“Chicken!” Ellora shouted, shoving her shoulder lightly. The look on Adelle’s face said it all. Under all her confident and beautiful façade was an incredibly self-conscious girl, who when close to her crush, becomes the insecure girl from high school all over again. Ellora leaned in closer and asked softly, “What’s wrong? What happened, sweetie?”
“I want to believe that he likes me. I really do. I'm just nae ready to accept it yet, I guess. He has to prove to me that I'm nae just another notch on his belt.” She fidgeted, shifting in her seat as she twisted her fingers in her lap. “Aye, it’s hard to forget the past.”
Ellora nodded in agreement. That was something she totally understood. “No need to rush, sweetie. Get reacquainted with each other and let whatever happens between you two grow at its own pace.”
Adelle smiled at her. Her eyes glistened with the threat of fresh tears. “Aye, sis. Lets’ go downstairs and ’ave ourselves a drink.”
They got up, and Ellora followed her down the stairs, their arms linked together. She forgot all about wearing the dress, blaming the comfy fabric.
“Gerard! Where are my Haggis Puffs?” Kristy shouted out back. “Grady, we are going to need a few more souls in ’ere to lend a helping hand, we are. This place is swamped!”
Grady rubbed his salt and copper bristly beard, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Aye, that we are.”
He looked out at the bar as Patrick walked in with his crew from the firehouse, finding stools next to Behr, Gavin, and his staff at the terminal. He scanned the rest of the pub. Moira and some folks from the diner showed up, along with some of the older local high schoolers, all sitting at the tables to the left and right of the bar. Loud chatter and light laughter filled the place. Grady teared up. It had been a long time since this many people were in his pub like this.
Behr listened as Patrick expressed animatedly with his hands about saving the Quayside Apartments from the volcanic flames, singlehandedly of course.
Kristy, Gerard, and Gavin had spread the word about Behr and Ellora renovating his place, getting it ready for the upcoming season. Even though repairs had just begun, that didn't stop the curious spectators from stopping by, not only to see Grady's place but to take a curious look at Ellora, as well.
As conversations filled the lively pub, Behr looked up and saw Adelle and Ellora walking arm in arm around the corner. His jaw dropped. Behr’s eyes widened as his heart accelerated, pounding erratically inside his chest. “Beautiful,” he whispered under his breath.
“Aye, brother, they both are an incredible sight to be seen. That’s for certain,” Gavin acknowledged, slapping Behr on his back.
Behr chugged down the warm liquid in one gulp. “I'm gonna need another round. This is going to be a rough night. I can see that.”
Behr couldn't take his eyes off her. That dress... It was stunning, and it was dangerous. It hugged every delicious curve. His eyes roamed over her like a desperate man needing water. That sinfully sweet, mouthwatering dress showed off her soft slender legs, showing a sneak peek at her curvy thighs. Her perfect breasts almost spilled out of the revealing dress. The knot holding it all together seemed to be begging him to unravel the tie. Behr’s hands grew clammy with the animalistic need to slowly unwrap her, like his very own gift. His fingers twitched at the thought of undressing her. The color of the dress made her green eyes stand out like emeralds, and her hair like black silk. He’d never in his life felt this strongly about wanting to wrap his arms around a woman and get lost in her. Behr needed to taste her lips.
“Easy, Boyle, your look will scare that lass away. Just tone down your intensity, brother. Play it cool,” Gavin murmured, low enough for Behr's ears alone. He let out a ragged breath, realizing that he had been holding it in. It dawned on him, as he watched her greet everyone with a smile, how much he wanted her. The feeling was overwhelming. The power of the pull he felt toward her made it impossible to think of anything else… She was becoming his entire world. He had no choice but to make her his. Behr knew he had to be patient, though. She was holding back a terrifying secret, so he’d have to wait until she was ready for him to protect her, to love her, and possess her the way he wanted to. She didn't know it yet, but she was already his.
Ellora walked into the main pub area with Adelle, and immediately heard a bustling chaotic noise. “I can't believe it! There’s a crowd!” Ellie and Ellora looked at one another with delighted surprise.
