Hide, Don't Seek

Chapter 9~

Iknew this was a bad idea. Stu already had my body reacting inappropriately while he held my chin, and I just sat there like a good little subby. Pfft. Moron.

If my panties were damp before, they were soaked by the time I gazed into Danny’s clear brown eyes. Not only were they uniquely transparent-looking, but I felt like his soul called out to mine. Like I could jump inside of his eyes and we could float off together. Stupid right? Yeah, I know. And this is why I don’t leave the house.

To top it all off, there’s a Nordic God at the table. I’m pretty sure his deep voice caused my panties to incinerate on the spot. Meh, one last thing to have to wash.

Stu grabs me by the hand and promptly rushes us over to the bar. He’s so adorable yet, strangely, edgy. It’s such an odd mixture but it works for him. His hair is playfully messy and his biceps twitch as he leans on the bar top to flag down a bartender. His navy blue shirt fits snug across his arms and chest. He’s not huge, like Even, but he’s built, strong and fucking tall. I’m a whopping 5 foot 4 inches so he must be at least 6 foot 3.

As the bartender takes our orders, he leans over the counter and pulls a few napkins out of the pile, allowing me the perfect view of his back muscles flexing through his shirt and that rear. Holy guacamole. His rear is perfect. Delicious even. And off-limits. What the hell is wrong with you?!

Just as I chastise myself, he returns that sexy smile back to me. “I can’t believe you’re here! I’m so excited. Oo! Oo! What song do you want me to sing you?” He’s jumping up and down like a kid who was just told he”s going to DisneyWorld. His excitement is infectious, and I find myself laughing along with him, struggling to keep my voice firm. “No! No songs. One drink. Besides, you can’t leave me with guys I don’t know. That’s just awkward.” I pointedly grimace and shake my head.

“Nah, they’re good guys. We work together. Well, we live together, too. But, yeah. We’re a team through and through. Best guys I’ve ever met. And I trust them with your life, which is not something I do carelessly.”

I’m not sure why, but his words—and maybe the passion in his tone—cause me to relax a little. I nod and smile, but I can”t respond as his blue eyes zero in on mine.

For just a moment, it feels like everything stands still. His smile is so broad and the lights in the bar cause his bright blue eyes to look almost cerulean. Subconsciously, I find myself licking my lips and chewing on the bottom one. His eyes dilate as they catch the movement and only meet mine again when I release my lip from my teeth.

“Stu…” My whispered question is cut-off by the bartender clunking our drinks onto the counter.

“I put it on your tab, sweetie.” She says with a little twang. I”m secretly grateful for the interrupting bartender because I”m fairly certain I was about to make a fool out of myself.

“Thanks, Linda!” He shouts out as she makes her way down to the other end of the bar. He scoops up both drinks in one hand. With a nod of his head, he grabs my hand and pulls me back towards the table. I realize he’s done that twice now, and I haven”t recoiled or tried to remove his hand. It’s nice, actually. Warm and firm against my palm. His hands are soft, but he”s a computer guy, so I guess that makes sense.

Thankfully, we get to the table before I can overthink it. However, it doesn’t escape my attention that he oh-so-subtly shifts his chair closer to mine once I get settled. Oh boy. It’s just one night. He’s trying to make me feel comfortable. It’s nothing. It’s fine.

And that’s the mantra I repeat in my head for the next thirty minutes as his hand, knee, or thigh constantly brushes up against me.

Fork nuggets. This is bad.