CHAPTER 7: JUST FOR THE NIGHT

MATHEW

I stared in silence at Tony completely at a loss; why is he even involved in this mess in the first place?

"Why are you even involved in this issue, Tony? Last I checked you were her date so why?"

He scoffs "That's none of your business. I need you to sign a building over to me otherwise you lose her."

I'm about to ask him more questions when suddenly we hear loud sirens and voices "Hey! Police! Open up!"

"You dared call the police?" He looked around nervously.

"I wasn't the one who called them."

He grabbed Ciara by the arm and stared at me before pushing her over to me "We'll see each other real soon Mathew. Watch your back buddy." A black sedan screeched around the corner, blue and red lights flashing as two officers jumped out, guns drawn.

"Get on the ground! Hands behind your head!"

Tony froze and looked at me, then suddenly he was gone, vanishing into the shadows of the alleyway like a ghost. I watched him disappear in frustration. He'd gotten away.

One of the officers ran over to me with Kelvin in tow "Master Mathew are you okay?" I nodded in answer then looked at the empty spot where Tony had stood just seconds before. "He went that way.."

"Stay here. We'll sweep the area." The officer leaves me standing with Ciara in my hands and Kelvin opposite me.

While the officers searched the alley, I turned back to Ciara. She was trembling, leaning against me, her eyes wide and darting around as if expecting the ground to swallow her whole.

"Ciara?" I whispered, reaching out to touch her arm. " Look at me."

She flinched, pulling away slightly. "He's gone?"

"Tony's gone. The police are here, they're sweeping the area but you're safe now. I've got you."

I didn't wait for her to argue. I wrapped my arm around her waist, supporting her weight as she swayed on her feet. She was cold. Shivering uncontrollably.

"Come on," I said, pulling her toward my car. "Let's get you warm. I'd see you later Kelvin."

I carried her to the car and placed her by the passenger side as I held back my anger and drove in silence.

We pulled up to my flat in Shoreditch. It was a sleek, modern building, but I rarely spent time here anymore. I led her inside, closing the door and locking it before I even turned around.

The air was warm and filled with the faint smoke from my cigarettes. I led her to the living room and sat on the sofa, gesturing for her to sit.

"You can stay here tonight," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "You don't have to go back to the dorm or your personal apartment."

She nodded, but she didn't look at me. "Thank you, Matthew."

I watched her for a moment, watching the way her hands curled into fists in her lap. She was terrified and it was all because of me. She called Carlista and informed her that she was safe "I'm so sorry babes. I introduced that monster to you."

Ciara chuckled "I'm safe girl. Love ya." She cut the call and exhaled.

"Look at me, Ciara." I reached out, taking her hands in mine. "I'm so sorry. I should have been there. I should have-"

She pulled her hands away, standing up abruptly. "You didn't know. Don't apologise for things you can't control. I was the one who went out with him." She walked into the bathroom, had her bath and returned in a robe with her hair still wet.

"It's not about that," I said, standing up too. I stepped closer to her, closing the distance between us. "It's about keeping you safe and I failed tonight."

She stood and moved away from me, but she was trapped between the sofa and the wall. "I'm not a child, Mathew. I can take care of myself."

"You can't even walk down the street without someone threatening you."

"I don't want to talk about this," she snapped, her voice rising. "I want to go home."

She turned to leave, but I grabbed her wrist. My grip was firm, but not painful.

"I'm not letting you go back there," I said, my voice low. "Not tonight. Not with him out there Ciara."

She looked up at me, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Then what do you want me to do? Lock myself in a tower?"

"Stay here with me."

She scoffed. "Like I'm going to do that. I'm not your kept woman, Mathew. Last I checked you were engaged to another woman."

"No," I said, stepping even closer, invading her personal space. "You're not some kept woman, you're the mother of my child but you're also not safe alone."

I leaned in, resting my forehead against hers. "Please, Ciara. Just for tonight."

She stared at me for a long moment, her breathing shallow. I could see the conflict warring in her eyes-fear, anger, desire and beneath it all, I could see the love she still felt for me.

"It's just for tonight," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"That's all I'm asking for." She nodded then went into the bathroom for a bathe then returned in a bathing robe.

I kissed her immediately she came out putting in all of my fear and frustration.

It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was desperate, hungry. I took her mouth with a ferocity that shocked even me. She gasped, her lips parting, and I deepened the kiss, my tongue thrusting into her mouth, tasting the fear and the sweetness that I had been starving for.

She tried to pull back, but I wouldn't let her. I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground and carrying her to the bedroom.

I threw her onto the bed, the springs bouncing. She landed in a tangle of sheets, looking up at me with wide, dark eyes.

I climbed on top of her, my body pressing her into the mattress. Her robe had fallen open during the walk from the living room, and I could see the soft curve of her breasts, the pale skin of her stomach.

"I missed you so bad." I whispered, my lips trailing down her neck, biting the sensitive skin just below her ear.

She shivered, a moan escaping her lips. "Matthew stop....."

I moved lower, kissing her collarbone, her stomach, moving down to the edge of her robe.

"No," she whispered, her hands coming up to push at my chest. "We shouldn't..."

"I want you, Ciara," I said, my voice rough. "I need you."

I pulled off my shirt, tossing it aside, and then reached for her. My fingers were trembling slightly as I unbuttoned her robe.

She tried to resist, but I was stronger. I pinned her hands above her head.

"Mathew, please," she begged, her voice cracking.

"I'm not letting you go, Ciara. Not this time."

I undressed her completely, leaving her naked and exposed to me. I looked at her, taking in every inch of her. She was a vision of beauty, her dark hair spread out like a halo around her head, her body trembling with anticipation.

I positioned myself between her legs, my erection already hard and aching, pressing demandingly against her heat.

"You're mine," I growled, thrusting into her in one fluid motion.

She cried out, her back arching off the mattress, her nails digging into my shoulders.

"Mathew!" she gasped, her eyes wide with shock.

I began to move, my hips pistoning in and out of her, hard and fast. I wanted to mark her, to leave my sign on her skin, to remind her that no matter where she went, I was the one who knew her body best.

"You're so tight," I groaned, watching her face contort with pleasure. I missed you so bad"

"God, Mathew..." she moaned, her legs wrapping around my waist, pulling me in deeper.

I increased the pace, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I wanted to be inside her completely. I wanted to feel her body surrender to me.

"Cum for me, Ciara," I commanded, my voice dropping to a rough growl.

She cried out, her body convulsing around me, her walls clamping down on my shaft. I felt her orgasm rip through her, and I roared, emptying myself into her with a grunt.

I collapsed on top of her, both of our bodies slick with sweat and our breathing heavy. I held her close, burying my hands in her hair, kissing her forehead.

"You're mine," I whispered against her skin. "Always."

She didn't answer, but she didn't pull away either. She turned her head to the side, staring at the ceiling, her eyes glazed over.

"I hate you Mathew," she whispered.

"I know," I said, kissing her neck. "But you're mine and I love you."

We lay there for a long time, the silence in the room heavy and suffocating. I listened to her heartbeat, the sound of the storm outside the window, and the distant sound of sirens.

I reached over to the nightstand, grabbing a tissue to wipe the sweat from her face. I looked at her, her eyes closed, her chest rising and falling evenly.

"I'm going to make this work, Ciara," I said, my voice low. "I'm going to make things right between us."

She didn't move, but she didn't push me away either.