Unable to Resist

by Cassie Graham

  I divert my eyes. “Uhh—.” Nope, sure as hell didn’t.

  He takes my finger from my mouth and brings it to his own and gently bites the pad. I quiver in my shoes and watch him lick it before he lets go and I drop my arm to my side.

  He rubs my arm and clasps my hand, intertwining our fingers. “I said, I’ll wait for you in the suite.” He slaps my ass. “Hurry back to me.”

  His sultry voice sends my feet into motion and I march to the bathrooms.

  The long hallway leading to the bathroom is dim and a little bit creepy. Dark red walls and black trim make it seem shadowy, and I find myself looking over my shoulder.

  For it being a packed club, the bathroom is practically empty. Eight stalls line the back wall, but the first two are closed, so I head down to the last stall on the other end. The two women in the locked stalls must not have heard me come in because as soon as I lift my dress and pull down my undies, one girl huffs to the other.

  “I just don’t know what he sees in her,” she confesses.

  My skin prickles. I know that voice.

  Lauren. Fucking blonde bitch, Duane’s ex, Lauren. My fucking luck sucks. Balls.

  “She’s fat. Have you seen her? Her ass is like, the size of Texas,” she spits.

  How unoriginal of her.

  I know she’s talking about me. I’ve never been super confident in my curvaceous body, but hearing her say I’m fat out loud makes the wound sting.

  Don’t let her get into your head.

  I hate the damn word. Fat. It sounds so dirty. Why does our society need to have so many labels? Why can’t we all just be people? Simply be human beings, with feelings and emotions, and the ability to have compassion, love and understanding. Yet, here we are in the twenty-first century and we are more hypocritical and judgmental than ever.

  Her friend puffs, seeming annoyed. “Can’t you just leave her alone? She seemed nice enough to me.”

  Thank you.

  I try not to breathe, I don’t want to give myself away. Slowly, I pull my thong up and my dress down. As quietly as possible, I inch closer to the door, my heels silently meeting the tile floor. The small slit in the door gives me just enough space to see out.

  Both stall doors clang open at the same time, and Lauren and her redheaded friend Jana walk out, heading straight to the mirror and sinks.

  Lauren rolls her eyes and Jana shrugs. “Really L, why can’t you just let it go?”

  Lauren stomps her foot like a toddler, and puts her hands on her hips. “Because he’s mine, dammit. She took him from me. We were practically together and then she walks in and just takes him. It’s bullshit.”

  Jana finishes washing her hands, and digs into her clutch. “You guys weren’t even really talking. You said yourself that you thought he was distant.” Her voice soft. “He’s moved on. Let him be.”

  Sadness washes over Lauren’s features, and I almost feel bad for her. It’s quick, and before I can process actual compassion, an evil smirk appears back on her face.

  “Yeah, well, I’ve got to admit letting all of his animals out the other day was genius,” she says casually.

  I cover my mouth to keep my gasp in.

  Jana’s eyes go wide. “You—wait. You did what?”

  Thinking on my toes, I retrieve my phone from my bra, and hit record.

  Lauren sneers at her reflection, and I fight the urge to sink deep into the stall. She looks downright wicked.

  “Yeah, I figured if I let all the animals out, he’d have to call me and ask for help. I mean my horse did escape. It only makes sense.”

  Jana’s stilettos click-clack hurriedly to Lauren’s side, and she grabs her by the elbow, causing Laruen to turn. “Please tell me you’re kidding. You really thought that was a good idea? Jesus, L, how could you do that? The horse isn’t even yours anymore!” She shouts.

  Lauren yanks her arm back and glares at Jana. She takes the top off her lipstick and begins to apply the dark red stain to her lips. “Alright, I know the damn horse isn’t mine, but I did what I did. It didn’t work, obviously. I didn’t even get a call. Pisses me off that I did it and didn’t get anything out of it.”

  I click my phone off, and calmly walk out of my stall.

  Both women turn to look at me. Jana registers who I am quicker than Lauren.

  I wash my hands and head out of the door without a word, my head held high.

  I got her.

  As I step out, I hear Lauren inhale and say, “was that—?” And the door closes.

