Page 4 of Between Two Thorns

She was focused on the music. She could feel a tingle in her fingertips every time the bass thumped.

This was the bar that the college students haunted whenever it wasn’t a school night.

A few hangout places had sprung up around the nursing and science university, but Rose had done her research. They were tame, hipster places where IDs were carefully checked and the doors closed at 11 pm.

She had one night, and she definitely wasn’t about to turn in before Cinderella did.

Maybe she’d even get that kiss before midnight.

Fred called her back from her last-minute day dreaming and into chilly reality.

“What?” she barked over her shoulder, then quickly remember the precarious position of her ride home. “Sorry, what did you say?”

The brunet wandered up with his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “Look, I know you’re about to get a whole lot of attention from a whole lot of guys. And they could be shady.”

Rose forced a smile onto her face, wondering if anyone was going to be near as shady as the guy who had driven her here.

“But, I wanna buy you your first drink.”

Rose faltered, wondering if she should drink anything that Fred handed her. Surely, there wouldn’t be something in it. But she might choke on the strings attached.

“Well, you see.” Rose reached into the absolutely tiny pocket of her shorts, smirking. “That’s why I borrowed this from that redheaded tourist last week. This girl can buy her own first drink.”

Rose turned back to the doorway, ready to spring up the concrete block that was serving as a step. Instead, someone was coming out the bar’s door, and she slammed face first into his very firm chest.

She didn’t even have time to utter an “ow” or shriek that she was about to fall back off her heeled boots. His arms were around her, steadying her on her feet before releasing her too quickly.

Far too quickly, because he was gorgeous. Ruggedly handsome had never fit anyone more. The man had tanned skin, dark brown eyes, black curls, and stubble that had just a hint of gray around the corners of his smile.

“Sorry sweetheart,” the stranger drawled, as if Rose wasn’t already charmed by those smirking lips.

She had smacked into his uniform-clad torso; his tight shirt wasn’t the dark navy blue of a cop uniform, but it was close. And she couldn’t comprehend what the patch on his shoulder was—because she was busy staring at his robust arm.

And, from the rise of one of his eyebrows, he had caught her gaping like a fish out of water.

“Don’t sorry.” Rose blurted. She felt her face instantly heat, making a fool of herself twice in a row. What she meant was ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘don’t be sorry.’ But her brain got caught between reflexively polite and embracing her one night of freedom to flirt as she pleased.

But Mr. Charming and in Charge just laughed. “Well then, I won’t sorry.” He ducked his head to her, almost like he was tipping his hat. And Rose took back everything she’d ever said about cowboys not being attractive right then and there.

Rose tried to say something back, but Mr. Charming and in Charge was already stepping off to the side to continue his walk around the building. And it was only then that Rose comprehended the patch on his arm. EMS. The guy was a paramedic.

But, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry, and as he walked away, she caught the plastic water bottle in his hand. So, why was he here if there wasn’t an emergency? Did he just go out in uniform?

And why was that so hot?

“Y’all have fun now.” He said, with a little nod, before he disappeared around the corner of the building, shoulders squared, at attention, and in a way that reminded her of her grandfather’s military-trained posture.

Though she was much more interested in this man’s tight uniform pants.

“Are you going to do your whole rebel thing or not?” Fred groused from behind her, pulling the redhead back from her staring.

“Right, yes, I am.” Rose jutted her chin up, grabbing the handle of the door to give a definitive pull. “First steps out of the sea.”

***

The portal swung open, like the looking glass welcoming Alice, and immediately Rose Woods was hit with a wave of sound and smell that nearly overwhelmed her.

The place stank. Like beer and peanuts and smoke. The air inside, compared to the arid desert beyond the door, felt dripping with alcohol and human sweat.

---