Deep Desire

Chapter Six

I try to focus my eyes better because I could swear I knew this man. I have definitely seen him before.

“Woah,” Todd says, clocking on to the same man and sensing his tense gaze at me, “you’ve pissed someone off,” he says, taking his arm from around my shoulders. Just then, everyone turns to look at mine and Todd’s direction. Caroline gasps.

“Mr Sinclair,” she says, a slight shake in her voice. That was it. Mr Sinclair. Caroline’s boss.

He moves closer to our table, his eyes never leaving mine, his facial expression not changing either. Everyone at the table is silent.

“Mr Sinclair?” Caroline finally pipes up, but with nervousness in her voice. He finally drops his hold on me, and turns to look at Caroline.

“Ms Woods,” He says, “fancy seeing you here.”

“Can I help you with something Sir?” She asks, a little more relaxed.

“Not at all. I spotted your friend in the crowd and then saw you.” He explains, his eyes back on me. I start to feel light headed, my legs like jelly, my breathing quick. What is happening?

“I didn’t realise you went clubbing,” Caroline says to him.

“I don’t. This is my club.” He says, eyes never leaving mine. I could feel everyone at the table feeling tense and unsure about this encounter.

“Oh.” Caroline says, confused, “I wasn’t aware.”

“A recent purchase.” He explains, then turns to look at her again, and smiles, as if boasting.

“Wow, that’s…wow.” Amy says, trying to find her words.

“Would you like us to leave?” Caroline asks. We all turn to glare at her. What is she saying?

Mr Sinclair chuckles, “No Ms. Woods. Please enjoy your evening.” He looks at me one last time, then walks away into the crowd. We were all silent for a moment, watching the crowd that Mr Sinclair disappeared into.

“Well that was… odd?” Todd speaks first.

“Really odd.” Hannah agrees.

“Did you see the way he wouldn’t take his eyes off of you, Amelia?” Amy says. I’m still silent, trying to process what just happened, but hearing the voices going on around me.

“Amelia.” Amy says. I break my gaze from the crowd and look at her.

“What?”

“Did you see the way he looked at you?” Amy repeats.

“Oh. Yeah. Weird.” I say nonchalantly, brushing it off like it was no big deal. I look over at Caroline, wondering what she must be thinking. She returns my stare, confusion on her face.

“Is he like that with everyone Caroline?” Amy asks her. A question I’m glad she asked as I’m intrigued.

She’s silent for a moment, but then answers, “No, I’ve never seen him like that with anyone.”

“Well he obviously has a crush on you darling!” Todd chimes in, loud and overly excited. He caresses my face and beams at me, “I mean who doesn’t?!”

“Todd!” I say, pushing him off. I look over at Caroline, still worried about what she’s thinking. She can’t be mad at me, surely? I didn’t do anything. He was the creep staring at me. I watch her carefully, studying her face, waiting for her to say something else.

“Let’s just move on, okay?” She finally says. Everyone nods, and starts up separate conversations with each other. The night goes on smoothly. We drink another 4 rounds, and we’re all back at the table after we took to the dance floor when the cha cha slide came on, chatting, laughing and gossiping.

“Right, I’m going to get another round of drink darlings. Who wants what?” Todd asks.

“Wine for me please.” Amy says.

“I’ll have another gin please Todd.” Hannah adds.

“Me too.” Caroline says, gulping down the last of her previous one.

“I’ll come with you.” I say, then Todd links his arm with mine.

We walk to the bar together, laughing and tripping up as we move around the crowds of people. It is always such a fun night when we’re out together, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing. Finally we make it to the bar, and Todd pushes his way to the front, leaving me behind the lineup of people but still holding onto my hand, refusing to let go. I see him bark off the orders, but can’t hear a single word he is saying. I start to feel his grip loosen on my hand as the people between us start pushing forward trying to get their orders taken. He tries to pull me closer to him but he loses his grip and he’s lost in the crowd of people in front of me. I’m tossed about between a couple of tall, muscley guys starting to have a brawl about who was first in the queue of people. Then before I know it, 2 other guys, just as big, join in defending their friends, and I’m stuck in the middle. I try to get out from between them, but the spaces around us are so tight that I struggle to find an opening.

“Hey!” I yell at one of them, the instigator of the fight, but he doesn’t hear me over the shouting mixed in with the music.

“Can I please just get out of the way?!” I scream as loud as I can, but they ignore me as they push each other back and forth. Eventually I’m thrown into one of the guys, by another, and I land in a heap on the floor, hitting my head on one of the metal stalls perched at an unoccupied table.

“Ow!” I scream.

“Amelia! Darling!” I hear Todd’s shriek in the distance.

“OI!” A louder voice shouts, and the room, including the music, goes completely silent. Everyone has stopped and is looking in the direction of the voice.

“Get the f**k away from her now!” The voice bellows with rage. It's angry, loud, and intimidating. The 4 guys look down at my helpless state on the floor, their faces full of regret, then 2 of them are pushed out of the way, revealing who the angry voice belongs to. Mr Sinclair. I stare up at him, holding my pained, throbbing head. He kneels down beside me,

“Are you okay?” He asks, as he places his hand on top of where mine is, holding my head. The look in his eyes is full of concern, but his face is thunder.

“I’m fine,” I say, attempting to get up.

“Let me help you.” He rushes to his feet and holds both his hands out for me to take so I can use them to pull myself up. He turns to the 4 guys and shouts at them,

“Get the f**k out of my bar! If I see you in here again, you’ll be out on your ass!” They don’t argue, they just grunt and walk out. Mr Sinclair turns back to me, holding his gaze. I look around the bar and everyone continues with their stares, mouths wide open. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I catch Caroline’s eyes as she stands there gawking at us, shocked at what is unfolding in front of her. This isn’t good.

“We should go get that checked. Come with me.” He demands, pulling me forward so I would follow him.

“Mr Sinclair, I…”

“Sebastian, please.” He cuts me off, informing me of his name. Strong, masculine, and. Different.

“I don’t need any help, thank you.” I try to walk away, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.

“Ms Logan.” He says, and I turn to look at him, “You hit your head. You could have a concussion.” Our eyes lock again, and it’s as if I can hear our hearts beating together, fast, synchronised, and loud. My breathing quickens, and my legs turn to jelly again. His eyes are deep pools of green, with specs of gold spiralling around like ballerina’s dancing in perfect unison. This man is doing something to me. He’s intense and intimidating, but he makes me feel things I have never felt before. I almost feel… aroused.

“Amelia, listen to him Darling.” Todd breaks the connection between us, and I’m pulled back to reality, back to where we currently are; standing in the middle of a club, all eyes on us, and my head pounding. Damn, it really does hurt. Just then, I come over feeling queasy, the room starts to spin, and my eyes go fuzzy.

“Amelia!” I hear more than one person's voice call, muffled, like I’m under water. But one voice stands out in particular. His. Sebastian Sinclair’s. And then everything goes black.