Page 27 of Midnight Whispers

“You zoned out on the dance floor.” I look around and realize I am in fact still in the middle of the dance floor. Flora cocks her head as she continues, “I’m going to go to the bathroom, why don’t you go get some water?”

“Good idea, Flo.” Giving a half smile and beginning to walk away, my head drops in disappointment.

“Oh, hey! Did that Cedar guy show up?”

“No,” I shake my head. “Maybe he got busy or something.”

“You good?”

“Yeah.” My voice is anything but convincing.

“I’ll meet you at the bar. I might piss myself if I don’t find a bathroom right now.” She responds, wiggling her hips in a dramaticpee pee dance.It’s hard to not laugh when Flora is around. She has this insane natural ability to lighten the mood.

I turn and go to the bar; the smell of whiskey immediately causes bile to rise in my throat. Chewing on my bottom lip, I lift my eyes and meet Parker’s gaze. My heart sinks into the deepest part of my stomach.

12

If I hadn’t lefther when I did, I would have taken her right there in front of everyone, regardless of who would have seen. A tinge of guilt settled in my gut as I watched her lower her head in disappointment when I left. I wrestle with a combination of regret and desire to go back to her, to take her away from this party and back to her place where I would devour her. My dick strains against the confines of my jeans as I imagine how she’d taste, how she’d feel wrapped around me.

I’m in the dark corner of the room, watching to ensure her safety once again. A man grabs her wrist, and I can tell by the frustration on her face and in her voice, he isn’t welcome to touch her. He’s tall and slim, on the gangly side. I zone in on their conversation, blurring out the noise from around me.

“What do you want, Parker?” Her voice is harsh.

“Lemme come home with you.” He slurs his words; he’s drunk, and I can tell by the lines on her face this upsets her.

“I already told you; we’re done. You aren’t allowed in my house, in the shop, or around me.”

“Come on, baby,” he purrs, pulling her in closer. She triesto fight against his hold, wincing as he tightens his grip on her wrists.

My blood begins to boil.

“You’re hurting me,” Lillia pleads.

“I wouldn’t haf tuh grab you so tight if you just lemme come home with you.” He’s beginning to sway where he stands, gripping on the bar for support.

“Let’s get you a cab, so that you can go home.” She looks around at the people who stand in the room, I can tell by her frantic glances she’s worried about what will happen next.

“I said no, bitch.”

I fight against the urge to go over there and break his neck, but I have to be smart. He’ll get what's coming to him.

I’ll make sure of it.

“Parker, please,” she begs.

Flora comes stomping into the room and grabs him by his shaggy blonde hair. “What the fuck did I tell you about coming around Lillia?” she demands.

Parker sneers at her. “This doesn't concern you, whore.”

He winces as Flora tightens her grasp on his hair. “That's a terrible word to call a woman, Parks. Let’s take a walk.” She pulls him away from Lillia, looking over her shoulder at her best friend and winking. The relief that washed over Lillia is noticeable as she released the breath she was holding.

I slide out of the door on the side of the house, quickly and in the dark so I easily go unseen, remaining close to the edge of the house as the front entrance enters my line of sight. It only takes a few moments before Lillia’s friend is throwing the man, who Lillia called Parker, out of the door.

“Stay the fuck away from her, Parker or next time you’ll regret it.” She spits on the ground next to where he wobbles. I make a mental note to say my thanks to her for keeping my girl safe when I can’t.

I watch him walk through town, barely in a line and nowhere near straight. He walks a couple streets over to the town's bar and tries to open the door, only to find it’s locked. A lot of the town’s businesses shut down early for the historical societies party, though I’m surprised to find the bar to be one of them.

“Fuuuuck,” he hisses in disappointment but continues down the street.