Page 18 of Wandering in Love
Setting my beer down, I move around the table to get my shot lined up. Leaning over the table, bracing my fingers in the green felt, I take my shot and sink the eleven. I smile to myself, looking for my next one.
I miss my next shot and Will steps up. He leans over the table, facing me. The muscles of his arms bulging, the stretch of his t-shirt over his shoulders, is damn distracting. He catches me staring and gives me a wink with a knowing smirk. Suddenly thirsty, I take another long pull of my beer.
Swaggering toward me, Will crowds me on my bar stool, spreading my knees to make room for his hips. It shouldn’t be as tempting as it is. This boy definitely looks like he could show a girl a good time, but I can’t be the one that tears his family apart. I’m too old for him, can’t give him the family he deserves.
And he’s not Ian.
His good ol’ boy demeanor and quick smile make him turn heads and break hearts. Every girl in the place has turned to look at him at least once. He’s not hard on the eyes and a shameless flirt.
His fingers lift my chin when I scan the room, then he lowers his head toward me.
“I’m sorry, Will, but I’m not interested.” My words are barely a whisper, holding zero power.
“This isn’t for you,” his words are just as quiet a second before his lips brush mine. One hand in my hair, one on my lower back to pull me against him.
I barely hear the roar from the other side of the room, his lips expertly coaxing mine to open for him. Will’s mouth is soft on mine, more teasing than passion filled. My hand raises to his chest to push him away when he’s ripped away from me.
A big smile plays on his kiss-reddened lips as Ian shoves him against the wall, getting in his face.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Ian yells, barely an inch from his brother’s face.
“Not much. Playing pool with my buddy here.” He lifts his chin toward me.
Damn him. Will saw Ian come inside, then kissed me just to get a rise out of him. I shake my head at him, sighing.
“Stay the hell away from my girl.”
Excuse me?
Before I can think it all the way through, I’m off my stool and forcing my way between the boys. “Excuse me? I can do what I want, with who I want. You don’t own me, Ian Rojas. I am not your girl.”
Frustration at my situation has me snapping at him. I wish, more than anything, that I was his girl. My heart aches for him. Bleeds for him. But there are things he doesn’t know.
Ian grips the back of my neck, pulling my body flush against his. Butterflies riot in my belly at his nearness, at the frustration in the set of his shoulders, the passion in his eyes. He wants me just as badly, but he doesn’t have all the facts. He’s still hurt over the way I left.
“You’re mine,” he growls against my lips, making my heart skip a damn beat.
I want it so badly. So damn badly.
A knot forms in my throat, tears once again filling my eyes. “I’m not.”
It’s so quiet in here, I’m sure the entire bar heard the whispered words. I didn’t want this. Didn’t want to do this in front of everyone in town. Tomorrow, there will be buzz in the air as everyone talks about this very second. My back against Will’s chest, Ian gripping my neck so hard I’ll have bruises.
Ian’s eyes dart back and forth between mine, looking for a lie. For anything that will ease the pain I know is crushing his chest.
Just as quickly as he grabbed me, he spins away and stomps from the bar.
My feet are glued to the floor. Everyone is watching to see what happens next. Where’s a damn rainstorm when I need one? Where are my wildflowers to get lost in?
Will’s hand grips my shoulder. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll take you home.”
The bolder on my chest is so heavy. I can’t breathe past it. I’m about to crack and spill every one of my secrets. All I can do is nod, my lower lip trembling as I try my hardest not to cry.
Damn him. Damn Ian Rojas.
* * *
The entire drive, I’m sniffling, wiping the tears off my cheeks as they slide from my lashes. Traitorous bastards. Being home is healing in so many ways, but it hurts too.