Page 8 of For One Night

“Montgomery.” I nod.

Her head spins, but she shrugs the shock off quickly. “Lenny, I suppose you’re not alone.”

“Funny thing, I am not.” My glare burns a hole through the guy wrapped around her. “And neither are you.”

She yanks away from the guy and spins on me. “Fuck you, Lenny.”

“Oh, please. I’d have to take a number.” I take her by the arm, helping her from the bar. “Get your ass through the house before he finds you.”

She jerks away from me. “Get your damn hands off me, asshole.”

“Hey, the lady has spoken,” the jock next to her grunts.

Narrowing my eyes, I smirk at her. “That’s fine with me, but I think her boyfriend will have something to say about it.” I pull out my phone and hit call.

“I hate you,” Montgomery seethes.

“What the hell do I care?”

“You got an ol’ man?” Jock mumbles.

Montgomery rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”

“Hey, man,” I say when One answers his phone. “Monty’s in the kitchen.” She flips me off as she turns, hauling ass toward One. I end the call, chuckling. “You’re welcome. It’s One who should hate me.”

“Dude,” the drunken jock says next to me.

“What?” I sneer.

“You have an accent. Are you from England?” The stench from his breath wafts past me.

I growl as movement in the corner of the room catches my eye. “I’m not from England; I’m a Scot.”

“So you’re from England.” He blankly stares.

I turn, leaning over him and say in my best Gaelic, “You’re a wee scunner, aren’t ya?”

“Let it go, brother.” Lachlan’s hand lands on my shoulder.

“Aye.” I brush past the jock and work my way around the room. Standing in the corner, I scan the place until I have her in my sights. I freeze as my breath hitches, watching her smile as she laughs with her friends.

Her golden blonde hair is layered down her back, the blue of her eyes as deep as the ocean. My stomach knots at the thought of speaking to her. Even after two years, I’m a mute when I look at her.

Stunned into silence, I press myself against the wall, hoping to blend into the scenery as I openly gape at her beauty. I spotted her the first class of my freshman year. She sat alone, in the darkest corner of the room.

She appeared to be uninterested in the entire class, but by the end of it, she answered every question the rest of us couldn’t muster to think. She’s tenacious, but there’s a hint that she’s unsure of herself.

“I know, she’s breathtaking,” I mutter under my breath. Catching my slip, I scan the room to make sure no one heard me.

When I turn back to her, she’s staring at me. My stomach knots. A smile plays on her lips as she walks toward me, and my breathing falters. Her hair falls over her shoulder, and I’m engulfed with her sweet scent as she stands before me.

“Hey, Lennox.” As the words fall from her cherry lips, my body becomes very aware of her proximity. “I didn’t see you come in. Are you with someone?”

I swallow hard, throwing my thumb over my shoulder. “Brother…” my throat’s on fire my mouth is so dry, “…and his friend.”

“Oh, Lachlan’s here too?” Her eyes dart behind me and then back to mine.

“He is … somewhere.” I pretend to look around the room, silently hoping she isn’t wanting him.