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Lowering his head to mine, he kissed the end of my nose. “Me too. Shall we get something to eat?”
My heart said yes, but my brain said no. Exhaustion pulled at my muscles and I slowly shook my head. “I think I'd just like to go home. I need some sleep... and a shower.”
The corner of my lip quirked into my cheek, just to reassure him. He still frowned, looking down at me with his sexy brooding eyes. Unease bubbled within them as they searched my gaze.
“It's okay,” I said, taking his hands in mine, “I just need a moment, that's all. It's been a long adrenaline filled day and the idea of my pillow hugging my head is so very tempting right now.”
He smiled briefly before nodding and squeezing my fingers. “Very well,” he muttered, “I'll take you home.”
Should I stop him from dropping me off? Would he see that as me running away? Which I was, obviously.
I watched as he gathered up his car keys and came back to me, bending down to kiss me before taking my arm and leading me out of the room. I kept my gaze on the red carpet as we passed the main club entrance, which was still shut and quiet. I’d not known there was a huge secret room behind the main theatre. The idea that it had always been used as a sex club had my inquisitive brain whirling. My creative brain could envision men in tails and top hats staying behind after the opera to indulge in the antics of the private club.
“I would like to see you in the morning,” Joe said as he helped me into the car.
Grunting an affirmative, I climbed in and sunk low into the soft leather seat. He turned the heating on as soon as he was behind the steering wheel. He might have had a drink earlier in the night, but his head was clear now, I could see it in the way he stared at the road ahead, concentrating effortlessly.
“Do you really want me in your world?” I asked him, too tempted to test the boundaries.
He glanced at me sideways and raised his eyebrows. “More than you realise. I plan to show you how much, my girl. I've never met anyone I've wanted the way I do you.”
Aw, the magic words that filled a woman's soul and promised the world. I had no idea if I was a jealous person but could I believe him? I’d just found out that he visited a sex club – run by himself, I might add. Or was it just business for him? If he was part of the society, he had to be a billionaire. Shit, I was completely out of my depth. And strangely, it gave me a little thrill that made me rub my lips together.
“Good,” I murmured, sitting back in my seat and closing my eyes.
If I feigned sleep, he might not ask to join me inside. I needed some time alone to think about everything and to speak to Elissa if she was around. I couldn't do that if he was there.
“We're here.” His warm hand cupped mine where it rested on my lap, jolting me out of my sleep.
Bloody hell, I'd passed out not long after we'd left the club. It was only a short distance to my home across the city, but we'd got there a lot quicker than I'd anticipated.
“Thank you.” I leaned over and kissed him, lingering to enjoy his scent, just for a moment. “For everything.”
He caught my chin and my heart lifted into my throat. Not because I thought he would hurt me, but because I wasn’t completely sure of the rules of the game... or our connection.
“If you need me, just ring.” He slipped his tongue into my mouth and the pit of my stomach burned with embers as he kissed me slowly, gently, and oh so erotically.
It was as if he were imprinting himself on my memory, which the bastard didn't need to do. I was already addicted.
“I'll see you in the morning.” I looked into his eyes as I pulled away, searching them for any vulnerability.
There was none. His gaze was guarded despite being soft and tender. He wasn't going to let me in, just like I wasn't going to bring my guard down completely. Not yet. We'd shared a precious close moment together, which I had loved, but the revelations that had been sprung upon me made it hard to completely trust him. I just needed some time.
“Night, sweet one.” He kissed my forehead and watched me get out of the car, waving before he drove off.
I wasn't sure whether he was going home or back to the club, but either way, I was relieved to be on my own. It would give me a chance to do some research and make sure that I hadn't become involved with a psychopath... although, as much as I would try and run away if he was, it would be hard. Did that make me fucked up? Yep, I was well and truly broken.
Chapter Twenty
Rubbing my eyes, I scrolled through the newsfeed as I reclined on the sofa. I'd googled his name first, which had brought up his design business and the club. Why had I never thought to searchfor more information about my boss? When I'd initially checked him out online, he'd come up as an accomplished designer and I'd focused wholly on that. It was time to delve deeper. There.
Chase Harrogate and friend Joseph Hunter went to university together. They founded several charities after working with vulnerable people. Chase is quoted as saying that the pair first worked with the homeless for Christmas as a dare. He was glad because it led to a lifelong passion for helping others as well as running his multi-billion pound business.
“Shit,” I whispered, staring at the picture that accompanied the article. “They’re loaded.”
My heartbeat tripled as I carried on reading, cringing when it sang Joe’s praises, likening him and his friend to guardian angels. Had they used their perversion to meet vulnerable people in the guise of being charitable?
Shaking my head, I concentrated on the article again.