  Confident, I stroll toward the VIP suite. Now that I’ve got Lauren’s confession on my phone, she’ll be out of our lives forever.

  My foot hits the first stair, and I hear Lauren call my name. “Ann! Wait!”

  Ignoring her, I keep walking. Just as I hit the last step on the second floor, Lauren catches up and taps my shoulder, eyes full of disdain when they meet mine.

  “What?” I snap. She is a complete psycho.

  Then, she looks scared.

  She should be.

  “Please,” she pleads, “don’t tell Duane. He’ll hate me forever.”

  Her puppy dog eyes don’t mean shit to me.

  I step behind the usher and give her a superior smile. “One can only hope.”

  Her jaw drops and she begins to step toward me, but the usher puts his hands up, stopping her in her tracks. “Just let me through really quick,” Lauren begs with fake, sad eyes.

  Big, bad usher man shakes his head, totally unaffected. “Do you have a pass?”

  Lauren sulks. “No, but see? That’s my friend.” She points to me. “I just need to talk to her for a quick minute.” She tries again to push through him, but to no avail. He doesn’t budge.

  Good man.

  I step up to the usher, and say, “She’s no friend of mine.”

  Lauren stomps her foot and shrieks.

  Without acknowledging her temper tantrum, I turn and head back to the suite where I find Duane looking through the door, watching the whole exchange with raised eyebrows and stiff crossed arms.

  “What was that about?” He points, spotting Lauren. “Is—is that Lauren? What the hell is she doing here?” He panics. “What did she say?”

  I take his hand and lead us into the suite. Liv and Aiden aren’t around and, in this moment, it wouldn’t have mattered.

  I guide him to the couch, and smooth my hands down his arms. “Listen to me, okay? I’m going to tell you something I know you won’t want to hear.” His eyebrows scrunch up in worry and I shake my head. “No, no, I know what you’re thinking. I’m fine.”

  He breathes a sigh of relief and visibly softens. Taking a deep breath, he asks, “What happened, then?”

  I stand up and begin to pace. I need to walk. Apparently it’s my new thing. My insides are twisted in knots, and I know what I’m about to say will hurt Duane. It’s making me uneasy.

  “So, I went to the bathroom as you already know,” I start.

  God, why am I telling him something he doesn’t care about? I need to get on topic.

  “I went into the stall and heard someone talking, but as soon as I heard the voice, I knew it was…Lauren. She wasn’t saying very nice things.” I pause, getting my bearings, and Duane hisses angrily. He knows the things Lauren can spit at people. They aren’t pretty. The things she said still echo in my brain.

  I continue, “I’m fine, really. This isn’t about me, Cowboy.” I give him a sad look. “I’m so sorry, but it was Lauren who let out all of your animals. She sabotaged you to get your attention.”

  Duane falls silent, letting my words sink in. I wait, still pacing. My heels begin to hurt again, so I quickly step out of them and resume my pacing.

  I pass by him for the hundredth time, and look at his face. He confused, or he’s thinking. I can’t tell in this light, but I do know he looks pissed.

  “Mother fucker,” he mutters. “She drives a fucking black SUV. How could I not have figured this out on my own?”

  I
sit down next to him and grab his hand. “How could you have known? You had no idea she was capable of this type of crazy.”

  He drags his hands down his face. “So, you heard her say this?”

  I reach into my bra and retrieve my phone. “Yeah,” I sift through my apps and press play on the correct one, “and I recorded it.”

  His face changes at least three different shades of anger and rage by the time the recording has stopped.

  “What am I going to do, Red?” He asks, looking disheveled.

  “We’ll figure it out together. Thankfully, nothing horrible happened. Belle is doing better, and her foal is healthy. If anything, she knows you know, and that’ll drive her mad with worry.”

  “I don’t give a shit about her!” He yells. “She can’t do something like this again.”

  I soothingly rub his back. “I know baby, I know. Want to go home?”

  He nods his head. I don’t specifically know which home I’m supposed to go to, mine or his, but I see Liv on my way out downstairs and give her the down low of what happened. Her fists tighten at the mention of Lauren, but she agrees to take a cab home with Aiden later. I give her a swift, tight hug and Duane and I head to my truck. I start for the driver’s seat when Duane stops me.

