by Leah Holt
“It's just dancing, don't worry.” His palms came out flat, arms resting in the air.
Nodding, I let the music guide my rhythm. Not that there was much groove in these feet. I made every effort to look sexy, alluring, irresistible to the admirer I longed for.
But in reality, I knew I looked like a woman who had just stuck her finger in an electric socket. The many eyes of the people around us made that clear, I was pretty sure there were even a few pointing and laughing.
Dancing was never a strong point for me, my dad always said I was born with two left feet. And a few times when I was little, I even looked to see if he was right.
But that didn't stop me from trying. Right then I was just about willing to do anything to get Layne's eyes back on me and off the bar troll.
Taking my eyes off Flynn for a brief moment, I felt his hands find their way back to my ribs, creeping up and trying to slip over my breasts.
Slapping them away, I cocked my head over my shoulder. “I thought I made myself clear?”
“Come on, you know you want this.” His hands came up harder this time, attempting to grope my chest without any cheap maneuver. An animalistic grunt hit his throat, turning him from human into ape.
“Stop it!” I yelled, my brows dipping angrily.
“What?” He snapped, curling his hands around my back. “I'm just doing what you want, don't try and pretend you don't like this.” His face jerked down, lips trying to find my skin.
The music was ear-deafening loud, thumping through my skull. The room seemed to shrink, casting us in shadows. Shadows that looked lifeless, blackness that felt like my world was ending for a second time.
I wasn't going to give into this man, I wasn't going to just let him have what I had clearly refused. Throwing my elbow up, I connected with his mouth. A loud yelp of pain cast down on me, the heaviness of his weight seemed to shift, making a small gap between his chest and my body.
And when I thought I had created a second of freedom, his fingers trapped my waist. The look of determination to take what he was demanding had shined through his glass coated pupils.
Fuck! No, no!
You can't have this! You can't have me!
My mind was throwing cusses and threats of death at the creature that had transformed before me.
I shouldn't have come tonight, I should have just told Layne the truth.
I had only agreed to come to be next to Layne, I had only wanted to go so I could see the man I really wanted.
Flynn's smile gleamed with nothing but evil nature, and when I looked behind that face, I saw no intention of him backing away. “I didn't come here to leave empty handed.” His filthy fingers swept over my thigh, trying to inch up.
“I said no!” Trying to push him away, he held his ground, squeezing me harder.
Biting down on his lip, he looked amused. A small smile fluttered on his mouth, his hands greedily trying to grope areas I didn't want him to touch.
I made every effort I could to swipe his hands off, shove him back. But he was too strong, and I made no dent in his desire to take what wasn't his.
“You can keep trying, Sweetheart, but you're not going anywhere. I'm a hungry man, and I decided you're my meal.”
“You better get you're hands off me or you'll be sorry.” Grinding my teeth down, the words hit my tongue like hot coals.
“I think you have that backwards,” he growled, throwing his hand around my throat.
Doesn't anyone see this?
Why isn't anyone stopping him?
Scanning the room, I realized that the lights were so low and no one was paying attention. My yells at Flynn went unheard through the loud music, our bodies were so close together that no one would even notice I was trying to escape.
Taking a final look over his shoulder, the light hit my face like a bomb. There was a savior here for me.
Layne was standing behind us, fists clenched by his sides. His face had turned a shade of red that I couldn't even put an actual description to.
He was anger, he was rage, he was about to knock Flynn the fuck out.
As Flynn looked down on my face, my lips peeled back in a smile. I actually smiled right at him. His brows furrowed, deep lines cascading up his forehead, the large vein on his neck pulsed. “What the fuck are you smiling at?”
Through gritted teeth and air filled words, I whispered. “You're about to be very sorry.”
Layne towered over him, teeth clenched tight. “This date is over...” His knuckles turned white, fingers bearing down into his palm. “You can get the fuck out.”
He didn't yell at Flynn, he didn't scream into his face. But the deep tone was enough to bring a hint of fear into the eye of a man who couldn't read the signs.
Flynn's jaw fell open, a look of disbelief rolled in his eyes. “She was asking for it, Man, practically begging me for it!”
“Wrong.” Layne's fist crashed down, the sound of crunching bone, and squeal of pain hit my ears.
Maybe there was a bit of darkness that resided inside my soul.
Maybe you might think I was a horrible person for not caring what happened.
But I didn't give a shit if Flynn left with or without his teeth.
As Flynn laid on the ground, moaning in pain, Layne said, “Come on, I'll get you home.” His voice was smooth and relaxed. His hand was stretched out, reaching to pull me into safety.
“Thank you,” I said, launching my frame into his arms.
His thick, muscled arm curled around my body, holding me tight. “Are you alright?”
From the corner of my eye, I could see Flynn was holding his face, rolling around on the club floor. A small crowd had circled around us, Flynn sitting up slowly, holding his face. A soft, painful groan was muffled under his palm as he swatted away hands that offered to help him up.
Flicking my eyes up to Layne, I said, “I'm alright, he didn't do anything.”
“That piece of shit, I'm so sorry, Kin.” Pressing me harder into his ribs, he said, “I had no idea he was such an asshole. When I met him he seemed like a genuinely nice guy.”
