It’s just met with cackling and howling.
Damn hyenas.
It’s not that big of a deal.
But I know that’s a lie I tell myself because this is a huge, huge deal.
13
DAKOTA
Okay, you can do this.
It’s just trivia.
In a bar.
In a very crowded bar.
With the exact type of guys who used to beat you up.
But no. That’s not true.
Gabe is here. And he’s not going to let anything happen to me.
Normally, I’d bristle at the thought of anyone taking care of me or suggesting I can’t take care of myself. But somehow, I just knew that’s not what Gabe was saying. He wasn’t suggesting I’m weak.
He just didn’t like the idea of anyone hurting me.
I take another deep, shivery breath because my body is reacting the same way it did last week when he said it. His face stern and serious, no hint of playing around. It was like an electric shock. My entire body on total alert. My cock stiffening so fast, I thought I might pass out.
I guess the whole knight in shining armor thing does it for me. Who the hell knew?
But that’s not what this is.
This is just a nice guy who wants to be friends and who wants to help the pathetic recluse get out in the world and make friends.
He’s just a nice guy.
After my pep talk through my fun little panic attack, I pull open the tavern door and immediately, my eyes zone in on Gabe. Damn, he’s good-looking. Like stupid, melt your brain hot. With a tight white T-shirt I’m sure is supposed to be casual and tight, ripped jeans. Yeah... I’m not going to make it.
Hopefully, I’ll get through the night without throwing myself at him, but a guy can only take so much.
He’s sitting at a table with four other burly dudes and two pretty women. Is one of them his ex-wife? No... she has their kid this week. I slowly make my way over to them, my legs shaking and threatening to give out, but he lights up as he stands. “You made it.”
“I did,” I say, my voice quiet and rusty.
“I’m glad,” he says earnestly, and how does he do that? Just two words and a smile from him and I’m suddenly at ease. It makes no sense. He nods to the largest of the bunch, a big man whose arms are currently trying to bust his T-shirt sleeves. “This is Oakley.” He nods to the much smaller but somehow more menacing man next to him. “And this is Travis. My bosses.”
“Blech,” Oakley gags. “I hate being called the boss.”
The man, Travis, who I now know is his husband, kisses him on the nose and laughs. “You really need to get used to that.” He nods politely at me. “Mr. Gordon.”
“Oh, Dakota, please,” I say, taking the seat Gabe offers me as he sits back down.
“Hi, Dakota,” Travis says and then nods over to the other four people. “This is Jackson—please ignore everything that comes out of his mouth.” Gabe laughs, and Jackson,who’s absolutely stunning—like Gabe has my full attention and attraction—but dayum. Honestly, they’re all gorgeous.
What the hell is going on at Oakley’s Crew?
