Hard of Desire

Chapter 7

The nightclub was packed with sweaty people with their hands in the air. Loud blaring speakers, blinding disco lights, and unnecessary cheering from the partygoers made me instantly frown. This was indeed a bad idea.

Aishah dragged me to the bar table and ordered a few drinks, batting her crazy long lashes at the bartender flirtatiously. I kept quiet most of the time, minding my own business. We had a few shots and Aishah excused herself for a dance, leaving me alone.

I didn't mind drinking alone so I ordered a few more drinks and had them, ignoring the bartender's curious glances. Someone took a seat next to me and ordered an interesting drink.

"Hey" The guy greeted me.

"Hi" I greeted back, downing my drink.

"Came alone?" The person asked and I turned my attention to the cute guy who was watching me in interest, "Tagged along with a friend. How about you?" I asked, angling my body towards him.

"Just me" He shrugged, "You look really young. How old are you?" He asked me curiously and I tried not to look nervous.

"Twenty three" I lied, looking away briefly before locking my gaze with his again.

He made a hum of approval and grinned at me, "I am Tyler by the way" He introduced himself, extending his hand towards me.

I eyed his hand as I considered lying again but decided against it. It's two towns away and we're most likely won't run it each other, "Hanna" I said, without taking his hand.

He let his hand drop and his expression faltered a little at my disinterest. I paid no mind to him and ordered another drink. My eyes flickered to the crowd again to spot Aishah. I relaxed a little when I found her dancing next to a handsome guy.

"You know, I think I might have seen you before" The guy, Tyler, said and I shrugged lazily when I gulped down my seventh glass?

"It's a small world," I said, contradicting my thoughts before, "I'll have what he had," I said to the bartender pointing at Tyler.

I glanced at Tyler and noticed that he was grinning ear to ear, "What? Can't I have what you just ordered?" I asked him, mockingly.

An attractive chuckle escaped from his throat and he shook his head, "I thought it must be too strong for you" He said, grinning at me.

"Well, you shouldn't underestimate me then," I said, smiling smugly.

The bartender placed the drink in front of me and I looked at the glass with wary. Lifting it, I squinted my eyes and tried to determine what color is this liquid is but with colorful disco lights' reflection, it felt like an impossible thing to do.

I sighed giving up, I downed it in a gulp and felt the scorching burn on my throat traveling down, "Definitely too strong but I liked that" I made a face and put the glass back on the counter.

"Do you want to dance?" He asked politely and I started to shake my head at his request.

"No, she won't" A new voice joined from behind me. A scarily familiar voice.

I wanted to groan out loud so bad now but I didn't. Also, I didn't acknowledge Declan's presence. I ordered another drink and looked straight ahead, pretending to not notice him.

Fate does want to play games with me. I cannot even get drunk without getting interrupted by the creature that God had specially created to ruin my life.

"And who might you be?" Tyler asked him, from the corner of my eyes I saw Tyler take a challenging step in front.

"Her fiance" Declan shot back and that definitely threw Tyler off guard. Tyler nodded solemnly and excused himself. Literally, scampering away from as fast as he could. He didn't even spare a glance at me. I scoffed, spineless boy.

Declan took the now vacant seat next to me and turned his head towards me. His expression looked grim as if I made a grave mistake. But, he still managed to look attractive even when he is unhappy.

"What the hell, Declan?" I glared at him, "What? I didn't want any other male come near my fiancée" He said, defending himself. I decided to ignore him. He already ruined my life enough in a matter of days for me to think about it for the rest of my life.

The bartender set the drink I ordered and I quickly grabbed it but before I could lift the glass to my lips, Declan's hand grabbed mine firmly. I scowled at him in annoyance but he gave me a disapproving look.

"Uh uh, I think you had enough," He said prying my fingers with his other hand to loosen my hold around the glass, "You do not make decisions for me, Declan," I said not giving up, wincing when he touched my knuckles a little forcefully.

"Actually, I will," He said still trying to pry my fingers, "Who are you? My father?" I retorted and let out a hiss when I felt a jabbing pain on my knuckles.

Of course, I punched with my tiny fist. What did I expect? My fist to feel great and bruises on his bewitching face?

Instead, my poor innocent fist is the one to get bruised.

He stopped prying my fingers when I winced and brought it closer to his face, "I didn't know your hand got bruised" He said as he inspected it, "That's some killer punch you threw at me, by the way," He grinned at me and ran his fingers ever so lightly on my bruised ones.

I bit back a smile that was threatening to form on my lips, "Not killer enough for you to stay away from me, isn't it?" I asked him sarcastically as I pried my hand away from his firm hold.

A beautiful chuckle escaped from his throat, "Honey, even if you pull a trigger to shoot me... It still won't keep me away from you" He said downing the drink that he successfully pried away from my grasp without me even noticing it.

"Poetic, aren't you?" I frowned and ordered another drink.

I studied his face under the illuminating lights. He looked as handsome as ever. It looks like my punch didn't even hurt him in the least. I frowned at that. He smiled smugly when he caught me staring at him. My cheeks would have been on flames now if I wasn't feeling tipsy.

"How come your face is not even bruised a little?" I blurted out without thinking.

He threw his head back and laughed, "I've got some tricks up my sleeves" He said shaking his head, still grinning at me.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. I am pretty sure that I didn't say anything funny.

