Page 84 of His to Teach

“I sure as fuck hope not,” I say, pushing into the lounge as I try not to think about how much trouble she could have gotten into in forty-five minutes.

The first person I see inside the club is Andres, and I thank the Lord for small favors. “I need you to help me locate a guest.” I tell him. “Harper Cain. About five four, blonde?—”

He cuts me off. “I know exactly where she is.”

I hold my breath, suddenly terrified he’s about to tell me she went into the back on her own. Instead he turns to the bar and I let out a slow breath. She’s there.

In spite of the panic of the last half hour, the sight of her sends a rush of warmth through my chest.Harper.

My Harper.

She’s dressed similar to the way she’d been that first night, a simple black dress. Tonight, her hair is up, showing off her long, graceful neck.

Her long graceful neck that’s currently being touched by the blunt fingers of the man sitting next to her.

My fear goes out of me in an instant, replaced by red fury. Aden Roth. The same asshole who had tried to pick her up the night she’d first come here without me.

“Thanks,” I mutter to Andres, already striding across the floor, my hands shaking so badly I have to ball them into fists.

Harper looks up while I’m still several paces away, her eyes locking directly on mine, as if she somehow sensed myapproach. I falter midstep. How had I forgotten how beautiful she is?

Beautiful is an understatement. She’s absolutely fucking stunning. So damn gorgeous it steals my breath.

She’s also terribly sad. I can see it even from here, and my heart twists at the sight of her. Her face is pale, eyes huge and dark, faint purple smudges beneath them. I think she might have lost weight. There’s something vulnerable and fragile to her that I’ve never seen before.

You did that.

Before I can say a word, she turns her back on me, and just like that my anger returns.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

She keeps her attention firmly on the bar. “I’m enjoying a drink.”

The sound of her voice sends a fresh stab of pain through me. “You shouldn’t be here alone.”

“She’s not alone, Chase,” Roth says, and it’s everything I can do not to punch him right here.

“Stay out of this,” I snap.

The motherfucker laughs. “Funny, I still don’t see a collar on her throat. So maybe you’re the one who should stay out of it.”

“Harper,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “Come with me.”

She still won’t look at me, but her answer is clear and precise. “No.”

I lean in towards her, ignoring Aden. “What’s your plan, exactly?” I ask. “Why did you come here?”

She finally looks up at me. The pain and the anger in her eyes sends my stomach tumbling to the ground. “I guess I was hoping for a distraction.”

I’m so caught up in looking at her that it takes a minute for the words to sink in. “What the fuck does that mean?”

She shrugs. “What kind of distraction does this place usually provide?”

I have never in my life wanted to throw a woman over my shoulder more than I do right now. “So, what are you saying?” I ask, getting even closer, unable to keep the venom from my voice. “You’re going to find a new dom tonight?”

She shrugs again. “I was actually thinking I would just watch a scene or two. But if I meet someone interesting, maybe I’ll do a scene of my own.” She holds my gaze, a challenge in her eyes, and I want to throw up. The idea of her doing a scene with anyone else has my pulse thudding in my ears so hard I feel dizzy.

“Absolutely not,” I growl. “You’re going home.”