Chapter 11
This bar was incredibly crowded. I was slightly panicked. Sweat was trickling down my back and my palms were clammy. Trying to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, my eyes moved over the entire bar. I wasn’t sure how Monica had talked me into this. Nat and Lexi were content and Lacey was watching them back at their house, with Paul’s supervision. I’d actually gotten to talk to him for a bit and he seemed like a very nice man. I just hadn’t been conditioned to expect that out of the male population.
I’d watched almost entranced as Paul had shaken his head at Monica’s antics and kissed her forehead, just stating to call him if we needed a ride. I wanted something like that. I should’ve called Lucas to set up our standing date, but this was so sudden and Monica had been so excited. Not to mention, Nat had been bouncing around watching me get dressed.
Monica turned around from the bar, thrusting a drink into my hand with a contagious smile on her face. “Oh come on. Smile! You look absolutely stunning, Becks. This is your first night out in how long?”
I forced a smile, “I know, I know. I’m trying.”
Her eyes softened as she looked at me, “All you have to do is say the word and we’ll leave. We can go see a movie or something.”
My heart warmed. I knew I wouldn’t, if only because of the look on Nat’s face when she’d seen me. She was nearly as excited over me settling down and finding friends as she was finding Lexi for herself. She’d be disappointed in me if we came right back home or she found out I hadn’t danced a couple of hours away.
“It’s fine.” I assured Monica. I tugged down the dress she’d convinced me to wear over our video call earlier. I hadn’t worn it in ages and it was this side of snug. It displayed more of my curves than I was typically comfortable with. When I’d shown up at Monica’s house she’d promptly grabbed my arm and dragged me to her bathroom.
Removing my sleek ponytail, she’d immediately began brushing my hair and heating up a curling iron. I now had soft waves down my back and kept shivering at the tickling sensation. I never wore my hair down and it was going to take some getting used to. She’d also created a light “going out” look with her makeup and I’d hardly recognized myself when looking in the mirror. I hadn’t seen this girl since high school, maybe my early twenties. She was curvier and older, but it was kind of a relief to see she still existed.
Monica squealed excitedly and led the way to a table in a corner. We’d just sat down and gotten halfway through our drinks when we were approached by a man. Monica smiled and took charge.
“I’m sorry but I’m married and she’s seeing someone,” she responded when he requested a dance and a drink with one of us.
He zeroed in on me, sending a chill down my spine.
“No ring, you’re still available ” he said. I’m sure he was trying to be teasingly charming, but there was something behind his eyes that turned my stomach.
“No, thank you,” I replied, clenching my glass nervously. “I’m stopping at one drink tonight, I’m driving.”
He scowled this time. He apparently wasn’t used to being told no.
“Fine,” he said tersely, giving me a creepy once-over again. I felt like he was undressing me with his eyes before he turned and walked away.
“Good riddance, asshole!” Monica hollered across the bar, lifting her glass.
I snort laughed and shushed her, “He could still hear you.”
“That's the idea. Like I’m worried about some skeezy bum in a bar,” she cackled.
I rolled my eyes, but still worried internally. It was really loud in here, maybe he hadn’t heard her?
“So tell me more about this run in with Lucas. AND about how he called you,” she demanded animatedly.
I sighed, “Yes, he called me. And asked me out. And I agreed.” I hid my face in my hands. “I still can’t believe it all happened and I agreed. I told him I would set our date up the next time you could handle Nat. But here I am instead.”
“WHAT??” she squealed.
“You were so excited, and Nat wanted me to have fun too.”
“Um, girls’ night could happen any time.” Monica scolded. “When a man like Lucas Marshall asks you out, you lock that shit down. I can watch Natasha any time. I know that it seems like she’s already been around a lot, but what’s one more girl in the house? Lexi loves her and Lacey was even warm to her, even though she’s in her pissy teenager stage! I don’t mind having her for an evening, or overnight,” she continued coyly.
