Unconditional Love (Journey of Love #1)(28)
Author: Kelly Elliott

“How long have you known him?”

I looked back over my shoulder for Lark. I couldn’t see him anywhere. I turned back and shouted, “Almost a year.”

“Y’all fucking?”

I stopped dancing and stood there. “Excuse me?” I shouted.

He started laughing, “I’m just trying to see if you’re off-limits, babe.”

I shook my head and turned to leave, and he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him.

“Let go of me,” I shouted. He smiled and said, “I’m sorry Azurdee, it’s just most of the girls Lark is with are just fuck buddies. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sorry.”

I pulled my arm from his and said, “Whatever. I’m thirsty and just need a break from dancing.”

His smile faded slightly and something in his eyes changed. “Sure. Let me walk you back to the bar. You’ll never make it through the crowd alone.”

He took my arm and guided me through the crowd. My eyes were darting everywhere for Lark. I started panicking when I couldn’t find him. “I’ve got it from here, Jason. Thanks.”

Lark took my other arm and the way they both looked at each other caused chills to run up and down my back. Something exchanged between the two of them and I had no idea what it was. Jason nodded his head and said, “I hope you know what the fuck you’re doing.”

What did he mean by that?

I looked at Lark with a confused look. He smiled and winked at me. He walked me up to the bar and ordered water for both of us. I closed my eyes and tried to make sense of everything that just happened.

When I felt Lark’s hand on the small of my back, I was calmed almost instantly. Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Something Right” began playing and Lark leaned into my body and asked, “Will you dance with me?”

I loved to two-step and it also meant Lark would have to hold me close to him. I nodded my head and smiled. Lark reached for my hand and led me out to the dance floor. When he pulled me into his warm body I melted. I loved being in his arms. I felt safe. I felt like I was whole when he held me.

We danced in silence through most of the song. Lark kept pulling me closer and closer to him. Like he couldn’t get me close enough and I felt the same way. I was ready to crawl into his body and lose myself to him.

He placed his finger on my chin and pulled my face up so that he was looking me in the eyes. I smiled and he returned the smile, but then it faded. “I’m sorry,” he said.

I tilted my head and asked, “For what?”

“For letting you dance with Jason. Did he say anything to upset you?”

I shook my head and looked away. He pulled my chin back and the look in his eyes changed. “You’re lying to me, Azurdee.”

I swallowed hard. “It’s nothing. Lark, I’m not feeling very well. Do you think we could leave?”

He nodded his head and grabbed my hand and led me to the door. The second we walked outside I took in a deep breath. I was beginning to feel like I couldn’t breathe in there.

I hate clubs. I never got into the whole bar and club scene. Even in college I couldn’t stand going to clubs.

Lark led me away from the entrance to the club as he pulled out his cell phone and hit a number.

“We’re ready to leave,” he said and then just hung up.

Not even a minute later the car from earlier pulled up and Lark was opening the car door for me. I slid inside and dropped my head back against the seat as thoughts began running through my mind.

This is my friend Azurdee.

Are you fucking him?

Is that all this was? Was that all I would ever be to Lark—his friend?

Lark took my hand in his and his thumb began moving back and forth across my hand, leaving a path of fire behind each movement. His touch did amazing things to my body and I was sure I would never get used to it.

“Are you ready to go back to the condo?” Lark asked. I lifted my head and looked at him and smiled.

“I’m sorry. I just got really tired and I’ve never been much of a club scene kind of girl.”

He smiled and said, “Don’t apologize. I’m ready to get you home and give you some of that dirty talk you like.”

I felt my lower stomach clench and my eyes widened with anticipation. Lark let out a chuckle as he looked into my eyes. His smile faded and he whispered, “Mi amor, you bring out so many emotions in me. You have me so confused.”

“Is that a bad thing or a good thing?” I whispered back.

He gently put his hand on the side of my face and pulled my lips to his as he kissed me so sweetly. He ran his tongue along my top lip and I opened my mouth to him. He let out a soft low moan as our kiss turned more passionate. Before I knew it, I was sitting in his lap and utterly lost in our kiss.

I heard the driver clear his throat and say, “Mr. Williams, we’re back at the condos.”

Lark pulled away and winked at me as I moved off his lap and adjusted my skirt. “Thank you so much,” Lark said as he handed the driver money, opened the door, and practically pulled me out of the car.

“Good evening, Mr. Williams,” the valet attendant said as he looked my body up and down and smiled at me.

I rolled my eyes and decided I was throwing this shirt away as I soon as I could.

We walked through the lobby and the young girl sitting behind the desk smiled and said, “Good evening, Mr. Williams, Ms. Emerson.”

I smiled and said, “Good evening.” As we kept walking, it dawned on me she knew my name.

“Wait. How did she know my name?” I asked as I looked back at the desk. Lark was now pulling me, causing me to walk faster. He let out a chuckle and said, “I told them you would be visiting me often and for them to make you a key card for the elevator. I don’t have guests very often, so she probably just remembered your name.”

I looked at him and the only thing I could say was, “Oh.”

We stepped into the elevator and as soon as the door closed and Lark hit the button for his floor, he pushed me against the wall.

“God I want to fuck you so bad I can hardly think straight,” he whispered as he moved his hand up my skirt and pushed his hand into my panties.

“Oh God,” I whimpered. The elevators opened and he quickly turned me and walked us out of the elevator. He backed me right up against a table that was in the corridor. He pushed the vase off of it and I jumped when it crashed to the floor.

He lifted my skirt and quickly stripped me of my panties as he whispered, “I’m going to take you here, Azurdee, and I want to hear how good it feels for you.”