal here in Japan.

So, does he feel like he owes me? But then why is he asking me to be his bodyguard if he can show his gratitude by offering me money like the rich guy he is?

Actually, that's probably a bad idea, too. He's no doubt involved with shady stuff and taking money from shady people is the last thing I should be doing.

Just as I am about to reach the bar, someone grabs my arm. I spin on my heel and try to yank out of their hold, but it backfires completely as they twist lightly. It sends me crashing into them, or well, their firm chest.

"Dance with me," a familiar voice I unwillingly can't mistake says in my ear, smooth and deep and sending sparks across my entire body.

Oh, hell no. What the fuck is he doing here?

My blood thrums as I look up at Chai. His eyes meet mine and his lips lift up in that asymmetrical smile. I hate to admit it, but it looks so good on him it's unfair. The feeling at the pit of my stomach spikes as his gaze roams the rest of me, his almost-smirk not dropping.

I'm back in that scenario where I'm the rabbit, only this time the predator isn't stalking me from the bushes anymore. Was that it then? Was he the reason I felt like someone was watching me earlier?

He nudges me back to the dance floor. I try to slip out of his hold, but it's impossible to do so with the thick crowd around us without making a scene. I could, though. He's strong, I can tell, even though all I can base that assumption on is what I saw that night. But I'm not a helpless damsel either. I can take care of myself.

Scoping the people swaying to the upbeat music, I don't notice any of his goons. He's alone. This would be a one-on-one if I started something. I've taken on bigger guys than him, so I'm confident I can deal with him… if I wanted to. But the truth is that I sort of don't, as stupid as it is. Because I kind of like it. The chase. The fact that he doesn't seem like he will give up unless I agree to be his bodyguard.

I still don't really know why it has to be me. If he is as important as I suspect he is, he can hire a professional. Someone who will do a better job than I ever would.

"Are you a fucking stalker?" I shout as we make it to a spot with enough space so we can actually dance.

He chuckles, dark eyes swimming with amusement. I aim a glare his way, raising an eyebrow. The song changes to a slower one before he's given me a reply. He pulls me against him and turns me around so my back is pressed to his front.

"Believe it or not, it was a coincidence," he drawls into my ear.

My nerve endings light up as his voice reverberates through my entire body. The back of my neck feels on fire and my stomach does an excited flip. Holy shit, what's up with my reactions to him?

"I don't."

He wraps an arm around my waist and that makes the heat in my stomach spread to other places, too. Places that don't normally respond to men that way. It gives me pause. Is it because I haven't had sex in ages? Is my body simply reacting to the contact with another person? I was planning to score tonight, this time for real, and I even had my eye on a redhead with a European accent. She was at the bar earlier with some girls, and I intended to approach her once I felt a bit more of a buzz.

"I was here to sign a contract with the owner. My… company handles the venue's security," Chai says, pulling me back into the moment.

He sways in rhythm to the music, guiding me with his body. His breath is hot against my skin, sending more of those little zaps down my spine. I feel like I'm about to board a rollercoaster, one of those that spin and go vertical before a sharp drop, as my stomach is invaded by butterflies.

"Really? Just like how you happened to go to the convenience store where I went?" Which also has to mean that he probably knows where I live. "Not to mention, you knew stuff about me that you could only know if you obtained my information illegally ."

He makes a low sound between a hum and a laugh and clasps my waist tighter. His other hand comes down to my hip. It feels good. "So not only you fight, but you're also smart."

Satisfaction bolts through me, bringing a smirk to my face. I don't know why I like hearing his silly compliment, but I do. Or maybe it's his slightly hoarse voice? It's gotten even lower, like he's turned on by this whole thing. My grin widens. Time to make him regret it.

I throw my arms back, wrapping them around his neck. Then I roll my hips and press into him as the song reaches the faster part, rubbing against his crotch. He's the one who started this tease, but I can play the game, too.

Chai shivers behind me, digging his fingers into my side. Everything around me sort of blurs together into the background, leaving my focus entirely on him. His skin is a little damp. He smells like musk and woods and I can't help breathing him in. His scent is intriguing. There is something powerful about it and the way it envelops me, in the lack of underlying sweetness that I can always pick up from a girl.

Duh, Leo. He's a man.

He is. And that should maybe be enough to make me push him away, but strangely, it doesn't seem to matter.

"Did you think about my offer?" Chai says when the song slows down again.

"I'm starting to regret saving your ass that night."

He chuckles. "I told you there are many perks if you agree to be my bodyguard."

"And I told you I'm not interested."

"I don't take no for an answer, Leo. What will it take to change your mind?" he insists in a dangerous voice, grinding against me. His words hold a warning and… He's also hard.

I suck in a breath as my dick gives a jerk. Then I freeze, my fight-or-flight response kicking in suddenly. Holy shit, did I just… While he's refusing to let this go?

Mind racing and heart hammering against my ribcage, I let go of him. Turning around, I push him off me and stare at his dark eyes. They stay firmly on me, intense and hungry as if I am a gourmet dessert he can't wait to get his hands on.

I like it. I like it too much it freaks me out. No one has ever looked at me this way.

"I'm not going to be your bodyguard," I breathe out and leg it toward the restrooms.

Fortunately, I find an empty stall. I slip inside and lock the door, leaning my back against it. My ears pound with my pulse. My hands are clammy. My chest feels about to burst. Staring at the gray ceiling, I try to regulate my breathing. I focus on slow exhales and deep inhales. Gradually, I come down from the adrenaline spike, my mind slowly clearing.

I need to stay away from Chai or I'm going to regret it, I just know it. My dick taking an interest aside—I can deal with that later—his last words sounded a lot like a threat. Like he won't give up until I agree. And while there is a flattering aspect to that, I really really don't need the headache. I got burned once.

A few minutes later, I've calmed down enough. I return to the club's interior, heading right for the bar as I scan the crowd for Chai. He's nowhere to be seen. My senses heighten in search of that predatory presence, but I can't feel that either, so he must've left.

Really? Even though he sounded so determined when he said he's willing to do anything to change my mind?

I shake that thought and the tinge of disappointment away, and join the group of familiar faces at the bar. I don't see Naomi, but Chris is there, chatting to a bulky guy with a full beard, shaved head and a mesh top.

"Have you seen Naomi?" I ask him, leaning on the counter to the left of the big guy so I can catch Chris' gaze.

The goth's bright eyes meet mine, a sly smile on his face. "Yep. Went off with someone a while back. I doubt she'll be long."

I wave a bartender over, pointing at the picture of a whiskey and coke on the menu. "I'll wait for her then."

As I nurse my drink while music blasts in my ears, I try not to think about my encounter with Chai on the dance floor. But it's impossible when excitement still thrums in my veins, so I surrender to the slightly inappropriate thoughts swirling in my head and imagine us dancing again with our bodies pressed against each other.