By the time I finally make it to The Landing Strip, I start to think I’ve made a mistake. He burned down a gym to prove a point to me. What the hell did that even mean? Who burns down a building to get their way? It’s nuts, but it didn’t stop me from walking upstairs and packing a bag and going home with him. I think I might be a touch crazy too at this point.
“Ember,” Lawrence calls when I enter the club. Like always, he’s sitting at the bar keeping an eye on things with an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth. It will make me feel a whole lot better if he’s sitting here making sure no one messes with me.
“Call me Cherry tonight, please.”
“Cherry it is.” He looks at my street clothes and waits for me to explain.
“I got stuff.” I pat my bag. “It’s not much, but you get what you get with a last-minute call.” I shrug. “Still no word?” He shakes his head no. “I'm sorry, but it’s my mom.”
“Do yourself a favor and let her go. You can’t save people; they can only save themselves.”
“If it was only so easy,” I murmur, looking around the club. It’s already busy even though it’s still so early. Then again, it’s Vegas. “I’ll go get changed.”
It doesn't take me long to pull it together. Not when you’re in a room full of other women more than willing to help. Plus I already know a handful of the ladies who have been here forever.
The only underwear I have are the same ones I wore last night. I don’t know how I missed packing a new pair. The inside is still covered in Rogue’s cum and I can smell him all over me too. One of the other girls asks me who I’ve been rubbing up on and my cheeks burn.
I debate covering up the small marks on the insides of my thighs with makeup, but between the fishnet pantyhose and the dim light of the club, no one will notice them. No one should be getting that close to me since I’m only serving drinks.
“You look hot.” Sable bumps her hip with mine as she hands me a small serving tray that lights up. I’m taking that as a major compliment since Sable is the prettiest and most popular girl here. “You think you can handle this? Some of the men can get a little handsy.”
“I think I can.”
“Don’t think, Cherry, know. You look like a sex kitten, but if they get a whiff of that innocence underneath, they’ll eat you alive.”
That’s not scary at all. “How does your boyfriend handle you getting naked for other men?”
She gives me a wicked smile. “He likes to watch.”
“To watch you dance?” She lets out a laugh, letting her robe fall off her shoulders before tossing it over her chair in the back.
“Oh, sweet naïve Cherry.” She steps closer to me and twirls the end of my hair around her finger. “He likes to watch me with other men.” Oh wow. The thought of Rogue with another woman makes my heart hurt. He hasn't even been with me all the way and I don’t think I could handle that. “Women too.” She gives my hair a tug before letting go. “Think about it.” She winks before she leaves the dressing room and walks onto the main stage.
I stand there shocked for a moment. I have a feeling Rogue wouldn't care much for me being with anyone else, man or woman. He’s possessive when we’re together, although I don’t know if it’s how he always is or if it’s me that pulls it out of him. I know it’s silly to think I’m getting something different from him because he’s clearly done this a time or two.
I let out a sigh and push away that silly feeling that I shouldn't be at this club. Rogue and I are a fling. It’s hot and wild now, but it’ll burn out. Right?
I should have known better. I really should have. If he was willing to burn down one building, he’d be more than willing to burn down another.
Chapter Twelve
Rogue
Earlier that day…
My phone rings, and I grab it off the bedside table and switch the sound off before it can wake Ember up. She’s curled up next to me sleeping so damn good that I hate to think about anything disturbing her. When was the last time she slept? She’s been out cold for hours, she has to be getting hungry by now…
My phone vibrates this time, and I look down to see a number I don’t recognize. When I hit ignore, it calls me again right away.
“Shit,” I whisper as I force myself to disentangle from her and walk into the bathroom.
My cock is painful after not getting any release last night. That quick one at the hotel wasn’t nearly enough and being curled up next to Ember’s curves all night only made it worse. I grab the hard length over my boxer briefs and squeeze it to try and get it to go down. It doesn't work.
My phone vibrates and I answer it as I close the bathroom door.
“Rogue.” I’m shocked when I hear Angus on the other line. “Listen, I’ve been arrested. I need you to come get me. I told them you’re my lawyer.”
“What the fuck did you do?” The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I go over to the closet and grab a pair of jeans.
“I’ll explain later. Just hurry. You’ve got to get me out of here fast.”
“I’m on my way,” I say before hanging up and putting on an old gray T-shirt. I slide on some shoes and then grab a hat and pull it down low. I tuck my phone in the back of my jeans and take some cash out of the safe. I don’t know what the fuck my brother has gotten himself into, but I need to be ready.
I think for a second about leaving Ember a note, but I don’t have anything to write with, and I need to leave. Fuck, should I wake her up?
As quietly as I can, I walk over to her side of the bed and lean down. I kiss her neck and inhale her sweet scent as I close my eyes.
“Hey baby, I’ve got to run out, but I’ll be back.” She makes a humming sound, and I kiss her again. “Don’t leave, I’ll be right back as soon as I can.”
She keeps her eyes closed as she nods and snuggles down into the covers. I want nothing more than to get back in bed and slide my dick between her legs, but I have to go.
When I get to the door, I set the alarm and grab my keys. I make sure she’s locked up safe and sound as I hop in my car and take off toward the city jail. Being a divorce lawyer, people would think I wouldn’t have a lot of experience with visiting the jail, but it’s no longer shocking to me how often I have to come here because of a domestic dispute.
I thought that over the years I was jaded to the idea of marriage. Maybe I was, but after meeting Ember I finally understood why all those couples never made it.
None of them ever felt the way I feel for her, and it showed. If they did I’d be out of a job.
My parents are that way, and even after all these years they look at each other like they just fell in love. Maybe deep down I was afraid I’d never find that kind of devotion, and that’s why I became a divorce lawyer, but after seeing Ember I’m done for.
When I get back home, I’m going to show her how I feel. I’ve already spent my whole life without her. I won’t waste a moment longer.
The jail is busy for a Saturday afternoon, but that’s to be expected. It’s Vegas and the weekend is always heavy on arrests. When I get inside, I give them my name and I’m scanned in. They take me back to the holding area and I pace while I wait for Angus to be processed. It takes longer than I anticipated, and by the time he finally walks out it’s been hours and I’m ready to murder him.