7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Blue
I promised Lloyd three songs in exchange for their table.
Watching Libby lean on her palm, her deep blue eyes fixed on me, it does something in my chest I can’t explain.
I don’t want to keep playing, I want to get back down there and whisk her around the dance floor.
To feel her body pressing against mine.
Fuck.
It’s wrong. Clay would kill me. I promised I’d help, not cross a line.
Pulling my gaze over the heads of the crowd is easier. Less distracting.
But when I glance back, she’s staring with that damn straw rolling against her tongue.
She makes me stumble over the lyrics. Doing that to an old John Denver song is sacrilege.
I have to focus.
Losing myself in the music, I manage to finish without any other missteps .
The last is an upbeat, fast paced newer hit that starts pulling people out of their chairs to gather below.
That’s when I see a younger man move towards Libby.
He slides easily into the seat next to her.
Why does a knot of irritation form in my gut?
She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself. I know she’s had no problem running off Char’s ex with a pistol.
I don’t think she’s armed tonight though.
Dixon seems to shift, but his attention is solely on Char.
Then the strange guy puts his hand on Libby’s arm.
A bubble of rage begins to well when I see her shake her head.
Knock it off. I have no claim on her.
He seems closer to her age, anyways.
Willing to try anything once.
Her words mock me. Were they for me alone, or anyone with something new?
Damn it.
I have to just finish this last set.
But then he takes hold of her wrist.
With a screech, my fingers slip from the neck of my guitar as I jerk it over my head.
In two strides, I’m jumping off the stage to grab his collar, yanking him to his feet.
“I don’t think she wants to be touched,” I growl into his shocked face .
“Shit, dude. Sorry. I didn’t know she was your girl.” His palms fly up in a sign of surrender.
I have to force myself to let go, when every fiber of my being wants to beat him into the wooden planks of the floor.
“Keep your fucking hands to yourself.” My heart is racing, and I take in deep shuddering breaths to try and get it under control.
He stumbles back into the group of people, then I watch him head towards the exit.
“Blue, everyone!” Lloyd’s voice carries through the speakers and he instigates a round of applause.
It’s only then I realize the entire bar is watching.
Screw them.
“Well done,” Dixon chuckles from behind me.
When I turn, I’m hesitant to look down at Libby.
Did I overstep?
But the wide eyed stare she gives me reveals a smile tugging up her lips.
“Thank you.” Her flushed cheeks are nearly glowing under the dim lights, and her bottom lip is puffy as she bites it.
What I really want to do is take a victor’s kiss.
But instead I slump into the chair the jackass vacated and pull my hat low enough I can’t see her. “Your dad would tan my hide if I let anything happen to you. ”
I catch a glimpse of her fingers flattening on the table before the brim of my cowboy hat is lifted abruptly.
“My dad? Really? Don’t wanna admit you were jealous? ” With a giggle, she snags my Stetson from resting on my ears and plants it firmly over her golden locks.
Fuck, she’s pulling on me so damn hard.
“Looks good on you.” And I’m not being sarcastic.
It casts a shadow over her nose and cheeks, highlighting her pink lips and bare shoulders in her low cut blouse.
They’re begging for me to touch them.
I should get a medal for resisting.
“Do you want another drink?” Call me an asshole for wanting to keep her fixated on me.
Her mouth twists as she thinks before she finally shakes her head.
“I think one more and I’d be finding a corner to take a nap.” She glances at Char, who’s straddling Dixon and smothering him with kisses, then back to me with a grin. “Think you can take me home?”
“I’d be honored.” And relieved I’ll have her away from the hungry stares I’ve seen on some of the other men here.
She’s choosing me.
If only she knew the filthy fucking thoughts going through my head.
When she stands, she teeters unsteadily.
Instinct has my palm snaking out to cup her elbow .
“Char? We’re leaving.” Her words run together, and end with a hiccup.
She’s hammered.
Val did make those extra strong for me.
But makes me extra wary of how I act.
“Okay, drive safe.” Char leans over and gives Libby a half-hug before curling herself back around Dix.
