by L. P. Dover
Hadley
I was never good at playing games. I might be shy, but when I wanted something, I wouldn’t beat around the bush to get it. Why did Blake have to be so difficult? Once I was dressed, I glanced at myself in the mirror. My long, blonde hair was braided to the side and I had on a white sundress and cowgirl boots. It was strange because I didn’t see the same Hadley in the reflection. I saw a girl who wanted a different life and different things. The only problem was that it wasn’t possible.
“You will never be normal,” I said to my reflection. “You never have been.” Turning on my heel, I left my room and went straight to the kitchen. I held in my gasp the moment I spotted Blake. He sat at the bar, all cleaned up with a nice pair of jeans and a snug black T-shirt with his hair in messy spikes. No wonder all the ladies loved him; he was sex on a stick.
“I’m ready,” I announced.
His gaze lifted, then darkened as he took me in. “Ho-ly fuck. You’re going to get me kicked out tonight, princess.”
“Why?”
“Because every guy in the bar is going to try to put their dick in you.”
“Many have tried and all have failed. You have nothing to worry about. Are you ready to go?”
His eyes raked over my body again. “No, but it looks like I have to be. Just do me a favor and stay close.” He started for the door and grabbed one of the light-weight jackets off of the coat rack, slipping it over my shoulders as we walked out the door. “It’s supposed to be chilly tonight. Maybe you should keep this on.”
“Are you sure you’re not trying to cover me up?” I asked jokingly.
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
We stopped at the truck and he opened my door. Instead of getting in, I faced him. “Maybe you should be covering up. You’re the one all the women want around here.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Should it?” I countered.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe one day you’ll let me know.” An awkward silence fell upon us. I had the perfect time to tell him how I felt, but didn’t take it. What the hell was wrong with me? It was the same problem I had with singing brand new songs; I couldn’t do it in front of an audience. I had to wait and see what the people thought once they heard it on the radio. It would’ve been so much easier if he’d just tell me how he felt.
Once I was in the truck, he shut the door and got in. When we arrived at the bar, there were people everywhere. Almost immediately, I found Tyla’s curly blonde head in the midst of a group of guys.
“There’s Tyla,” I called out. Taking my hand, Blake pulled us through the mass of people to get to her.
“What’s up, Evans,” one of the guys in the group shouted. “I see you got a new girl.” I recognized Mitch but the other three I hadn’t met.
Blake put his arm around me. “This is Anna, an old friend from back home. She’s here for a visit. Anna,” he said, pointing at the guys, “I’d like you to meet Liam, Michael, and Devon.” Liam was the tallest with brown hair and brown eyes. Mitch looked like a midget compared to him. Michael and Devon both had similar muscular builds, but Michael had whitish blond hair and a kind smile, while Devon was more of the dark and mysterious kind with his black hair and brooding eyes.
I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Want me to get you a drink?” Tyla whispered in my ear. “You look like you could use it.”
“Yes,” I pleaded. “Something with a little kick.”
“You got it.”
Blake pinched my ass when she walked off. “Need something with a little kick, huh?” He chuckled in my ear.
I wanted more than that, but I needed the alcohol to give me the courage to ask for it. I was such a chicken shit. The second Tyla handed me my drink, I guzzled it down. While the guys all talked, Tyla pulled me away and slipped me another drink; I tossed it back, my body feeling all warm and fuzzy. Blake glanced back at me and lifted his brows. I nodded to let him know I was all right.
“Sebastian should be here in a minute to ask you to dance. He said he would be here soon,” she whispered in my ear. “And just so you know, when you’re not looking, Blake’s watching you. It’s very . . . protective. Almost like a wolf watching his mate.”
I snorted. “Now that’s interesting. Watch a lot of the Discovery Channel?”
Her lips pulled back in a wolfish grin. “Something like that. But trust me, Blake’s feelings are there. I can sense them. I’ve always been a good matchmaker.”
