18. 18
18
LYLA
T he store has been busy, as it’s the beginning of November and we are beginning to get Christmas shoppers. I had gone to the studio two evenings this week, after work. I’ve filled half of my new sketchbook already and I’ve never felt more inspired than I am by this quaint mountain town. At every turn, there’s something to draw. The meadow behind Parker’s house, the architecture of the old bank, the mountain ranges, the antique lamp posts that line the main street. There’s beauty everywhere I look and I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I live here.
Tonight is my first night out in Emerald Falls and I’m vibrating with excitement. I know it’s a different nightlife than Edmonton, but Cassie told me that the dive bars here are the best. The one we’re going to tonight is her personal favorite. She told me that the food is amazing and there are plenty of pool tables to use, with cheap drinks and a hot bartender. I’m looking forward to spending some time with her after the craziness of the week, and Cara is going to be joining us. We decided to dress up despite the fact that most people would be in jeans and flannel, so I pick my little black dress.
It’s tight, short, and shows off the small amount of cleavage that I have going for me. I’ll probably freeze my ass off, but I don’t care. My hair is loosely styled with curls, and I’m sporting black eyeliner with red lipstick to complete the look. I slip on my cute beige suede ankle boots and a leather jacket and appraise myself in the mirror.
Yeah, I look good tonight.
Cassie pops her head into my room and whistles.
“Damn, I don’t generally swing the other way, but I would for you. You look sexy as hell, Lyla!”
I smirk and turn to look at her. Cassie is in a deep purple dress that hugs her delicious curves, paired with sky high silver stiletto heels. Her hair is straightened and she has a more subtle smoky eye look. I let out a whistle of my own.
“Same to you, babe. That dress hugs all the right places.”
“I know, right?” she giggles. “We’re totally going to get laid tonight.”
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. Cassie squeals and runs out of the room. Five seconds later, I hear, “Damn, we’re all getting laid tonight!”
I laugh and grab my purse off the dresser before making my way into the main area. I stop dead in my tracks as I take in Cara. She’s dressed in a bright red dress that has little black polka dots and white lace around the bust and the bottom hem, ending just above her knees. It’s fitted around her waist and flares out. It reminds me of a pin-up girl outfit. Cara’s make-up is simple, only wearing eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. She looks absolutely stunning.
“Wow, Cara! You look amazing. I love your dress.”
Cara flushes at the compliment and replies, “Thanks. I found it in a vintage shop in Jasper. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Alright bitches!” Cassie interrupts. “We know we look absolutely fab, so let’s get the hell out of here and put these outfits to good use.” She winks before waltzing out the door.
Cara and I follow down the stairs and out into the alley where our cab is waiting. We pile in and make our way to the west end of town, which only takes about five minutes. We pull up to a worn down looking building with a neon sign that reads ‘The Trailhead Pub’. The exterior is made of wooden planks and you can hear the bass of the music from outside. We climb out of the car and walk to the front entrance. I don’t miss the way eyes turn our way and I feel a surge of confidence run through me.
We step inside the pub and I take a look around. The walls are dark red and the wood accents, including the bar, are dark brown in color. There are at least four pool tables and two darts stations, with tables scattered throughout the space. Cassie all but runs to the bar and I recognize the bartender instantly. He had been the man sitting beside Parker at the party a while back, and Dean’s older brother. Cassie saunters her way around the bar and flings herself into his arms. He catches her and a low chuckle emits from him.
“Theo!” she screams. “We need four shots please. One is for you of course.”
He releases Cassie and shoos her out from behind the bar before grabbing the bottle of tequila from the freezer and pouring our shots.
“Gather ‘round ladies,” he bellows.
Cara and I scramble over and stand beside Cassie. We each grab for a shot and lift in a toast, before slamming them back. I grimace and suck the lime into my mouth, instantly smoothing the burn of the liquor. I lock eyes with Theo and smile.
“Hi, I’m Lyla. We haven’t officially met yet.”
He grasps my hand before pulling it towards him and kissing the top. I blush at the contact and grin from ear to ear. Theo is extremely handsome, but in a rugged way. He has dark brown hair and striking hazel eyes. He’s clean-shaven and has a scar running through his right eyebrow, along with a scar along his jawline.
“My best friend was in the military. He didn’t come out unscathed.”
