Page 11 of The Getaway
Luckily, Bri is better at small talk than I am and keeps the conversation going for the next few songs that the band plays.
A while later, when her drink is long gone, someone bumps into her back, causing her to slip out of her stool slightly and into me. I move quickly, one hand landing on her upper thigh while the other holds her waist to keep her on the stool.
She glares over her shoulder, but when she does, her eyes widen as she looks around.
“Shit, when did this place get so busy?”
I follow her gaze, realizing I had no idea either. Bri shifts in her seat, reminding me that my hands are still on her, and I finally let go. She looks back at me, chewing on her bottom lip as her brows pinch together.
“I think that might be my cue to leave,” she says, not sounding fully convinced.
My heart drops to my stomach at the idea of her going. From the moment she started talking to me, I haven’t thought about the farm or my dad’s health. After only an hour in this woman’s presence, I’m not ready for her to leave.
Except it’s not like I can tell a complete stranger to stay just because she’s a beautiful distraction.
“Yeah, me too.” I nod and finish the last bit of my beer. “Hope you enjoy your time here.”
Internally, I groan, hating that’s what I choose to say. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, since I likely won’t cross paths with her again. Hell, before she got here, I had sent my brother a text about coming home tomorrow.
But if I stay, I might run into her again.
Bri pushes her seat back, standing from her stool.
“Well, Noah. It was nice to meet you,” she says with a smile. Except, when she turns to walk away, she hesitates. “Maybe I’ll see you around the resort?”
Swallowing thickly, I nod again, now torn between staying for the possibility of seeing her again and leaving to be by my dad’s side. Bri’s smile falters a bit, but she doesn’t say anything as she grabs her phone and once again moves to go.
She barely makes it two steps when one of the drunk guys at the end of the bar steps in front of her and blocks her path. Bri skids to a stop, narrowly avoiding a collision with his chest and takes a step back. His gaze slowly slides down her frame and my fists clench when a lopsided smile spreads across his face. He runs a thumb over his lip as he says something, and she shakes her head in response.
The guy only smirks, taking a step toward her and she immediately retreats. This time I hear her when she speaks up.
“I said, no, thank you.”
Once again, the drunk idiot ignores her, reaching out and placing his hand on her arm. When she tries to pull her arm away, my chest tightens, and I shove out of my seat. I’m at her side in the next breath.
“Back off,” I say in a voice so low that it doesn’t even sound like me.
The guy barely glances at me, scoffing at me with a roll of his eyes.
“And who are you? Her boyfriend?” he slurs while keeping his grimy hand on her arm. He wobbles a bit, jostling the two of them and making Bri stumble. Without thinking, I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her to me.
“Yes, I am,” I seethe through clenched teeth. I’m mindful about where I place my hand, tucking Bri into my side carefully.
Ripping her arm from the guy’s hold, she molds into me, fitting against me perfectly. The warmth of her skin on my palm over her mostly see-through cover up has me swallowing thickly.
For a second, I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to feel her bare, smooth skin without anything in the way.
Finally, the man lazily removes his drunken gaze from Bri. Putting his hands up, he takes another wobbly step back.
“Sorry man. Thought she was ‘vailable.”
I roll my eyes at the same time Bri scoffs.
“Yeah, ‘cause me saying ‘no’ wasn’t enough.”
The guy goes to speak, but I simply step forward, keeping my arm around Bri and directing us both toward the exit.
Neither of us say anything until we are clear of the bar, the upbeat music and laughter slowly fading away. We come up to a break in the pathway and I reluctantly unwrap my arm from Bri.