POPPY ELLISON
✥
The amount of times I've shamelessly touched myself to the memory of straddling Gabriel's lap and remembering the way his fingers circled around my clit, the way I rode his hand like my life depended on it.
I thought one orgasm and I'd be able to distance myself from his charm, his aura. But in all honesty? I can't get him out of my damn head. My poor clit is crying because my hand just isn't quite the same, the way he handles me is different. He is different.
The past week I haven't seen him at Dark Suite which isn't totally unusual considering he comes and goes as he pleases. I know little about his involvement with Zane's business but I've come to realise that they're helping each other out.
I hate to admit that I'm the one who is looking for Gabriel this time. As I dance on my podium and he's nowhere to be seen. My heart sinks. I haven't received a text or a call. Nothing. Now I can't help but think something has happened.
Or maybe, he has no desire for me anymore. One night and everything was over.
My head shakes. Get over yourself, Poppy. Not everything is about you.
The next night I stand up on my usual podium and dance my little heart out. I enjoy every second because the distraction is everything I need. It's also nice to think that I can make my own money even if Rexx doesn't give me access to it.
I can still be that independent woman making her dollar.
As I push my hands down my latex bodysuit and matching leggings, I swish my hair over my shoulder and sway my hips to the quick tempo. I flick my eyes up to the VIP area in which I find Zane's body leaning against the balcony, then I move my gaze to the person beside him.
My heart in my chest begins to thrash at the sight of that dark haired man with a scar slashed across his brow and a body covered in tattoos. Right now he looks moody, brown eyes set forward and a drink in hand. I keep my eyes on him as I dance because I so desperately want his attention.
I haven't seen him for days—almost a week.
Man, my life really has taken a turn.
For some reason I hold my breath as I move my body, eye latched onto his. Then when he twists his body, white shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows flashing off that soft, muscly skin I tense inside. Those intense eyes roam over the dance floor. He knows where I usually dance and he's the first to look at me.
But not today.
Something has changed and it makes my gut twist with unexpected nausea.
There will never not be a day where I wake up in fear that he knows something, that he's worked something out. That he starts planning my death. Because death by his hands will be the most heartbreaking way to go out.
Two men I don't recognise stand beside Gabriel and Zane in plush suits that look expensive and suave. I hold my breath for a second as I watch them converse, I don't recognise them but I presume new business partners or clients.
After what feels like an eternity, Gabriel's eyes float to mine. They linger for a few moments and I flash him a smile, even though I'm about to go into cardiac arrest inside. But then he shatters my soul to pieces when he glances away, as if barely acknowledging who I am. His expression is beyond bored. Not even an ounce of a smile. Absolutely nothing but coldness.
It feels like I've been punched in the sternum. Completely throwing me off.
Is he giving me a taste of my own medicine after avoiding him before?
Don't think about it. Keep dancing. I tell myself. Keep dancing.
My eyes tear away before I hurt myself even more. I keep dancing but the enthusiasm I once knew isn't there. I'm a shell of a woman who is struggling to understand the situation. A rock sinks in my stomach and I tell myself not to look up again but I have no self control now.
Gabriel's flashing me his side profile whilst the four of them chat amongst themselves. I guess that it's a serious conversation because none of them are smiling or laughing. If anything it looks uncomfortable and I swallow harshly. Of course he doesn't look back at me, he acts as if I don't exist.
I grit my jaw and look away, turning my body around so I'm no longer facing the direction of the VIP lounge. My heart rattles in my chest and I know I have a break coming up soon. Desperate for a breather in the dressing room, to get out of this room club that makes my chest tight from all the unnecessary tension.
After Astrid signals me to step down from the podium so I can take my break. I need water more than anything right now—although I wish it could be something a little stronger.
My body rotates towards the steps on my podium, I stupidly glance up. Wanting to know if Gabriel is still there, if he's going to continue pretending that I don't exist. Instead I'm hit with something that almost makes me stumble. It's alien and it's consuming. Soon I realise that it's raging hot jealousy that I'm feeling when Gabriel is standing directly opposite a blonde haired woman, her back pressed up against the balcony as she looks up at him.
To Zane's side is a brunette woman with the longest legs that go on for miles and they're all smiling, grinning, at each other. My skull aches so much from how tight I'm pressing my teeth together—especially when the blonde places her hand on Gabriel's arm and he does nothing to push her off.
I narrow my eyes, hating the new found emotion rushing through me like poison. I've never felt jealousy like this in my life. It's ugly and it's aggressive and I'm so fucking confused, my head spins and I can't think of a single logical thought.
For long moments I keep watching them, pissing myself off more and more by the second. My heart drops to my stomach and I force my body and eyes to move away before I hurt my own emotions even more. But the damage is already done.
