A Love for Romance
Page 30
“Without a doubt you gave nothing but a fabulous impression. Your testing probably knocked their socks off. You’ve always been in the zone in that kind of atmosphere. You’ve got that shit down.”
Chloe laughed, “Yep. I guess living and breathing regulations finally paid off. Between writing my final exams in college on them and serving on all those teams to develop the oil rig trainings, my knowledge spoke for itself. I was just nervous about my lack of actual in the field experience.”
“Apparently they didn’t care about that since you start Monday. Girl, do you know how many hot guys you will be surrounded by daily? I am so jealous.” Jordan tipped back the last of her drink and pulled Chloe back to the bar.
They settled into two open seats at the far end of the bar. As soon as Chase noticed them he brought over their drinks. Chloe thanked him and went to grab her drink, maybe her first drink was stronger than she thought, but more likely her clumsy nature was coming out, but next thing she knew she’d tipped the glass. Blue liquid spilled all over the bar and to Chloe’s horror into the lap of the sexy guy that was sitting adjacent to her.
Immediately horrified that this was actually happening, Chloe found herself reaching out to the man, and placing her hand on his arm as she began stuttering an apology “I’m so sorry!”
She felt a larger stronger hand lay to rest on hers and instantly a feeling of electricity ran up her arm. Their eyes met and a feeling that she had known him forever came over her. She didn’t know how to explain it, but she felt instantly connected to him, it was the weirdest thing. His baritone voice pulled her in, “Not a problem this was not exactly how I had hoped to get a pretty girl to touch me tonight, but it could be worse right?”
She breathlessly replied, “I really am sorry. Let me help you clean it up.”
The gorgeous man just raised an eyebrow in her direction and Chloe just wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
She watched his strong hand right her glass as Chase wiped down the bar then he accept the napkins Jordan handed him and started wiping the blue liquid from his jeans. Chloe’s cheeks were flush from embarrassment, or maybe it was the way this man affected her, possibly both.
“Sorry just doesn’t seem to be enough, really is there anything I can do? Can I buy you a drink, pay for dry cleaning, walk away and never make eye contact with you again?” She rambled and had a mental argument with herself to shut her mouth before she made it any worse.
His eyes met hers again and her heart rate picked up as she took in the crooked grin. He was ruggedly handsome. His skin was golden brown, like he spent his days working outdoors. His blond hair looked like it had been bleached out by the sun, hung just below his ears in the back in messy waves. She usually went for more of a white collar type but there was something about the way this roughneck rocked a pair of undescriptive jeans and not to mention the way his rough hands felt on her skin.
“Not a problem.” He winked at her and she thought she was going to be the one to swoon this time. “Never making eye contact again seems extreme, especially since I think you could come up with a way to make it up to me.”
Chloe felt her cheeks were as red as a tomato, but even in her embarrassment, she couldn’t help but get lost in his steel blue eyes.
“The names Gunnar, and who would you be beautiful?”
Chloe had no voice, she wanted to answer him but found that nothing came out.
“This shy gorgeous and insanely adorable klutz is Chloe and I’m Jordan.”
Chloe didn’t know whether she should be relieved Jordan was there just over her shoulder or if her best friend’s description of her was making this awkward situation that much more embarrassing.
Chloe watched as the god of a man looked over her shoulder to where Jordan extended her hand shaking it quickly before he gently grasped Chloe’s hand again and this time bring her hand to his mouth where he placed a light but lingering kiss on the pulse point of her wrist.
“Chloe...a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
Chloe was lost in the erotic moment, but quickly the bubble was burst by Chase coming back over, “Can’t leave you alone for a minute can I big brother?” He said looking at Gunnar.
Chloe watched as Gunnar lets go of her hand, before turning to his apparent brother and giving a look that you didn’t need to be a mind reader to interpret. The younger man takes the glare in stride and offered to refill the drinks once more.
Quiet overcame the bar corner, and Chloe suddenly felt like a fool again, she lightly taped Jordan’s knee under the bar signaling for her to do something.
“Come on Chloe let’s lose ourselves on the dance floor for a bit.”
Before Chloe could say anything, or anyone else could, she found herself pulled toward the stairs, yet the feeling of eyes on her the entire way didn't relent.
The dance floor was dark and the energy of the people dancing was almost as intoxicating as the blue drinks Chase made them. The girls slid into the sea of bodies and started dancing to the beat. Somehow over the intense volume and the mass of bodies, Jordan leaned into her ear and said, “That was one of the hottest encounters I’ve ever seen. That guy was totally into you. He probably would have let you take his pants off right there.”
Leaning back into her friend, Chloe responded, “God don’t remind me, I’ve never been more embarrassed in my whole life.”
“Damn Chloe, live a little, he said it was no big deal, maybe you just need to relax and think of a way to make it up to him like he said,” Jordan enhances her words with a sassy wink, leaving no room for confusion as to how she means.
Chloe just smirked, unable to even try to put thought into her friend’s words. Instead, she lost herself in the music. One song turned into the other, and the two friends were having a blast, however the feeling of euphoria was quickly popped when Chloe felt someone behind her. At first she didn’t think much of it because of the amount of people packed into the space. She just moved a few steps to give them some more room. However, the body behind her moved with her. Chloe raised an eyebrow in question to Jordan.
