Where is he going with this? “Does it really matter whether it is or not?”
“Nope,” he added coolly.
I watched him lift himself off the bar before straightening up and wondered if that was the real reason he came up to talk to me. “Listen…” Here we go; the real reason at last. “I actually came up here to say that I don’t want you hanging around those type of guys.”
“We don’t know each other well enough for you to tell me who I can and who I can’t hang out with, Ryan,” I replied feeling slightly amused by his comment.
“Can you just trust me on this?” he said in a dead serious tone. Whoa, what just happened? “They’re trouble, Evangeline. Especially the one you’re with.”
A little taken back, I straightened up and eyed him seriously. “Thank you for the concern, but I’m fine to take care of myself, alright?”
Without another word, I walked away, leaving him still standing at the bar. Who did he think he was to tell me whom I couldn’t speak to? What the hell was going on with him?
I’d almost reached my brother and the rest of the group when somebody grabbed my elbow from behind, causing me to spin around. I swear to God if it’s Ryan…
“Derek? What the hell?” I shrieked, spilling a small amount of Grey Goose vodka and cranberry over my dress.
“Thanks, I’ll take that one,” he replied, snatching a glass from my full hands. At least he lightened my load, I thought with a shrug.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” he said excitedly with a huge grin on his face.
My eyebrows pulled together at my friend’s strange behavior. “What are you going on about, crazy fool?”
Derek rolled his eyes but his grin remained in place. “You remember the Ryan guy you were talking about…with the tequila and the gorgeous bod… Is it Ryan freakin’ Fox?”
“What? Who the hell is that?”
“Seriously? Oh my god.” He rubbed his face with his palm to prove his frustration at my slow reaction. “The guy at the bar you were just speaking to. Was that the guy you made out with last week?” He was staring at me with star-struck eyes and that terrifying grin, which meant I wasn’t getting out of the conversation so easily.
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, Derek it is. Now, why the hell has this Ryan Fox guy got you acting like a teenage girl at a One Direction concert?”
“Oh, brother,” he started. “Firstly, don’t you dare insult those delicious little boys, and girlfriend, you're the one going to be gushing after I tell you.” Okay, eww. I pulled a face but Derek paid no attention to it as he continued. “Ryan Fox is like the hottest thang going around. That guy has it all. He’s rich, young, sexy, and single and knows how to play ball. He’s a hotshot for the Yankees and their most valuable player by far.” Huh?
“Isn’t he a model?” I questioned, wondering whether it was possible that Derek had mistaken Ryan for another guy. But Connor also called him by that name, I reminded myself.
Derek frowned and shook his head. “Welcome to the world of famous, sexy sport stars, my dear. That guy has endorsement deals coming out of his ears.” Oh. Well that explained—
“Oh and by the way, don’t think I haven’t noticed the huge mouth-watering poster of him outside your balcony,” he said pointing a finger at me. “How sexy is he?” he added using his other hand to fan himself.
I laughed at my friend pretending to swoon and nodded in agreement as I listened to the rest of what Derek had to say, all the while being both stunned and impressed by his random knowledge of sports. So that explained what Ryan was doing at the funeral.
“How old is he?” I found myself asking involuntarily.
“He just turned twenty-four, and he’s been playing in the majors since he was sixteen, impressive huh? I’m so jealous of you right now!”
I shrugged. “Well, you go after him if you like.” I cocked an eyebrow and then winked at my friend.
We reached everyone just as Connor and Amelie were going around saying their goodbyes. “Are you going to be fine here, Evie?”
I nodded at my brother. “I don’t think he’s ready to go just yet,” I replied tilting my head towards Derek who had walked off, and was already talking to someone by the sofa.
“Well, just don’t spend too much time with these guys, okay? Hawke’s fine, he’s an old friend but the others I’m not sure about. Just be careful,” Connor said, looking slightly concerned.
“I will and don’t worry, I’ll be leaving soon, whether he comes with me or not.” I tried to smile.
