Chapter 11
Christine
One kiss equaled a thousand words.
Only some of the words I could issue were not necessarily ladylike, especially when issued by a teacher. I also hadn’t intended on kissing a stranger in the middle of an empty arena, but I’d certainly wished for some excitement.
I’d thought the moment in the middle of my yard had been deliriously spicy, but when topped off by a more personal, intimate kiss after almost meeting his mother, the moment shared had been eye opening.
And thrilling.
When I’d tasted Danny’s lips, all bets had been off. Now, with a drink in front of us, we couldn’t seem to take our eyes off each other. And we weren’t even talking. I had no clue about his hobbies or his likes and dislikes. He didn’t know mine.
We just didn’t care.
I took a sip of my wine and as soon as I shifted in my seat, the throbbing between my legs became that much more intense. I’d been on fire for over two hours, incapable of keeping some very lurid thoughts from ravaging my mind.
While we were both lost in our little world, sitting in a semi-crowded bar that he’d chosen, a little joint on the corner of one busy street and another, we were still being watched. Maybe people could see how in tune to each other we were. Or maybe just the lust that oozed from our pores.
Then again, maybe it was the liquor that had obviously been flowing for hours and the fact the only other female inside the bar was the bartender. I suddenly felt like fresh Grade-A meat.
When he leaned over the small table, a hot flash rushed through me.
I’d been aroused by plenty of men before.
Of course I had. But this was different.
Even from across a room, I’d felt that undeniable chemistry written about in romance novels.
However, finding myself covered in tiny prickles of sweat was not only surprising, but the phenomenon was also annoying as hell.
If I didn’t get a little air or maybe some cool water on my face, I was fearful I’d combust.
“Are you alright?” He stood when I did, his entire body tense. Not only did he act as if he was going to walk by my side to the bathroom, he also growled when a strange man walked by. A man who wasn’t paying us any attention.
“I’m fine, big he-man. Just going to the ladies’ room. If that’s alright with you.” I wasn’t asking his permission.
He scanned the perimeter as if searching for predators. “I’ll be right here. If you need anything, just yell.”
Where he was playful in his arrogance before, now that his dominant side had kicked in, I was uncertain I could keep my mouth shut. “And I’ll be in there where nothing will happen that you need to know a play by play about.”
His possessiveness was strangely appealing, which floored me.
Every time a man had acted as if they were in control, I’d not handled it like a lady.
The thought kept me smiling as I headed into the restroom.
After splashing cool water in my face, I stared into the mirror, forced to blink a few times.
At least I could breathe a little easier. I’d felt entirely too suffocated before.
Were my eyes dilated? How was that even possible after half a glass of wine?
It had to be the effects of the ugly fluorescent lighting buzzing and glitching overhead.
When I looked again, I was startled. I looked like some wild woman who’d been on a cocaine binge for way too long.
Had I not brushed my hair after ripping out the ponytail?
Ugh. And all I had was a flimsy comb in my purse, which I used hurriedly, wincing when I looked at myself again. Now I understood the concept of a freshly fucked look.
Trying to laugh off my unsophisticated appearance, I headed out of the bathroom, instantly tingling from the heavy hit of electricity that was so unexpected it ripped air from my lungs. So much so that I was suddenly pressed against the corridor wall, trying desperately to capture stolen breath.
Wow. Maybe I was coming down with something given every inch of skin was both on fire and tingling as if bitten by icy cold.
A strange vision popped into my mind of claws coming from the shadows, etching deep lines in a thick block of ice. What the hell?
“Why don’t you have a drink with me, little lady?”
A strange voice dragged me from whatever place of misery I’d shoved myself into.
The hallway was dimly lit, the single light overhead creating one too many disturbing shadows.
What was it about old places and the owners who refused to bring them up to code?
“I’m here with someone but thank you for the offer. ”
“That punk?” A large man stepped partially from the shadows, but from the angle, I was only able to see half of his face.
The jagged scar drifting from just under his eye, disappearing past his jaw was the only thing I was able to concentrate on.
The single eye in view was imploring, shimmering as if a light was shining behind the glowing orb.
What in the hell was it with all the lighting in this place?
