Hot Holidays

CHAPTER 13: Ellie

CHAPTER 13: Ellie

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Ellie struggled in her restraints as Adrian launched himself off the stage at Marc. “Stop!”

He didn’t listen. Men like him never did but the big jerk was going to get the s**t kicked out of him. Marc was a mixed martial arts instructor. The man was an ass, but he knew how to fight.

“Desiree, please! Get me out of here.”

But the other woman was busy yelling for bouncers who were already moving quickly through the crowd. She prayed they’d get there before Adrian got hurt.

“Hold still.” The contestant who’d been eager for his turn began unfastening her.

She sighed as the bouncers stopped the fight. “Thank God.” She straightened her clothing.

“Don’t be too thankful,” muttered Desiree. “Ethan’s not happy. Fighting isn’t allowed. Ever.”

She rubbed her wrist as she stepped toward the other woman. “What will he do?”

“Probably kick Adrian out of the Club.”

“But...it wasn’t his fault. Not really. Marc started it.”

Desiree shrugged. “Marc was being a jerk, but he didn’t start the fight.”

No, Marc’s abuse was more mental. It had been for years, but she just hadn’t realized it. She wasn’t going to let Adrian take the blame for this, not without trying to help him. She headed across the stage.

“Wait. Where are you going?” Desiree waved and a bouncer stepped in front of the stairs.

“To help Adrian.”

“Not without your gift.”

“My what?”

Desiree grabbed the Santa bag and held it open in front of Ellie. “Everyone who plays gets a present.”

“A...I don’t want one.” She glanced back at Adrian. He did not look happy.

“You’ll both enjoy it. I promise.” Desiree grinned mischievously.

“Fine.” She grabbed a package from the bag. “May I go now?”

“Of course.” Desiree pulled a chip from the bag before putting it down. “The fight is over. Time to play. The next couple is Yellow.”

The bouncer stepped aside, and Ellie hurried through the crowd. “Wait, please.” She stopped at Adrian’s side. “Please, don’t kick him out. This is my fault.”

“Your fault?” Ethan’s eyes landed on her.

“Yes.” She straightened so she didn’t melt into a puddle of mush. This guy was even better looking up close with his dark blue eyes and the face of a Nordic god.

“How is this your fault? From where I stood, it looked like you were tied up on stage”—his gaze wandered slowly down her frame, stopping on her stomach or at least she was going to call it her stomach—“ready to be worshipped. You, my dear, should be the most upset.” He took a step closer. “To be denied pleasure at that moment.” He frowned, shaking his head. “It’s criminal.”

“Ah...I...” What was wrong with her? He was right. She’d been ready, eager for a stranger’s lips on her and in front of everyone. That was so not her.

“Pleasure? She never comes,” said Marc.

Ellie’s face heated as all eyes fell on her. Marc wasn’t exactly lying. She’d had issues recently, but she was overworked, and Marc did nothing around the house. Still, s*x with her couldn’t have been great for him. He prided himself on his prowess and she wasn’t a good actor.

“I could f**k her for hours and nothing,” continued Marc. “Not a tremble. b***h can’t even fake it right.”

“That would be your fault not hers,” snapped Ethan as Adrian lunged forward but the bouncers tightened their grip on his arms, keeping him in place.

“Ignore him.” She stepped in front of Adrian. She didn’t want him to get hurt. “He’s not worth it.”

Adrian’s eyes dropped to hers and she wanted to cry. There was no desire in his gaze or even humor. She’d even be fine with anger, but instead his green eyes were filled with pity.

“Adrian, your membership is rescinded until February,” said Ethan. “Get out of here and see the lady home.”

The bouncers dropped their hold on Adrian but stayed close.

“Come on.” He took her arm.

She nodded and let him lead her toward the exit.

“Have fun with your blue balls and your hand because they’re better than that cold p***y any day,” shouted Marc.

There were a couple of snickers from the crowd and Adrian’s hand tightened on her arm.

“Keep going,” said one of the bouncers. “Ethan will take care of this.”

The unfairness of it all swept through her like a fire. Marc had cheated on her. He was the asshole, but she was the one getting the looks of pity and amusement. She was not letting Marc win. She’d already been humiliated. There was nothing left to lose. “One moment, please.” She smiled up at the bouncer as she shoved the gift into Adrian’s hand. “Hold this.”

“What is it?”

“A gift from Desiree for playing the game.” She started to walk away.

“Ellie, let’s go.” He tugged on her arm.

“In a minute.” She yanked free from his grasp and strode back through the crowd. She and her sister had their mother’s temperament. They were generally easy going, passive even, letting the men in their lives take the lead until it went too far, and Marc had gone too far.

The bouncers still held Marc between them. His lip was now busted open and Ethan wiped blood off his knuckles with a napkin.

“I thought there was no fighting.” She gave Ethan a disgusted look.

“It wasn’t a fight. I slipped.” Ethan didn’t smile but his eyes sparkled. “Fortunately for me, he caught me before I fell.”

“With his face?”

“Apparently.” Ethan smirked.

“Thank you.” Another charming, sexy, alpha caveman. This place was crawling with them. She stopped in front of Marc who c****d his eyebrow as if challenging her.

“I am not cold. Maybe if you could last more than three minutes, I would’ve been a little more eager for sex.” That was kind of a lie. s*x between them had been good at the beginning.

“My d**k wasn’t made for the freezer. When they make parka condoms, I’ll give you another go.”

“I am not cold. I love s*x just not with you.”

“Right. Didn’t your other boyfriends cheat on you too?”

Tears filled her eyes. She’d told him that in confidence and he was airing it out for everyone.

“But keep telling yourself that I’m the problem if it makes you feel better.”

“I am not cold.” She could say that until she grew old, but no one would believe her. She wasn’t sure if she believed it herself. Marc was winning. His words would haunt her forever unless... “I just need a real man. I should have no trouble finding one here.”

She turned, sauntering through the crowd. Her ass was too big. Too many days sitting behind the desk and on the couch at home, but men seemed to love it, so she let her hips sway with each step. She headed straight for Adrian who’d moved closer, the bouncers still at his side.

He watched her, his expression unreadable. She prayed he’d go along with this. He’d wanted her earlier. Hopefully, he still did. She stopped in front of him. “And here’s the man I want.” She grabbed his tie, pulling him down until their lips were almost touching. “I’m going to f**k you until you can’t move and then I’m going to suck you off until you beg me to stop.”

She threw a glance over her shoulder at her ex. Marc was pissed. She’d finally won a few points. As her and Marc’s relationship had deteriorated, she’d stopped giving him blowjobs and she was really good at them. Now, she had to follow through with this because alpha a-holes talked and bragged. Marc would hear if she went home alone and she refused to let him win.