Wes maneuvers around the throng of people, and when he finally reaches me he shoves his right hand into his pocket, almost too quickly.
“You okay?” he asks sheepishly.
I eye him skeptically and cross my arms over my chest. “Yes, but you didn't have to do that. I had an eye gouge or a kick to the dick on the menu before you arrived,” I say as I turn my nose up.
He smirks at me. “I don’t doubt it.”
I look down to his right hand in his pocket. He sees, and does the same, then runs his left hand through his hair. His nervous tic. I grab his wrist and force his right hand out of his pocket, and examine his hand. His knuckles are a little swollen, and one of them is cut.
“Wesley Ford Cooper!” I scold loudly.
I hear snickering behind me, and I know it’s Lincoln and Beau at our table.
“Oh, darlin’ don’t be mad. He just roughed him up a little. Fucker should’ve kept his hands to himself. He’s not welcome here anymore,” Maverick interrupts from my side, and lays a hand on my shoulder.
Wes narrows his eyes on his brother, and then his hand resting on me. “Don’t call her Darlin’.”
I roll my eyes. For the love of god, what has gotten into this man?
Maverick throws his hands up. “Okay, you peed on her, territory marked. Jesus, Wes. You’ve never acted like this over a woman,” he laughs, and claps Wes on the back before heading to our table. Most likely to fill Lincoln, Beau, and Sophie in on what just happened outside.
“Okay, Rocky. Let’s go clean your hand”
19
Ivy
I grab Wes’s uninjured hand, and pull him into the back hallway that leads to the restrooms.
“You don’t need to, Ivy. I’m okay,” he sighs out, likeI’m the one that’s being ridiculous.
I don’t respond, and continue on down the dark hallway. I push through the swinging wooden door, tugging Wes along with me. The lighting is just as dim in here as it is in the bar, with a warm glow brightening the room from a few bulbs on the wall. We both scoot in and I close the door behind us, and flick the lock. I whirl on him and cross my arms, leveling him with my most menacing glare.
“What was that all about?”
“He touched you. You didn’t want him to. He didn’t listen. What’s confusing?”
I scoff. The fucking audacity of this man. He wants to know what’s confusing? I’ll tell him just how confusing he is.
“What’s confusing?” I ask in a disbelieving tone, then bark out a laugh. “What’s confusing?” I ask again, a little more growly. “What’s confusing is that you hire me, even though you don’t want to.” I start counting his offenses off with my fingers. “You’re cold and act like you don’t want me around. Then you apologize and are finally nice to me. You flirt with me, kiss me, rub your dick all over me, and make me come harder than I ever have in my entire life. Then fucking ignore me again!” I’m getting louder with every word. I’ve almost reached screeching territory.
“And then,tonight.” I grip the roots of my hair like I’m going crazy, because he ismaking me crazy. “You get me drinks, flirt with me, wink at me, rub my legs, and throw a guy out of the bar for touching me. Literally. I can’t take it!” I laugh maniacally, then lower my voice, starting to feel drained. “My heart can’t take it, Wes. You need to decide. You either want whatever this is,” I gesture wildly between us. “Between us or you don’t. I’m not sure what it is. But I know it’s something. And if you don’t want it, then just decide, because I can’t be strung along like this. So… decide dammit.” I’m panting now, watching as his dark blue eyes scan my face.
He nods. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Really sorry.”
My heart sinks at his tone. He’s going to do it again. He’s going to tell me he can’t because of some valid reason I won’t be able to get mad at him for, and then we’re just back to awkward, walking on eggshells territory.
That’s fine. You know what? I’ll survive. If this isn’t something he’s willing to stick his neck out for, then I can’t fault him. I can’t expect him to do something he’s just not ready for, and I sure as hell am not going to try and convince someone to want me.
He speaks again, and I brace for the rejection. “I decided. Last night, actually.”
I fist my hands down by my side, willing myself not to flinch even the slightest when the blow comes. It’s his fucking loss.
“I want you.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
Am I hearing him right? Am I hallucinating? Am I drunk? No, I only had one and a half drinks.
