Chapter 20 #3
The second girl, also a bottled blonde, was already pulling him to his feet, caressing his hand like a hand massager would do.
“Oh, yes. My favorite sport. I do so adore the way you handle your… stick,” the second one purred and I resisted laughing. At least I was keeping my cool.
I realized not all women or even puck bunnies were so blatant.
Maybe that’s why my hackles were raised.
After the reporter had just stopped by, I wanted my instincts on high alert.
I’d seen many men acting like complete idiots in my short time being around the team.
These two women were so over the top something stuck in the back of my mind.
But Ford was on a roll and what red-blooded, furry man wouldn’t enjoy having two buxom blondes hanging all over him?
“I do my best, ladies. Now, if you don’t mind, let’s go ahead and take a picture. I am enjoying a wonderful dinner with an amazing lady.”
Okay, I’d give him a couple of points, a few more tossed in by the way he locked eyes with mine. He was even more serious tonight, which was sexy as well as terrifying.
“Party pooper,” girl number one said, but crowded his space, holding up her phone with one hand. I knew a social media photo moment when I saw one, both girls striking a pose.
When I shifted and my body stiffened, I was shocked as an instant burning sensation formed in my chest. Even a wave of sour bile slipped up from my throat. Mere seconds later, my jaw ached from how hard I was clenching my teeth.
Well, wouldn’t you know? I was jealous. For the first time in my life and around him the little green-eyed monster was flowing wild and free. Oh, this was unacceptable. We were just friends. Maybe a little more.
The girl took at least three shots, each one different and with the women draping themselves all over him.
“Thank you so much, Wolfman,” the first murmured while stroking his face. “In case you get bored, we’ll be right over there.”
“Yes, lover boy,” the second girl said, giggling as she backed away. “And we do everything together.”
The show wasn’t over for the evening, the brute who was with them appearing out of nowhere. And right on cue. This was how it was done. Only when the guy opened his mouth, I could tell by Ford’s reaction the guy wasn’t someone he knew from town.
“Get away from him, girls. He’s a fucking animal.” He pushed them away.
“Oh, come on, Ralph. That’s Ford Kendrick.” The woman lost both her southern accent and her cuddle doll appeal while glaring at him. “He’s a hockey player, not some man-eating beast.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. He’s a fucking shifter, baby girl. He’ll eat you alive.” The jerk planted his hands on the end of the table, leaning over as if he owned the place. “You need your daddy to protect you.”
“Oh, Daddy,” one of the girls cooed in a baby voice.
Ford bristled and I snaked my hand across the table, wrapping my fingers around his fist.
“But if you dare touch them, wolf boy, you will face your maker. Capisce?”
At least Ford sat back as he didn’t have a care in the world. “Don’t worry, bud. I wouldn’t dream of touching them. You’ve already tarnished them, given your… issues.”
“What did you say to me?”
Suddenly, we were all back in high school, the gym bully acting as if he could take on the entire school. Few could believe I’d been a troublemaker myself, getting in the middle of those fights just to piss off the bully.
Which was why I opened my mouth without thinking.
“I assure you, Neanderthal, Ford is ten times the man you are. Be jealous, ladies. I know exactly what he can do with his… stick.” I licked my lips just to add a cherry on the fluffy icing. Of course, the alcohol had not only warmed my cockles but had also loosened my lips.
While the girls giggled, the brute huffed and puffed, but sneered at Ford then walked away.
“What were you doing? What in the hell were you doing?” he asked not once but twice, although I’d say his tone was more as if he was interrogating me.
“Putting that asshole in his place.” The tequila was definitely working through me as when I noticed the guy was staring at us, I flipped him the bird.
To which, my dinner companion grabbed my hand, pulling it close to his mouth and blowing a wave of scorching heat across my knuckles. “Georgia. Stop. I can fight my own battles when and if I chose to do so. That man isn’t one you want to fuck with.”
“Oh, really? He doesn’t know what I’m capable of. Besides, you shouldn’t need to.”
“No, I shouldn’t and no, he has no understanding you’re a killer under that dazzling smile, but you shouldn’t be forced to deal with an abusive man either. Humans can be horrible.”
Stiffening, I knew better than to try to pull away. Twice in one day wasn’t a coincidence. “Samantha told you.”
He propped his arm onto the table. “Yes, she did. Right before she demanded I close my eyes so she could write down a reminder for me of how much I hurt you. Even worse in that I scared you. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Like an asshole. No one should ever hurt you again.”
I had to turn away to keep from becoming emotional.
While both Samantha and Roxanne certainly meant well, I just wasn’t ready to talk about my past. Not with anyone.
Maybe I was trying a little too hard to pretend what I’d endured was in the past or had never really happened, but that’s what my soul needed.
“It’s okay. You’re certainly nothing like Hoffman, but I honestly don’t want to talk about him. Please. I just can’t right now. Okay? But we can talk about Bubba over there.”
“Fine, but you need to accept something, Georgia. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you ever again, including myself.
” His words hung in the air, providing a tense yet oh-so sweet sense of closeness.
When I remained quiet, his body language softened.
“Plus, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Bubba doesn’t scare me. You know why?”
“Why?”
“I have sharp canines and claws.”
His comment returned the jovial mood of the evening, even if more cautious than before. Yet for a few very special seconds the man I’d thought so arrogant had once again unveiled his softer side, promising security and something even more important.
A piece of himself.