Read Online Unforgiven by Elizabeth Finn - Free Book Online Page A

probably worried.” She walked to the back door, listening as his steps followed her. When they entered into the crowded backroom, every eye in the room snapped to them. They walked through the crowd, his body following closely behind her own as the room stared in absolute shock at the two of them together. Finding her table empty, Bailey started scanning the room desperately as Darren chuckled behind her.
    “Seems Michelle isn’t that worried about you.” He was leaning down to her ear from behind her body as her eyes found Michelle sitting at the bar with a drink in her hand talking to some guy. “Doesn’t she know how much trouble you can get into on your own?” His hand had found her waist, gripping her tightly as his lips remained at her ear. It was the type of touch that would have set her body on fire once upon a time, but now . . . now it was a taunt. He was trying to make her uncomfortable, and he was succeeding.
    She pulled away, stalking to the bar. “Michelle, I think I should go.” She didn’t even wait for Michelle to notice her before she started talking.
    “Bay! Sorry. I needed a drink, and they’re so damn busy I had to. . .” Her words trailed off quickly as she took in Darren, who was still shadowing her every move. “Oh! Dare. How are you?”
    “I’m fine, Michelle. I’m going to take Bailey home.” Michelle’s jaw hit the floor at the same time as Bailey sucked in a shocked breath of air.
    “No!” She turned to him quickly as his gaze shifted from Michelle to her.
    “Yeah, maybe not a great idea.” Not even Michelle appreciated his offer.
    “Relax. I’m not going to hurt her. I’m just going to take her to the hospital to remove her sutures. I’ll see she gets home safely.” His eyes were staring at Bailey deadpan. He’d somehow mastered the art of impassivity since six years ago, and he was giving her nothing at all to gauge what he was saying. She wasn’t stupid enough to think this man wanted to help her. “And seeing you’re busy with your drink, and about every last person here hates Bailey, you should probably just thank me and let me get on with it.”
    “I don’t need a ride, Darren.”
    Michelle’s eyes moved back and forth between them as they stared at one another. Bailey was confused—more than confused. She didn’t trust him. She had once, and he’d deserved that trust.
    “Come on, Bay. I would never hurt you.” And then leaning to her ear, he whispered. “Not physically anyway.” He righted himself, still piercing her with his cool gaze that left her wanting to shrink away from him. It also left her wanting to touch him, remind him of who she was, remind him that he’d been her friend once. She was mesmerized by just how familiar he was to her, and yet, just how much of a stranger he was now. She wanted the old Darren back so much it felt like a hand in her guts twisting her insides slowly as she watched him. “You know you want to.” His voice was nearly seductive, and Michelle’s eyes were still dancing about between them.
    “Okay.” She was whispering when she said it, and she wasn’t even sure why she’d said it. Her cheeks started burning. She had an obvious blush—always had, and she knew damn well he could see it. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flared, and just when she thought he might say something, Michelle interrupted them.
    “You’re sure, Bailey?”
    She nodded, still unable to look away from him.
    “I said she’ll be fine, Michelle. You know me better than to think I would do anything to her.”
    “I also know you well enough to know you’re acting weird as hell.”
    He finally broke eye contact with her as his attention snapped to Michelle with an amused laugh. “Fine. I’m acting weird. Aren’t I allowed? I am being forced to deal with her again after all.” He nodded toward Bailey.
    “It’s fine, Michelle. I’ll call you later.” She snatched up her small clutch that Michelle had brought with her to the bar,