“Monica,” I scolded. “I’m not going to sleep with the man on the first date. Good grief.”
“I mean, no one would blame you if you did, have you seen Lucas Marshall?”
I took a deep breath. Yes, yes I had. That tattooed, tall, dark, and handsome man took my breath away. I was a bigger girl but he made me feel small. The thought of him up against me was enough to get my heart pounding. I lifted my glass and took a big drink.
“Hah! You’re totally thinking about doing him.” Monica jested.
“Monica.”
“What?! You’re a woman with needs.”
“I’m going to have to cut you off at one.” I laughed. Looking at her glass I saw she was empty. I had volunteered to drive tonight, so I could buy her a second. “I’ll go get you a refill and myself a diet soda.”
“Ok,” she replied, already opening her phone to check her text messages.
I made my way through the crowded bar and asked the bartender for another margarita and a diet soda. He nodded and said he’d get it as quick as he could. I sighed and leaned against the bar, watching everyone.
A body suddenly pressed up against my back, hands framing my hips. I jerked away and turned to see the asshole that had been at our table.
“Excuse me,” I said, trying to step away.
He placed his hands on the bar on either side of me, caging me in, and pressing close. I leaned back as far as I could, disgusted and nervous suddenly. My breathing was picking up and I was starting to feel trapped.
“Turning down dances and drinks and then talking about me as I left was pretty bitchy,” he said with an edge against my ear.
I pulled back, looking up into his eyes, his pupils dilated to the point the iris was near invisible. It was obvious he was as high as a kite.. Shit on a stick. This would happen on my first night out in over a decade.
“Could you please move out of my way?” I said. It came out more shaky and less forceful than I intended and he laughed at my attempt.
“I don’t think I will. I’d like to take you somewhere and fuck the bitch right out of you actually,” he said, moving a hand to my waist to grip it painfully this time. Was he really that high to try this in a crowded bar?
I tried to remind myself I was okay, but all of a sudden, I couldn’t breathe. It was Clark’s hands on me and I was back in that apartment. I couldn’t even speak now. Panic had set in, effectively locking me in pace.
My palms were growing damp with my nerves and I felt like a load of bricks were pressing down onto my chest. I didn’t have panic attacks often, but when something like this happened where I felt out of control, they could hit me suddenly. My legs were feeling weaker and I gripped the bar behind me, trying to think of a way out or around this jackass.
“I think you’d better take your hands off of her and back the fuck up,” a low voice nearly growled. I blinked and looked up and up, behind the man, meeting Lucas’ steel colored eyes. They weren’t warm tonight. They were cold fire and silver flames, hard and angry. This was the man out of uniform that you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Unless you were me apparently because the sight of him in fierce protector mode relaxed my body.
The guy stupid enough to still be gripping me bruisingly removed his hands and backed up, “Hey, I didn’t know she was with anyone,” he lied.
Lucas took a step closer to the man, meeting him toe-to-toe, and glowering down at him. “Now that’s not true is it? She informed you she was seeing someone. That someone is me, fuckstick, and I don’t share. I also don’t like lousy men who put their hands on a woman without permission. That means I don’t like you. I’d suggest you call it a night, asshole, and get the fuck out of my vicinity.”
I breathed out shakily, watching the exchange. Why was that so hot? A minute ago I’d been terrified out of my mind, but watching Lucas stake a claim was doing something to me. I needed to see a therapist. My whole body was flushed and hot, watching him assert this protective side of him.
I blinked and the skeeze bag was halfway out the bar door and Lucas was turning to me, touching my arm softly, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
I looked up at his eyes, now the soft warm ones I’d seen before, and shook my head dazedly.
“No, he gripped my waist kinda hard though.” I rubbed the spot absentmindedly. Just as quick as the panic attack had started taking hold, it was gone. My hero.
Lucas growled angrily deep in his throat, watching my hand, before placing his over mine, and strangely, I didn’t shy away from his touch. It was gentle and sure, I felt safe with him.
