Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(10)

I pulled my head back to look at him. Was he serious?

“Since the accident . . . I’ve been focused on walking,” he answered my unasked question.

“Wow, I bet that’s been total hell. If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t been with anyone in over two years.”

“Why is that?”

“Long story,” I shouted.

We continued to dance together and I let go all of my inhibitions and just moved to the rhythm. My body was sweaty and my makeup was probably running down my face, but I had a good time. “Do you want some water?” he asked.

I fanned myself and nodded. “Yes, I’m dying over here. It’s hot as hell.”

Taking my hand, he led me to the bar and bought me a bottle of water. I sucked it down quickly and gasped for air when I was done. I was so damn thirsty. Kyle chuckled and offered me his but I shook my head.

“Meg,” Nicole shouted. When I turned, she bounced up with a guy in tow. It happened to be one of our friends, Greg Mullen. Greg worked at one of the strip hotels as an entertainer and dancer. He was gorgeous and he knew it, but the ladies loved him.

“Hey Greg, I figured you’d be working tonight.”

“Nope, this is my one weekend off for the month. I figured I’d check out the new club.”

“And there’s a party,” Nic cut in. “Greg asked if we wanted to go.”

Greg nodded, looking at both Kyle and me. “Both of you are more than welcome to come. It’s at a coworker’s house just down the street from mine.” Nic folded her hands in front of her heart, pleading.

“You can go,” I laughed. “I’m not really up for a party.”

“Are you sure? What about the car?”

Kyle put his hands on my waist and leaned in close. “I can take you home if she needs the car. In fact, it’d be a pleasure.”

Nic glanced at us both and I nodded. She threw her arms around me and squealed. “Yay, thank you! I’ve always heard there are famous people at these parties.”

We both laughed and Kyle shook his head, trying not to smile. “Good luck with that,” I said. “And be careful. Don’t drink any drinks that a guy gives you.” I tilted my face toward Kyle and whispered, “Greg lives in the neighborhood next to mine. I’ve seen some of his friends and their morals are questionable.”

Nic rolled her eyes and gave me a hug. “I heard that. I’ll see you later tonight.” When she pulled back, she kissed me on the cheek. “You be safe tonight too.” Her eyes snapped to Kyle and I got her point. She had nothing to worry about.

“I know what I’m doing. Now go.”

She disappeared out of the club with Greg and now I was left with Kyle. He dipped down to my ear. “Are you ready to go home now?”

“I’m getting close. I think I’ve danced enough for the night.”

He chuckled. “So have I. My legs still hurt like a bitch from the squats. I wasn’t about to let you beat me.”

“But at least they’re getting stronger.”

His lips tilted up and he held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“Let me pay for my tab and I’ll be ready to go.”

He winked and took my hand. “I already did it.”

“What? You didn’t have to do that. I’ll pay you back.”

“No worries, love. But if you want to pay me back I’m sure we’ll figure out something.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I squeezed his hand and slid off the bar stool. Before we could take the first step, the bartender slid a drink in front of me.

“Compliments from the gentleman at the end of the bar.” It wasn’t until I got a good look at the drink that I gasped and stumbled back.

Kyle caught me and the bartender looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Megan, are you okay?”

I slid the drink back to the bartender. “What is it?”

She grabbed the glass and moved it to the side. “It’s a raspberry martini from the guy in the red shirt down there,” she said, pointing toward the edge of the bar.

Kyle snorted. “Please tell him thank you, but it’s not needed.”

The bartender shrugged as if she didn’t care and tossed the drink down the sink before moving along to someone else. Swallowing hard, I glanced down at the guy in the red shirt and breathed a sigh of relief. He waved at me and I nodded, but couldn’t find it within myself to smile. I don’t know what made me think it would be Alex, but the fear of seeing him again always weighed on me. He would get out of prison eventually and then it would be up to me to make sure I couldn’t be found.

We got out of the bar and I could finally breathe when the fresh air blew across my face. I stopped and leaned against the wall, my heart beating out of control. Kyle stood beside me, his arm brushing against mine. “You want to tell me what’s going on? Your face turned pale back in there.”

“I tell you what. Get me home and I’ll tell you all about it.”

***





I DIDN’T REALLY want to tell Kyle about my past, but after the way I freaked out, there was no way he’d let it just slide. When he pulled into my driveway, he smiled.

“What are you grinning about?”