Chapter 27
I Won’t Give Up – Jazon Mraz
Tally
The wine had been flowing, and I was feeling the effects. My limbs felt much lighter than they had in days, my words, which came from loose lips, were slightly slurred and I’d started to talk about Wilder, to his sister-in-law’s.
“He’s just so damn annoying at times.” I grimaced. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that to you.”
Cassidy shook her head. “Don’t be sorry. We are both fully aware of how damn annoying the Miller brothers are. Isn’t that right, Lily?”
“Yep. We know exactly how annoying and yet…” she sighed and fluttered her eyelashes, “…how sexy they can be.”
“At least you’re admitting that there is a you and him,” Cassidy added with a raised eyebrow.
Alcohol has something to do with that. By our second bottle I was more than happy to spill why I’d taken the afternoon off.
“No point in keeping it a secret, now it’s over.” I shrugged. “At least I have the memories and my favorite little toy to keep me happy at night.”
The burst of laughter around the table filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time.
I’d never had many close female friends, not even at school.
Always preferring the company of my brothers and their buddies.
We lived on the outskirts of Sweet Maple Falls, the farmland part of town, although we didn’t have a farm, just a couple of acres of fields and fruit trees.
My brothers and I rode our horses, climbed trees and swam in the river that ran through the Jenkins’ land, from sunrise to sunset and loved every single minute.
But it felt good to say I finally had female friends. Friends who I could talk to about…boys.
“I hate that he has me all tied up in knots.” Picking up my glass, the wine sloshed against the sides and the smell of the alcohol reminded me of Cassidy and Gunner’s engagement party. More importantly how I felt the next morning. I pushed it to one side.
“Ooh he’s into bondage is he?” Lily snorted into her glass.
Cassidy and I looked at each other and another peal of laughter broke out between us. The three of us continued giggling, the alcohol fueling our amusement. I even reached for my glass of wine, forgetting the potential hangover.
“Another bottle?” I asked.
“Why not and maybe we should have some…oh wow…” Cassidy trailed off, an amused expression aimed toward the door.
“What?” Lily looked over my shoulder and gasped. “Shit.”
Turning in my seat, my heart stopped, and my legs began to tremble. Wilder was standing in the doorway, his hands hanging loosely from his hips as he pinned me with a stare full of fire.
The wine buzz vanished instantly, replaced by a different kind of intoxication. My fingers tightened around my glass as I tried to steady myself, hyperaware that Lily and Cassidy were watching my every reaction.
Heat traveled through my body, pooling between my legs as I watched him watch me. Every nerve in my body felt like it had been set alight. Tingling at the ends and sending a message of desire to my brain. He didn’t have the right, though.
He shouldn’t be able to turn up in the bar where I was enjoying myself and send my head into a spin. He shouldn’t look that damn magnificent when he doesn't want me. When we were no longer a thing.
“What’s he doing here?” I whispered.
Lily leaned closer. “I’d say he’s here for you and he has the clenched jaw of Miller determination, so…” She shrugged and blew out her cheeks. “Think he’s about to tie you into a few more knots.”
He pulled his shoulders back and then strode toward me, shouldering through the people crowding in the bar, determined and fearless as everyone watched him carve his way through confidently. I on the other hand was petrified.
Scared that he was here to make it clear we were over.
Scared that he was here to tell me we weren’t.
Scared that he was all I could think about
Arriving out our table he nodded at Cassidy and Lily and then turned to me. His jaw tight, just as Lily had said, his eyes dark and staring. I drew in what little breath I had.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. “Thought you were sick.”
My heart was beating too fast, my mouth as dry as the desert. “I’m on girl’s night. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for you,” he announced, like he was telling me what day of the week it was.
The words hit me like a physical blow. Hope and terror warred in my chest, arguing so loudly I was sure I could actually hear them.
“And why are you here for me?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but my heart was in my throat and forcing the words out. “Because if it’s just to tell me that we are done then you needn’t bother.”
“Did I ever say we were done?” His eyes darted momentarily between Cassidy and Lily, seemingly unaffected that they obviously knew about us.
I blinked slowly. “You’ve barely spoken to me for days and then said things were just getting on top of you. I’m pretty sure that was you thinking you were letting me down gently. Well, you don’t need to, I get it.”
I wanted to get up and leave. Everything was telling me to run and avoid the embarrassment and the pain of rejection.
And, yet the need to stay was overwhelming.
If there was any chance that he had changed his mind, that he might be here for me.
That I could look at him for a little longer.
That I could sit there and be humiliated like an idiot, then I guess I needed to stay.
Wilder lifted his chin, his hand steady as he pointed at me. “You and I need to talk.” I hated how self-assured he was. No sign of nerves as he stared at me.
“Not sure we do.” I picked up the empty wine bottle and stood. “I’m going to get some more wine.”
His hand reached out and firmly, yet with a gentleness that took my breath, took it from me and placed it on the table. I caught Lily trying to hide a smile behind her wine glass while Cassidy looked like she just needed popcorn.
“Ladies, you’ll excuse me if I take Brownie with me.”
“I’m not going with you,” I announced, like I meant it.
“Oh, yes you are.” He gave me his smirk. The one that was usually the prequel to sex.
“No way.” I shook my head. “You don’t get to ignore me for two days and then show up here, demanding that I go with you. Like some Neanderthal.”
The conversations around us had quietened, half the bar pretending not to watch while the other half were clearly hanging on every word.
“Oh dear,” Cassidy muttered.
“Yikes, she’s done it now.”
I looked down at Lily. “Done what?”
The next thing I knew I was being hauled off my feet and over Wilder’s shoulder which was pressing into my stomach. The solid muscle and warmth radiating through his shirt. My body betrayed me, responding to his strength even as my mind screamed in protest.
“What the hell are you doing?” I slapped at his back, my fists hitting marbled muscle. “Let me down. Wilder, I—”
His hand came down on my ass and damn well slapped it. “Cut the yelling, Brownie, you’re hurting my ears.”
He stooped to pick up my purse, remaining steady even as I wiggled to get free of him.
“Night, ladies,” he drawled. “Nash messaged me to say he’ll come pick you up whenever you’re ready.”
He then strode through the bar, me slapping at his ass while everyone yelled and cheered. As he held tight to my legs, it struck me hard in the chest, I was not only wet for this man, but I would never be ready to be over him.