We watched a bunch of people on the dance floor doing one of the many country line dances, but then the song changed and what came on next made me smile. It was one of my songs.
“Anna?”
I turned quickly. “Oh hey, Mitch.” Blake came up behind him, eyes blazing.
“Wanna dance?” Mitch asked, nodding toward the dance floor.
“Actually,” Blake held out his hand, “this is our song.”
Tyla elbowed me discreetly in the side, pushing me toward him.
I took Blake’s hand and smiled apologetically at Mitch. “Maybe next song?”
“Sure,” he said.
Blake twirled me around and pulled me into his arms. “There won’t be a next song. You’re wasted.”
“I am not. Two drinks are not going to get me drunk.” The room did spin a little more than usual, but it was probably because he just swung me around.
“Whatever you say, princess.” He laughed.
Smiling, I laid my head on his chest. It helped ground me. “I love it when you call me that.”
“Princess?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“It used to piss you off.”
I lifted my head. “I know, but now you say it differently. Why is that?”
His gaze moved to my lips, but then he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me. Are you ready for me to leave?”
“No. Why would you think that?” His thumb brushed along my cheek and I shivered. I loved it when he touched me. It was a craving that would probably never be satisfied.
“Then why are you being so distant? No matter how much you say it didn’t, something changed after Robert’s call. I want to know what happened. It’s different between us.”
“That’s the thing . . . there is no us. It would never work out and you know it.”
Those words felt like a punch to the gut. “So you’re not even going to try? Would it make a difference to know I want this? That I want you. We could make it work.”
He shook his head. “Even if that’s what I wanted, we’d never see each other. You’re not the only one with something to lose. Besides, tomorrow you’re not going to remember saying any of this to me.” The tears started to build and I didn’t want him to see me cry. I tried to push past him, but he caught my arm. “Where are you going?”
“To the bathroom,” I snapped, jerking my arm away. I rushed away as fast as I could and disappeared behind closed doors.
Tyla barreled into the room. “What the hell happened?”
I flung my arms in the air. “He told me it would never work. He doesn’t want to try.”
She grabbed some paper towels and handed them to me. “He’s being an ass. Lots of people have long distance relationships. You just have to put in the effort.”
“I don’t think he’s willing to do that. Plus, he thinks I’m drunk and won’t remember anything I’m saying.”
Placing her hand on my shoulders, she squeezed and looked into my eyes. “Then you prove him wrong. Now dry your eyes and get back out there. Always keep your head high, no matter what anyone does to you.”
I nodded. “I’ll be out there in a minute.” Once she left, I dried my eyes and looked in the mirror. I can do this. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, determined to find Blake and try again. I wasn’t going to give up.
A man stepped in my path and I ran into him. His hands came down on my shoulders, and I wriggled out of them in disgust when I smelled his liquor-r
eeking breath. He was tall and a little chubby in the midsection, with sandy brown hair and tattoos all up his arms.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said with a crooked smile.
“Sorry, just in a hurry to get back to my friends.”
“No worries. I thought I’d see if you were okay. I noticed you got upset back there with that assfucker.” He took a step forward and I had no choice but to step back. His hazel eyes stared at me as if I was prey; I didn’t like it.
“Yeah, well, he pissed me off. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to find him so I can rip him a new one.”
“Why don’t I help you? I think it could be kind of fun.” At first, I thought he was Tyla’s friend, Sebastian, but there was no way she’d be involved with such a scumbag.
“No, thanks. I can handle my own battles.” I tried to slide past him, but he side-stepped me. “So help me, if you don’t let me by, I’ll spray you with my pepper spray and kick you in the balls. Your choice.” I was ready for a fight. Blake had pissed me off so much, I was floating on adrenaline and needed a way to release my anger. Unfortunately, I didn’t have pepper spray. It was actually just hair spray. It’d burn like a bitch though.
He burst out laughing. “Feisty. I love it. You wanna show me how wild you can get? Just ten minutes with me and you’ll never want to fuck anyone else.”