Jordan responded with a tiny, almost unnoticeable, head shake letting Chloe know that this was not a guy she would want to be dancing with. Girls always have a go to escape plan that is unspoken and the two of them implemented theirs. Jordan danced closer to Chloe and with magnificent spin the two girls switched places on the dance floor. Putting space between Chloe and the guy.
Not taking the hint the guy moved towards Chloe again. He came up behind her and pressed himself against her putting his hands on her hips. Chloe turned to face him and over the music yelled, “I’m not interested; just enjoying dancing with my friend, thanks though.”
Apparently uncaring of her answer, he placed his hand on her hip once more and pulled her back into him. Her eyes go big in panic as she silently asked her friend to help her out of the situation. Jordan grabbed her hand and pulled her off of the dance floor through of the crowd. “Come with me, I need a bathroom break.”
Chloe followed her, not letting go, happy to be away from the creeper. Jordan lead the way towards the ladies room when Chloe once again felt a tight grip on her wrist jarring her to a stop and pulling Jordan back a few steps.
Jordan’s head snapped back and she shot daggers into the jerk. “Take a hint, Creeper. She already told you she didn’t want to dance.”
“I’m not very good at no. You can have her back after this dance,” said the short, ugly, man with the menacing smile. Chloe's heart was pounding, panic overwhelming her.
How has this night taken a turn so fast?
She felt a change in atmosphere suddenly, there was a second hand on her arm and this time, a tingle of electricity spread up her arm that both comforted and shocked her in a way she’d never felt before.
Her savior’s voice sent shivers through her as he growled at the man with the death grip on her wrist, “You apparently don’t understand what no means. The lady said she didn’t wa
nt to dance—let her go. Touch my girl again and you and me are going to have a problem.”
Chloe watched as Gunnar crowded himself into the other man, being sure to place himself so that Chloe was almost wholly behind him and Jordan was off to the side. With the hand that wasn’t on her arm, he shoved the guy easily away before turning to Chloe completely and brought his lips to hers. Wrapping his free arm around her waist, he deepened the kiss and the surrounding chaos dissipated. Soon she felt his warm hand touch her bare skin. The contact between them set her body aflame. A little moan escaped her before she knew what was happening. The moan pulled snapped her back to the reality that she was kissing a stranger and pulled away but he kept his arm around her.
”Sorry I got held up Babe. Ready to go?” he asked smiling down at her.
Grabbing his hand I tugged us off of the floor, “Let’s go grab a drink Babe.”
Chapter Two
Gunnar couldn’t help but laugh at his circumstances. Any other night he would have been rip shit mad that a drink spilled onto his lap. Then he saw the completely innocent and downright horrification of the beautiful woman he knew that it may have just been the opening he had hoped for. He noticed her the moment her and the chestnut haired woman walked into the VIP section. She had drawn his attention with her beautiful porcelain skin and stunning body. It must have been his lucky night because she was approaching the bar and his eyes took her in from the sleek ponytail to the feather tattoo peeking out of the waistband of her skirt begging him to get a closer look. He needed an opening to talk to her and she presented him with one.
Their short interaction was enough to have his brain going places he had never allowed it to go before. There was just something about this woman that drew him to her. When they walked away, he felt a pull to follow. He didn’t want to interrupt their friend time or seem clingy inviting himself to dance with them. Instead he opted to walk to the edge of the VIP area and looked out at the dancefloor from the balcony. It only took a second for him to spot her in the crowd. He stood sipping his drink watching the way her body moved as she danced imagining how it would move under him. His mind easily went to what it would be like to have his hands touching her.
He saw the moment the other guy approached her. The insane feeling of possession began to creep over him. The need to claim her, protect her, keep her forever safe was thick within him as he watched the asshole begin to paw her. Soon enough, the euphoric joy that was etched on her face showed a look of panic instead.
No woman, especially her, should ever have that look on their face. He watched as she and her friend tried to maneuver away from him but the asshole just wouldn’t take the hint. When he saw the prick continue to follow them as they attempted to leave the floor something in him snapped.
His feet were moving him faster than his brain could acknowledge. He just kept repeating to himself the need to get to her. She was his. End of story.
With a tense jaw and fist ready to pummel, Gunnar flew down the stairs and straight to intercept. The words were out of his mouth and both women positioned behind him before he pushed with his free hand. Whatever it was, he couldn’t stop himself. The need to stake his claim was too much; next thing he knew his lips were touching the softest ones he had ever kissed.
The moment he touched her, his body knew he could easily kiss this woman for the rest of his life. As much as some small voice in his mind was screaming that he wasn’t this type of guy, the fact remained; this woman had him thinking about forever.
Way too soon for his liking, he felt her pull away, unable to stop his face from following unwilling to let the kiss end. ”Sorry I got held up Babe. Ready to go?” His beauty gave him a smile, for all to see, as she grabbed his hand.
“Let’s go grab a drink Babe.” She said as she started walking off, thankfully leaving the man who finally took the hint far behind.
