High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER FIVE

Aiden

I allow my head to fall back as my hands glide down the woman’s thighs. The perks of owning clubs, is I can pick up random women whenever I want to. I gently squeeze them as she rubs her backside against me. My cock strains in my trousers, desperate for some action but as I close my eyes, it’s Isabella I see. Her smile. Her plump lips. Fuck. I can’t get her out my head. I slide my hands around the woman’s front, cupping her breasts. She moans, low and sexy in the back of her throat and grinds harder. She leans back so her body is perfectly against mine. Her back to my front. She tips her neck slightly and I nip the skin there whilst rolling her nipples between my thumb and finger. It’s sending her wild as she reaches between us and rubs my cock through my trousers.

JP barges in looking pissed. His eyes land on me and he groans, “We have company,” he hisses.

I grin, wondering why he’s not rushing over here to join us. “Good, let’s get this party started.”

“Not the right time,” he mutters, stepping to one side to reveal Bella. Her head is lowered and she’s wearing what I think is JP’s hoody. It buries her and I’m momentarily jealous. I don’t like seeing her in another man’s clothes but before I can analyse that too much, she slowly raises her head. I see blood and dive from the couch, practically shoving the woman from me. “What the hell happened?” I reach for her, the urge to cup her face and examine every bruised inch of it, but she steps back from me and moves closer to JP.

“Carl saw your photo,” she says, her voice laced with hurt. “Thanks for that.”

The reality of what I’ve done hits me hard and I wince. It was obvious he’d see it; I have lots of police on my socials, they like to keep tabs on me, and I entertain it because I’m not stupid enough to alert them to anything I’m doing that breaks the law. “Bella, I am so sorry,” I say as sincerely as I can muster. “I didn’t think he’d do this.” The woman is getting dressed and I glance back before turning to JP. “Can you show her out, I’ll take care of Bella.”

I hold out my hand for her to take and she stares at it for a few seconds before eventually slipping hers into it and allowing me to lead her through to the kitchen.

I get the first aid box from the cupboard and tap the worktop, indicating for her to sit on it. She pulls herself up and I lay the box next to her, opening it. I rip open a couple of antiseptic wipes and then step between her legs. As I raise it to her face, she leans back slightly, “I can do it,” she mutters.

I give my head a shake and begin to wipe the small cut on the bridge of her nose. “This is my fault, let me clean it up.”

Bella

I sit quietly while Aiden cleans my cut and then he passes me an ice pack which I hold to my throbbing cheek. My mind has turned from thinking about what Carl’s just done to me, to how Aiden had his hands all over some woman when we arrived. I didn’t like it. “You can stay here,” he says, breaking my thoughts.

“I can’t; I don’t even know you. ”

“I caused this latest problem,” he tells me, gently pulling my hand away from my cheek to check it. “Longer,” he adds, pressing it back. “I have space, and you need somewhere to stay where that fucker can’t get to you. Stay, please.”

My heart thumps faster in my chest. I’ve never done anything so careless before and staying with a stranger . . . a sexy stranger, is exciting. I give a nod, and he smiles, “Great, I’ll get the spare room set up.” He proceeds to send off a text then goes over to the kitchen island where he gets out bread and begins to slice it. I watch with a frown as the first slice comes off too thin and he picks it up to examine it. “I don’t really do this,” he says with a smirk.

“Murder bread?” I tease, jumping off the side and going to help him.

I slice the loaf while he gets butter and some cheese from the fridge. “I usually order lunch,” he explains, “I’m normally at the office. I think my housekeeper gets this stuff in for show.” I grin, watching as he attempts to butter the bread. Eventually he gives up and I take over that too. “See, this is already working out well,” he says, watching as I make us both a sandwich. “I tend to go to the club in the evenings, especially at weekends. Tonight, I have to go to one of my bars across town, I was thinking you could come tonight, maybe invite your friends? ”

I shrug, “I’m not sure I’m in the mood.”

“It might take your mind off what’s happened today. Besides, I hate the thought of you sitting around here alone on your first night.”

I offer a small smile, “I imagine I look a mess,” I mutter, “I don’t want to cramp your style.”

“Firstly, it takes a lot to cramp my style,” he says in a teasing tone. I grin wider. “Everyone knows I don’t settle down so no one will think we’re together.” My heart sinks a little. I inwardly scold myself. He’s being nice and I’m planning a fucking wedding. Of course he doesn’t settle down, he must have women throwing themselves at him. “And you look beautiful, even with the bruises,” he adds, making my heart swell again.

I bite on my lower lip, trying to hide my smile. “Fine, I’ll call the girls and see if they’re free.”

Aiden

I sit at my desk staring at the CCTV camera’s. I left Bella home to get ready, although lord knows why she’s taking so long.

“What’s the plan now?” asks JP, interrupting my thoughts.

“I’m playing it cool,” I say with a shrug. “She likes danger and excitement, I think if I play the bad boy, she’ll be eating out my hand. ”

“Play the bad boy,” he repeats, sounding amused, “You’ve had enough practise.”