“I should go after him and kick his fucking ass,” he growled more to himself than anything.
I raised an eyebrow, “That wouldn’t be setting a very good example, Officer,” I teased hoping to lighten the mood a little.
Lucas smirked while his eyes darkened. Not angry this time, but filled with another kind of heat. He stepped closer to me, into my space, pressing against me. But I wanted it this time. From this man.
“I couldn’t give a fuck if its not setting a good example,” he said, his voice low and breath hot against my ear, “No other man will ever put his hands on you again. Especially not where mine should be. And will be someday soon.”
My entire body heated and I was breathing shakily for an entirely different reason. This wasn’t fear. This was lust.
I wanted Lucas Marshall.
Seems like my libido had woken up. I licked my lips nervously as Lucas tracked the movement. Clearing his throat, he seemed to finally get a hold of himself, glancing around the crowded bar, and took a step back. I immediately missed the presence of his warmth.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again, softly this time.
“I’m fine, Lucas. Thank you.”
He looked at me seriously, “You don’t have to thank me for protecting you.”
“Am I interrupting something?” Monica’s voice came from my left side, a man standing behind her grinning at Lucas.
She knew damn good and well she was interrupting something. My eyes narrowed at the look on her face. I may have just met her, but I could tell she was up to something.
“Thought we’d come over and check on you two,” the man standing behind Monica said, “Hi. I’m Nick, a coworker of Paul and Lucas’. You must be Becks. It's nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand for me to shake.
I shook it and smiled warmly at him, still glancing at Mon out of the corner of my eye.
“She’s fine. Just shaken up. I don’t think that asshole will be back any time soon,” said Lucas, nodding at Nick.
“I’ve got a horrible headache,” Monica said, “I was going to see if Lucas could make sure you get home safely? Nat is going to stay the night again at my house, I’ll be fine as soon as I get out of this noisy bar.”
“I mean…I can if Nick doesn’t mind?” said Lucas looking at him questioningly.
Monica, not so subtly elbowed him and he grunted before clearing his throat.
“Oh no. Man, they called me from the station and need me to come in and check on something?” he stated as more of a question, looking at Monica for approval.
Monica rolled her eyes, “Real slick,” she muttered.
“I can take you home.” I interjected, eyes narrowing at my friend, “I don’t want you to have to deal with an extra child with such a bad headache,” I ensured her, making direct eye contact, knowing full well what she was trying to pull.
“Oh no, hon. This is your first night out in forever, and Lucas will take great care of you, won’t you Lucas? Here, give me your car keys and we can bring your car, and Nat, back to you at the same time tomorrow.” Monica was full-fledged grinning at me now, shoving Nick toward the door.
I was going to have to kill the first friend I'd made in thirteen fucking years.
I glanced at Lucas, and he just shrugged, “It’s fine with me, babe,” he said with a blinding smile.
I sighed. It looked like I was outnumbered. I handed my keys over to Monica and watched as she sashayed out of the bar, arguing with a confused Nick, but clearly pleased with herself.
Turning to face Lucas, who was still smiling at me, “You look absolutely gorgeous tonight, Rebecca,” he said suddenly.
I knew I had to be blushing furiously now.
He eyed me, putting his hands in his pockets, “You wanna get out of here and maybe just take a walk or get some coffee?”
I nodded as he extended a hand out to me. Blowing out a breath, I slipped my hand in his and let him lead me out of the bar.
As we exited, Monica pulled out of the parking lot, honking and waving at me. I fought the urge to playfully flip her off and instead waved back, before crossing my arms and shaking my head as she drove away.
Lucas chuckled beside me. “So coffee or walk?” he asked.
“How about coffee to-go and a walk?” I replied.
“Brilliant,” he grabbed my hand, causing butterflies to rise in my stomach, and began leading me down the street to the local coffee shop.