Sweet Temptation (Sweet #4)(5)

“Don’t you f**king touch her.”

May looked to Damon for guidance, and Damon held his hand up to stay his security man.

“You can’t come in here, grab one of my club members—hell, you can’t pull this shit here with anyone, member or not—and drag her out of here against her will. What’s come over you, Micah?”

Micah glanced at Angelina and wondered why the hell she was being so quiet. She hadn’t said much more than a few words. He couldn’t even conjure guilt over the notion that she was unwilling. She sure as hell hadn’t been unwilling when she’d given him that sultry invitation with those deep brown eyes. Christ, she’d had him whip her. He wanted to puke.

“This is a private matter between me and Angelina,” Micah said.

“I’m not letting you leave here with her,” Damon said calmly.

Angelina put her hand on Damon’s arm. It looked small and dainty in comparison, and all Micah could think was that those hands had been tied together while he marked her naked body.

“It’s all right, Damon,” she said in a low voice.

She trembled in Micah’s grip, and he loosened his hold. His gaze dropped over her arm to make sure there were no marks from his fingers. He’d done enough damage for one night. Now he just wanted to get her out of this place as fast as humanly possible.

“Do you know Micah, Angelina?” Damon asked, his expression skeptical. “You don’t have to go with him, friend of mine or not. My first responsibility is to my members here. I wouldn’t allow any woman to be manhandled as Micah has done you.”

“Member?” Micah bit out. “Are you telling me Angelina is a goddamn member?”

He looked to her for confirmation, but she wouldn’t look at him. She was staring at Damon, her expression calm.

“I know him,” she said simply. “He won’t hurt me. He’s angry because he doesn’t understand.”

“Understand?” His head was going to explode. “I understand that I’m getting you the hell out of this place, and under no circumstances are you to ever set foot in here again.” He glared at Damon as he said the last. “And I expect you to see to it.”

“What’s going on here?” Damon demanded. “This isn’t like you, Micah. I won’t let you walk out of here until one of you provides me with an acceptable explanation.”

“She’s David’s sister!”

Damon’s eyes flickered as understanding dawned. “I see.”

Micah made a sound of disgust. “No, you don’t see. Christ, Damon, you’re letting teenagers in here now?”

Angelina turned to him, one finely arched eyebrow creeping upward. “I’m twenty-three years old, Micah. Hardly a teenager. Certainly not in need of a babysitter, though you seem keen to sign up for the job.”

He stared back at her in disbelief. Confusion jacked through his mind like a buzz saw. Twenty-three? How had she gotten from a sixteen-year-old to a woman of twenty-three? Had it really been so long? How could he have lost so many years?

“At least let her dress,” Damon said quietly. “There’s no need to take her out like this. I’ll send Maverick up for her clothing.” Then he glanced at Angelina. “Do you want to leave with him, Angelina? I’ll be more than happy to provide a ride home for you. I can arrange for one of my men to take your car home.”

“She’s leaving with me,” Micah growled. “Now, if we can dispense with the chitchat, I’d like us to be on our way.”

Damon motioned for Maverick to go upstairs to retrieve her clothes, and then he reached for Angelina’s hand.

“You can change in there,” he said, pointing to one of the rooms a few feet away.

She looked expectantly toward Micah and then dropped her gaze pointedly to his hand on her arm. Grudgingly he let it fall away.

As Damon opened the door, Maverick appeared holding Angelina’s clothes. Clutching the sheet tightly around her with one hand, she took the jeans, shirt and shoes and disappeared into the room.

Damon immediately rounded on Micah. “I don’t care what your problems are in the future, don’t ever let something like this happen again.”

Micah ground his lips together and tried to hold his temper in check.

“I’m going to assume you had no idea who Angelina was when you gave her membership.”

Damon’s eyebrow went up. “There are a few things you need to remember, Micah. This is my club. You don’t vet my members. You don’t make the decisions. And you sure as hell don’t take advantage of your membership here. Angelina is an adult. She was reviewed just like any other person applying for membership here.”

“Did. You. Know. Who. She. Was?”

Damon sighed. “Of course not, Micah. How the hell would I? You’ve only told me cursory details of your friendship with David and the unique relationship you and David both shared with Hannah. I’m not even sure you ever told me what David’s last name was, so how on earth would I associate a beautiful young woman named Angelina Moyano with your past?”

Micah sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry, man.”

He dragged a hand through his hair and shook his head in disbelief. He was still reeling from the shock of the whole f**king night.