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“I… I should get back to work.” My words come out breathy and I bite my lip to stop myself from looking more desperate. And I thought the air inside was suffocating. He grins and does a slow nod, taking a step away from me. I want to reach for him and pull him back. “You should walk me home tonight,” I murmur.
So much for not looking desperate.
His smile turns downward as his whole body stiffens. The abrupt change in his demeanor makes me stand taller. The desire in his eyes washes away, replaced with irritation. If I wasn’t against the wall, I’d retreat backward.
“So, you won’t go out with me, but you’ll fuck me?” he snaps. “How many other men are you screwing, Ellie?”
My mouth gapes open and I’m at a loss for words as warning bells go off. Snapping it shut, I cross my arms over my chest, noticing his eyes flick to my cleavage before returning. Oh, you want this, asshole? Well, it’s the closest you’ll get to seeing them because the last thing I need in my life right now is a jealous psycho.
I grumble. “You know…” I pause to find the right words, holding up my finger. Nope, there are no correct words. “Forget this ever happened.” I slide passed him and stride to the door, not looking back as it slams behind me. The nerve of him. What the hell was he offering coming on to me like that. Coffee? ‘I like your choice in song.’ Yeah, sounds like it.
I slam a shot glass on the bar and fill it with tequila, ignoring Tori’s quizzical expression. I wince once the hot liquid coats my throat. Most of the time, I'd have a chaser, but I welcome the burn, in the hope that it takes my mind off how much I looked like a fool.
“Um… I’m guessing there was no hot sex.”
I turn and glare at her, shooting darts with my eyes. “Oh, no,” I snicker. “There won’t be any hot sex. He should be happy he still has a dick to have sex. But it won’t be with me when he does.” I pour another drink and swallow it in one gulp. A drop of liquid runs down my chin and I wipe it with the back of my hand. “That guy doesn’t know what the hell he wants. He goes from hot in the pants to hot in the head in an instant.” I snap my fingers and then begin to pour another drink, but Tori grabs it out of my hand, shaking her head.
“Not a good idea, Ell.”
“You want to talk about ideas,” I say, sarcastically, the Tequila already giving me the desired effect. Numbness. “The one you had with that song, was perfect. Next time, make sure the guy is sane before you tell him I want to ride him.” My voice carries and a few guys at the bar listen. “Oh, good. I can ask you guys. If a girl, like me, suggested meeting after work, what would you say?” I throw my arms out.
They all mumble, “Hell yeahs.”
“It’s time for a break,” Tori says, wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me to the office. She yells at one of the other bartenders we’ll be back. She pushes me into a chair. The adrenaline from the rejection fades, leaving me light-headed from the Tequila. I fall forward leaning on my knees, hiding my face. “What the hell happened, Ell? When I left you, you both seemed rather comfortable.”
I moan. “I’m a slut.” When Tori laughs out loud, I lift my head, giving her an icy glare.
“You are a far cry from a slut, sweet pea.”
“Well, Kase thinks so. I mean, I threw myself at him, so he’s not too far off.”
“He called you a slut?” she snaps.
I sit up and exhale. “Not in those exact words, but when a guy asks you how many other guys you’re screwing, it’s implied.”
Her eyes widen and she holds up a finger. “Be right back.”
I jump off the chair, grabbing her shirt before she can leave. “Noooo. Just let it be. Please?”
“Fine. But if I accidentally pour a drink in his lap, don’t be surprised.” I smile and nod, knowing how hard it’ll be for her to hold her tongue.
I hang out in the office for half an hour, snacking on peanuts, trying to get rid of the tipsy feeling. Tori reports that Kase never came back and the rest of Max’s guys left too. I’m at least thankful for that. It makes it easier to return to work without meeting his blue eyes all night, reminding me how humiliated I am. An hour before closing, only a few people are still here, so I tell Tori I’m taking off. The new guy is still here, so she doesn’t need me.
Stepping outside, I glance to the spot Kase and I were standing. I’ve replayed the scene in my head a hundred times tonight, wondering where it went wrong. His eyes were dark and needy, so I know he wanted me too. What changed? What did I say wrong?
Feet shuffling against the pavement and movement startle me. I scan the dark lot, chills creep up my spine. Someone jumps on me, knocking me to the ground. Hands wrap around my neck, my screams come out raspy instead of loud. I kick and hit any part of the man’s body I can connect with, but each second that passes, my body gets heavier from lack of air.
One second I’m fighting for my life, the next, the guy is being yanked off me and thrown against the wall. I hear his grunts and cries, but I’m too busy gasping for air to call for help. Whoever saved me is beating the shit out of the guy behind a car. When he stands, he glances my way, and I’m frozen in place by a pair of familiar blue eyes.
Kase.
Chapter Eleven
Ellie
My hands shake digging in my purse as I grab my keys, the only weapon I have attached to them. I take deep breaths, trying to calm the nerves vibrating throughout my body.
“Why are you pointing that at me?” he asks, staring at my hand stretched out from my body and gripping the pepper spray like it’s my last lifeline. You never know, it might be. He stands a few feet away from me with his hands in the air. Surprisingly, my attacker ran to a waiting car when Kase was busy staring at me. It was his lucky day.
