“You want to stop somewhere? I could go for something myself,” I admitted.
Not saying anything, he drove of the parking lot and began turned back from where we came. Instead of getting back onto the frontage road, however, he kept going.
“Where are we going?”
“You wanted a drink,” he said firmly. “We’re going to find a place to have one.”
“You wanted one, too,” I replied, not wanting him to think it was all my idea.
“I said I needed a drink. There’s a difference.”
Oh my God.
I wanted to smack him. He was so damn infuriating. Everything had to be an argument. As angry as I was, I didn’t take the bait. He was obviously looking for an argument.
About a mile up the road, we pulled into the parking lot of a shabby looking bar named “Dan’s Dive”. Despite the weather conditions, there were a lot of vehicles in the lot.
“Have you ever been here before?”
“Yeah. I went to a wedding reception here once.”
“Wow. I can’t believe it’s so busy,” I said, shocked.
“It’s Friday night and there’s not much else to do in these parts,” he replied, pulling off his Santa cap. “But drink.”
“Apparently,” I replied.
He parked the SUV and then proceeded to take the top half of his costume off again, leaving only the jacket, pants, and boots.
We both got out and fortunately, a couple of men were snow-blowing the parking lot and sidewalks, so we had a clear path to the front door. When we stepped inside of the bar, there was a band playing country music in back.
“This is why it’s so busy,” Graham said, staring back there.
“I love live music,” I said, stomping the snow off of my boots.
“I’d say let’s sit at the bar, but it’s jam-packed,” he said, scanning the area with a perturbed look on his face.
“There’s a place over there,” I said, pointing near the stage. Two people were just walking away from a round, pub table with their coats on. “We’d better get it before someone else does.”
Graham took off toward it and I followed him through a crowd of people. Fortunately, we were able to claim the table right before another couple.
“What do you want?” he asked as I sat down on one of the stools. “I’ll go get us a couple of drinks.”
“Um, a Bloody Mary?”
“Spicy?”
“Yeah.”
“A chaser?”
“Sure.”
“You still like those, huh?” he asked.
“It’s my favorite drink,” I replied, thinking that he must have remembered Jessica making me one the time we’d met. I was surprised.
“I’ll be right back,” he said and walked away.
Sighing, I took off my jacket, sat back in the chair, and stared at the stage. Although I wasn’t much for country music, I had to admit the singer had a great voice. I wasn’t the only one who thought so too, because several women were dancing and staring at him like they wanted to take him home. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was good looking.”
“No fucking way,” said a voice I recognized. One that gave me the chills. “As I live and breathe. Chloe, damn… it’s a small world.”
Turning to Brent, my ex-boyfriend – the very last person I wanted to run into ever - I forced a smile to my face. “Hi.”
Without even asking, he sat down in the empty stool across from me. “You’re looking as foxy as ever, save for the ugly Christmas sweater. What are you doing way out here, gorgeous?”
“I’m here with a friend.”
His grinned widened. “Kai?”
“No. Someone else.”
Graham appeared at the table. He set my Bloody Mary down in front of me, along with the chaser.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” he said.
Brent looked up at him with scorn. “Well, look who we have here? Santa Claus. Or, are you one of his little elves?”
Graham smiled down at him coolly. “Little? Now, that’s one thing I’ve never been called by a chick before. What did you say your name was, darlin’?”
“Darlin’?” Brent’s entire face turned red as the rage kicked in. “You think you’re funny?” He stood up and to my amusement, the top of his head only came to Graham’s nose. “You’re just a rude asshole trying to impress Chloe here.”
Graham’s eyes twitched. “I don’t have to impress anyone. If I did, you’d already be on the floor crying for your mama.”
Before I could try and defuse the situation, another man showed up at the table.
“Graham Dodge? Is that you?” the stranger asked, giving him a friendly smile.
Graham’s entire face changed. He grinned warmly at the other guy and held out his hand. “Matt Davis. Holy shit. I haven’t seen you since high school. What are you doing here?”
“Just enjoying the music,” he replied, shaking it.
“You always did like country,” Graham said, as Brent slipped away, still glaring at him.
“And you don’t, which is why I wouldn’t have thought to see you here. Speaking of which, what was happening with that douchebag? You two looked like you were going to get into a fight there for a second,” he answered.
“I don’t know. He was just being a dick. Short-man syndrome, you know?” Graham said, taking a swig of his beer.
Matt looked at me. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your girl?”
“This is Chloe,” Graham said. “And… she’s not my girl.”
“Hi,” I said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. The way Graham had introduced me was borderline cruel. Even Tim looked a little surprised.
“Hi. Nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” I said.
He looked back at Graham. “So, you married yet or have any kids?”
“No.”
“That’s cool. Nothing wrong with that. Anyway, we should get together and have a beer soon. I’m with my wife right now and she’s going to kill me if I don’t get back soon. It’s our anniversary. I just had to see if it was really you.”
“Happy anniversary. Here,” Graham pulled out his wallet and took out a business card. “Call me. I’d love to hook up.”
“Master Electrician. Good to know,” Matt said, putting the card in his shirt pocket. “I’m thinking of buying a cabin and might need some advice on a few things.”
