Freed by You by Danielle Fox Read Free Book Online Page B

pained expression spread across his face. “Jesus Christ, Julian!” he muttered quietly, more to himself than to any of us.
    “Ryan, take him to the hospital please and make sure he’s well cared for. You can take my car. I’ll inform Natalie of your absence.” Julian spoke as he threw a set of keys into Ryan’s hand, his voice empty of any emotion. The sound of Natalie’s name coming from Julian’s lips sent a stab of jealousy through my gut. I didn’t even have the strength to ask myself why.
    I waited as the rain began to dampen my hair, watching Julian as he helped Ryan escort the man to his car. When the car pulled away I wrapped my arms tightly across my chest and hurried up the stairs. I could hear Julian’s quickened footsteps behind me as I pulled the door open and slipped into the warmth of the corridor.
    “May I take your arm, Miss Braxton?” Julian asked me cautiously as he held his hand out towards me.
    “No, you may not. I’m quite capable of walking in a straight line all by myself, contrary to what you may think!” I snapped in response. I heard his soft snort and peeked up at him through the corner of my eye. His eyes were fixed on the ground as he shook his head gently, the corners of his mouth upturned in amusement.
    He stopped at the staff bathroom and entered to clean himself up – not before ordering me to wait for him outside the door as he did so. I waited for him but I had no idea why I did. I should be running as fast as I could in the opposite direction but something was still drawing me to him. Like an invisible force, pulling me closer and closer to him. No matter how much I despised this man right now, I couldn’t drag myself away.
    We made our way across the vast space to the bar and Julian stayed close to my side, glancing at me at regular intervals. He spoke quietly to Natalie, the look of confusion was evident on her face and I noticed an unnamed emotion flash in her glimmering eyes as she glared in my direction. As I moved away from Julian, to cross to my usual side of the bar, his hand shot out, before even turning to see my departure, and grasped my wrist gently. My head snapped around as I instinctively assessed the hand that held me in my place.
    “I’m sorry,” he said instantly as his hand dropped to his side. “Where are you going?”
    “To carry on with my job, Mr Scott.”
    “It’s Julian,” he repeated through gritted teeth. “And no, you most definitely are not, Emily!”
    “Why? What do you want, Julian ?”
    “I want to make sure you get home safely, if you don’t object? Do you really think I’m going to let you carry on as if nothing has happened and just leave you to get on with your work?” He leaned in closely, too closely. I could feel his warm breath as it rasped against my cheek.
    “Why not? What is it to you?”
    “Well, I’ve upset you and now I’d like to be happy in the knowledge that you’ve arrived home safely.”
    “My shift isn’t over yet, I still have half an hour.” Please don’t tell me he’s firing me , I begged silently. Maybe I shouldn’t have followed him out after all. My stomach twisted as I envisioned the scene had I not interrupted his attack.
    “No, but I think I can allow you half an hour, Emily. Don’t worry, you’ll still be paid. And besides, you’ve got mascara all over your face, I’m not sure that’s a good image for my club.” His lips turned up in amusement, his eyes dancing with humour as his gaze penetrated mine.
    I couldn’t even begin to think about how ridiculous my face must look, and quite honestly, I couldn’t care less. He was right, of course.
    “Fine, then. Goodnight,” I snapped as I turned away from him and began towards the exit.
    “I don’t think it’d be very chivalrous of me to allow you to travel home by yourself in such a state. I would much rather escort you,” he insisted as he appeared at my side once more.
    “So, now I’m a state? Thanks for the compliment!”