And we do just that.
Ryan thinks it’s hilarious to pick me up and toss me in the ocean since I’m so small compared to him, and I think it’s hilarious to splash him with water. He’s not wearing his glasses while we’re in the ocean, and it is the first time I’ve ever really seen him without them. I can’t seem to decide which way I like him better, though the jade of his eyes is easier to see without them on.
After a late lunch, Ryan takes a nap since I got him up early.
I head down to the lobby to call my mother, when I notice a flyer taped to an outside pole. It’s an ad for a band I’ve heard of, playing at a place called Music Farm. I’m so in, and I bet Ryan will be too. After I hang up with my mother, I run back upstairs and tell Ryan about my findings and just as I suspected, he’s in.
I sort of love how much Ryan is into music and how similar our tastes are.
By the time we walk into Music Farm, it is standing room only.
I don’t care because it is packed and loud and fun. The band is just making its way on stage, and the crowd is hollering out their excitement. I’m driving tonight so I’ll just be sticking with water, but Ryan goes straight to the bar and procures himself a beer. The music starts with a heavy bass beat and I’m bouncing on my toes before I even think about it.
“Come dance with me,” I shout up to Ryan, who nods his head and lets me pull him by the hand into the fray.
The lead singer is killing it, really amping up the good-sized crowd. I’m jumping and dancing around, and so is Ryan, and we’re having fun. Pure fucking fun, and I feel it. I’m reveling in it and allowing it to flow over me because I know for a fact that I haven’t smiled or danced or laughed this much in over two years.
The crowd is over the top, and Ryan and I have to maintain points of contact; otherwise, we’ll lose each other in no time. After about forty-five minutes, I’m dying and do the universal sign to Ryan to indicate that I need something to drink.
He nods, points to himself, and holds up one finger indicating he wants one too. I nod and leave him there to continue his enjoyment.
The oval-shaped bar is pretty packed, but I manage to squeeze my way through and get up to the counter to place my order, when I feel someone looming next to me.
“Hey, pretty lady, can I buy you a drink?” I look over to see a big dude, with sandy-colored hair, dark eyes and multicolored tattoos everywhere.
I smile at him and shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m all set.”
He steps in closer, and I wonder how long this bartender is going to take to get me a bottle of water and a damn beer.
“Oh, don’t be like that. Let me buy your drink. You’re the best-looking woman I’ve seen all night, maybe even all year,” he grins and instantly, I’m uneasy.
Despite that, he’s being nice, so I don’t really want to be rude, though I definitely don’t love the fact that he’s up in my personal space. There is no place for me to go because there is someone standing directly behind me. So I try a different approach.
“I’m actually here with someone, but really, thanks.” I give him a closed-mouth grin.
The guy doesn’t give up though, he leans into my ear, forcing my head back as far as I can manage. “I could make that sexy body of yours feel really good.” And shit. We’ve officially gone to the next level.
“Not interested,” I tell him with a firmer tone that lets him know I mean it. A strong hand slides onto my waist accompanied by a slightly sweaty body, smelling like the embodiment of masculine perfection, pressing against me from behind. It’s a possessive gesture, one I’m sure this guy doesn’t miss.
“Everything alright here?” Ryan growls with an acerbic edge. There is no missing the fuck off hostile vibe he’s shooting this guy, and any uneasiness I had moments ago evaporates.
The guy stands to his full height—Ryan has a good four inches on him at least—and squares his shoulders, leaning in ever so slightly.
“I was just offering to buy the beautiful woman here a drink and maybe get a back room fuck.”
Holy shit! This guy is brazen. I’m trying to hold my cool, but I think my eyes just popped out of my head. I’ve never heard anyone speak like this. Especially to a woman who is obviously taken. I mean, not that I’m taken by Ryan. But this guy doesn’t know that! Ryan’s hand tenses on my hip as he adjusts me closer. I sink into him, allowing my head to press into his firm chest. I can feel his heart racing. Feel the anger starting to build within him. I have to do something quickly before this gets out of hand.
I look the guy directly in the eyes. “And I told him that although it’s a generous offer, there is no way I can accept since I’m here with my boyfriend.” I spin around in Ryan’s arms, snaking my hands up behind his neck until his narrowed eyes pull down to me. Something passes between us as I silently plead with Ryan. “Come on, baby; we should get going anyway.” He leans down and plants the softest of kisses right beside my mouth. My breath hitches and my grip on the back of his neck tightens. Flutters of butterflies leap to life in the pit of my stomach at the unexpected touch, but I quickly push them down, knowing the gesture was all for show.
Ryan blinks once, his jaw clenched tightly as are the fists I feel on my back. I begin to walk forward, essentially pushing Ryan back, before I look toward to the guy. “Have a good night,” I smile, and he doesn’t say anything else.
He’d be stupid to start a fight, and he knows it.
I don’t let go of Ryan until we’re outside and next to my car.
“You okay?” I ask since he doesn’t seem to be relaxing his tense stance and hasn’t spoken a word since I pushed him out of the bar.
“Yes,” he bites out. He’s not okay, and I don’t know why. Walking over to him, I reach up, brushing my fingers across his soft dark beard. He trimmed it, so it’s not so mountain man anymore. My hand skims the bristles, admiring the way they feel against my palm.
“Hey,” I whisper. He looks down at me, but his eyes are blank and distant, his jaw is still wound tight. “Talk to me. What’s going through your head?”
He finally blows out a long steady breath, and I can feel his body relaxing beneath my touch.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I just…” He stares up to the starry sky like it has the answer before lowering his furrowed brow back to me. My hand drops to my side. “I got so fucking pissed when I heard him talking to you like that. I knew you didn’t want it and I was so close to losing my shit on him, Katie. So close.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. No harm, no foul.”
I wrap my arms around him, holding him close, my ear pressing into his chest directly above his heart. It’s still pounding. That guy must have really worked him up. Ryan’s hand cascades down the back of my hair as he holds me back. Leaning back, I meet his eyes. I can tell he is softening, because a small smirk is bouncing on his lips. His knuckles brush my cheek as we stare into each other in the dark night. I step away from him, needing space and fresh air that doesn’t smell like him.
“How did you do that back there? Normally when a guy says something like that, he’s looking for a fight. Either from you or from me.”