The Escape ( Paddock Passion Series Book 1)

Chapter Six

My hands shook as I searched in my bag for the key card to my room, my head started to spin.  As soon as I entered, I text Myla.

‘Myla, I need you quickly please”

Five minutes later Myla arrived, with Sam in tow, “What’s Wrong you look like you have seen a ghost” Sam offered, he was stood looking concerned.  I did not want him to hear about this, so I quickly said “I am okay just need Myla, girlie things” 

“Oh! I see,” my brother blushed and quickly left the room, obviously presuming it was a conversation he definitely did not want to be present for.

Myla however knew the code, with brothers constantly chaperoning if I wanted privacy, I would always cite girly things to ensure the left me in peace without any more questions been asked.  After Sam left the room, she looked at me “Okay Talk”

I sat and told her everything, how I was feeling, what had happened, how I didn’t know what to do, or what it all meant.

“humm, he was looking at you like a piece of meat at Lunch” she ventured

“did he give you a time or where to meet?” 

I shook my head “no he said nothing else just “come dine with me tonight” that was It.

“You are not going!” she spat at me

“I want to go clubbing!” I could not understand why she was getting angry.

“Myla, he did not give me any information, so yeah I probably won’t go, but honestly I really want to go, I have never felt like this before”

“Fine, but if you go you are on your own!” she snapped again

“come on Myla, how many times have I changed my plans so you could go on a date?  You’re not being reasonable at all!”

“If, and only If I go, we can go clubbing after, and I need your advice on what to wear!”

Myla looked at me, she was clearly not happy, I could not fathom out why she seemed so upset.

Then said “Okay, well were that short dress you bought, the Royal blue one with the halter neck, and the Silver high heal sandals, and IF he asks you TELL him you are coming out with me after OKAY!”

I smiled and thanked her, I was not too sure on the dress choice, it was a little short and tight for what I would normally wear, it was one we had purchased together at home, and I had taken some convincing to buy it,  but this was not a normal situation.

I headed down to meet Myla and Sam, stood in the foyer was the Australian rider, I could not remember his name, Sam had told me, he took one look at me and wolf whistled.  I felt so embarrassed as other people turned to stare.  He headed over to me, “Nathalie isn’t it” I nodded, “sorry I do not remember you name” I replied

“Mark Johnston” he replied, “you want to come RIDE on my bike” I knew by his tone it was not his actual bike he was referring to. 

I glared at him “Thank you for your kind offer and show of respect, but I will pass!” I said as sarcastically as I could muster.

I turned away from him and Sabino was there looking daggers at Mark.

“Come with me please Nathalie” his tone was cold as Ice, his face was as cold as his voice.

I followed him as requested and we went to a small room just off the foyer.

“Sit” he commanded

“Please” I responded the word out of my mouth before I could stop it, who did he think he was

His body language softened slightly as he said “por favor” I could tell he wanted to be stubborn so settled on the Spanish as a compromise to my demand for basic manners.

I sat at the table that was set up for two, and he positioned himself opposite. 

“I do not like when I see men with you” he said, his face like thunder

“I was not with MEN, and when you interrupted, I was leaving the conversation as I did NOT like his tone” I spat back at him. 

“I do not want a ‘Racer Chaser” in my life, it is not good for me” he continued

I stared at him blankly, was he calling me that! I didn’t even like racing I concentrated on my breathing to calm myself down

“You look different this night,” he continued. “it is very sexy” as he said that I blushed and felt a warmth growing inside me, he thought I look sexy my subconscious shouted  “but for me I like better like today” he said To be honest I like me better in my own choice of clothes.  “You are too beautiful for this dress” he continued. was he trying to tell me what to wear! how dare he I may not have felt comfortable, and would not have worn this dress had I not being trying to appease Myla, but that was far from the point.  My tempter started to flare.  “In this dress you are no good for me, you are killing me” suddenly the waiter arrived with two seafood cocktails and set them out before us.  I smiled and said thank you. He discreetly left the room.  “ I don’t know, this is bad Idea, I have to focus on racing, and then you come here, and then you meet me in this dress, you are no good for me!” he cried out

That was the last straw and my temper got the better of me. 

“For your information, I did not even know who you were, as I hate racing, and for another who are YOU to tell me what I can and cannot wear, and another, if I am no good for you, then let me make this so much easier for you.. “and with that I got up and left.

I went in search of Myla and Sam, as I found them my brother looked at me disapprovingly “isn’t that a bit short” he questioned.

“Yes, it is, but not you or any other man will tell me what to wear!” I spat at him

“Myla, I want to go clubbing!” 

Myla looked at me and shrugged with a strange smile on her face, “Let’s go then”  Myla and Sam followed me, I had no clue where I was going, and my shoes on this marble floor was  not the best Idea, I duly staggered and twisted my ankle, just as Sabino walked out of the small private dining room.  He started to rush over to me as if to catch me “Don’t!”  I hissed at him and he instantly stopped.

I was not in the mood for clubbing, my ankle throbbed, and my head ached, the loud music and flashing lights did not help.  My mind was in turmoil, all I want to do is go home, back to England, and forget this sorry episode in my life.   Myla wanted to dance the night away, but my ankle and started to swell, I stayed for a few hours, to keep her happy, Sam reading my mood kept her entertained for me which I was grateful for.  Eventually I said I wanted to go back to the hotel, Myla pleaded with me to stay, but I had, had enough, Sam offered to stay with Myla, understanding that I needed to be alone and had no patience left for one of her mood swings. 

I arrived in my room flopped down on my bed and started to cry.  I cried for my embarrassment, for the disapproval of Sabino, for my need to have his approval, and for the fact I could not get this man out of my mind. when my tears were spent, I finally drifted into an uneasy sleep, which was still filled with images of Sabino throughout the day, and his look of anger when he saw me this evening. Why was life so complicated.