Lowkey

Chapter 18

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows once more, displaying the golden tatted skin beneath them and emphasising his enormous biceps.

A waitress approached them; I couldn't see her since her back was to me, but she appeared to be focused solely on Roman, which erupted a pang of jealousy in me.

He had switched his attention to her as she began to speak, his passive expression remaining stoic as he peered at the girl.

And as if feeling my gaze on him he shifted his eyes right down towards me. While our eyes locked, my heart hammered loudly in my ears, drowning out the club's blaring music.

He stared at me coldly before moving his lips as if he was talking to someone. I thought it was the waitress at first, but when I looked away, I noticed a bodyguard to his left nod at him and walk down the stairs.

I turned around to face the bar in front of me, fully averting my attention from him. I drank the rest of my drink and shook my head at how bitter it was.

After a few minutes, I felt a tap on my shoulder and smiled as I turned in my seat, assuming it was one of my friends, but when I came in contact with a buff chest, I looked up and saw the polar opposite.

The previous bodyguard stared at me emotionlessly and gestured up to the VIP section.

"Miss, if you could follow me, boss would like to see you." He stated gruffly.

I gulped and returned my gaze to the restricted area, my eyes falling on Roman, who was now staring darkly at the men in front of him, his jaw clenched as blue and red lights reflected upon his sharp features.

I nodded and rose from my seat, following the suitably attired man around the bar and up the stairs to the top section.

When we arrived at the top, I took in the red-carpeted floor and the four tables set against the walls on either side, pursed by some men and women.

Roman sat at the far end with a few other men who were considerably older than him, but Roman appeared to be the one in power.

When the bodyguard came to a halt in front of the table, all eyes were drawn to me. I kept my head raised, throwing a glimpse over all the males.

"Leave." Roman's dark voice reached my ears, and I turned to see whether he was speaking to me, but his gaze was fixed on the stack of cards in his hands.

The men at the table nod and rise from their chairs, never looking back at me as they walked away. I return my gaze to Roman, frowning.

"Sit, Arabella,"

I gathered my unmoving legs and took a step towards the long lounge chair in front of him, taking a deep breath. I made myself comfortable and crossed one leg over the other, adjusting my rising skirt.

Roman lowered his head as he shuffled the cards in his hands, allowing the artificial lights to highlight his strong cheekbones and hollow cheeks.

From my seat, I admired him, watching his tongue dart across his red bottom lip as his gaze looked up at me, mesmerising me once more.

"Having fun?" He asked, still looking into my eyes as he places the cards on the table in front of him.

"Yes," I say faintly, biting the inside of my cheek.

He leans back against the leather seat, his hands resting lazily on his thighs while his cold eyes watch me. I watch them move across my face and towards my body, but never lingering anywhere to make me uncomfortable.

They come back to meet my eyes, "You look pretty," he tilts his head, "Don't I always?" I retort back with a little smile. The alcohol was surely doing this to me.