“Alex is right,” Sloan said. “You need to rest.”
“I’m sorry I ruined things. Guess I made a real fool of myself.” Her cheeks grew red.
“No one thinks that,” Alex told her firmly. “But if you weren’t feeling well you should have let your Dom know.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. I’m just glad you’re all right.” Sloan squeezed her hand. “I’ll drive you home.”
“That’s a good idea,” Nate said as she shook her head. “You need some food and rest. You should visit your doctor as well, to check everything is okay. You’re a bit too pale for my liking.” Nate stood.
“Thanks, Nate,” Alex told him. Nate nodded then left. Alex looked over at Sloan. “I’ll take her home.”
“She fainted during my scene.” Sloan glared at him. “I’ll take care of her.”
“No, she’s my responsibility.”
“You have others to look after. You can’t just leave. I’ll take her home,” Sloan insisted stubbornly.
Tara sighed and sat up. Both men immediately grabbed hold of her, holding her steady. “I’m fine,” she told them. “I can get myself home.”
“You’re not driving,” Alex told her firmly. “You might faint again and run off the road.”
“That’s fine,” she told him, “because I don’t drive. I’ll take a bus.”
Like hell. “You’re not taking a bus at this time of night.”
“Why not? I do it every other night,” she replied.
She took the bus home at night? Most of the time she didn’t leave here until two or three in the morning. He’d assumed she drove or at least took a taxi.
“Sir? Are you okay?” She looked at him worriedly.
He sucked in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He’d never allow his sub to take the bus, especially at night. Tara might not be his but he could do something about this.
“I don’t like you taking public transportation after dark,” he told her.
“Then how do you expect me to get home?” she asked.
“The club will pay for you to take a taxi.” He’d pay for it, if necessary. He didn’t care. Although he had a feeling once he told Roarke, he’d happily cover the cost. Alex made a mental note to check in with the other waitresses to ensure they had safe transport home.
Sloan cleared his throat.
“I’m taking her home,” Alex snapped at Sloan. “Go find someone else to play with.”
“You’re working,” she protested as he helped her stand, placing an arm around her waist.
“Sloan can take over,” he said.
“So I’m not good enough to look after Tara, but you’ll trust me with all the others?” Sloan asked with amusement.
“Yes,” Alex replied. He didn’t care what anyone read into it. He didn’t care than just hours ago he’d decided to stay well away from Tara, to give her a chance to find a Dom.
Right now, all he cared about was looking after her.
Chapter Two
Alex looked around the apartment in barely-concealed horror. This is where Tara lived? He wouldn’t let a dog live here. Not that it was unclean or untidy. He doubted she had enough stuff for it to ever get messy.