Then Ellora’s eyes found Behr in the crowd. He was pretty hard to miss; he was looking at her with such appraising, lustful intensity that her whole body scorched from it. Tingling shot through her, raising goose bumps on her arms. His eyes seemed darker somehow. She felt like he could see right through her, straight to her soul. The whole world seemed to fall away. In that moment, it was just Behr and Ellora in the room. His eyes were alight with passion. Ellora could feel the heat from them from where she stood. He almost looked like a predator, his gaze unwavering. Her core could almost feel his desire for her. This feeling struck her like lightning, sending an electric shock through her system. Blushing, she looked down and realized too late that she was still wearing the dress. She wanted to turn around and run back upstairs to change. She was just about to do just that when Grady and Kristy ran up to them.
“Thanks to you pretty ladies the whole pier is buzzin’ ’bout what's going on here. We need some help. Start takin’ orders, ladies! We ’ave some thirsty folks waitin’ for some of our brew, n’ just maybe they’ll have a bite as well.”
“Oh, how exciting. Come, Lor. I will get you a pad n' pen and show you where our drinks n' trays are. This will be fun.” She grabbed Ellora’s arm, but she yanked back.
“Wait, let me go change first. This won't work! I've never bartended before. I can't do this.”
“Don't be stubborn, you mule! You'll get better tips with that dress. You look like a goddess.” Her smile was infectious, and Ellora took a look around. Everyone was in good spirits, laughing, smiling, and telling wild stories. She once again felt at peace here. This felt like home. Grady was on the verge of tears with happiness. She couldn’t let him down. She wouldn’t. Ellora needed to get over herself and help him out.
Adelle added quickly, not fully convinced that Ellora would help, “I will show you all you need to know. I used to help out ’ere every summer before I went off to college. This will be more fun with a partner in crime, though.” She scrunched her nose, stuck out her tongue, and gave her signature wink.
Making up her mind, Ellora walked behind the bar and grabbed a pen and pad. “Who’s next?”
She hadn't laughed this hard in forever! Ellora couldn't even remember when the last time was. Her legendary taunting with Patrick had been so over-told and exaggerated that she was belly laughing so hard, she thought she should have ripped abs by now. Her cheeks hurt from smiling all night. Ellora had gotten offers from several people who wanted to donate their time, money, or products to help get Grady's back to its original charming character. And, of course, she accepted. Grady deserved it.
Feeling stoic and confident, she decided to put that feeling to good use, and awoke her inner runway model as she strutted toward Behr. He had been nursing his mug for a while now, refusing Adelle when she offered him a refill. Ellora wasn’t sure if that was a hint, but hey, why not take a chance. This was the best she’d looked since arriving here. Who was she kidding… she was a tomboy. She never dressed like this. It couldn't hurt to flirt just a little, right? After the way their chemistry sizzled while working together earlier that day, and the way he seemed to feast his eyes on her from across the room, he probably felt it too. Right? Ellora decided to take a chance and find out.
“Hey, Behr, how about a refill? That must taste warm and flat by now.” Ellora leaned her back on the bar, facing him, until she felt a sharp sting and jerked back up before he noticed. When he looked up at her, she smiled.
His jaw muscle clenched then twitched. He looked down at her mouth, then back
up into her waiting eyes. At first, it looked like he was angry and trying to hold it back, but then one corner of his mouth curled up. “I will take anything you want to give me, love.” His voice was warm and soothing.
Smirking, Ellora lifted up one eyebrow. “Why, Mr. Buchanan, is that innuendo pouring out of your mouth? Tsk, let me get that.” She snatched her bar rag that was draped over her shoulder and made it look like she was going to dab his mouth with it, when he took hold of her hand. Stealing the towel out of her hand, Behr tossed it on his lap and gave her a devilish grin. He pulled her hand into his and brought it up to his mouth, kissing each fingertip. Behr's eyes were trained on Ellora’s, holding her captive with his all-consuming gaze. He turned her palm face up, giving it a little peck. The sensation made Ellora weak in the knees. She wasn’t sure what to do… so she just let him continue. His pecks turned into playful nibbles. It looked as though he was trying to elicit a reaction out of her, but she was stuck on the spot. Frozen.