“You're not going to be able to read them all, Layne. I'm just glad you were here.”
“I really feel awful about this. This has never happened before, ever.” Walking to his car, he opened the door, and helped me inside.
There was a look on his face that wasn't just about being sorry, or mortified, or angered about what happened. His face held concern, and passion. Layne's eyes hardened, sealing with true emotion.
“I'll be alright. I just want to go home, okay?”
Shaking his head, he knelt beside my seat. His lids were stretched to their limit, mouth open partially as if there was more he wanted to say, but couldn't find the words. And to my surprise, Layne just wrapped his arms around my shoulders, tucking my head into his chest.
We sat there like that for what seemed like eternity. Neither one of us spoke, neither one of us moved. His hands were firmly pressed against my back, head nestled into my neck.
And I felt safe. Completely untouchable to the world around me, and any evils it might harbor.
I knew what I wanted.
From the first time we met, deep down, I just knew.
I thought I didn't want to fall in love, now I can't stop myself from falling for him.
Chapter Thirteen
Layne
I was never weak on women.
But Kinsley stole my eyes first, and my heart was beginning to follow.
When I saw that asshole, Flynn, grabbing at her, trying to touch her... It made my veins explode with such fire that I only saw red. I wanted to tear his fucking head off, break every bone in his body.
And it wasn't just because it was Kinsley he was trying to touch... But because she was clearly telling him to stop.
That shit I will not stand for. A woman says no, then you turn and walk away.
Period.
Every muscle in my body was twitching, throbbing, shaking with su
ch rage, it scared me. I had never felt such emotion streaming through my muscles, hitting my lungs like hot needles.
If I could feel that much anger from a man trying to touch Kinsley, what did that mean for me?
Was I really getting wrapped up around her?
Was I so tempted by what she could give me that I was willing to walk away from the dream I'd always had?
Sitting in my car outside her house, I brushed my jaw with my fingers. “Are you sure you're alright? I don't want to leave you if you're rattled about that jackass at the club.”
“I'm alright. Like I said, he didn't really do anything except a couple tit taps.” Smirking, Kinsley's eyes fell back onto her lap. “Shit, he's probably going to need stitches from the blow you gave him. I think he got the shit end of the stick, not me.”
Chuckling, I asked, “Tit taps?”
“Yeah, you know...” Using her hand, she mimicked her word choice on my chest. Slender fingers came up and flicked my nipple, gently tickling around the side.
“Oh, is that it? So he wasn't a tit whisperer then.”
Giggling, her tongue ran across her bottom lip, wetting the plump flesh. “Far from it. He did seem nice, Layne, I don't want you to think there was something you missed with him. I didn't get that feeling at first either.”
Bowing my head, I teased a single strand of thread on my jacket. “I should have seen it, that's my job. I promised I'd never put you in harms way, what if I wasn't there?”
Her hand fell to my shoulder, curling over tightly. “But you were there. There's no point in wondering what if, because that wasn't the case.” Kinsley's eyes filled with reassurance, lashes hovering so delicately over her gaze.
But her face turned rigid, silencing her tender features. Plucking her face off mine, she glared at me from the corner of her eye.
“What?” I asked. “What are you thinking?”
“I can't go on anymore dates, Layne. I just can't.” The backside of her hand cupped her forehead, rubbing the skin.
“I know tonight didn't go exactly as I was hoping, but you can't give up on me yet.”
Tilting her head a hair, she swallowed hard. Her upper lip curled, jaw flexing as her muscles lost all form. She looked defeated.
Don't... Not yet.
“Look, I just can't keep doing this. Obviously it isn't working for me.” Crinkling my brows, she held her eyes firmly on my face. “Go on, tell me I'm wrong. Tell me that this is how it usually works out for you, tell me that this is normal.”
Resting my chin on my hand, my eyes softened. “Yes, you are wrong. And no, this isn't usually how things go, but you can't just give up because it hasn't gone your way. Give me one more chance. I have one other guy who I think would really mesh with you.”
I didn't want her to give up so easily. But it wasn't fair to keep stringing her along on these horrible dates. If she really wanted out, I couldn't stop her.
But I wasn't ready to give up on her, and I didn't want her to lose faith either.
Failure was not something I was used to. Challenges were something I looked for, grasped by the balls, and stomped into the ground.
Maybe all my success had gotten the best of me?
Either way, I made a name for myself, climbed the ladder and hit gold. And that didn't happen because I gave up. When I first started this business, people laughed in my face. I was told it wouldn't last, it couldn't go anywhere.
Look who's laughing now.
Shaking her head, Kinsley teased the trim of my jacket. “I feel like I already found someone who's great for me.” Her eyes flashed in the light, heating my core.
She knows I can't.
So why is that so tempting?
Why does it sound so perfect?
Forcing the thought away, I said, “I can't mix business and pleasure, I just can't. Look, the night we had was incredible, but I'm not looking for someone right now.”
“Boy, that sounds familiar.” Rolling her eyes, a cynical laugh hung in the air. “Seems to me like the pot is calling the kettle black.”