  “Mind if I drive? I’m always able to think more clearly when I drive.”

  I smile and toss him the keys. They clink in his hand and he guides me to the passenger side door. He opens it and offers his hand. Sliding my hand into his, I watch as his smooth, supple lips lower to the top of my hand. His long brown eyelashes leave a crescent shadow in the street lamplight and I close my eyes at the sweet contact.

  “My lady,” he whispers, making my heart thud in my chest. I step onto the side rail and sit in my seat. He kisses my arm before he turns to walk to his side when I stop him.

  “Cowboy?”

  His eyes have softened when he turns and licks his lips. “Red?”

  “I don’t want to end tonight like this.” Lauren will not ruin this night for us. “Stay with me tonight?”

  With a sense of urgency, he hastily walks back to my door and turns me toward him.

  My legs instantly open for him to step between. We are in the back of the parking lot, and Duane’s broad body covers my goodies. I don’t need any of my customers seeing me out in the open like that. Yikes. No, thank you.

  He brings his hands around my waist. “And what exactly do you have in mind?” He murmurs against my neck, hot kisses trailing up and down, driving me crazy.

  My body hums with anticipation but I don’t want to give anything away. “Take me home, love.”

  He chuckles and shakes his head. “My little minx.” When he closes my door, I watch his lion-like body move in front of the truck. He moves with stealth and grace I couldn’t duplicate if I tried.

  Pulling his solid body into my truck, he turns on the ignition and we head home.

  I’m wracking my brain, trying to figure out how to lessen his burden. I want to find a way to make it better. I know he’s going to stress about it until he confronts her.

  “Baby?” I speak up just before we turn onto my street.

  My voice seems to have snapped him out of his thoughtful trance, and he turns to me quickly. “Yeah, Red?”

  I place my hand on his thigh, giving it a rub. “I was thinking why don’t we just let Lauren be? I know I don’t know her well, and I could be completely off base, but wouldn’t it make sense to just let her stew? I’m sure if I did something like that—.”

  Duane turns his head to me with an entertained smirk.

  I lightly slap his thigh and shake my head with a grin on my face. “I wouldn’t, you ass. I’m just saying, if you let her think that she doesn’t matter enough to even say something to her, it might have more of an effect. She is looking for attention, Cowboy, and you giving her the satisfaction of a fight will only make her that much more powerful. We shouldn’t give her that.”

  He’s nodding his head in agreement. “Silence does speak louder than words sometimes. I think you might be a genius, Red.”

  I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly and say, “It was bound to happen one way or another.”

  Duane’s head falls back and he points a finger in the air. “That, my love, is true. I have no doubt.”

  Duane moves his hand to his thigh and squeezes my hand in assurance.

  “But Cowboy,” I look at him, “you know you can talk to me about anything if you need to. Just because you don’t confront her doesn’t mean this is over. You’ve got to be fuming, hell—I’d be furious. I just want you to know I’m here for you.” I let out a shaky breath and add, “Forever.”

  Duane’s eyes ignite and he cocks his head with adoration. “Always,” he promises, and brings my hand to his lips. “And I know. Thank you.”

  Feeling breathless, I unbuckle my seatbelt and step out into the cool air of the night. October in Nashville brings amazing weather. It’s just past midnight and the sky is bright with glistening stars. Duane meets me and grasps my hand. Walking up the back stairs to the loft, I instantly calm. Having Duane in my home makes me feel even more at peace. The feeling is prominent. He fills my home and my heart.

  I don’t want the night to end, so I decide we are going to have our first date after all. Turning to Duane, I say, “Let’s do something fun. What do you say?”

  Duane’s eyes crinkle in wonder. “Are we leaving again?”

  I shake my head, and start for my room. “No, but I do need to get out of this dress, and you need to change. Shoot—” I stop, “you don’t have any clothes.”

  Duane brings his hand behind his neck and rubs, blushing. “Actually, I have a bag in my truck.”

  I could dance with elation. He had been hoping to stay with me.

  “Oh, great! Okay, go get your bag and change.”

