Page 40 of Keep Me Safe

My face falls, “Why can’t we still go? I was kind of looking forward to it.”

“Do you really want to go with just me?” he asks, seeming genuinely surprised.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Fine, let me get dressed,” he says, disappearing upstairs.

When he comes back down, he’s wearing dark jeans and a faded black Metallica shirt. It hugs his muscled arms in a way that should be illegal. He looks good.

He clears his throat. “Ready to go?”

We pull up to the brewery, and it’s packed. There’s almost nowhere to park, so we end up across the street. Noah stays behind me until we reach the door, opening it and gesturing for me to head inside.

The interior of the building resembles a cabin, with wood paneling and warm lighting. It’s not too busy in here. Most of the people are likely already out back. We order two pretzels, and Noah gets a beer.

Almost all of the tables are full as we step through the back door. Some people even brought lawn chairs that they have perched up in front of the small stage. Scanning the space, I spot an empty two-person table and head straight for it, Noah following closely behind.

Looking around, I take in the sheer amount of people here.

“This place is popular tonight,” I say, setting down our food. The tables are all lit with a single candle in the center. Paired with the string lights wrapping around the fenced-in yard, the ambiance is immaculate.

“Well, yeah, it’s the only thing to do in Lake Ann,” he says with a chuckle.

The sun is dipping below the horizon as the band walks up on stage, each member grabbing their instrument. The crowd starts to cheer as they begin playing. I immediately recognize the opening riff to “Sweet Child O’Mine.”

“I love this song!”I squeal.

“A bit before your time, isn’t it?” Noah asks, a smile spreading across his face. I roll my eyes at him and sing along with the band.

He laughs, looking at me with curiosity in his eyes.

“Who sings it then?” he asks, trying to trip me up.

Not happening.

“Guns N’Roses.”

He raises his eyebrows, surprise on his face.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” I tell him.

“I’d say so! First those books at the bookstore and now this?” he teases. My cheeks heat as I bring my hands to my face. Of course, he would bring that up.

“Listen, I didn’t know that’s what that book was about when I grabbed it.”

“Sure you didn’t,” he says, winking at me.

Fuck, I like that. He makes it so hard not to want him. Well, I can play that game too. I lean across the table, my breasts pushing out of the top of my dress the slightest bit. His eyes move down, taking them in.

“So what if I did?” I ask.

His dark eyes shoot up, reflecting the candlelight. A flurry of emotions shows there, and I can’t tell if he’s mad or about to kiss me.

I’m about to take it back, but I’m silenced by his rough handbrushing against my thigh under the table. His jaw tightens as he sucks in a breath.

“I’ll be right back,” he says before standing up and walking back into the bar.

I shouldn’t have pushed him. Nothing can happen between us. I know that. It would kill Jared, but I love his hands on me. Not to mention, he’s hot when he gets all grumpy. I glance up, watching the band play, when someone sits in Noah’s seat.

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