Clenching my fist, I tapped the steering wheel. “Things are complicated for me. Now's just not the time in my life. Look, you might not understand—”
“No, I don't understand,” she said, cutting me off. “How can you just dismiss this?” Her finger flicked between us, then dove into her hair. “I'm not crazy, am I? You feel something, right?”
Thumbing my lower lip, I thought about my choice of words carefully. I did feel something, but that didn't matter. I had a goal since I was a small child to find my real family.
And I didn't have a damn clue where that desire would take me.
My birth family could be halfway around the world, and if that was the case... Then what?
I didn't want to ever have to choose between love and a family I'd dreamed about knowing my whole life
And I was close, the answers were right at my fingertips.
“Kinsley,” I said softly, taking her hand into mine. “There are rules that I have, and it's important for me to stay true to them.”
“Fuck your rules.” She snapped, pulling her hand out from mine. “I have my own rules too, but sometimes you can't deny what you feel.” Throwing open the door, she stood outside. “I wish you'd just open your eyes, Layne. Whatever it is you think you know, sometimes that's the wrong answer.”
“I'm sorry, Kin.”
“No, I'm sorry, Layne. I'm done, no more dates. I know what I want, and I'm not going to stand here and watch it disappear again.” Closing the door, she placed her palm on the window. Bending down, her lips puckered, kissing the glass, and leaving a perfect heart.
Little did I know in that moment how much of an impression those lips, and her words would leave on me.
I wasn't giving up on her.
***
“Hello?” I asked, answering my phone half awake and still half inside my dream.
A dream that had been filled by the woman who haunts me every time I close my eyes, every time I see pin straight chestnut hair, or almond shaped eyes.
Kinsley had been on my mind from the moment I woke, to the minute I laid my head on the pillow, and even as I slept, her face rested in the deepest part of my dreams.
“Is this Layne Torres?” A woman's voice asked, highlighted by a thick southern twang.
“That depends, who's asking?” Clearing my throat, I glanced at the digital clock by my bed. Seven. Who the hell is calling me right now?
“Your sister.”
Chapter Fourteen
Layne
“Who is this?” Jolting up in bed, all the sleepiness faded away, my eyes darting around at everything and nothing. I pressed the phone closer to my ear, forcing the static into my head.
“This is your sister, Layne. My name's Anna Galloway, we've been looking for you for quite some time.”
Was I hearing her right?
Did she just say she was my sister?
“How do I know this isn't some kind of joke?” Launching my feet off the mattress, I scrambled through the drawer in my nightstand, looking for a pen and piece of paper.
I wanted to write everything down, every last word, detail, fragment of our conversation. Tearing a half used piece of paper off a small notepad, I scribbled her name down. Galloway... Was my real last name Galloway, Layne Galloway?
A high pitched laugh screeched through the speaker as she said, “Layne, this isn't a joke. You were born in New Jersey, at Hasbro Hospital, on April seventeenth, nineteen- eighty-eight.”
“Anyone could find that out, that doesn't mean shit.”
“Language, Sir.”
“I'm sorry, Miss. But to be honest, I've spent the last eleven years doing everything I could to find out who I am. So a call like this is a little surprising.” Twisting the pencil in my fingers, I noticed the slight shake in my hand.
It was surreal, the thought of having a true blood born relative on the other end of my phone. And not just an aunt, or long lost cousin
who found a hoard of papers depicting a hidden secret... This woman had said she was my sister.
“I understand the surprise, trust me. I felt the same when I found out I had a long lost brother. Believe me...” Her pause was suffocating, my ears straining to take in the next words. “When my—our Dad finally confirmed what I found, I practically threw up.”
“So you're from my father's side?”
“I'm from the whole side, Layne. Mom was the one who urged Dad to find you.”
My lungs froze, heart thumping at a rate that I expected it to tear through my chest and skip across the floor.
“You mean, they're together? Even now, to this day?”
“Yes, they're having their thirty-first anniversary in November.” I heard Anna inhale sharply through the phone, before she spoke again. “Look, I'm sure you have so many questions. And I have some—not all—of the answers you're looking for. I'd like to meet, if you're up to it?”
“Up to it! Absolutely, I'm fucking up to it! Excuse my language, but I can't believe this is happening right now.” Dragging my nails through my hair, I sat in a state of complete shock. My eyes were open to the brim, cheeks burning with a smile I couldn't push away even if I tried.
“Believe it. There's so much we need to talk about, I'll make some arrangements, and be up there in a few days.”
“No, I'll come there. If I'm going to meet my family, I'd like to meet everyone. Unless you think it's not a good idea.” Taking a quick breath, I anxiously waited for her answer.
There was a long drawn out pause, too long my comfort. “If you think it's too soon, I'll wait. But I've waited a lifetime for this, I don't know if you realize how long I've looked for my family.”
“No, it'll be fine. I've wanted to meet you since I found out. Mom and Dad might be more nervous, and I can't force them to meet you, Layne, if they're not ready.”
“I understand, I do. I'd just like to have the opportunity is all, I have so many questions, Anna.” Squeezing my lips, I massaged my lower jaw. This whole conversation was such a shell-shock, I never thought my family would come to me.