Allowing her to tow him along, Gunnar halted her, making her turn back towards him. He needed another taste of her. He placed one hand was on her cheek while the other twisted around the back of her neck causing her to have to look up into his eyes.
“Thank you. I don’t know what else to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything; sorry it took me so long to get to you.”
He refused to stop staring into her green irises, the way she felt against him, had his brain once again going places it shouldn’t, specifically how opposed she would be to sharing his last name.
But the bubble was burst and before he knew it, she withdrew from his touching, putting in his opinion too much space between them, as she turned to her girlfriend and said, “This isn’t my night. Would you mind if we head out?”
He was losing her. Maybe it was for his own good. His head was already thinking forever and he can’t have that. He couldn’t think when she was around so her leaving was best, but still one of the hardest things he had ever had to do.
“At least let me walk you girls safely out?”
He was happy they agreed without any unnecessary fanfare. Once outside, with ease he flagged down one of the taxi’s that park by the club waiting for patrons to stroll out and need a ride. Jordan slid into the car and he brushed his thumb over Chloe’s cheek. “Goodbye Chloe,” He said as he brushed a light kiss to her lips and watched her sink into the car and drive away from his life.
Chapter Three
Chloe refused to turn around and watch Gunnar’s figure minimize before all together disappearing as the cab drove further away.
Maybe it was the adrenaline high from that weird guy or the amazing kiss she shared with him, but all of a sudden Chloe’s body just couldn’t handle anymore and she felt her eyes fill with tears.
Before the first one spilled past her lashes she felt Jordan take her hand, and lay her head on her shoulder.
Neither said anything as the cab drove them back to Chloe’s place. One friend sat with silent tears falling down her face while the other just comforted her with touch.
When they finally reached Chloe’s apartment complex, the two women got out, Jordan passed the money to the driver before once more grabbing Chloe’s hand and pulling her toward the building.
Soon they were within the safety of her apartment, and Jordan announced that she was going to crash there for the night and that they wouldn’t let the events at the club ruin the rest of the night.
Within a few minutes, both girls were in makeshift pajamas, popcorn was covered in butter and Gone with the Wind was on the television.
Chloe woke with a start as Jordan bounced on the bed next to her; she tossed a pillow at her friend and tucked herself back under the covers, “Jordy if you’re waking me up you better have coffee.” She grumbled from under her comfy covers.
“As a matter of fact I do. I went out and grabbed us some lattes. Now get your lazy ass up. I have plans for us today.”
She was pulled from the bed and Jordan rushed her through getting ready. As was the normal with the two of them Jordan had Chloe out the door before she even had a chance to object. A few minutes later they had pulled into a chic salon.
Jordan took her hand, “I know last night went off the rails but today we are getting makeovers and it will be amazing.”
Jordan’s smile was infectious and it ramped up Chloe’s excitement. Walking into the salon Chloe sat in the chair and announced, “Let’s do something very different. Can I get a medium length bob?” This was going to be a huge change. She’s had long hair for as long as she could remember, but this felt more grown up and it was time for her to grow up and be a professional.
An hour later, the chair turned and she got a glimpse at the new look. Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders in messy waves.
It may seem silly to others but Chloe felt confident and ready to take over the world. She straightened her shoulders and walked with her back straight. She knew this was just what she needed to start this new stage of her life.
As Chloe paid the stylist, Jordan sidled up next to her.
Jordan leaned in and kissed her friend on the cheek and replied, “Seeing you happy is all the thanks I need. Not to mention this sexy new look is what I’ve been trying to get you to do for years.”
Both woman walked out, arms embraced, with identical smiles.
Chapter Four
Gunnar was exhausted and crabby. He hasn’t had a good night sleep in two days. Every time he laid down Chloe was there. He couldn’t sleep without dreams of Friday night. Images of her flawless skin, the feather tattoo, and her smile bombard him. The sound of the noises she made when he’d kissed her filled his head making it impossible for his body to relax enough to succumb to sleep.
With no choice but to take some over the counter cold medicine to allow sleep to come to him, he was finally able get nod off and not be woken by thoughts of her. A duffel bag was waiting to be filled at the end of the bed with everything he needed for his stay on the rig. It was no closer to being filled than when he first laid it there.
Blaring Music startled Gunnar awake. The alarm clock was feeling the pain of his hand smashing the top to get it to be quiet. “How’s it five A.M. already?” he thought to himself. He wished he slept longer but unless he wanted to miss his ride to the rig, he had no other choice than to get up. Sitting up he stretched out his stiff body. He had fallen asleep so hard that he hadn’t even changed positions from where he had thrown himself hours ago.
When he finally woke from the pathetic catnap he got, immediate thoughts of Chloe overtook his mind. What was it about her that consumed him? Why did this woman he just met have him changing his behavior? She had made her way into his mind and he was kicking himself for not getting her number. He didn’t know how he’d find her again. Cursing himself and his damn brain and bodies automatic horny response to her image, he began to throw his stuff into the duffle bag all the while chastising himself, “Get your shit together! It was just a kiss! There are a billion other woman on the planet.” His words had no effect on his mile-a-minute thoughts, Gunnar knew this shift was going to suck.