Connor didn’t look so convinced, but he and my future sister-in-law, kissed me goodbye and soon I was waving to them as they left.
I went and joined Derek, and the football boys, handing out the remaining drinks I held. Immediately, Nick came and sat beside me. Oh great. Nick wasn’t unattractive, he was actually a very good-looking guy, but he was just too intense and that made me uncomfortable. His arm snaked around me as we spoke about gridiron and the strategies that they often used. I had no idea what he was slurring on about, I didn’t understand the game, but I tried my best to listen and look interested in everything he had to say.
“Evan, I need to chase after that man before he disappears and leaves with somebody else,” Derek said raising from his seat, and pointing to a skinny, tattooed man back by the bar.
I tried giving Derek a subtle look so that he wouldn’t leave me alone with Nick and a bunch of guys I’d only just met, but he never caught on. I just couldn’t understand how he didn’t realize how uncomfortable I was already. In the end I nodded, and watched, as Derek made a beeline straight for the bar.
“So, Evangeline. How about you and I get out of here, and find somewhere quieter?” Nick suddenly said.
I found myself scanning the area round me, searching for any kind of help. Some of the boys had already left and Hawke was busy chatting to some girl to notice. Damn it! Before I had time to respond, Nick’s hand was on my knee, and slowly making its way up my thigh. His other arm tightened around my shoulders.
“Please stop, Nick. You’re a nice guy but I just―”
“You must be feeling upset after today, I’d be glad to make it all go away.”
He went in for a kiss but I quickly turned just in time, letting the wet, sloppy kiss land on my cheek. I cringed. Why hadn’t I left with my brother?
“Playing hard to get, are we? I love that about a girl.”
Nick’s hand continued to slide up the inside of my dress. I tried to struggle free from his grip but the arm around my shoulders held on firmly.
“Nick, please stop! You’re drunk. Just let―”
“Let her fucking go!”
My head shot up just in time to see Ryan’s fist flying straight towards me. I screamed as Nick fell back into the seat, releasing me. I jumped up and moved out of the way as fast as I could. Where the hell is Derek?
“What the fuck is your problem man?” Nick replied, sitting up and wiping the blood from his mouth.
“Assholes like you! When a woman says no, she means it!” Ryan shouted at him.
A crowd quickly began to gather around us. I recognized a few faces from the funeral, while others were patrons of the bar. I began to panic but calmed a little when I felt the presence of Hawke by my side. This couldn’t be happening right now.
“Ryan, please stop! I’m okay,” I found myself desperately crying out, but Ryan either didn’t hear me, or he chose to ignore me. Shit!
“Fuck you man! You could’ve broken my fucking jaw.”
Nick jumped up off the seat and launched forward, tackling Ryan in the process. Hawke’s large hands grabbed me by the shoulders and lifted me out of the way, just in time before Ryan stumbled back, hitting a chair near me. The two boys were soon both on the ground wrestling, swinging punches whenever they could.
“Stop! Ryan, just stop! You’ll hurt each other!” I shouted, only realizing there were tears falling down my face.
Just then, three older gu
ys jumped in and tried to pry Ryan off Nick. Two of the football boys I’d recognized sitting with us earlier, chose that moment to jump in and attempt to do the same with Nick.
“I’ll fucking get you next time I see you, you bastard,” Nick spat viciously.
“If I ever see you near her again, I’ll find something harder than my fist to hit you with, scumbag.”
“Get him the fuck out of here!” Hawke shouted from directly behind me.
The men holding Nick back nodded and led him away into another room. The three boys holding Ryan sat him down on the sofa and instructed him to calm down.
“Baby, you’re losing it! She’s fine. It’s all right. He’s just drunk,” one said. Baby?
“You’ve got to calm down, Baby,” said another.
I watched on, still in shock, as Ryan sat there staring at the floor with his jaw clenched tight and his hands in tight fists, while he shook his leg impatiently. What on earth had gotten into him? One of the guys that had been helping him stood up and started making his way towards me.
