AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Easton!"she cries.
I focus on Ivy as she rushes through the crowd. People get out of the way, and then she's right there with me, her amber eyes pleading.
"Forget him. Let's get outta here."
Her voice is low yet urgent. I hesitate, anger still pulsing through my veins. I look around, suddenly aware of the mess I've made. I can see in her eyes that she's scared for me, terrified of what will happen if I don't stop.
She's right, and I finally manage to pull myself away from him.
Ivy stands behind me, and I use my body to shield her.
"Don't you ever lay your fucking hands on her, or any woman, again," I say through gritted teeth.
"Let's go." She takes my hands, squeezing my fingers as she draws me away from the bar. We walk out together, her hand never leaving mine, but when we’re outside, she lets go.
"Are you okay?" Ivy asks.
"I'm sorry you saw that. It was ugly."
Her guarded stance offsets the concern in her eyes. Feeling like I'm losing her, I take a deep breath and apologize.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I'm not proud of myself for losing it back there."
"Yeah, I bet."
She looks at the ground, and when she glances at me, she’s biting her lower lip. I desperately want to reach out and pull it free, cup her face tenderly, and tell her everything will be okay.
"You know you're safe with me, right? I would never hurt you."
I can tell she's trying to be brave, but I can see the fear in her eyes. "Look, I appreciate everything you did back there, but I'll take a rain check."
Fuck.
"Ivy, wait. I'm not letting you out of my sight." She begins walking away, but I grab her arm to stop her.
"You told me I could walk away anytime, and now you're trying to manhandle me?"
"Sorry." I let go. "I swear I will not touch you. I'll sleep on the floor. If you want me to, I'll sleep in the bathtub with the door locked, but please let me stay in your room tonight. I don’t want to leave you alone.”
She will never truly understand my regret, and I need her to trust me again.
"Shit. This isn't how I thought tonight was going to end up." I run my fingers through my hair, still shaking from the adrenaline rush. "You know I'll keep you safe, right?"
"You did what you did to protect me." Her eyes are round and sincere when she looks at me. "I feel safe with you, but I don't know if I can trust you. What if you're a serial killer?"
I snicker. "You already kicked me pretty hard in the balls. So I'm kinda scared to touch you. I'm no serial killer, but I won't let anyone hurt you."
We're standing outside a store, and the Christmas window display keeps changing colors. It's like a rainbow of lights is shining on her skin.
Then, as if sensing my thoughts, she looks up. "What did you mean when you said this wasn't how you expected tonight would end up?" she asks softly.
The cherry-colored lip gloss she is wearing on her plump lips shimmers. I'm getting hard thinking about her lips.
"In bed. I want to make you come so hard that you never forget my name."
I am obsessed with this beautiful woman. I will protect her from other men, and if she asks me not to touch her, I won’t. But keeping my hands off her will probably kill me.
5