His words annoyed the hell out of me. “I assure you he’s no punk.
” I almost told him that Danny would beat his ass but certainly didn’t want to make that offer.
And why would I think that way in the first place?
That wasn’t like me. Maybe I was just sick and tired of certain people being made fun of.
Like my students. How many times had I heard they were dumb?
They were highly intelligent young men and woman.
“Trust me, he’s not worth your while. I’ll show you a real man.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. In truth, I surprised myself, but I was finished with assholes who thought they were better than others.
So I got in his face.
“Trust me, buddy. You’re no man in comparison.”
“Oh, yeah? Maybe I need to show you.” He dared place his hand on my arm, creeping forward by a few inches. The stench of liquor reminded me he was likely drunk. Not that it offered him an excuse.
“I suggest you take your hand off me,” I told him in as nice a voice as possible.
“I just want to show you what a real man is like.”
A snapping sound echoed as if magnified in the dense hallway. Within a split second, the asshole howled in pain.
From the shadows walked my hero, who currently had the stranger’s hand crushed in his own. The look on Danny’s face was one I’d never forget. Primal. As if he was going to eat the man alive for daring to touch me.
“The lady asked you not to touch her.” Danny’s voice was also almost unrecognizable, deeper than before, a husky sound that reverberated through every cell and muscle. I was suddenly licking my lips as if in anticipation of what my date would do.
The stranger shifted the sound into a distinct, gritty hiss. “Get off me.”
Using his hold as leverage, Danny walked him back against one wall.
I could feel the electricity and heat pumping off his body.
I’d never seen anyone as tense as he’d become, and I could tell he was eager for the jerk to do something to further irritate him.
“I don’t think so. Not until you apologize to the lady. ”
Bad news for the jerk. He laughed as if all this was one big joke.
Not to a man like Danny. The heat roared more than before as anger swept through his system. All he had to do was twist his hand and the instant crack meant he was about to break bones or already had.
“Don’t,” I told him, even placing my hand on Danny’s arm. “He’s just drunk and said something stupid. Didn’t you?” When the stranger didn’t answer right away, I threw him a hateful look.
At the same time, Danny lowered his head until his face was maybe two inches from the jerk’s. It shocked me that the gruff dude who’d refused to apologize was suddenly shaking in his boots.
“Don’t hurt him,” I pleaded. Having the police show up wouldn’t be the perfect end to an interesting evening. That wouldn’t be the adventure I’d sought.
Danny kept his face on the jerk, who was now blubbering an apology.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I’m very sorry.”
After I squeezed Danny’s arm again, he finally backed off, taking a single step away while pointing his finger in the man’s face. “I don’t want to talk about this again. Do you hear me?”
I’d never seen such a switch before, but Danny certainly had a commanding presence.
“Yes, sir.” The stranger nodded before running away from us.
Danny watched him walk away before backing me against the wall.
“Did he hurt you?”
“He did not.”
“That’s good. Very good. Because no one hurts my woman and lives.” With his face hovering over mine, an entirely different level of hunger tore through me, one that seemed uncontrollable.
I’d disliked the possessiveness before. Now it was a powerful aphrodisiac. And the desire was even more rampant.
“Do you want to get out of here?” I asked as I gripped his shirt with both hands.
His smile was slow and steady like before. “Hell, yes.”
* * *
Who the hell was this man, this wildly sexy yet arrogant hunk of a guy who refused to take no for an answer? I certainly hadn’t intended on meeting anyone today. I definitely hadn’t planned on allowing anyone else to see me skate.
In my wildest dreams I wouldn’t have wanted to be bothered by some Zamboni dude teasing me relentlessly not only with a piece of heavy equipment but also with his laugh. And his lips. And his touch. And his…
Thick bulge.
Okay, I was a woman after all with needs that hadn’t been satisfied in so very long, I was uncertain I knew what to do.
I was lightheaded with need, so much so thinking clearly was obviously not possible because here I was, eager to rip off his clothes.
When he flew past me, his skating ability literally took my breath away. So maybe he’d lied a little and knew how to skate, but the way he’d gone all out to win me over was something I would never have expected in a million years.