“I’m really sorry about that. The name’s Scott Heilmann. Are you alright?”
I took Scott’s hand and shook it. “Evangeline,” I answered quietly, glancing at him briefly before turning back to Ryan. Was he going to be all right?
“I’ve never seen him act that impulsive before. Sure, Baby, he has a temper but off the field like that? Unheard of. Are you a close friend of his or a relative?” I shook my head. I wanted to say I barely knew the guy but thought otherwise. “Well, that’s rather bizarre. Maybe he’s just had a little too much to drink. Today was pretty overwhelming for us all.”
I tried to force a smile at Scott but it came out awkward.
“I’m fine, Bucky. She’s Rupert Montgomery’s daughter.”
Ryan was suddenly standing behind Scott. I saw a look of realization dawn on Scott’s face then. “Oh shit, I didn’t even put two and two together. Of course, you were here with Connor before. Well that kind of explains a few things but not your behavior, Baby.”
Ryan ignored him. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” he asked firmly, staring right at me. Anger still simmered in his eyes. His question wasn’t a request.
I turned to Hawke, who was still standing protectively beside me. He just shrugged and whispered that he’d wait here until I came back. I thanked him and turned back to Ryan.
All I could do was nod before Ryan grabbed hold of my arm roughly and dragged me away.
“Have you fucking lost your mind?” Ryan barked, once we were alone in a quiet corner of the venue.
“Me? Why are you mad at me? You’re the one that attacked another guy in public.”
“Fuck, Evangeline!” He threw his hand up and scrubbed his face in annoyance. “Couldn’t you see what he was doing to you? I heard you tell him no and he kept going and you just let him!” Whoa. What?
“Wait just a minute!” I snapped, refusing to let him speak to me that way. “No, I didn’t ‘just let him’. I was in the process of telling him off before you came and tried to beat the shit out of him. It was my father’s funeral today, of all days! What’s your problem anyway?”
“Scumbags like that are my problem!” he growled, pointing a long, firm finger in the direction from which we came.
“Yeah, well you don’t have to take it out on me, asshole!”
“Oh, so I’m the asshole? For sticking up for you?”
Man, this was getting nowhere. Why wasn’t he giving up and letting this go?
“You didn’t have to go crazy. You could’ve told him politely.”
He snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because your technique was working very well for you.”
I glared at him. I wasn’t upset anymore, I was angry. “You’re such an ass! You know that?” I growled. “You’re such a―”
I couldn’t say anymore because he had me in his arms and his mouth was covering mine. I melted at his touch and opened my mouth to welcome him in. Even though I was angry, my body clearly missed him. Realizing what I was doing, I pushed him away before I could get ahead of myself.
“How dare you!” I hissed, getting up in his face and giving him a hard jab in the chest with my finger. “You lose your mind after what Nick did, and now you’re doing the exact same thing!”
“Tell me to stop and I will.” His eyes narrowed slightly, challenging me to say the words, as he wrapped his entire hand around my single finger.
I frowned with irritation, but remained unmoved. “When were you going to tell me that you played professional baseball?”
The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk but the look in his eyes never faltered. “About the same time you were going to tell me you were Rupert Montgomery’s daughter.”
“You’re an ass.”
“I’ve been called worse. Wait— Why are you mad at me? Is it because I hit that idiot, or because I kissed you and you crave more, or that I didn’t tell you who I was?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but shut it immediately. I was mad about everything! Where do I begin to tell him that everything about him infuriated me?
When I finally thought of a good enough response, it left my mind as quickly as it came, when his lips came crashing down on mine again. I should’ve asked him to stop but I couldn’t; my body wouldn’t allow it and deep down I’d be lying if I said I wanted it to stop.
My mouth parted to allow his powerful tongue to slip inside and take over. Between our needy kisses and our hands running feverishly over each other, I never noticed that I had been pressed up against the wall until we finally pulled away. We were both breathing heavily and my entire body left weak and tingling. “Shit,” I whispered, licking my lips together. How was he making me feel all of this?
