Chapter 27 Cici
Cici
I slowly make my way through the packed pub. There are so many people here tonight. I'm not sure if that’s out of the ordinary or if it’s been so long since I came here that I kind of just forgot what it was like.
Luckily, we haven’t really had anyone approach our table. There have been people watching us, or pointing in our direction, but we haven’t had anyone ask for pictures or for one of the guys to sign anything.
I lean over the bar as I tell the bartender what I want to order. It’s so loud in here, I don’t know how he can hear anything.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I check my email while I wait.
He said they were a little backed up so it would be a minute, but I don’t mind.
They’re doing the best they can to keep up with the orders they’re getting and I'm not going to act like that’s outrageous.
They’re working their butts off and moving faster than I ever could.
A warm body presses up against me. I assume it’s Covey, but that’s not the cologne Covey wears. My body stiffens and I stand straight up, trying to create some distance between me and this man invading my personal space.
“Get off of me,” I hiss as I spin around to face the person.
I suck in a sharp breath when I come face to face with Josh. The smell of alcohol is strong on his breath. I’m fairly certain he’s been drinking whiskey all night long. His eyes are red rimmed and bloodshot. They’re unfocused and he looks like he’s barely standing.
“Go away, Josh,” I say a little more firmly.
“Cici! You’re here,” his words slur together, making it almost impossible to understand him. He takes a step closer to me and puts his hand on my hip.
“No! Don’t touch me!” I place my hands on his chest and try to shove him backwards, but he grips my wrists and tugs me even closer.
I let out a whimper of frustration. Even drunk, he’s a lot stronger than me.
There isn’t anywhere I can go. He has me pinned against the bar and there’s a stool on either side of me.
I can’t get away from him and I don’t really want to cause a scene…
how loud would I have to get to even cause a scene? I can barely hear myself think.
“I’ve been waiting so long to get you alone outside of work,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.
My stomach rolls and a shiver runs down my spine. One filled with anxiety and fear, nothing like how I feel when Covey makes me shiver when his breath fans over my neck.
I want Covey. Where is he?
I try to glance around Josh, but every time I move, he moves with me. I’m able to get a glimpse of the table, but I don’t see Covey.
“I’ve wanted you since you started working with me. You kept playing hard to get, but now Parker and Luke aren’t around to stop us,” he slurs, digging his fingers into my hip.
“Don’t touch me, Josh! I don’t want anything to do with you!” Tears fill my eyes as I try and fail again to push him away.
How is no one stepping in and stopping this? Does no one realize the trouble I'm in right now? Or are they just not willing to get involved?
“Oh, please. I’ve seen the way you look at me. You want me just as much as I want you.” His hand skims lower and trails down my leg. When he brings it back up, he brings the hem of my dress with it.
I try to shove him away and fix my dress, but he steps forward, wedging his knee between my legs so he can free up his hands.
“Stop it!” I scream, not caring about causing a scene anymore. I don’t care if his face is splashed across every newspaper in the morning, I just want him to stop. To step back and give me some space. To never come near me again.
“Stop acting like you don’t want this,” he growls. “I know you do.” His fingers dig into me so hard, I swear I'm going to have bruises in the morning. I whimper as the first tear trickles down my cheek. I don’t know what else to do to get him away from me. “I hope you like it r-”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence. Instead, he’s ripped away from me and thrown on the floor. Everything after that is a blur.