“Right now, I’m playing the friendship card. She needs to feel protected from that prick.”

“Yeah, it took everything I had not to end the fucker. He was gonna . . .” he shakes his head like that’ll clear the images, “Anyway, she’s away from him now and that’s the main thing. It’s worked out well for you, given you a way in.”

“Exactly,” I say with a smirk. “Now she’ll be putty in my experienced hands.”

I finally spot her entering the VIP lounge and I instantly relax. She’s looks amazing and JP leans closer. “Damn, she’s fine.” I arch a brow, and he holds his hands up defensively, “Hey, we all know you ain’t gonna keep her around. Maybe I can swoop to the rescue when you’ve fucked her over.” His laughter rings out as he leaves.

When I eventually go down to the lounge, I spot Bella and Aria sitting at the bar. As if she senses my arrival, she turns, scanning the room until her eyes land on me. Two women immediately take a place either side of me, tucking themselves under my arms and I grin. I won’t ever tire of this sort of attention, and it helps my plan with Bella if she thinks I’m not interested in her. One of the women runs her hand over my chest, tipping her head back to make eye contact. She runs her tongue over her lower lip, eyeing me in a way that suggests she wants me to kiss her. I inch closer and she smiles, closing the gap and sealing her lips against mine. Her friend clears her throat, and we pull apart. My eyes fall to where she’s caressing her friend’s breast, and I arch a brow. “Shall we go somewhere quieter?” I suggest and they giggle as I head for the office. I catch Bella’s eye and wink; she turns away abruptly.

Bella

“Wow, Bells, what I wouldn’t give to be one of those bitches right now.” Aria sighs.

“Eww Ari, please don’t lower yourself. Why would you want to sleep with him? Who knows what diseases he carries.” I take a sip of my drink before adding, “He was with a different woman earlier.”

“When you’ve lost that cherry, you come back and tell me you wouldn’t ride that beast.”

I laugh, shoving her playfully. “I’m not saying he isn’t hot. Of course he is. But he’s a player.”

“I’m not after a relationship,” she states.

“Still . . . don’t you want him to be a little less . . . used? ”

“You see used, I see experienced,” she says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. “Well personally, I wouldn’t touch his dangly bits with a ten-foot pole.”

Aria looks past me and jumps up excitedly. I turn to see Jack and his handsome partner, Beck. We all take turns to hug one another before ordering another round of drinks and heading over to one of the free booths.

Once we’re comfortable, Jack stares at me with raised brows, “What the hell is going on with you? Aria said you were split from Carl, then you move back. And now this?” He indicates to my face, and I feel myself blush. “Again,” he adds.

“I needed a place,” I mutter feebly with a shrug.

“And of course he’s the only one with a spare bed, right? Did you forget about me and Aria.”

Aria leans closer, “Don’t worry, she’s found somewhere now, haven’t you?” And she grins wide.

“Argh, yes, you must be talking about the God like hero that managed to swoop in and rescue you?” he asks, smirking.

I glare at Aria, “You’ve been busy gossiping.”

“Of course I have, he’s way too hot not to gossip about.”

“Is he another wanker that just wants to get in those knickers?” asks Jack .

I scoff. “No, he’s not interested in me. And trust me, I’m not interested in him.”

“Bullshit,” exclaims Aria.

“I’m not,” I argue.

She rolls her eyes, “Wait until you see him, you two will see exactly what I mean.”

“Men don’t help a woman for no reason,” says Beck, looking concerned.

I smile gratefully. “Trust me, he isn’t short of women. And he isn’t interested in me.”

“So, what’s his motive for helping a woman he doesn’t even know?” he asks.

I shrug, “Right now I’m just grateful for a place to stay. I have his address, his name and his place of work. He’s hardly going to do anything. He’s openly invited you guys here tonight, hardly the moves of a killer.”

“Or he’s playing the long game and wanting your V card?” suggests Jack.

I shake my head. “Definitely not, he’s in his office with two women right now, he wouldn’t flaunt it if he wanted to get me into bed.” I finish my drink, “Now, can we stop talking about my shit show of a life and dance?”

We dance until my feet ache and my cheeks hurt from laughing. It’s almost enough to make me forget about everything that’s happened in the last few days.

JP approaches me, gently placing a hand on my waist and leaning so his mouth is positioned at my ear. “The boss is wondering where you are,” he says. His deep voice rumbles through me and I shiver. He looks up and I follow his gaze to where Aiden is staring down from the balcony. I offer a wide smile and a thumbs up. “Well now he knows.”

“He thinks it would be better if you were to stay in the VIP section . . . where he knows you’re safe.”

I turn in his arm and slide my arms around his neck, standing up on my tiptoes. “You could stay here and keep me safe,” I suggest, pressing myself against his hard body.

He grins, placing both hands on my hips and holding me at arms length. “Are you trying to get my backside kicked?”

“Aiden?” I ask, laughing, “He has no interest in me, you’re safe.”

He shakes his head looking amused, “If only you knew.”