“I’ve been craving those kisses. You have no understanding of how badly I’ve wanted to do that since last time,” he said trying to catch his breath.
“Ryan…” Everything was racing around inside my head. I had so much to say but it was hard to concentrate with my heart bashing hard against my chest. “Come back to my place.” I suddenly slammed a hand over my mouth. Where the hell did that come from? What was wrong with me? This was not the sort of guy I wanted to get involved with!
Instead of running far, far away in the opposite direction like I should be, I found myself holding on for the answer and preparing myself for the disappointment if it wasn’t the right one.
He studied me for a moment, “I can’t.” It didn’t look like the answer he had wanted to say but nevertheless it was the one I got.
“Oh.” Idiot!
“It’s not because I don’t want to, believe me,” he assured me. “I just have training early tomorrow morning and I live close to the ballpark. But perhaps you could come back to mine?” he asked, taking a loose strand of my hair and twisting it.
All I could do was stare at him. I knew the answer coming from my eyes was a ‘yes’; jeez, my whole body was just itching to touch him again. But was it the right thing to do? Stop making excuses! You know you want him, my mind hissed.
“You don’t have to, Evangeline. Especially since today was, you know…”
Still lost for words, I nodded, trying not to seem overly eager.
With a small smile, Ryan bent down and kissed my forehead. “Let’s go then.”
CHAPTER 8
Other than having his arm around my shoulders and drawing a soft, circular pattern on my arm, Ryan kept mostly to himself, and didn’t say one word the entire cab ride home. The few times I dared to cast a glance at him, he remained in the same position: staring out the window, lost in his thoughts. I found the situation oddly fascinating, as I watched the lights from the street lamps move across his handsome features. He wasn’t acting like the hotshot womanizer everyone was claiming him to be. I wanted to question this but the electrifying sensation coming from his touch was too hard to ignore. I was glad when we were finally in the privacy of his house.
After paying the cab fare, Ryan led me straigh
t toward his bedroom. We stood, facing each other silently for a moment, until I dropped to my knees. I didn’t need to ask for his approval, I knew guys liked this kind of thing― famous baseball stars were no exception. I reached for his belt, unbuckled it and slid it off, throwing it somewhere over my shoulder. The button of his dress pants was next. I quickly undid that, and reached for his zipper, gently tugging it down, and letting his pants fall freely to the ground. I looked up to see that he had his jaw clenched tight; not the look I was expecting. The troubled expression on his face had me puzzled but I chose to ignore it. I let my eyes fall; allowing myself devour the superb view I had of the half-dressed man. My eyes stopped when they reached the obvious bulge in his underwear. I went to reach for the top of his boxer briefs, when his hand suddenly grabbed hold of my forearm.
“Stop,” he ordered. Determined not to look humiliated, I immediately shot to my feet and ripped my arm out of his grasp. Why was I here if this wasn’t what he wanted?
“But I thought―”
“No, Evangeline. I’m not going to ask you to do that.” Huh?
“But you’re not asking anything. I want to do this, Ryan.”
“I said no, okay?” he said more firmly.
Before I had the chance to say another word, he turned away and stalked over to the large bed, dropping down and resting over the edge with his hands over his face, leaving me standing there to wonder what just happened.
I just stood there and watched at him, contemplating whether it was wiser to get the hell out of there, or to go over and comfort him. Something was troubling him. Was he still furious over the bar incident? Was he regretting the decision of bringing me home? Clearing my throat, I inched closer. “Perhaps I should just go.”
“No, don’t,” he immediately responded. His head snapped up, worried hazel eyes locked with mine. “Please don’t… I mean I don’t want you to go.” I shifted uncomfortably but remained where I was. “Sorry, it’s not you,” he continued. “I just… This is going to sound really lame, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but do you mind if we just cuddle tonight?”
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