I reached into my purse and grabbed the spray. “And ten minutes with me will make you unable to fuck anyone ever again.” The second he took another step toward me, I jerked out my spray and let him have it. Shouting in pain, he covered his face, making the path from my foot to his crotch a clear shot. He fell to his knees when I kicked him squarely in the balls.
“You fucking cunt!” he growled, cupping his groin. He rolled back and forth on the ground, moaning in agony.
As I stepped over him, I said, “Maybe next time, you’ll make the right decision.”
Blake ran up to me, then saw the guy on the floor. “What the fuck is going on?”
The room started to spin. Blake grabbed my arm to steady me. “Dumbass over there wouldn’t let me by. He went on and on about fucking me, and some other stupid shit. I told him if he didn’t get out of my way, he’d pay the consequence. He didn’t listen.”
Eyes blazing, he pulled me out of the darkened corner and back to the bar where Tyla sat. When she saw us, she gasped and got to her feet. “What’s going on?”
Blake pushed me into a seat. “Keep her out of the way.”
“Damn, he’s pissed,” the guy beside Tyla said. He had sparkling blue eyes and whitish blond hair.
Tyla put a hand on his shoulder. “Anna, this is Sebastian. We were wondering where you ran off to.”
Before I could reply, all hell broke loose. Blake disappeared to the back and came out, dragging the guy across the floor by his neck.
Wide-eyed, Tyla sat back down. “Oh shit. Did Trent do something to you?”
“He said he wanted to fuck me and then I kicked him in the balls. I thought I handled it just fine.” Everyone stood back and watched as Blake kicked the front door open and pushed Trent outside. “What is he going to do?” I asked, knowing very well what was about to happen.
Sebastian finished his drink and stood. “He’s going to fuck him up. Around here, you don’t mess with another man’s girl.” He started for the door, pushing his way through the crowd.
“Where are you going?” Tyla shouted.
“To keep Evans from killing that worthless bastard.”
Everyone rushed outside, but I didn’t know if I wanted to see. Blake’s eyes had gotten so dark they almost looked inhuman. He was a dangerous man, a man who had killed people before. I was afraid to know what all he’d be capable of.
Blake
Singleton wiped the blood from his lip and laughed. “How does it feel to know I touched your girl? Serves you right for messing with mine.”
His hands on her was all I could fucking see in my mind. I poked my finger as hard as I could against his chest. “Touch her again and see what I do.” Turning on my heel, I walked away. I’d dragged him outside to kick his ass, but he wasn’t even worth it. I was about to walk inside the bar when he stopped me with his chuckle.
“That bitch would’ve loved it,” he chided. “I can just imagine, lifting that little dress of hers and fucking her raw. I think I’ll go for it next time, she doesn’t know how good she could have it.”
Everything inside me snapped. I wanted to be the bigger man and walk away, but I couldn’t. Instead, I tackled him to the ground, pounding my fists into his face. Blood spurt out of his nose, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to pay, to get it through his fucking head he was never going to touch her again.
“Evans, stop!” a voice yelled. Three pairs of hands pried me away. Tyla’s friend, Sebastian, let me go. “What the fuck? Are you trying to kill him?”
“No, but he’s going to wish I did.” Mitch, Liam, and Michael all kept a hold of my arms while Singleton laid on the ground, whimpering. I backed away willingly, allowing Trent’s friends to check on him.
“He’s okay,” Jacob shouted, helping Trent to his feet. He was one of Trent’s friends and the same size as me, but he didn’t dare intervene. It was because everyone knew Singleton was a fucking douche. Jacob helped Trent into the car and they sped away. As soon as they were gone, it was like nothing ever happened. Everyone went back into the bar, except my friends.
“At least you took it outside,” Mitch laughed.
The other guys laughed too, but it was no joking matter. I hated guys like Singleton. He was lucky I didn’t kill him. He needed to be taught a lesson.