“I’ll be happy to help,” Graham replied.
“Sweet.” Matt nodded at me. “Have a good night, Chloe.”
“You, too,” I replied.
After Matt walked away, Graham sat down across from me. “What was that dickhead saying to you before I arrived?”
“Brent?”
His eyebrow arched. “Oh, you know him?”
“He’s an ex-boyfriend. A real asshole, by the way. I’m glad you got rid of him,” I replied, noticing that Brent was watching me from another table. He was with two other guys, obviously talking about what had transpired. I recognized one of them and remembered him being a trouble maker.
“How long ago did you date him?”
“It’s been almost two years,” I replied.
“He’s obviously still interested in you,” Graham said, taking another drink of his beer.
“I hope not. Anyway, maybe we should drink up quickly and get out of here,” I said, noticing that Brent’s friends looked almost like they were sizing Graham up. “I don’t want anything to happen.”
“You afraid of him?”
I looked at Graham and nodded. “He’s the kind of guy who’ll wait for you out in the parking lot and get you from behind.”
“Is that right?” he replied and looked at Brent. “So, you’re saying I shouldn’t have pissed him off?”
“Probably not,” I replied. “He’s angrier than hell now. You made him look like a fool.”
“He did that too himself,” Graham replied.
I began drinking my Bl
oody Mary faster. I really wanted to get out of there. I knew something was going to happen if we didn’t leave.
“Hey, take your time. We’re not in a hurry and I’m certainly not going to let him bother us.”
I forced myself to relax. At least Graham was being nicer to me. That was a plus. “Okay.”
The song ended and a new one began. It was slow and steady. Several couples got onto the dance floor.
“You want to dance?” Graham asked, shocking the hell out of me.
Chapter 35
Graham
I KNEW I was playing with fire, in more ways than one, but couldn’t help it. I was in a punchy mood and looking to take my frustrations out on Chloe’s ex, who was giving me the stink eye. Sure, I could have ignored him, but I decided that pushing him further would be much more fun.
“Dance? You want to dance?” Chloe said shocked.
“Yeah. I like this song.”
She studied my face. “I bet you’ve never even heard it.”
“So. I still like it,” I replied, holding out my hand.
Chloe drank the rest of her Bloody Mary and then set the glass down. We walked out onto the dance floor and I pulled her into my arms. She felt so good, her body pressed against mine; I immediately knew I’d made a mistake.
“You’re a good dancer,” she said, after a while. “Do you do this kind of thing a lot?”
“Dance? No.”
“I would have never guessed,” she said, pressing her cheek against my chest. “This feels nice.”
“You smell nice,” I murmured, inhaling her perfume. I’d missed it in the truck, but now that her coat was off, the scent was noticeable.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
Closing my eyes, I continued dancing with Chloe, trying to enjoy the moment and wishing that things were different. Wising that I’d been the one who’d given her a ride to the hospital earlier. Just maybe… she wouldn’t have ended up in the supply room with Cleaner.
I sighed.
After everything, it was frustrating to know how much I still wanted her. And from the boner pressed against her, she probably realized it, too.
Chapter 36
Chloe
IT FELT SO good being in Graham’s strong arms. Not only was he smooth on his feet, but we seemed to fit together perfectly. And if that wasn’t enough to get my lady-parts all hot-and-bothered, I could tell that I wasn’t the only one enjoying it.
I closed my eyes and pressed my hips closer to his, wondering why I always fell for the wrong kind of guys.
Graham was moody, cynical, and exasperating. He was also as confusing as a Rubix Cube. Just when I thought I had him figured out, I… didn’t. It was maddening.
But, there was no denying he wanted me. I just didn’t understand why he was so damn angry. As far as I could tell, I hadn’t done anything to piss him off. I wondered if he had some kind of mental psychosis. I hoped it wasn’t the case; I was aching to have sex with him and if it happened, by some miracle, I didn’t want to find out that he was unhinged. Watching him earlier with Brent, I could see how badly Graham had itched to fight him. He’d been practically salivating at the chance. It even made me wonder if Graham’s excitement stemmed from the thought of beating Brent to a pulp.
No.
He hadn’t been hard until we’d started dancing. I was sure of that.
Feeling slightly buzzed and more courageous than usual, I stole a glance at his lips and wondered what he’d do if I kissed him. I wanted to badly, and yet, I also didn’t want to be rejected. His current mood was unpredictable, I had no idea of how he’d react. He could freak out.
Suddenly, I felt his hands lower to my hips, pulling me even closer to his erection.
Or maybe he wouldn’t freak out…
He began caressing my butt; the sensation caused an ache of desire between my legs so strong, my legs grew weak. Afraid to break the spell, I stayed pliable in his arms, moving with the music and wondering how far he would take this. Just as I was starting to get up enough nerve to begin my own exploration, he tilted my chin up to his face and kissed me. Shaking with need, I kissed him back with everything I had.
Graham groaned in the back of his throat and suddenly, I could feel him pulling me away from the dance floor. He raised his face from mine and stared down at me with hunger.
“You want to get out of here?” he asked, huskily.
