He leaned in, a stupid grin on his face.
Did he think she was flirting with him? Could the man be that dense?
He was so close his nose nearly touched hers. “I might like it.”
“Well, I might do it, if I could find them.”
She heard Clarke chuckle behind her.
The man puffed out his chest, looking over the top of her head at what she guessed must be Clarke.
She was sandwiched between them.
“You think that’s funny?” the man bellowed.
“As a matter of fact, yes, I do. And I’m telling you, don’t touch her. That’s twice I’ve told you. Trust me, you won’t like it if I have to tell you a third time.”
Ceci swung around and faced Clarke. “Did you not hear me? Do you not listen? I told you, I can handle this. I am handling this.”
“She’s right, little man. Why don’t you just move along? You’re in the way. She’s handling this just fine.” He bent forward and put his lips near her ear. “Now I’d like to see you handle something else.”
Her gaze shot to Clarke and she watched his face crimson. But it wasn’t a bashful blush. It was a raging red. And his eyes grew dark, so dark they looked black. That face and those eyes seemed to have the power to capture the other man’s attention. The two of them stood glaring at each other. She stood between them, but neither of them seemed to notice.
I’m invisible.
Clarke scowled at the man. “Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”
My way? And I’m standing right in front of the man.
She stumbled when she felt a muscular arm brush past her shoulder and shove Clarke.
“Hey!” she shouted.
Clarke took hold of both her arms. “For once, will you let me deal with it?”
He gently pushed her to the side so that she was no longer between them.
The man took a swing. But Clarke ducked. When Clarke threw his fist, he made contact, but the guy was so big and thick he only stumbled backwards. When he righted himself, he came roaring back like an animal that had been caged and was suddenly let loose. He lunged at Clarke, but Ceci jumped in between them. She was ready to knee the man in the crotch, but she didn’t have enough room with Clarke directly behind her. So she shoved Clarke aside. After she’d kneed the man, he groaned and hunched over.
“We should get out of here. Now!” she cried, grabbing Clarke’s hand and running to the door.
Even once they were outside, she didn’t stop. It wasn’t safe to stick around. Eventually the man would come looking for them. Not to mention, someone might call the police. Although she doubted it. One fight? That was probably a slow night for them. She turned down a side street and didn’t stop until she found a small alcove where they could hide.
It took her a moment to catch her breath. But as she did, she noticed a crimson spot in the corner of Clarke’s mouth. She watched it flow toward his chin. She blinked once, then twice just to make certain her eyes weren’t deceiving her. She was definitely feeling the effects of that bourbon, and her vision was a little bleary.
“You’re bleeding!” she cried.
Without thinking, she leaned in using her thumb to stop it, but all she did was draw a red line that traveled up and across his cheek like a brushstroke of paint. “Oh God, I’ve made it worse.” She then used the rest of her fingers trying to make it better. It didn’t.
He clutched her wrist with one hand and put his other hand in his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief.
Of course, the man would have a handkerchief. I bet it’s monogrammed.
She was prepared to pull away while he wiped his cheek and lip, but he turned her hand over and wiped the blood away from her palm and each finger. He stared at her hand, which made her stare at it as well. He’d gotten all the blood. What did he see that she didn’t?
After a moment, he let go and brought the handkerchief to his face.
Staring at his lower lip, she could see it was already swelling. She pointed to the corner. “Still some … there.” She paused. “How did that happen? I thought he didn’t make contact when he swung at you.”
