Page 14 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)

Chapter Fourteen

LAUREN

I ’ve got a rare weekend off. Sapphire owed me one for the bachelor party, so Sydney and I are currently getting ready to paint the town red. Margaritas have been flowing for the last hour and I’m trying to do the zip on my dress up but failing miserably.

“Syd,” I yell. “Heeelp meee.”

Sydney, who is in the kitchen mixing up more drinks, shouts back, “Coming.”

I don’t know why I leave her to make the drinks, there’s usually more alcohol than mixer which is why I’m feeling slightly tipsy already.

She comes in looking like the absolute goddess that she is. Her long dark hair curled to perfection and one side pinned back, her smoky eyes and red lipstick compliment the black skinny jeans and red corset.

“You’re so pretty,” I sigh, leaning my head on my hand.

“And you are drunk,” Sydney laughs. “I might have to cut you off or we’ll never make it out of here.” She comes to stand behind me, doing the zip up.

I’ve reused this dress more than I care to admit but honestly…

I love it. It’s a green A-line dress with short cap sleeves; the front’s low which is perfect for giving me the slightest hint of cleavage and ends just above the knees.

I know, I know… why would I dress so prim and proper when I’m a stripper?

For that exact reason. I spend most of my time in various states of undress so when I go out for me, I kinda like to be covered up a bit more.

“All done,” Syd says as she moves to sit on my bed, the one currently littered with clothes and shoes.

I look at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall . I’ve styled my hair similar to Sydney’s, but I don’t have mine pinned back, just flowing in soft waves. I went light with my makeup—mascara, blush, and some bronzer. I’m not a lipstick kind of girl so I’m going bare tonight.

“Uber’s ten minutes away,” Sydney calls as she walks into the living room, most probably to make us another drink before we head out.

“Coming,” I holler as I grab my clutch and shoes.

Illusion is heaving when we get there, the line of people waiting to get in going down for half a block. It’s up the street from Strokes, so we don’t have to wait, heading straight in.

We push our way through the crowds, the DJ playing Downpour by Our Hollow, Our Home .

One of the main reasons why I love Illusion—it’s a rock bar.

It’s your typical dive bar that has paint peeling off the walls, a weird smell, and your feet constantly stick to the floor, but it has such a great atmosphere.

Other than a few odd tables dotted around, there’s no other furniture in here, leaving room for the dance floor. And yes, it’s totally possible to dance to metal. The bar’s on the left and there’s always plenty of servers on hand, so it never takes long to get a drink.

Strolling to the bar I order a Jack and Coke, needing a change of pace after Sydney’s margaritas, and sobering up on the ride over. I lost Sydney to the dance floor the minute we walked in.

One song after another has played since getting here, so time has lost its meaning. All I know is that I’m hot and sweaty as I stumble to the bar and ask for a glass of water to cool myself down. I finish gulping it when someone bumps into me.

“Sorry,” I shout over the music. A blonde woman who looks to be in her late thirties smiles at me.

“My fault,” she shouts back. I smile and continue watching the crowd when she leans over and says, “I feel so old being here. All I want to do is ask them to turn down the music so I can hear myself think.”

I laugh, knowing I’ve never had that problem. When I listen to music it has to be loud, so loud that I can’t hear myself think. “I can’t say I agree.”

I glance back to the dance floor when I catch the outline of another person standing next to the blonde. I grab my clutch to check my phone when I knock it on the floor, the contents spilling everywhere. “Fuck.”

I reach down to get it when another pair of hands starts helping me.

“Thank you…” My words trail off when I look up and stare into blue eyes, blue eyes I know very well.

Caleb .

My breath catches and I realize I’ve been staring for too long.

Quickly grabbing the rest of my things, I shove them into my bag before standing back up, swaying slightly from the head rush.

The blonde from earlier comes over and puts a hand on his arm.

My eyes zero in on that one move, and jealousy flares within me.

I look back at Caleb, who reaches behind his head to rub his neck, a blush creeping up his face.

I know I don’t have the right to be jealous.

He’s on a date. He’s a free, single, good-looking guy, but it feels like a punch to the gut anyway.

I place a hand on my neck where the mark that Caleb left still lingers faintly.