Parker had told me a little bit about Theo in the last few months, and I find myself wondering what happened to cause the scars on his face. I also know that Parker knew about PTSD because of him. I thought about the invisible wounds he must have and quickly decide it’s none of my business.
“Lyla Thomas, in the flesh. I’ve heard a lot about you, beautiful.” He winks. “First round is on me,” he states before turning to the men at the other side of the bar and walking away.
“What the heck? How does he know me?”
The girls share a look before Cassie says, “Well, he’s Parker’s best friend. So I would guess someone has been loose-lipped about you.”
She gives me a side eye look that screams ‘put it together, Lyla’.
I scoff and make my way to a table, where they follow close behind me. I plop down in a seat and pretend to look at the drink menu. I can sense them staring, so I let out an exasperated sigh.
“What?”
Cassie looks me straight in the eye.
“You’re insane if you don’t see how Parker Hamilton looks at you.”
My eyes widen and I sit silently for a moment. I know that I’m falling for Parker; it’s glaringly obvious at this point. But could he really feel the same way I do?
“And before you say ‘we’re just friends’, don’t. I’ve seen the way he watches you and you hang out all the time.” She pauses. “Look, I’m just saying, you should go for it. He definitely wants you.”
Just as she says that, our server comes up to the table and looks awkwardly between the three of us.
“Um, sorry. You ladies need some drinks?”
“Three shots of tequila and three pints of the IPA.” Cassie orders for us.
The waitress turns from the table and goes to put in our drink order, and I put my head in my hands and groan.
“Cassie, everyone here knows each other! You have to be a little more subtle.”
She waves me off, “It’s fine. Sharon isn’t a gossip.”
“So,” Cara interrupts, “Who wants to play some pool?”
It’s eleven o’clock and I’m hammered. We’ve done too many shots, drank too many beers, and I haven’t eaten nearly enough to soak up the booze. I stumble as I line up my shot and my vision is a little blurry. I let out a giggle, enjoying the sensation and feeling lighter than I have since my episode last week. I pull back and take my shot, missing the white ball entirely. Cassie and Cara howl with laughter and I let out a huff.
“It’s not my fault! Cassie keeps ordering shots and I don’t do well under these conditions.”
Just as I’m about to stumble over, hands grip my hips to keep me upright. I turn around, about to thank my savior, when I realize who it is.
Josh fucking York. You’ve got to be joking.
I immediately flinch away from his grip, which is still on my hips, only lower now.
“Hey, gorgeous. You should dance with me this time, now that you don’t have that big brute following you around.”
I let out a humorless laugh.
“Even without the brute, the answer is no. Goodbye, Josh.”
I turn to retreat when he grabs my wrist harshly. I let out a hiss of pain and look into his eyes. They’re glassy and bloodshot, so I know he’s under the influence of something. Normally, I would crumble under that stare, hating the way intoxicated men make me feel.
But not tonight.
My right hand is free, and I form a fist.
Before he can put the pieces together, I punch Joshua York in the face.
He falls to the ground and clutches the side of his face that I struck. Cassie is laughing hysterically and Cara looks shocked. Suddenly, a broad body places itself in front of me, facing Josh, before gripping him by the shirt and snarling in his face .
“What have I told you about coming here? Especially when you’re fucked up.” Theo drags him towards the door and practically throws him out onto the pavement. “Next time, I call the cops. Go home.”
I hear Josh hollering that he would be contacting his lawyer and Cara snorts.
The lawyer of the group simply says, “It was self-defense. He’s high and was being too aggressive with you. You can hire me if you need to.”
Theo comes back to us, holding a bag of ice and wrapping it in a bar towel.
“Alright, Rocky,” he laughs. “Let’s get some ice on that hand. You might not feel it now, but that will hurt in the morning.”
I make a face as he places the ice on my knuckles, feeling a dull ache despite the alcohol flowing through my bloodstream.
“Well, well. What did I miss?”
Heat rushes to an area down south just at the sound of his voice and I turn to meet his gaze. Parker is standing there with a smug look on his face and hands in his pockets. He’s wearing a long sleeved black tee, with the sleeves pushed up to showcase his forearms. Why does he have to look so edible right now?
“Lyla punched Joshua York in the face.”
Parker’s shocked expression makes me giggle, before I promptly tip over and almost land on my ass. Parker and Theo catch me between the two of them.
“You got this, man?” Theo asks Parker.
