Promise Me Darkness (Excerpt)

Chapter 10

I leaned closer to the mirror and applied some "Pink Afterglow" lip-gloss. The name was appropriate for the way I felt but I tried not to dwell on it as I smoothed down the hem of my dress. Hitting me mid-thigh, the material felt like silk next to my skin. The back dipped low, leaving my spine bare while the front covered me completely. After slipping on a pair of strappy high heels, I took one more glance in the mirror before leaving my bedroom.

When I walked into the living room, Ryder's eyes slowly ran over me, from my heels to my perfectly straight hair. The heat in his eyes disappeared, replaced by anger.

"You can't wear that," he said, rising from the couch slowly.

"She can wear whatever she wants, Ryder. Leave her alone," Eva said, walking into the room and looking great in a short skirt and a pale pink blouse that enhanced her tanned skin and blonde hair.

"Go change, Maddie," he demanded.

"She's not going to change! You aren't her boyfriend, so back off!" Eva lashed out.

It was obvious that Eva was trying to get him to own up to his feelings but I knew Ryder better than she did - he wouldn't break that easily.

"I'll have to fight guys off of you all night," Ryder said hoarsely as his gaze dropped down to my legs.

My heart rate took off for the millionth time in less than a day. As always, he took my breath away. The well-worn jeans looked impeccable on him, sexy despite the frayed edges and faded color. A black shirt clearly defined his well-muscled torso and couldn't hide the ink on his arm. The way he looked, I would be the one fighting women off of him all night.

"Who says I want you to fight guys off me?" I retorted, feeling like a child sticking my tongue out at him.

Ryder took a step closer and opened his mouth to argue but I stood my ground, one eyebrow raised, daring him to continue.

We held each other's gaze for a moment, neither of us willing to back down. Finally, Eva had enough.

"Let's go! We're late and Brody will be waiting."

~~~~

The late evening heat was torturous and I could feel it sucking all the evening's excitement out of me. We stood impatiently in front of the club, sweating and hot as we waited for the bouncers to check everyone's ID.

Ryder kept close behind me. I could feel him inches away as I listened to Eva. I tried to focus on what she was saying but it was impossible with Ryder standing guard over me. By the time we made our way to the front of the line, I was hot and irritated. I handed the bouncer my ID and tried to ignore Ryder.

The big, beefy guy glanced at the card quickly before looking me up and down.

"You're too pretty to be hanging out in this club," he said with a grin.

The guy seemed harmless so I smiled back. A little flirting never hurt anyone. But Ryder had a different theory on that.

I sucked in a breath as his warm fingers slid onto the bare skin of my back. Fire raced along my nerve endings, making my body betray the promise I made to ignore him.

The bouncer's smile disappeared when he saw Ryder's death-dealing stare. Handing my ID back, he motioned us into the club. No one messed with Ryder when he was mad, even a big bouncer. It irked me. But what really got me fired up was when Ryder guided me away, keeping his hand on my back. Possessively.

"What are you doing?" I hissed, giving him my best 'how-dare-you' glare. He had no right to be possessive. Men that only wanted one thing didn't get that luxury with me.