Making my way inside, I barreled into the bathroom to wash up. Hadley didn’t need to see me all messed up. I hissed as the soap burned my busted skin, but I scrubbed my hands clean anyway. Closing my eyes, I splashed the cold water onto my face and leaned against the sink. My adrenaline was too high. All I could hear was the pounding of my pulse in my ear; until the door opened that was, and then I heard her voice.
“Are you okay?” I didn’t have to see her face to know she was pissed.
I glanced up at her reflection in the mirror, her arms were crossed, lips set in a firm line. “I’m fine. You ready to go?”
“Past ready.” Turning on her heel, she tore the door open and stalked out.
When I followed her out, Tyla stood just outside and patted my arm apologetically. “Good luck.”
I watched Hadley march to the front door. “Thanks. I’m gonna need it.”
We walked in silence to the truck, but I knew the lashing was about to commence. And sure enough, as soon as we were on the road back, she started full force.
“Was kicking his ass necessary? I had already handled the situation.”
“He was hoping you’d fuck him, Hadley. He targeted you on purpose.”
“Who cares? I wouldn’t let his dick get near my worst enemy. I was perfectly fine.”
“How do you know?” I shouted, turning a serious glare her way. “What if he pushed you into the bathroom and raped you? Do you think you would’ve been fine then? He said he would try you again. I had to make sure he wouldn’t.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. The rest of the ride home was silent, but it at least looked like she understood my reasoning, maybe. She was a female, so probably not, but I hoped for the best.
When we got back to the ranch, she went straight to the kitchen and pounded a glass of water. I sat down at the bar, but she had her back to me. “I didn’t want him touching you, Hadley. I was walking away from the fight and I lost my temper. Just hearing his threat of coming after you again threw me over the edge.”
Sighing, she placed the glass in the sink and slowly turned around. “I understand, Blake. I didn’t realize he had done that. Have you two always hated each other?”
“It’s complicated.”
She snorted. “Let me guess, it involves a girl?”
“Yeah, but it’s history.”
&
nbsp; “I see,” she said, taking the seat across from me. Clasping her hands on the counter, she fiddled with her thumbs. “I’m not going to lie, seeing you so angry was a little frightening. It was like you were a different person.”
“I think we all are when we get angry. Sometimes it can fuel our strength.”
“Strong emotions can also lead to irrational decisions,” she added.
I looked into her bright blue eyes. “You’re right, they can.” Which was why I wanted to stay away from her. She wanted me, and I couldn’t let her know how deep my wanting was for her. It’d be a mistake to let her in. Pushing my chair back, I stood. “I’m going to take a shower and get some sleep. You might want to drink a little more water. It’ll help with the hangover in the morning.”
She rolled her eyes. “I told you, I’m not drunk. I had a buzz earlier, but it’s gone. I promise, I’m fine.”
I didn’t believe her for a second. “Goodnight, Hadley.”
“Goodnight.”
I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad, but I turned and marched out of the room. My dick was going to hate me once the mission was over. I’d walked away from Hadley several times and ended up with the worst case of blue balls. Why couldn’t I shut everything off and just fuck her and not think about her anymore?
Once in my room, I kicked the door shut and went straight to the shower. A couple of my knuckles were split open but they didn’t hurt anymore. It could’ve been the adrenaline talking. I took a long, hot shower until the aching feeling in my muscles surfaced. The room was full of steam and when I opened the door, it billowed out . . . that’s when something on my bed caught my attention.
“What are you doing?” I growled.
Hadley bit her lip and dropped the robe she had on. Fuck me. I couldn’t help but gaze down her body as she swayed up to me and pressed her tits against my chest. My dick responded instantly.
“I’m going to try this again, Blake. I want you, not just your body, but you. I’ve never felt this excited about anyone before. It has to mean something. You may say you don’t want me, but I think that’s a lie.” She reached between us and wrapped her hand around my cock. I could explode right there on her stomach, but I held it back. Goddamn, this woman was going to kill me.