Page 16 of Claiming Ours
“Holy fuck, that’s hot,” Finley whispered, not so quietly.
I shot a quick look at Dax to see what he thought of that comment. Lips pursed and nose scrunched, he looked like he’d eaten something sour. Seemed he didn’t appreciate his best friend’s remark.
“This was my fault, babe,” Amy said while attempting to stand, only to stumble right into Brandon’s arms. “It was an emergency book club to talk?—”
“First rule of book club, Amy, is don’t talk about book club shit,” Finley whisper-shouted, flicking her gaze around the table. “We are sworn to secrecy about all things discussed.”
“Yes, exactly,” Baylee said, nodding with a smile so wide it made my heart ache with happiness for her. Fuck, I loved seeing her radiating joy when it was so often dampened by her grief. “Which means no talking about me being a virgin.”
And… pretty sure the entire bar went silent at that declaration.
As if not realizing she said the words out loud, Baylee finished her beer and gently set the glass down on the table, adding to the collection of pint and shot glasses stacked there. Fuck, was that a highball glass too?
I scrubbed a hand down my face to keep my smirk hidden. My girl was too damn adorable for her own good.
“Um, Bay,” Juno said after a few seconds of the uncomfortable silence and the other women all flicking nervous gazes around the table. “We won’t say anything, but you just told the entire bar yourself.”
Baylee’s blonde brows furrowed before shooting up her forehead, almost hitting her hairline. Eyes as wide as dinner plates, she turned her petite face up to mine, scrunching her tiny nose.
“Did I really?” I nodded, losing the fight with my growing smile. “Well, fucknuggets.”
Several deep chuckles cut through the silence, and the usual sounds of other conversations and laughter filled the bar. Squatting low to put us at eye level, I scanned her rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and wide smile.
“Looks like you had fun,” I said, noting the other guys were doing the same with their women. “And about what you just announced, don’t be embarrassed about that, Little Bit. I kind of assumed you were more innocent than me.”
A mischievous grin spread across her face as she did a slow once-over up and down my body. “But I am very experienced at other things.”
Oh fuck.
Her gaze once again dipped, sliding down my chest and pausing on my crotch. “I can do this thing with my tongue that?—”
Standing with a grunt, I hauled her out of the chair in the same movement. I shifted her in my arms to carry her bridal style to the truck since I didn’t trust her not to hurt herself walking, but the gorgeous drunk had other plans. Both her arms circled around my neck while her legs did the same around my waist. Her flushed face pressed between my neck and shoulder, a soft, content sigh brushing against my skin.
Damnit. I was a strong fucker, but even I didn’t have the willpower after her tongue comment to not palm her ass, loving the way it molded beneath my tightening fingers as I carried her toward the exit. Behind me, I could hear Juno and Langston’s loud argument, followed by an ear-piercing, pissed-as-hellscreech that cut through the bar noise. Twisting to look over my shoulder, I barked out a laugh at Langston storming my way with Juno tossed over his shoulder. Her legs kicked wildly while she screamed some pretty damn creative insults at the fucker.
Behind him, Dax attempted to guide a stumbling and very chatty Finley through the tables, his lips pressed in a tight line as if attempting not to laugh at whatever she was going on about. The others were behind them, but not wanting to be run over by a furious Lang on his hurry to get out of the bar, I strode to the door, waving at Gus and the barback on my way out.
Outside, the sun still sat high in the sky, making me squint at the sudden shift from the dim bar.
“I’m sorry,” Baylee said against my neck, her soft lips teasing the skin.
“For what?” I murmured while holding the door open for the others as they filed out.
“For being such a fucking mess.” She leaned back, and her glassy eyes met mine. “I understand if I’m not worth it.”
My stomach dropped. What the fuck was she talking about? That wasmyline, howIfelt about her being too good for me. Which she was, but again, I was a selfish bastard, and I wouldn’t let her go.
“My highs and lows, crying and then laughing, angry, then sad.” She shook her head, blonde hair shifting along her back, and buried her face against my neck again. “I understand if I’m too much trouble, but….”
“But what?” I rasped when she didn’t finish.
“I don’t want you to give up on me.”
I grunted, the pain in her tone almost like a physical punch to my gut. “Never, Little Bit. You listen to me. You are not a mess. You’re perfect, and there isn’t a chance in hell that I’ll ever even think about giving up on you.”
“You fucking bastard, put me down or I will cut your balls off in your sleep.” Juno’s threat echoed down the walkway, but Langston kept marching toward the 4Runner like she hadn’t spoken. “I will make you pay for manhandling me, Langston. I’ll… I’ll… fuck, I can’t think up something sinister and painful upside down like this, but I’ll come up with something really awful.”
“You tell him, Juno.” I turned to find Finley smiling at Juno’s swaying head, giving it a sweet pat as Langston stormed past. “I’m glad we’re best friends.”
