Page 32 of Dirty Hot Valentine
I hold her hand. “There’s no way in hell I’m gonna let you leave right now.”
9. MAGGIE
I really need to get out of here, but Mike drags me to his table, and I follow as if hypnotized.
Sitting down, I glimpse Viktor staring at me. I can’t bring myself to look at him. Any eye contact and I’ll have another panic attack. Somehow, the one I’ve had subsided in Mike’s arms. I certainly don’t need another one.
“Here.” Mike cradles my head and brings a glass to my lips.
As soon as the cold water touches my tongue, I realize how parched I am. “Thank you.”
“What happened, Maggie? Did someone here hurt you?” The concern in his voice warms my heart.
I shake my head and sigh.
“What are you doing here in the first place? Since when do you celebrate this day?” He points at my top, chuckling. “And what is this?”
Too many questions. “It’s stupid like this whole night. I really need to leave.”
“C’mon, Kiddo. I haven’t seen you in years. Do you wanna dance? This band is really good.”
I only realize now that they have started their second song. Wild. The band’s number one hit.
“They are, but no. I don’t wanna dance.” I look at him before he asks any more questions. “What areyoudoing here?”
“Just passing through till the real party starts.”
“The real party?”
“The one I have in my suite.” He winks, giving me his mischievous crooked smile.
Awesome. This is exactly what I need. One of Mike’s parties where there’s weed. Lots of it. “Can I come?”
He stares at me for a moment, and then he laughs. “Uh… That will be… No. Sorry.”
“Why not?”
He blushes. “It’s not…a regular party. It’s, you know, adult-themed.”
I understand what he means.
An orgy.
In Hollywood, he’s famous for them, and despite being best friends with him, he’s never invited me to one.
I can use this party tonight.
“I’m an adult. Been like this for a few years now,” I say.
“Oh, Kiddo. There’s no way I’m gonna let you go to an…you know.”
I hate that fucking word. Kiddo. No matter how old I am, he will always see me as a child. I know he’s nine years older, and we’ve known each other since I was born—he isn’t just my mother’s client. They go way back when his father used to work for my grandpa.
That doesn’t mean Mike has to be that overprotective brotherly figure all the time. To see me as a kid and never as a woman.
I am a woman.
Who’s trying really hard not to kiss that mouth of his or explore the skin under this dashing suit or undo this belt and…