I nodded.
“Come on.”
He led me back to the table, grabbed my jacket, and pulled me through the bar. Instead of walking out the front door, however, he took me down a different hallway, obviously not meant for customers, to a staircase.
“Are we supposed to be down here?” I asked as we walked down the steps, nervous that we were going to get into trouble.
“Probably not,” he said in a low voice. “Watch your step.”
It was dark at the bottom of the staircase; we couldn’t see anything at all. Holding my hand, he pulled me with him.
“Where are we going?” I whispered, my heart racing.
In answer, he stopped and pushed me up against the wall. Suddenly, he was kissing me so hard, it almost hurt. His hands moved to my breasts, squeezing them roughly through my sweater, my moans a mixture of desire and pain.
“Wait,” I whispered, when his lips left mine and he was fumbling with the buttons on my jeans.
“For what?”
“I… Oh, God,” I moaned as his slid his hand down to my panties, which were wet.
Touching the thin fabric, he froze. “Tell me he used a rubber,” he growled.
I didn’t understand. “What?”
“Cleaner.” Groaning, he moved his hand away. “I can’t do this. What the fuck am I even thinking?”
“Wait a second, did you just ask me if Cleaner used a rubber? With me?” I asked, shocked.
“Yeah. I hope he did. For your sake,” he said in a scornful tone.
“I have never had sex with Anthony,” I said angrily. “Where in the hell did you get that idea?”
“Right. Did you already forget about the supply room at the hospital? Don’t even fucking deny it; I heard the two of you,” he snapped back.
I let out an angry growl and zipped my jeans back up. I couldn’t believe that he was accusing me of this. “Look, I don’t know what you heard, but it certainly wasn’t me!”
“Then who was it? Some random chick he met at the hospital the short time he was there? Cleaner is good, but he’s not that good.”
“You know,” I said, laughing coldly. “If you think he’s so good, why don’t you go and fuck him yourself. Let me know if it’s everything you imagined it to be.”
The lights suddenly turned on and a man stood there, glaring at us. “Listen, you two. This isn’t open to the public. I don’t care who either of you fuck, as long as it’s not here in my basement!”
Chapter 37
Graham
AFTER APOLOGIZING TO the owner, I followed Chloe up the steps and out to the parking lot. She was so angry, she refused to even look at me. Realizing that I must have made a mistake, I felt like the worst asshole ever.
“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to grab her hand. “Honest to God, I really thought it was you he was having sex with. It’s… it’s why I was such a dick to you all night.”
She stopped in her tracks and turned to me, looking even more furious. “Really? That’s why? Did it ever occur to you that I’m not a fucking slut who would have sex with just anyone?” Her eyes grew wider. “Or, maybe you did and that’s why you brought me to the basement. To have a shot at me too?”
“Chloe, I’m sorry,” I repeated, reaching for her. She was right, though. I had dragged her down there intentionally. But, I’d wanted her so fucking badly. Even after believing that one of my club brothers had gotten to her before me. That’s how pathetic I was. I felt like such a shit for so many reasons.
“Don’t touch me,” she said angrily, slapping my hands away.
“Yeah,
you heard the lady. Don’t touch her,” mocked a voice from the shadows.
Recognizing the speaker, I stiffened up. It was Brent and from the laughter around us, I realized that he wasn’t alone. His two friends from the bar were with him. The three stepped around a van, all grinning at me with malevolence in their eyes.
“Go away, Brent,” Chloe said, moving closer to me. “Leave us alone.”
“It sounds like you need help, Chloe,” he said in a mocking voice. “Or are you two role-playing some kind of creepy Krampus fantasy?”
“Fuck off,” I replied.
Brent’s smile fell. He approached me, a threatening look on his face. “You want to make me?”
“I’d rather not waste my time, but I will if you don’t get out of my face. By the way,” I smirked, “how did your circle-jerking party behind the van go? Everything come out all right?”
Furious, Brent came at me, fists flying. I quickly blocked him and then took a swing myself, catching him in the face. Before I could get off another punch, his two buddies jumped me and things got ugly.
Chapter 38
Chloe
I SCREAMED AS Brent’s friends went after Graham. They both started throwing punches, catching him from both sides, not giving Graham much of a chance to fight back.
“Stop it!” I yelled, trying to get between them.
“Dammit, Chloe. Don’t be stupid!” Brent snapped. He pulled me away from the fight and tried dragging me to his car, while I kicked and screamed for help. I couldn’t believe this was happening right out in the open and nobody was around to help.
“Let her go!” Graham hollered, struggling to get away from the other two.
Ignoring him, Brent tried picking me up, but I bit him in the cheek. Screaming in pain, he backhanded me. I stumbled, falling down on the icy pavement and flat on my ass. Crying, I tried crawling away from him, but he wouldn’t have it.
Brent touched his cheek. “That fucking hurt, Chloe. You’re going to pay for this.” He leaned down and grabbed me by the hair. Pulling me up to my feet, he tried getting me into his car again. It was then that the front door of the bar opened up and two people walked out. Recognizing Graham’s friend Matt, and his wife, I began screaming for their help.
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