He nods and wraps his arm around my waist, and places my arm around his neck.
“Let’s go, sweetheart.”
I wave my goodbye to Cassie and Cara, who look absolutely delighted. We amble over to Parker’s truck and he helps me climb into the passenger seat and buckles my seatbelt for me. Closing the door, he rounds the vehicle and hops into the cab effortlessly. We silently pull out of the parking lot and head back towards the main strip. Being in the cab of his truck, surrounded by him and his scent, is doing things to me. I inhale and let out a contented sigh before snuggling into the seat.
I break the silence first.
“Why were you at the pub? I thought you were spending time with your dad tonight.”
“I was, but he left about an hour ago. I was just getting ready to go to sleep when Theo called me and told me you were wasted. I figured you might need a ride home.”
I longingly gaze at the man beside me. Parker constantly wants to protect me and be there for me. I had never been able to completely rely on somebody before, and while it’s a foreign feeling, it’s nice. I had never felt this type of ease around someone. I know that Parker has the ability to ruin me, and I had never allowed that before. It’s easier to keep my distance emotionally because then I can’t get hurt or let down. But Parker has torn down my walls, brick by brick, and shown me that I’m safe with him. I trust him completely and I revel in the fact that I’d found my person.
He pulls into the alley behind the store, unbuckles his seatbelt and mutters, “Wait here.”
He hops out of the truck and jogs around to my side. He opens the door and gently reaches over to unbuckle me. His hands linger around my waist, and the sensation is so different from when Josh touched me. Heat whips through my body at an alarming rate and my pussy pulses with need. He strokes his thumb over my hip bone and I swear I begin to pant. One hand remains there, as the other reaches up to grasp my chin. He gently turns my head and his eyes fill with… longing?
Just as I’m about to move my face towards his, he says, “God, you’re beautiful. You should go upstairs before I do something very ungentlemanly.”
I search his gaze and find it riddled with desire. His nostrils flare as I turn in my seat and spread my legs so they’re on either side of his hips. He lets out a low growl and shakes his head.
“Lyla, you’re drunk. We can’t do this. Not right now.”
I let out a whimper because the moisture is pooling between my legs and I’m about to climb this man like a tree. But he’s right, and the fact that he respects me only makes my hunger for him more intense.
Slowly, he pulls back and grasps my waist, lifting me effortlessly out of the truck. As I turn to make my way to the back entrance, the truck door slams shut and suddenly, I’m pinned against it. Parker’s face is hovering above mine and he’s panting. His hands rest on either side of my head, leaning against the vehicle. I’m caged in. Heat scorches through me and I feel my legs begin to quiver with need.
“Lyla,” he says my name like a prayer.
“Parker,” I whisper.
He leans down and trails his nose up my neck, inhaling my scent and letting out a groan.
“One day, we’re going to explore each other’s bodies. I will taste you, fuck you, and ravage you. But not like this. I want you sober and I want you begging for my cock.”
Breathing becomes difficult and I can feel my pussy throbbing. This man is going to destroy me and I know I’ll enjoy every second of it.
“Good night, sweetheart.” He flashes me a smug smile before releasing me and stepping back.
I break out of my trance and nod before slipping inside the building. I awkwardly wobble my way up the stairs, almost falling flat on my face a number of times, and unlock the apartment door. I pour a glass of water, chug it, and refill the glass. I bring the full glass to my bedroom and place it on my bedside table before peeling off my dress. After I’ve washed my face in the bathroom, I fall into bed.
Only I can’t sleep. I’m too amped up from that interaction, and decide I need a release.
Slowly, I pull my underwear to the side and begin to circle my clit. A breathy moan escapes me as I run a finger through my slick cunt and insert two fingers. I ride my hand, pleasure beginning to pool until I can hear the moisture slapping against me. I take my fingers out and give my clit more attention as it throbs. I can feel myself beginning to clench, ready for a release. I imagine it’s Parker’s rough hand playing with my swollen center and his other hand gripping my breast and tweaking my nipple.
My climax barrels through me and I ride out the euphoria until I’m spent.
I lay there, limp and breathless. I’ve never been the kind of girl who likes to masturbate, but thinking of Parker Hamilton while pleasuring myself is next level. It makes me wonder how much better his cock would feel.
I roll over and let out a yawn, completely spent, before I slowly drift into a dreamless sleep.