Chapter Fourteen – Torin
What the fuck did I just do?
I kissed Fawn Higgins . . . on the neck.
Of all the things I could have done to ease her anxiety — no, instead, I kissed her.
When she sat there, wide-eyed, staring at her ex, something inside me wanted her to feel secure.
I wanted her to know I was there for her.
I’ve seen some bad things when I was in the Army: fights, blood, the works, but her look?
It messed with me. I recognized that look; it reminded me of soldiers with PTSD.
So yeah, I wouldn’t let her ex near her, not on my watch. Just thinking about it drags my pulse right back to where it was.
I can’t lie — I knew who she was before tonight.
Of course I did. I searched her name after Dylan showed me that video.
One search turned into a rabbit hole, and before I knew it, I had read half her book reviews.
Romance novelist. Figures. I haven’t read her book, but some of the reviews were downright vile.
A part of me wanted to find those reviewers and just punch them.
I thought Fawn would be like my ex — an arrogant woman — but no, she’s not what I thought she’d be. She’s a pretty little thing, maybe a little anxious. She smells amazing, like coconut with a hint of something not so innocent, and her lips on my skin felt like butter.
I don’t understand how I managed to stop from kissing her. Her body felt amazing pushed up against me.
Is it bad that I want more? There’s a part of me that knows Dylan will somehow beat me, somehow charm her over, but for some fucked-up reason, I wanted to claim her in that moment.
Fuck!
What am I thinking?
No! Stop!
She’s just a woman, that’s it, and a relationship isn’t something I’m interested in right now — not in the slightest. I should have gone straight home after the rink and worked on my truck.
What I need to do is go outside and light a cigarette, clear my damn head of whatever that was.
But then, I see him. Her ex, glaring at me like I owe him something. So, I stay where I am, making sure he knows I’m not to be fucked with.
My thumb still hurts from earlier, and I really don’t want to punch anyone else tonight. I don’t know the story with him, but the way he’s staring at me . . . that smug face is begging for a punch.
Dylan appears, breaking me out of my thoughts, slamming a tray of shots on the table with a grin. “Got some shots on the way back from the bathroom!”
My eyes cut away from Fawn’s ex, a muscle twitching in my jaw. I can tell he’s still staring at us, but Dylan showing up kept him from a hospital visit.
With a deep huff and a shake of my head, I say, “I can’t. Had one whiskey already. I’m the driver, remember?” I sink my teeth into my cheek. Stay. Just stay. Don’t you dare get up.
Dylan studies my face for a moment, his voice filled with curiosity. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
He hops on a stool, smirk locked and loaded.
“When I was at the bar, you and Fawn seemed to hit it off quite well. You two went from silent film to full-on romance trailer. I mean” — he gestures dramatically — “you barely speak all night, and then you’re practically kissing her. That’s some elite-level charm, man.”
He wiggles his brows like he’s impressed when, really, he’s being a sarcastic ass. Then, he downs a shot before I can answer him, slamming his glass down with a look of smug satisfaction.
“Shit,” I mutter, rubbing my jaw. I hadn’t so much as spared a thought about Dylan in the heated moment with Fawn, but seeing how he acts around her — all the teasing and those looks he gives her — it’s clear he’s interested.
Dylan holds up both hands, still gripping his empty shot glass. “Hey, it’s cool. If you’re interested, just say so. I thought you weren’t looking for a woman right now.”
“I’m not!” I sound more defensive than I should. I point with my chin to Fawn’s ex. “I did it to get her ex to back off. That’s all.”
Dylan raises an eyebrow but doesn’t pursue. Nevertheless, the edge of his mouth curls up.
“Besides,” I add, narrowing my eyes at him, “aren’t you the one who’s interested in her?”
“Ahh, she’s attractive,” Dylan says nonchalantly, his mouth twitching. “Cute, even.” His eyes momentarily soften before hardening again. “I mean, like I’ve said before, I’m here for—”
I stop him mid-sentence. “A fun time, not a long time.”
He laughs and shakes his head, but I notice something shift in his face. It makes me think maybe, just maybe, he’s interested in Fawn.
“Funny,” he grunts, holding another shot. “Well, she’s alright. I’m just doing my duty and helping her with her so-called book.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Whatever you say, dude.” I’m skeptical, but his comments go unheeded. As he downs another shot, a part of me wonders if he searched her up online like I did.
Likely not. All I know is she doesn’t show her face to her readers, and honestly, I don’t blame her. Fuck social media.
Quickly, Dylan asks a question. “So, how did it feel? Her lips?”
“Fucking amazing.” It comes out before I’ve decided to say it. The memory of her lips on my skin raises every hair on my arms.
Dylan rolls his tongue along his teeth and smiles like he caught me out.
“But it was nothing. I was just winding her up, dude.” The reply is short. I clear my throat and pretend that settles it. “Anyway, she seems more into you than me.”
Dylan waves his hand and throws back another shot.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Fawn digs Dylan. I mean, he’s got everything: perfect smile, charm, confidence, knows what to say. The man could charm a nun.
Me? Oh, I just fucking clam up. The words get jammed somewhere between my head and tongue. I don’t even know how to speak to women anymore, so I end up being the grumpy asshole in the corner.
It’s better that way, though. The last thing I need is to make myself a fool again or get caught in something deep.
Deep gets complicated, and I’ve had enough complicated for a lifetime.