Ellora’s heart thumped inside her chest in an erratic rhythm as she trembled. Desire coursed through her veins. Ellora longed for him to continue this wonderful torture. She imagined him kissing her lips in the same way, nibbling his way down her neck. In the midst of her daydream, she heard whistling and cat calling. They broke loose from their personal trance and deep connection to look around the room. Everyone was watching them, amused at the entertainment they’d unknowingly provided.
“To young love and lust,” Patrick shouted, raising his mug high in the air. He laughed and patted his buddy’s back.
The bar shouted out a thunderous, “AYE!”
Behr picked up the bar rag from his lap and snapped it at Ellora’s behind. “Where's my brew, woman?”
Letting out a nervous giggle, Ellora relented. “I'm going, I'm going. Geez, hold your horses.”
The door swung open, and Ellora watched a tall bleached-blonde woman walk in with a look-at-me attitude. She had hazel cat eyes and a roundish face with freckles. She was taller than Ellora and extremely skinny. Immediately, the woman zeroed in on Behr. Ellora instantly knew that it was Shannon, Behr’s ex. She marched in with determination, wearing a short black skirt and halter top. Boy, she was over the top. She was trying way too hard. At first, she sat at a table out of his line of sight and just watched him. Ellora wondered what her game plan was. What was she doing here?
Ellora walked over to where he sat, hell bent on keeping his eyes away from her. She had hurt him. Bad. More than once. She hoped she wasn't here to rub his nose in it. “Here you go, Behr.” Ellora handed him a full mug. “Are you hungry for something? Can I get you anything?”
He eyed Ellora while taking a large gulp, his Adam’s apple bobbing with each pull. “I'm starving for something, love, but food, it is not!” He grinned wickedly and slid his thumb down Ellora’s cheek. He lowered his hand and laced his fingers through hers.
Wow, Ellora thought. She needed air. She feel dizzy and feverish all of a sudden. The pub was crowded, and the stale air was thick with the chemical smell from earlier. It started to feel suffocating to her.
Ellora heard the woman’s shrilly voice coming up from behind her, and cringed. The moment, their moment, was over. “Beeeehr, aren't you going to introduce me to the new help?” Ugh. She is such a bitch already, Ellora thought.
Behr froze on the spot, turning pale. His eyes iced over, turning glacial. He slowly turned toward her and just stared. Ellora’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. She wished that she could shield him from her. He had been so happy over the last week. He looked less broody and more at ease. That is, until she walked in. Ellora decided to jump in when he hadn’t made a move to answer.
“I'm Ellora Belle Sutherland. And you are?” She didn't want to look jealous in front of Behr or anyone else there. She figured they all knew what kind of person she was, so Ellora decided to kill her with kindness. That always irritated girls like this even more, when they couldn't get a rise out of others the way they wanted to.
“How rude, Behr. ’Aven't you told her about your girlfriend?”
Ellora forced a smile. “That's funny. Behr NEVER mentioned you. Do you have a name?”
Her eyes narrowed into slits. “My name is Shannon. Now, how ’bout makin’ yourself useful and skirtin’ back where you belong to fix me a drink, m’kay!” She wrapped her arms around Behr's neck and leaned in to kiss him. He finally snapped back to reality, jerking away, and pried her arms off him.
“GIRLFRIEND!” he shouted loudly. The look of disgust marred his beautiful face. “’Ave you forgotten that you tossed me aside for another?” His voice thundered like a sub-woofer, and Shannon flinched. “You cheated on me, woman!” He couldn’t look at her anymore. He looked down, scraping his hands through his hair repeatedly. The betrayal and hurt he tried so hard to hide was overwhelmingly palpable. Ellora’s heart broke for him. “You tried to take what was mine and give it to another! You just used me...” His voice was just above a whisper. He paused, then slammed his fist on the bar top, shouting, “USED ME! To get what you wanted, or ’ave you forgotten already?” Behr gritted his teeth and hissed out, “You are nothing but a lying, cheating, and selfish waste o’ human flesh.” Ellora smirked. Go Behr! Get her! “I've wasted all these years with you, all this time that I could’ve been spending with another. Someone who would want to share a life with me and stand by my side, no matter what!” His voice sounded like he was standing his ground, but his eyes, they told a different story, and Ellora could see it. He looked furious, crushed, and vulnerable. Ellora hated it. She wanted to put a stop to it, but what could she do? It was a personal history between the two of them and obviously none of her business. But still, if given the chance, Ellora was going to jump in.