"You look very disappointed that you couldn't harm me," He remarked and I nodded my head in agreement. Which resulted in another wave of laughter from him.

FRIENDS by Marshmello and Anne-Marie started to blare through the speakers and the partygoers cheered excitedly.

Just then the bartender gave me my drink and this time before Declan could even blink, I grabbed it and downed it one go, feeling the burn down my throat. I winked at Declan's stunned face, slamming down a few hundred dollar bills for the drinks I had on the counter.

"Ah, a perfect song!" I smirked, "I dedicate this song for you, Declan!" I said glancing at him before making my way to the center of the dance floor. The crowd parted, giving me the way as the watched me curiously.

I moved my body sensually in synchronization with the beat of the song and the crowd erupted into cheers, enjoying my little performance. Soon, two girls joined me on the stage, dancing behind me.

I looked straight at Declan and pointed my finger at him as he watched me in astonishment. He was standing a few steps away from the crowd, completely ignoring their loud cheers. He watched me as I am the only person here in this club as I swayed my hips.

I sang loudly as I danced but no one could've heard me over the blaring speakers. My arms and legs moving fluidly. I made a twirl and it made my head spin a little but I didn't care. I swayed a little but I somehow managed to keep my balance. The tipsy feeling made me somewhat made me feel confident.

I twirled again and this time the world spun around me and I felt really dizzy. I felt myself tumbling down and prepared myself for the impact. But before my body could hit the ground, a set of strong arms caught me effortlessly and pulled me into their rock hard chest.

And the crowd started to boo now. Jerks, all of them enjoyed my performance a few seconds ago and one mistake was all it took for them to boo at me.

Declan's face marred with concern as he looked down at me worriedly. I was too drunk to care about our proximity so I just grinned up at him and gave a wink. My eyes started to flutter and I felt him scoop me in his arms, one hand under my knees and another one behind my back. He started to take quick strides with me in his arms.

"Get her friend home safely" I heard his command but my mind felt too light to process what he said.

"Where are we going?" I slurred drunkenly.

I felt the cold air hit my skin and I shivered. He must have excited the nightclub, "I am taking you home" He said pressing my body closer to his chest and I was immediately engulfed in the warmth of his body heat.

"I don't want to go home" I pouted and I thought I heard him chuckle.

"Hanna, how much did you drink?" He asked me, unlocking the car with ease with me still in his arms.

I thought about that for a few moments as he buckled me in the passenger seat, "Four" I said holding up two fingers, "No no, maybe nine glasses" I grinned up at him and he shook his head in disapproval but his eyes were amused.

He brushed my hair to the side, "How did you get in?" He asked me, irritating me.

So many questions.

"Fake ID, genius" I retorted rudely.

"That's not very brilliant, isn't it?" He asked me sarcastically but the phrase he used triggered a distant memory in my mind that I had kept buried deep down for a while now.

"Shut up, Harry!" I glowered at him.

Then out of nowhere, I surprised both Declan and myself when I threw myself at him, ignoring the seat belt's protest against my body. A pained sob wrecked out from me, "I missed you, Harry" I mumbled pressing my face to his chest, "Come back to me, brother" I started to cry suddenly.

Declan's arms tightened around my body and I felt his lips press ever so lightly at my temple. He held me gently and whispered soothing words as I cried against him. When my cries subsided, he pried away himself away from me.

Declan gently peeled himself away from me and shut the door. He then climbed in the driver's seat and started the engine. The ride home was a little cloudy for me. I was on the verge of dozing off but I tried so hard to keep myself awake. I could never allow myself to let down my guard when I am around Declan.

I must have fallen asleep along the way because when I stirred awake a little, Declan was unstrapping me from the passenger seat and took me into his arms. I would've fought back to put me down but I couldn't even try to fight my own eyes from drooping. I was that pathetic and helpless.

"Declan, thank you for taking her home. She is not usually like this" I heard my father say and I started to stir awake but Declan hushed at me. I was not happy with that but I was too tired to argue so I let myself relax once again.

"I need to talk to you but let me snuggle her up in her bed first. Which way to her room?" I heard his whisper.

I think my father gave hin the directions because we were moving again. This time, his steps weren't as quick as before. It felt like he deliberately slowed down. It felt like, he didn't want to let me go.

Soon after he lowered me to my bed and I snuggled into the bed, welcoming the safe feeling it brought me. I felt him put the blanket over me and I sighed contently.

The bed dipped and I felt him sit beside me. I tried to open my eyes but it felt like weights have been placed on them. I felt him brush my hair down and I really wanted to swat his hands away from me.

"You may hate me now, but one day you won't," He said after a few moments of peaceful silence, "And that day, you'll be the happiest girl to ever walk on this planet" He vowed to me, taking my hand in his.

His hot breath fanned against my fingers and a second later, his lips brushed against my knuckles. I winced a little as my fingers were slightly bruised from punching Declan twice in his face.

Suddenly the warmth was gone. And I felt cold. I snuggled into the blanket. Declan must have left my room because it was so silent. Then a few moments later, I heard someone shuffling into my room.

Something cold was placed against my knuckles. I whimpered and tried to yank my hand away from the coldness but I couldn't as the person who was holding my hand let me.

"I love you, Hanna" I heard him murmur softly, "I always have loved you and will continue to love you forever," He said, kissing my forehead just before sleep consumed me, pulling me into a deep slumber.