Lucky bastard.
Dixon just nods at me as I help Libby with her jacket.
I let just one finger brush her smooth skin.
My only indulgence.
Libby must have other ideas, because her hand wraps my bicep in a death grip as her other winds itself into mine.
She’s nearly hanging off me while I navigate us through the thinning people to the door.
“Whew!” she exclaims when we step outside. “It’s freaking cold out here.” Her mouth forms a perfect circle blowing steaming rings with her hot breath.
“You shouldn’t do that.” I try to keep my expression neutral. “You’re begging Jack Frost to stick his finger in there.” I unlock the passenger side of my truck and pull it open for her.
She moves closer, pressing her chest against my belly. “What, like this?” Her lips open farther and her jaw works another warm bubble of mist.
God damn it, she’s tempting .
So, I prove my point, and poke my index finger between her teeth.
I barely get it out before she snaps shut.
“See? Told ya.” I grin and step back.
I need some distance from her.
“Try it again, I won’t let you get away.” Her foot slips as she tries to climb up the running boards.
“Uh huh. Maybe in a couple of days, I’ll give you something to fill that mouth up.” I’m going to take this moment to enjoy seeing her denim-covered ass gyrating in front of my face as she tries to settle into the seat.
“Is that a promise—” Her words are cut off as I slam the door.
Jesus, she’s trouble with a capital “T”.
I should grab a handful of snow and shove it down the front of my pants.
She’s making my blood flow to all the dangerous areas.
The top of my head is chilled without my hat, but she’s just too cute in it to ask for it back.
When I climb in, she’s already raised the console and is shivering in the middle of the bench seat.
I knew I should have bought a newer truck with the individual spots.
“Hurry up, I’m freezing.” Her hands dig between her thighs until I’ve settled in, then they wrap around my arm.
Her random shudders vibrate through me as I try to navigate out of the snowy parking lot .
“Did you have fun?” I gotta focus on the road.
And breathing.
In through my nose, out through my—
“Blue?” Her fingers trail down my wrist to tickle over my thumb. “I’ve been thinking.”
Her nail traces the creases of my calluses, sending fire racing into my chest.
“On your birthday? I think there’s a law against that.” I have to deflect.
Defend.
“Uh huh. About what my dad said.” She takes a long inhale before turning her chin up.
The road. Pay attention to the road, and not the fact her pouty fucking mouth is inches from mine.
“What did he say?” Maybe if I keep her talking, she won’t keep moving.
“He said he has all these regrets. That I should do new things, experience life…” Her head dips and rests on my shoulder for a mile or two.
“That sounds like good advice.” I’m wary of where this is going.
But my dick has chosen its direction and strains against my zipper towards her.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying her body being snuggled up against me.
She raises her head, knocking my hat from it as she peers at me. “I’m a virgin. ”
Fuck.
Shit.
The truck swerves, and it takes me a hairy minute to get it straightened out.
All while she giggles.
“Okay…?” I let that one draw out.
Please don’t ask what I think you’re going to ask.
Because I’m gonna have a hell of a time saying “no”.
“I don’t want to be anymore.” Her grip on my hand is fierce as she moves it closer to her thighs. A groan rumbles in my chest. “Libby, I can’t…”
She pushes my fingers between the heat of her legs. “Please? It’s my birthday though. I’ve never gotten off from anyone else before.”
I can’t believe I’m saying this. “I’m not giving you an orgasm. You’re drunk.”
She tilts her head and closes one blue eye to look at me. “You won’t, or you can’t?” Her smirk practically glows against the dash.
“Hey now, I’m more than capable of making a woman come so hard she passes out—” I’m digging my own grave.
Reluctantly, I tug my hand from rubbing against the seam of her jeans, then drape it over her shoulders, pulling her close.
I even let myself press a light kiss against her temple. “I don’t want to hurt you, or ruin my friendship with your dad. You realize that would happen, right? ”
Her silence weighs on me.
But then I hear the light snore .
Holy hell, crisis averted.