Page 13 of A Thistle Beyond Time
Jonathan’s friends began to cheer and laugh. Jenna could feel their eyes on her, waiting for her reaction. She refused to take her eyes off Cormac, wouldn’t let anyone know how anxious she was. Jonathan began to sing Hall and Oates, ‘You’re A Rich Girl’, with a slight change to the lyrics. Jenna stood and clenched her fists. Cormac could tell she was about to head for the stage and he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her back against his chest. He held her delicate hand in his and using his thumb massaged the fist away. Jenna sank into him and Cormac liked the feel of her body as it relaxed into his.
* * *
Jenna was so angry she was seeing red. She wanted to punch Jonathan so badly, but Cormac must have read her thoughts, because he pulled her into his embrace. Her first instinct was to fight it, but she didn’t, because it felt good to lean into the warmth of his body. It instantly relaxed her and she forgot all about Jonathan and hisYou’re a Bitchsong. Sure, his friends were all laughing at her expense, but they were his friends, not hers. It obviously had been a mistake to come here tonight, but how could she have known he would be here?
Dylan headed her way with a concerned look on his face. “Don’t worry, Jenna. I’ll take care of him.”
“No. Nobody’s going to take care of him. Not you, and not Cormac. I’m just going to ignore him.” Jenna reached out and grabbed Cormac’s whiskey and drank the rest of it in one swallow. “EJ, can we get two more whiskeys, please.”
“Sure thing. Coming right up.”
Against her better judgment, Jenna downed the second whiskey, with Cormac giving her a puzzled look as he did the same.
EJ served them another drink and as Jenna sipped the whiskey, she explained to Cormac that Jonathan had been a successful musician, and she had sung back up for his band. That was before they got married, and before he decided Jenna would be his meal ticket. While Jenna was talking, Jonathan concluded his song and sauntered in their direction.
“Not cool, man,” Dylan said, drawing himself up to his full height. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s a free world. I can sing whatever I want.” Jonathan directed his next comment Jenna’s way. “I can’t help it, if that song is perfect for you, Jenna.” He laughed and looked towards his friends for their approval.
Jenna struggled to get out of Cormac’s embrace, but before she could move, he had lifted her up and placed her behind him. He grabbed Jonathan by his shirt collar, lifting him off the floor.
“I think ye owe the lady an apology,” Cormac growled.
He was a menacing figure and Jonathan looked worried as he hung in the air. Jenna watched him as his expression morphed from triumphant to terrified. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Cormac, man, put him down,” EJ ordered. “I think it would be best if you all left. I can’t afford to have any trouble in here.”
Cormac dropped Jonathan, who fell to the floor gasping for breath and desperately trying to steady himself.
“My apologies, EJ,” Cormac said.
“Come on, let’s go.” Jenna took Cormac by the hand and led him towards the door. “Dylan, you coming?”
“I’ll catch up in a few minutes.”
As they headed for the door, Jenna was shaking. She was so angry that tears were pricking at her eyes. Jonathan was trying to humiliate her, and she’d be damned if she was going to let him get away with it.
“Cormac,” Jonathan yelled as they walked through the door. “Watch your back, man.”
Cormac turned and scowled at Jonathan, who, seeing he was in imminent danger, decided to turn tail and run back to his friends.
Once outside, Jenna broke down, anger overwhelming her. She stiffened her spine as Cormac took her into his arms, to soothe her as best he could. He spoke soft words in a language she didn’t understand, but they were melting the ice she had built up around her heart. The whiskey she had downed warmed her insides, but Cormac was stoking the flames. Jenna felt herself softening and enjoying the close contact with Cormac. She really needed to get a grip here. She couldn’t let what happened in the bar affect her, to the point where she might throw herself at Cormac just because he was there – and she was undeniably attracted to him.
* * *
Cormac wanted to tear Jonathan’s head off and he knew that if the man did anything else to hurt Jenna, he surely would. He stood with her, wrapped in his embrace, and did his best to calm her. He suspected Dylan would have a word with Jonathan and then he would join them outside. Cormac moved to lean on a street post and he took Jenna with him. She went along willingly, much to his surprise. Jenna was a very spirited woman and because she was, he knew how hard it must be for her to let someone else take care of her. He wanted to be the one who did the caring. The thought surprised him. Cormac’s feelings for her were growing, despite her sharp tongue and cool demeanor. He hadn’t had much hope earlier in the day, but he could see the softness in her eyes and feel it in her arms as she let down her guard and wrapped them around him, so he could hold her close and protect her from the hurt she was suffering. She needed him, even if she didn’t know it yet.
Dylan joined them, moments later.
“Let’s go,” he said.
They headed off down the street in search of another bar.
“Jenna, what about O’Reilly’s? How does that sound?”
Jenna sniffled a bit and wiped at her eyes. “Yeah, that should work. Cormac might like it better, too.”
Cormac smiled at her when her eyes met his. They continued their walk in silence and he looked around in amazement at the streetlights and the buildings, all lit up from within. At Breaghacraig, the clan didn’t go out at night, unless it was absolutely necessary. It was much too dark to be able to see, unless one carried a torch. Here, it seemed everyone was out, with no worry at all for the dangers of the night. The cars and buses constantly passing by were also a source of many questions for him, but he dare not ask. As Edna had instructed, he wouldnae appear shocked by anything he saw.
