Chapter 10: Why Won’t You Let Me Go
Blake’s Pov
The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Astrid spun around, nearly losing her balance. When she saw me, her eyes narrowed with drunken hostility.
Before she could respond, the music stopped, the lights on. On
still resting on the dancer’s chest.
ge, Audrey threw up one hand to block the light, her other
“What’s going…” Her words died as her eyes found ine standing nex Astrial. Approaching the stage, I caught the slight widening of her eyes, seemingly surprised by my appearance. Why this expression?
The shirtless dancer, a young man, stepped forward. Hey man, what u wanna do?”
His body was positioned protectively between me and Audrey. The sight of him young, muscled, still glistening with stage sweat – made something dark twist in my chest.
“Get out of my way.” The words came out like ice. I tried hard to keep my voice flat despite the rage burning through my veins.
Through the harsh stage lighting, I could see phones being raised. I should have stopped them, but I didn’t bother.
The dancer shifted, muscles tensing, but didn’t move. “Miss?”
“Looking for me?” Audrey’s voice carried that new edge I’d never heard before tonight. The same tone she’d used at the hospital when demanding divorce.
“What do you think?” The muscle in my jaw twitched as I watched her, standing there in that red dress that looked nothing like anything she’d worn in our three years of marriage.
“Should I call security?” The dancer asked, still playing protector.
I almost laughed. Security? At The Underground? Every bouncer in this club knew better than to interfere with Blake Parker.
“No need ” Audrey’s voice was gentle as she addressed the dancer. “He’s my ex–husband.”
“Ex–husband?” The words tasted like arid. I could feel the vein pulsing in my forehead, my carefully maintained control slipping.
“That’s what you’ll be, sooner or later. Her calm was infuriating. This wasn’t the woman who’d spent three years carefully tiptoeing around my moods. This was someone else entirely someone who didn’t seem to care about consequences anymore.
“Let’s talk downstairs.” She gestured toward the VIP section, adding with a hint of steel in her voice, “Unless you want tomorrow’s Page Six headline to be Parker Group CEO’s Public Meltdown at The Underground“?”
The mention of publicity should have cooled my temper. Instead, it st fueled the fire. How dare she threaten me? How dare she stand there, looking so different, so untouchable?
She turned to the dancer, her smile warm in a way it hadn’t been forme in weeks. “Keep the show going, I’ll handle this.”
“Will you come back later, Miss?”
“Sure.”
Great! We’ll save your spot!”
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Chapter 10: Why Won’t You Let Me Go?
The casual exchange made my blood boll. Without waiting for more grabbed her elbow gentler than I wanted to, harder than I should and steered her toward the VIP lounge.
The lounge was soundproofed, I barely waited for the door to close fore rounding on her. You check out of Mayo Clinic just to Watch male strippers?”
She leaned against the window, the city lights spilling from the adjacent panes creating a halo around her silhouette. The sight was strangely disconcerting, “Just enjoyed a dance show. Don’t make it sound so scandalous,”
Since when did the perfect Mrs. Parker hecome such a wild one?uldn’t keep the sarcasm from muy
voice.
“I’m no longer your wife! We’re getting divorced! Her eyes flashed wh an anger I’d never seen before. As a single woman, I can do whatever I want. Watch dancers, date men- it’s none of your busing anymore!”
Something snapped inside me at her words. I crossed the space between us in two strides, caging her against the window with my arms. “We’re still legally married.”
“Why won’t you sign the divorce papers!?” Her voice cracked slightly. I’m stepping aside for you and Laurel, what more do you
want?”
The mention of Laurel name should have reminded me of my obligations, of promises made. Instead, it just fueled the possessive rage burning in my chest. This woman, who’d spent three years being the perfect wife, was suddenly acting like none of it mattered.
For three y years,” she continued, each word like a shard of ice, 1 accepted your shame of our marriage, your obsession with Laurel, everything! The moment she’s back, I’m giving you both what you want. Isn’t that enough?”
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “Why won’t you divorce me? Why won’t you let me go?”
Her vulnerability made something in me pause. After a moment of tense silence, 1 frowned, “It’s not about Laurel. Don’t interfere
with me and her.”
“Fine! Then you shouldn’t interfere with me going to clubs and appreciating other men’s abs!”
Without warning, I grabbed her wrist, ignoring her startled gasp as pressed her palm flat against my abs. Her eyes widened as she instinctively looked down at where I’d placed her hand. I watched her face carefully, noting how her cheeks flushed slightly at the
contact.
“You wanna touch this, huh?” I sneered, completely showing my sarcasm. “Why look elsewhere when your husband is right here?
Satisfied now?”
“Not really,” she said, pulling her hand away with obvious distaste. She grabbed a tissue and wiped her hand as if touching me had sullied it. “The dancer outside is much better. Maybe spend less time shopping with Miss Rose and more time at the gym. She might like you better then”
She flashed a cold smile and headed for the door. “I’ve said what I needed to say, I’m leaving.”
Before she could step out, I grabbed her arm, pinning her against the door with my body,
heard her sharp intake of breath from pain, but something primal had taken over. I gripped her chin and crashed my lips against
hers.
The kiss was rough, demanding. I felt her freeze in shack, her body gid against mine. When I finally forced her lips apart, she started struggling.
“Stay still,” I growled against her mouth, my voice rough with desire. Isn’t this what you wanted? Using these tactics to get my attention, because I haven’t touched you in so long, right?”
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Chapter 10: Why Won’t You Let Me Go?
My hands started roaming lower, voice dropping to a husky whisper. I’ll give you what you want.”
Π
“Blake! This is a club!” The panic in her voice was evident as she tried to push the away.
“It doesn’t matter!” I could hear the pulsing music and crowd noise through the door. “If that’s what you want so badly, we’ll just do it right here.”