Everyone in the bar went quiet and just watched them -- Shannon, Behr, and Ellora. They were just watching to see what would happen next. Tension was mounting in the now cramped space. The air was thick with the unmistakable feelings of hate, regret, bitterness, and jealousy. One could almost taste it.
Shannon's eyes flashed like liquid fire. “I was your first and only love. I loved you the way no other woman could.”
Behr roared out, “Impossible! You dinnae know the first thing about love.”
Shannon was getting desperate to get through to him. This was obviously not the outcome she was hoping for when she walked in tonight. She yelled back, matching his tone, “But I still love you, Behr. Despite everything, I still want you back.”
Behr grabbed her elbow and led her toward the door, while glancing back at Ellora. Several emotions passed over his face, like he was sorry that she had to see this. Sorrow passed through her, and his brows dipped at the sight of her pity. His forehead creased as anger set in. “Keep your voice DOWN” he growled as he yanked his hand back, as if he’d be burned just by touching her.
Behr’s continuous rejections and rough handling sent Shannon down a destructive path, hell bent on embarrassing him. She was going to go for a cheap shot, the easy kill. She continued, her voice still loud enough for the whole bar to hear. “You had a chance to leave with me, but you werenae man enough to make a difference with your life. Like a coward, you chose to stay in this shyte o’ a town! You are such a disappointment. That's why they picked up and left you behind without even a second glance.”
Ellora wondered whom Shannon was speaking of when she said ‘they’ left.
Behr was shaking, trying hard not to lose control. “I said, NAE ANOTHER WORD!” His voice was deep and scratchy. It vibrated through his chest and echoed around the too quiet bar.
Kristy, obviously hearing enough, came barreling up from out back, outraged by what was said. “Mind your tongue, witch, or I will scratch your eyes out!”
Gerard grabbed her arm, stopping her from moving any farther. He whispered to her, “This needs to happen. Let it play out. This is between them.” Ellora only heard because she was standing next to them both. Kristy barely held herself back. She looked like a wild panth
er ready to sink her claws into her prey.
“Now, I'm willing to forgive you, and I will take you back…” Shannon continued without pause, undeterred by Kristy’s threat. “All I ask is for an apology from you for making me do that.”
Behr was breathing deeply, almost hyperventilating. He was livid. You could feel the anger as it rolled off of him, pulsating in rhythm with his erratic heart. “It's over, Shannon! There’s nothing between us, nae anymore! I could never again be with the likes o’ you. Nae after all you've done. I’m disgusted by you!”
Shannon's mouth hung wide open. She slapped him right in the face. Hard. Heading toward the door, Shannon suddenly turned on her heel, staring daggers at Ellora. “Even if you weasel your way into Behr's arms, which is so obvious -- you look like a cat in heat -- he’ll just drag you down. In the back o’ his mind, he will always think of me because I will always be better than you in every way!” She lifted her chin up in triumph.
Ellora quaked with an anger she’d never felt before. Shannon didn’t even know her. How could she have so much venom for a stranger? She couldn't stand the way she spoke about Behr, or the way she’d just ripped into her. Ellora developed an idea and decided to act on it now, while she had the guts and adrenaline swimming around inside her. The dress she was wearing also helped to boost her confidence. This was it. This was her chance. She gathered up all her courage and took it.
Lifting one eyebrow, Ellora smiled devilishly at her. Shannon looked confused by her reaction. Slowly, Ellora glided her way toward Behr, swaying her hips seductively as she made her way over to him. She bumped Shannon with her hip, effectively moving her out of the way, then captured Behr with her eyes and held him there. She gave him her raciest smoldering expression. Bringing herself within inches of his face, she reached up and slowly ran her hands up his defined chest, gliding them over his shoulders and up his neck. She cupped his cheek with one hand and ran her fingers through his hair, fisting it with the other. He drew in a sharp breath, surprised. Instinctively, he placed his hands on her waist. She could feel the heat of his hands burning through the thin material of her dress. He squeezed with just enough pressure to elicit a tingling shockwave that travelled through her body.
Forever Marked (Marked Series Book 1) Page 11