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She gives me a nod and takes my arm. Music pours from the dive bar that’s been on this corner of Reindeer Valley since its earliest days.
“It hasn’t changed.” She looks up at the neon sign, some of it flickering crazily.
“I don’t think it ever will.” I pull the door open for her, and a wave of music, beer, and noisy patrons hits us all at once.
“Whoa.” She tightens her grip on my arm as I lead her inside.
A few people close to us stop for a moment and whisper amongst themselves, but most everyone is too busy with their own drama to care much about us. Good. I want it that way. If she’s already nervous, prying eyes isn’t what she needs.
“There’s Merry!” She points to the girl at the bar who’s waving like she’s drowning. Ruby turns and gets on her tiptoes, giving me a kiss. “I’m going to girl talk for a minute, okay?”
“Sure.” My feelings aren’t hurt because that would be ridiculous.
“Thanks.” She pulls away. And I’m not the least bit bummed as she prances across the bar in her tight dress and fuck-me boots. Nope. Not at all.
She gets to the bar and hugs Merry, who already has a drink waiting for her. There are too many people between us, so I edge around the dance floor until I have a clearer view of my girl.
Fuck, in that outfit, she’s like a magnet to every guy in this place. I don’t like it. It’s stupid and cave man and very un-feminist of me, but damn, I want to be the only one to look at her in that outfit. Just the idea of other men fantasizing about my woman makes my blood start to simmer.
“Cool it, Knox,” I murmur to myself.
Movement catches my eye, and I turn to see Todd stumbling away from me, a butterfly Band-Aid on his nose and fear in his eyes. I take a step toward him, and he turns and runs from the bar, leaving a confused woman standing just inside the door. I’d tell her that I’ve just done her a huge favor, but there’s only one woman in this bar I want to talk to.
When I turn back around to find Ruby, I don’t see her at the bar.
“Fuck.” I cut across the corner of the dancefloor and hurry to where she’d been sitting with Merry.
Two other people have already taken their spots. Where is she?
I whirl, and that’s when I see her. Dancing. She and Merry swaying and moving to the music. Ruby looks fucking hot, like my tongue would sizzle if I licked her—and I’d fucking like it. I’d be happy to stand here and watch, but the problem is, I’m not the only one looking. In fact, there are so many eyes on my woman that my skin starts to itch.
Men, all of them lusting after my sweet Ruby. I want to murder.
But Ruby said she wanted girl talk. I have to give her space. I don’t want to—wait. What the fuck? Some dipshit in cowboy boots is striding right toward her.
I’m on edge, tension drawing me tighter as I find myself moving toward Ruby. I can’t stop.
She and Merry are still dancing when the guy opens his mouth to yell over the music. Ruby and Merry shake their hands and continue dancing.
But he isn’t giving up. I can tell by the shit-eating grin on his face that he’s not used to hearing the word ‘no.’ Even so, Merry and Ruby shake their heads at him again.
That’s when he fucks up. He reaches for her. Formygirl.
I have his wrist before he can make contact, and I wrench it back, then shove him. He knocks into a table, sending beer bottles shattering onto the floor.
When he gets his footing again, he comes for me. I’m ready. People are still dancing all around us as he lunges for me.
“No means no, asshole.” I dodge his fist, and his momentum carries him forward. I add a hard kick to his ass and send him sprawling onto the floor.
The crowd scatters a little, several people bursting into laughter as the cowboy scrambles to his feet.
“Knox!” Ruby yells, getting my attention.
She’s way too close to this mess, but it’s a good thing she yells because the cowboy has a friend, one with a vicious left hook that misses my jaw and makes contact with my shoulder. Cowboy is already charging me, so I make a quick decision. Dropping low, I kick out my leg and trip the friend. Cowboy tries to tackle me to the floor, but I’m able to twist and slam him down. He grunts as I add an elbow to his solar plexus, but I can’t give him everything he deserves. I don’t have much time before they’re both on me again. I can take them, but I’m not interested in fighting when Ruby might get hurt.
“Come on!” I grab her, throwing her over my shoulder and rushing through the crowd. Merry catches up and pulls open the door for me.
“Catch you later, babe!” Merry calls as she hurries to her car. “It was fun!”