Will he leave a mark on her neck at the end of the night when he takes her home?

Will he forget all about me as he’s fucking her into oblivion?

Shit.

I turn away ordering a shot of tequila—I’m gonna need something stronger to get me through this.

I down the shot, foregoing the lime and salt and walk over to where Sydney’s gyrating against a tall brunette.

As I’m walking my hips start swinging as I get into the beat of the song.

I lift my hands in the air and dance like no one’s watching, but I know they are, I can feel their eyes roaming all over me. Or more specifically, his .

I open my eyes and, sure enough, Caleb’s watching me, not paying attention to his date. His jaw’s clenched and if he squeezes any harder, the glass he’s holding will shatter.

He looks gorgeous though. His dark hair has been gelled, giving it that almost run through look. His black skinny jeans offset the white band T-shirt he’s wearing along with black sneakers, and his tattoos are only adding to his allure— this has got to be my favorite look of his so far .

I wipe the drool from my mouth that’s gathered at the sight of him. The alcohol has caused my inhibitions to lower, and my pussy begins to pulse, knowing exactly what he feels like.

A hand wraps around my waist, and I look down—definitely a man. I gaze up at the newcomer, allowing him to move my body with his. He’s cute—blonde hair, tall, lean. Not my usual type, but I’m going with it.

Looking back at the bar, I notice Caleb still watching me, his date obviously trying and failing to get his attention because it’s all on me.

I get a sick, twisted feeling that he’s just as jealous as I am, but brush it off quickly.

I’m not that girl. I don’t intentionally set out to make anyone jealous, least of all my professor who is entirely off limits.

“Wanna get out of here?” the guy asks over the music.

I nod in response, quickly texting Sydney to let her know I’m heading back to the dorm.

I’ll see her in the morning, no doubt she’ll be doing the walk of shame.

I don’t plan on going home with this guy but seeing Caleb and not being able to touch him, feels like its ruined my night.

My alcohol fueled brain is starting to dull my mood and honestly, I just want to go.

We walk hand in hand to the exit, bodies now crushing together making it difficult to move around. Several times I wonder if I’m going to get dragged into one of the makeshift mosh pits but manage to avoid them.

Definitely time to go home .

Once outside, I turn to the random stranger and utter, “Thanks, I’m off now.”

“Huh?” He looks confused for a moment, his eyes glazed over. “I thought we could go back to yours for a night cap.” He winks.

I’m not sure how a dance equates to a nightcap, but whatever. “Nope, I’m out. Thanks for the dance. ”

As I turn to leave, he grabs my arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” he sneers. His grip is tight enough to leave a bruise and I struggle in his hold, wishing I’d stayed inside with Sydney.

“You’re hurting me, get off,” I hiss, trying to yank my arm away from him. Tears spring to my eyes when he clutches even harder, all the fight I’m giving him useless against his strength. “What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand, dickwad?”

I’m looking around for security when I notice they’re dealing with another drunk, so I’m on my own. Great .

Noticing where my line of sight has gone, dickwad smiles a toothy grin. “Looks like it’s my lucky day, babe.” He grabs my arm harder and starts pulling me away to the back of the building.

I manage to kick his leg, nearly toppling over at the same time. He stops, turning to face me. “There’s more where that came from,” I snap, “so get your hands off me and walk away before I call for security and have them deal with your skanky ass.”

“Try it babe, and see what happens,” he laughs, clearly not thinking I’ll do it, but little does he know. I take a deep breath in but before I can make a sound…

“Get your fucking hands off her,” I hear growled from behind me. I swallow and the guy physically winces, dropping my arm like it burnt him.

“No harm, no foul, man. I was just talking to my girl here,” he jokes, trying to brush it off, not realizing who he’s talking to.

“She isn’t your fucking anything, man . So, unless you want me to rip your arm out of its fucking socket and shove it up your ass, I suggest you let her go, right. The. Fuck. Now.”

I whimper at the tone Caleb uses. I really shouldn’t be turned on by it but I am.

The way he’s coming to my defense, the way his veins are popping on his forearms and hands as he clenches and unclenches them.

I should be classing him as a walking red flag, but I don’t.

I take one glance at Caleb, seeing the rage, anger, and concern swirling in his eyes and run straight into his arms.