  Swiftly grabbing my hips, Duane pulls me in for a kiss, then heads out the door to his truck.

  I lightly clap and turn on my heel to head to the closet. Finding a pair of skinny jeans and a light sweater, I pull off my dress and strip off those killer heels. When I say killer, I mean they killed my feet. They might fall off.

  Slipping on my Converse, I run to the bathroom and shut the door. While I do my business, I hear Duane come back in the room and close the door behind him. Probably doesn’t want to get caught with no clothes on by Aiden and Liv. Although, Liv would love that. I hear him unzip a bag, and shuffle around the room. Looking at myself in the mirror, I fluff my hair and run my hands under my eyes.

  Duane’s sitting on the edge of my bed, slipping on his boots, when I walk into the room. In a tight pair of worn jeans, and a dark gray t-shirt he looks so handsome. He slips a hoodie over his head, and I go to him. Wrapping my arms around his middle, I let my head fall on his strong chest, and I breathe him in.

  Soap, hay and man. God, I love the way he smells.

  “So, what are we doing?” Duane asks as he tightens his arms around my body.

  I lift my head and look up. “It’s beautiful outside. I have an idea.”

  Duane’s eyebrows shoot up.

  “What are we going to do outside?” He pushes.

  “It’s a surprise.” I shrug, feeling a bit haughty.

  With an anxious look, Duane nods. “The weather is beautiful outside, but it looks like a storm is brewing to the east.”

  “Okay, Trust me?” I ask.

  Pushing out a lungful of air, Duane nods again while rubbing the back of his neck. I smile at the gesture. He does that when he’s anxious.

  “Good, now help me get into the attic,” I say as I reluctantly pull out of his embrace to go to the hallway.

  “The attic? Woman, are you crazy? Let me go,” Duane says, baffled, as he races after me. “I don’t want you to get hurt. Show me the way. What do you need?”

  Not wanting to argue with him, I lead him to the opening above the hall. Little does Mr. Protective know, I go in there often with no supervision. But, he’s chivalrous. />
  “I need the tent. It’s over on the right side next to the Christmas tree,” I point, “and the two sleeping bags.” I lace my hands together to give him a boost up. Heaving him up as gracefully as I can, I grunt in effort.

  Phew, I’m out of shape.

  After a struggled attempt, I finally hoist Duane into the attic and he pokes his head out of the hole. “So, we’re going camping? Awesome, but where?”

  Shaking my head, I reply, “Hush, it’s a surprise.” I wink at him.

  Duane mutters in annoyance and retrieves his cell phone for light. It’s killing him not knowing, and I love it.

  “Ann, you said it’s over here?” He yells.

  I can hear him somewhere over my head, so I assume he is in the right area. “Yeah, the tent is in a red bag, and the sleeping bags are right next to it. I think they’re black. You find them yet? And, oh! Grab the lantern, too, will you?” I ask as I hear Duane sneeze. “Bless you.”

  He pokes his head out again, smiling. “Why thank you ma’am, and yes, I found them. Ready?”

  Nodding, I lift my hands above my head to grab the tent.

  Geeze, it’s heavy. I lose my grip, and it falls to the ground. I shyly look up at Duane between my lashes and say, “Oops.”

  A rumble of laughter emanates from deep within Duane’s chest. “Smooth, Red, real smooth. You alright?”

  Blushing, I look up at him, and smack his dangling leg. “Yes, ass. Toss the sleeping bags and the lantern and I’ll help you down.” One after another, the sleeping bags topple onto the floor next to the tent and Duane safely hands me the lantern to set on the ground.

  “Ready for me?” He asks, excited for the jump.

  “Yep, come on Big Foot.”

  Duane snorts. “Shut up, crazy girl. You know what they say about big feet.”

  He would say something like that. Smartass.

  “Yeah, small hands,” I joke. “Now get your ass down here.”

  Stepping into my hand, he grabs both of my shoulders and lowers himself easily onto the ground.

  High-fiving each other, I pick up the sleeping bags, while Duane hefts the tent and lantern into his arms. “Where to, oh fearless leader?” He inquires.

  I hold up a finger, and strut into the kitchen.