Chapter 8
HAYES
Iwatch Cat with a keen eye, ready to punch the lights out of the guy she’s dancing with if he makes one wrong move.
All night she’s been passed between us guys but unfortunately, other men have also taken notice of the birthday girl.
I fucking hate it. I just want to tell all of these assholes to back off because she’s mine.
Though it pains me, I respect her wishes to keep us secret.
She laughs, her head thrown back and eyes closed, as the guy spins her out and pulls her back in.
He thinks he’s the shit with his mediocre dancing, but I can tell that pretty boy doesn’t know a lick of real dancing.
He probably just practiced a few steps by watching some stupid reel called Dancing for Douches, or something like that.
When the song ends I can finally breathe and relax my clenched jaw. I’m surprised that I didn’t shatter this bottle of beer with the way I fisted it the entire time she was in his arms.
A strong hand clamps onto my shoulder, and I look to find Bishop staring at me. “You alright, buddy? You look a little tense over here.”
I take the last swig of my beer and nod.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just keeping an eye out for Cat.
She’s got guys crawling up the walls to dance with her, and I don’t want any of them to think they can get handsy.
I feel like it’s up to you and I to be the men to kick some ass if anyone tries anything.
The other girls have their pussy whipped men following them like puppy dogs. ”
Bishop snorts and smacks my back with his bear-like paws.
“I hear ya, but Cat’s a tough gal. She can handle herself.
Cami’s the sweet one which, by default, makes Cat the scrappy Villalobos sister.
Hell, we may need her to roll up her sleeves and protect us from these thirsty women. They seem a little desperate tonight.”
I look around at the packed bar where the women outnumber the men three-to-one. It’s like being at a buffet and every dish is serving up piping hot women. Normally I’d be quick to sample, but tonight I just want to grab my girl and hold her close, letting the world around us fade to black.
Just as the thought leaves me, two women saunter towards Bishop and I. They have tempting looks on their faces and their eyes are zeroed on us. I gulp and look down at my bottle, pretending to check it as if I didn’t already know it’s empty.
“Hi. How are you guys?” one of them asks, her voice loud over the cacophony of people.
“Good,” Bishop answers for both of us and lets his gaze work its way up and down their shapely bodies.
I look off into nowhere land, not making eye contact with either of them and brushing them off.
“Hey cowboy. Why don’t you take me for a spin around the dance floor.” I finally move my attention to the blonde wearing skin tight jeans and a low cut blouse. She’s pretty, sure, but she does nothing for me.
“Oh, uh, I was just about to head out,” I tell her and Bishop looks at me as if to say you were?
“Aw he’s just a little shy. C’mon H. Let’s take these ladies out on the hardwood.”
My nostrils flare and my teeth gnash. Apparently he didn’t understand the assignment which was to ditch these two.
A delicate hand slips into the crook of my arm and I startle. Cat steps close and passes the two women a very tight and unfriendly smile.
“Tag. You’re it,” she tells me.
I look at her quizzically, trying to figure out the jumbled puzzle pieces she threw at me.
“My next birthday dance,” she explains. “It’s your turn.”
The way she pushes the other women out of the way is fucking hot. She definitely wants them to get the hint that I’m taken while staying coy in front of Bishop. I dip my chin and quickly place the empty bottle on the table behind us, then take her hand in mine and pull us through the crowd.
Change My Mind begins to play and the words couldn’t be more true right now. Our chests are pressed tightly to one another, and I inhale deep and long. Her scent always brings me peace and happiness.
“Thank you for saving me,” I tell her and start to sway side to side.
“It was all I could do to keep from ripping blondies hair out by their over bleached roots.” Her eyes narrow in the women’s direction and I hear her jaw click.
“Wait…are you jealous?” I can’t help the grin that spreads, wide and satisfied.
I’ve been jealous of other men even when Cat wasn’t mine, so it feels exceptionally gratifying that she is now the one wearing the possessive boot.
“No. I-it’s…uh, you.” She drops her head, tired of fighting what I know she feels. “Yes, Hayes. I was jealous. There. Are you happy?”
“Very,” I say proudly and twirl her around, her brown waves floating behind us.
She laughs and my heart swells, wanting to hear it for a lifetime. We stare into each other's eyes and let the unspoken words pass between us.
“I want to kiss you so very bad, right now,” I whisper, just loud enough for her to hear.
“I know. I’m sorry. Just give me a little more time. Okay?” I nod because it’s the only thing I can do. If keeping her means I have to keep quiet about our relationship for a bit longer, then I’ll do just that.
The song plays on and we dance in silence, each in our own thoughts and questions that we’re too afraid to ask. As the last notes are sung, I finally get the courage to ask her something that has been sitting on the edge of my tongue for weeks.
“Can I take you somewhere tomorrow?”
Her fingers run circles over my shoulder and I memorize the feel. “Sure. Where do you want to take me?”
“It’s a surprise.” She furrows her brows and tilts her head. “Just trust me. You’ll like it.”
“Okay,” she replies softly, and I repeat, “Okay.”
Butterflies swirl in my stomach thinking about the secret I’m about to share with her. A secret that no one knows. Not even Vaughan.