Jesus. What is going on with me?
I drop down from the podium and rush towards the dressing room, right after Astrid. My head spins and I despise this feeling. Goddammit, I hate my brain sometimes.
As I push through the sea of people, shoulders barging into my own and drunk people swaying across the dance floor. I barely look where I'm going before I break out into a small run towards the backstage door, my foot slips from beneath me and I'm falling to the ground.
My lips part and I exhale a groan of shuddering pain. I latch my fingers around my ankle and press down on the throbbing muscle. "Fuck," I groan through a hiss. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I bite down on my bottom lip and press my hand to the wall, attempting to stand. But as soon as I put weight on my leg, pain shoots through my muscle and I quiver. "Shit, shit," I pant and hang my head.
"Poppy?" Astrid's voice echoes down the hall.
My head raises slowly as she rushes towards me, lowering down. "I twisted my ankle."
"How?"
I scoff. "My brain is somewhere else."
Astrid's eyes fall sad. "Bad night?"
"Something like that."
She glances back down to my ankle and cradles it between her hands. "Let me call Zane because this needs icing. It's going to be nice and swollen."
I shake my head frantically. "No, don't get Zane."
"I have to," she states sternly as her brows crease. "You're hurt and he'll be furious if we don't tell him."
My teeth clamp down on the inside of my cheek, I watch as she pulls her phone out from her pocket and dials his number. I look down at the redness forming around my ankle. I close my eyes, wishing none of this happened.
Yet deep inside my chest, I still feel that burning of jealousy sitting there. Fuck. What have I become?
"What's happened?" Zane rushes around the corner, his tall frame advancing on us. He drops his phone from his ear and slips it into his trouser pocket. His eyes float down to mine and he sinks to my level.
"I slipped," I mumble.
Zane inspects my ankle and hums softly. "Alright, let me call the medic and bring you to my office for some privacy."
I glance up into his brown eyes, noticing the concern laying there. "Honestly, it's fine."
"Over my dead body, Poppy," he says heavily and I suck in a breath. "You're not fine. You need this looked at before you make it worse."
Two medics from the club help me up to Zane's office where they lay me down in a chair and prop up my ankle on a stool. They take their time examining it and icing it until they decide I'm okay, it's just going to be sore for a little while.
I groan internally. Great. That means no work until I'm better.
Zane sits beside me as he dismisses the medics but keeps ice firmly pressed to my stiff ankle. I need some painkillers immediately–and not just for my ankle, for my pounding head too. "You slipped, huh?"
My head moves slowly with a nod. "Unfortunately," I whisper before leaning further back in my chair. "I wasn't exactly thinking straight."
"Did something happen tonight?"
"No," I say quickly.
He flexes a brow in my direction. "Are you sure? You can talk to me, Poppy. If someone made you feel uncomfortable or someone did something–"
"I don't want to talk about it," I say, my throat tensing painfully.
"Of course," he bows his head. "I won't push you to talk about things that you don't want to."
My lip curls gently. "Thank you for being so kind, caring and an all round good boss."
Zane tilts his head back and exhales a soft laugh. It doesn't quite match his appearance because of how serious he looks when managing his club but it shows a side that proves that he is a decent human being. One of the many few.
"Well thank you," he leans closer, pressing his hand to the pack of ice on my ankle. "I care for all my employees because respect goes both ways. You give respect and they'll give their all. It's always been a big priority of mine."
I study his face for a few moments, my body settling into the chair. "That's probably why everyone here speaks so highly of you."
"I try," he says with a small smile.
My mouth begins to part but instead the door to Zane's office swings open and I glance behind Zane's head. Gabriel stands between the doorway, filling out every gap with his dominating height and broad shoulders.
We catch eyes and something simmers there that doesn't represent happiness or joy—if anything I'd think he was jealous. Especially the way his eyes flick to Zane right beside me, his body close to mine as he holds the ice on my leg. Gabriel's body stiffens at the proximity of us, the fact Zane is touching my bare leg. But nothing about it is sexual or hinting, he's my boss making sure I'm okay.
Although Gabriel is not enjoying this, and I can admit I certainly didn't enjoy watching him act as if he didn't know who I was after he made me come in his car. All over his hand, his lap. Who was that blonde? My gaze narrows slowly.
I keep my eyes on him as he watches, Zane doesn't move.
"Come in, Gabriel," Zane says, which catches my attention. "I promise I'm not making moves on your girl. She's hurt."
✥
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Author's Note
Uhhhh ohhhh😬
What has Gabriel been up to??
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Poppy is finally in tune with her jealousy and her emotions and I'm so here for it!!!🥵
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