Page 136 of Never Let You Go

Little things, right?

I realize I miss going out with a man. Tagging along with a group of friends on a Friday night while having someone’s arm to latch onto, someone’s hand on the small of your back as you enter a crowded space. Someone whose body language tells everyone, She’s mine, and she’s the one I’m taking home tonight. Am I shallow? Maybe. Shallow feels good to me, especially tonight. Shallow keeps me going.

Shallow is where I won’t drown.

There’s a guy in the group who’s making eye contact with me. A lot. He’s very tall, taller than Christopher, with ash blond hair, clear blue eyes, and a strong jaw.

He looks like a Viking. And the Viking seems set on me. He remembers my name and leans over to ask me questions like he really cares. After maybe fifteen minutes, I know enough about him.

I do let the Viking slide his hand on the small of my back as he hands me a refill on my drink, though. No harm in that, I think.

Then the girls decide to go play pool, and I move away from him.

He and his friends follow us, and I wish I hadn’t accepted his drink. Hadn’t let his hand stay on the small of my back like he owned me. A drink doesn’t buy you someone.

Men only bring misery.

They also bring massive headaches, I realize as I take my turn at the pool table, and he uses the excuse to wrap his body around me, his hands over mine on the cue. I try to push him back before taking my shot, but only succeed at rubbing myself against his erection.

I elbow him. “Stop it,” I say.

Instead, he wraps himself tighter around me.

“I said stop,” I repeat, louder.

The energy in the room shifts, and I hear Christopher’s voice right behind me. “She said stop.”

I freeze, and the Viking digs his fingers in my waist, making me wince.

“Hey, man, get your hands off me. Mind your business,” the Viking says, still at my back.

“She is my business,” Christopher says, making my heart rattle.

The guy releases his grip on me. “You never said you had a boyfriend.”

“I—I don’t have a—” I begin to protest.

The Viking doesn’t have time to process what’s going on. Christopher shoves him so powerfully away from me, he crashes against the wall.

Christopher hooks his arm around my waist and flattens it on my belly. “You do now,” he grunts. He keeps an eye on the guy picking himself up and moving away from the wall but glances at me. His grip on me releases slightly, giving me the option to uncouple myself from him. There’s a question in his eyes, and he’s waiting for an answer. I grab his loosening hand and tighten it around me.

In the background, Autumn and the redhead’s eyes are glued to us with their mouths hanging, slow smiles building. The redhead gives me a thumbs up and tilts her beer bottle my way, while Autumn mouths, “So hot,” and fans herself. I’m not sure where Grace and Kiara are, and I don’t have time to find out.

The Viking comes charging at Christopher, who tucks me to the side and dodges him, then grabs my wrist and pulls me out a back door. The door slams behind us, only to reopen a moment later, with the Viking silhouetted against the light and the music spilling into the parking lot.

Christopher pushes me behind him. “Get in the car,” he says, and although the guy has his fists balled up, Christopher takes the time to take his key fob out his pocket, unlock the door, and pocket his key as the guy lunges at him. He swerves, and the guy misses, losing his balance and stumbling past Christopher. Christopher grabs the guy’s collar and pulls him back toward him, then swiftly head butts him.

One hit. The guy teeters then falls straight back on the asphalt.

Christopher grabs the guy’s feet and drags him next to the back door. Sits him against the wall. The guy’s head lolls down. Christopher pulls the guy’s pants down to his ankles then ties the legs around the guy’s neck. Hands on his hips, he tilts his head, seemingly satisfied.

But as he walks back to me, his gaze switches from mild amusement to an intense fire.

I slide into the passenger seat.

thirty-nine

Alexandra

---