Page 32 of Connected By Christmas
“Sorry.” I release my grip a little bit, but not by much. I can’t help but notice the stares our way as we pass by people, particularly the guys looking at my wife. I never thought I was a possessive man, but I can only imagine what is going through their heads when they look at her. It’s not jealousy or insecurity I’m feeling because I know the bond we have is unbreakable, and I know damn well she’s satisfied in the bedroom. It’s the overwhelming need to shield and protect her. It’s not her I don’t trust…it’s everyone else.
We find our table, and I breathe just a little bit better. It’s in the back corner and away from the bigger crowds by the bars.We still have a view of the dance floor, which is good because I have no doubt the girls will be on it for most of the night.
“This place is amazing,” Bella says, taking a seat next to Maverick.
“Isn’t it!” Skye grins. “This barn has been here since the early 1900s. The town was literally built around it. The family that owned it on their farm would throw parties and invite all the townspeople. Word got around aboutthe barn,and more and more people from neighboring towns would show up. Through the years, it got old, and the land was sold around it. Eventually, it was either tear it down or fix it up.”
“Luckily, someone came in and bought it. They brought it back to life for the new town that had grown up around it,” Emma says excitedly. “They added an upper level to hold more people and kept as much character of the place as they could. The dance floor is made up of some of the original wood as well as the walls behind the bars.The Barnhas become the favorite place to go in this area. People come from miles around just to see it.”
“They did an amazing job with the rebuild,” Noah looks around and examines the wooden structure.
“I knew the builder in you would love it,” Emma beams at her husband. “I was excited to show you. We can walk around later and look at all the pictures on the walls. They show all the parties they had a long time ago, and you’ll be able to see the original design. There are a lot of unique pieces they incorporated into the decor, too, that you will love.”
“I can’t wait to see them,” Noah grins at his excited wife before continuing to study the wood beams above him.
“Whoever designed the decor is a genius. I love how they combine rustic with elegance.” I follow Sophia’s gaze and take in the place. She’s right. They somehow managed to make an old bar look upscale. Secluded areas for couples and groups linethe walls surrounding the dance floor. Each section has privacy, with tall, plush booths curving around a table in the middle to hold drinks and shared entrees. Each booth is split into four parts so couples can share a seat together. The only light in these sections comes from the dimply lit chandeliers hanging above each table and the candles sitting in the middle.
The dance floor is already packed as people dance under the massive crystal chandeliers hanging down from the A-frame, illuminating the dance floor. I notice small high-top tables scattered about closer to the dance floor and around the upper-level railing overlooking the bottom floor. I’m assuming there are booths up there as well, mimicking the downstairs.
The waitress comes by to take our drink order, and we decide on a variety of shared plates for the table. I settle back and rest my hand on Sophia’s thigh. The feel of her warm skin under my palm immediately puts my body at ease. She smiles at me before continuing her conversation with the girls.
A couple of glasses of Prosecco later, and they are pulling each other to the dance floor. My eyes are trained on her as they make their way through the crowd to where people are dancing.
“Did you see heads whip their way as they walked by? I’m surprised some of them didn’t get whiplash,” Maverick mutters.
“Yeah, I saw,” I say bitterly, taking a sip of my beer and watching Sophia laugh at something Skye says. My eyes gravitate toward her movements, getting lost in the sway of her hips. I try to join in on the small talk with the guys, but the black-haired beauty is never far from my thoughts or my line of sight.
She glances my way, and our eyes lock as she continues to move her body to the music. My gaze follows down the V of her dress, and I see her fingers brush over her skin, following my path. A small smile plays on her lips as my eyes harden. She’s enjoying this little show she’s giving me and knows exactly what she’s doing to me.
The song changes to a slow one, and she crooks her finger at me, summoning me over.
Noah is already headed over to Emma as Cole and I get up from the table. I watch Bella laugh as Mav twirls her before pulling her into his arms and silencing her with a kiss. I step close to Sophia, invading her space in seconds as I press against her and watch her lips part on a sigh.
Chapter Thirteen
Travis and Sophia
SOPHIA
I’m immediatelyenveloped with heat as his hand clasps my lower back, bringing me flush against him. I can’t help the sigh that escapes when I feel his presence surround me. His hand finds mine, holding it close to his chest as our bodies start to sway to the soft beat. Bending down close to my ear, I hear him take a deep inhale and feel some of the tension leave his body, which has been clearly visible to me since we got here.
“Are you okay? You’ve been tense since we walked into this place.”
“I’m better now,” he murmurs into my hair.
“I can see that,” I laugh softly. “It’s the first time I’ve felt you relax.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“It is to me. I notice every slight thing about you. You have nothing to worry about, you know. I’m yours forever, and no one will ever change that.”
“I know that. I’m very confident in what we have, and I know for a fact that not a single guy in this room could give you what I do.” His hand on my lower back skims lower to my behind as he presses further into me, letting me know the full extent of exactly what he can give me.
A soft moan escapes, and I feel him grin against my ear.
“Travis, you know damn well my body will only ever want you, so why so tense?”
He chuckles softly in my ear before going silent. “I don’t know. I just get in this protective mode in extremely crowded places. I don’t know this area, and I see the way guys are looking at you. I don’t trust them not to try anything. I just want to keep you safe. And before you say anything, I know you can protect yourself. My balls still have PTSD from the knee you gave them.”
