Couples danced close on the makeshift dance floor to the classic country music that piped through the speakers.
Cal dropped our beers on our recently claimed table and led me to the dance floor.
“What are you doing?” I squeaked as he pulled me flush against his body, one hand holding mine while the other pressed firmly to my lower back.
“What does it look like?” he asked in an amused tone, his lips at my ear.
“Everyone is staring at us,” I protested nervously, my gaze darting around the bar where there were in fact several sets of eyes watching us in surprise. There were two women in particular at the bar delivering such hostile glares that if looks could kill I’d be dead on the spot.
I felt him shrug. “Let them stare.” He led our bodies in a slow sway.
I looked up at him. “Is it so rare to see you with a woman?”
Before they’d committed to their women, I’d heard many of the Knights had reputations for having their fair share of bed partners. Cal, on the other hand, was somewhat of a mystery.
He pulled away slightly in order to look down at me. “I don’t bring women around. They’re surprised is all,” he explained.
“But I’m here,” I replied in confusion.
He stared at me intently, his gaze saying more than words could. “Yeah, darlin’. You are.”
After a moment I pressed my cheek to his firm chest, giving in to the moment. His body felt so strong and warm underneath mine. We danced for several songs. I was surprised that the music remained slow. Then I thought about Cal’s influence and figured that likely wasn’t a coincidence.
“I need to use the restroom,” I told him when we’d returned to our table.
He nodded toward the back of the bar. “Down the hall to your right. I’ll get you another beer,” he added.
I nodded in thanks and headed off in the direction he’d gestured toward.
I was getting ready to flush when I heard the door open, followed by two female voices.
“Can you believe it?” one of them demanded incredulously. “He’s never brought a woman around and it’sher?” she demanded in disgust.
My eyes popped wide. They were talking about me. I inwardly groaned. I had two options. I could go out and confront them or remain out of sight. I chose the latter. I wasn’t feeling particularly brave at the moment.
“I don’t get it,” the other woman agreed. “Shit, the man is sex on a stick. I’ve been after him for years. He ignores me but goes for her? She’s not even that hot,” she scoffed.
“Maybe it’s the whole ethnic thing,” the other girl added helpfully.
Ethnic thing?
“Whatever, I’m sure it’s a phase. The good news is that maybe when he’s tired of her he’ll finally give me a taste. I’ve wanted him for so long.” The longing in her voice sent an unfamiliar shot of jealousy through my system.
“All right, I’m good. Let’s go get someone to buy us another round,” the other one suggested, after they’d finished what I assumed was retouching their makeup.
The sound of their chattering became distant as the door opened and shut behind them. I wilted in relief that they hadn’t seen me. I quickly finished up, ready to head back to Cal’s, away from the bar and the scrutiny of Hawthorne.
When I reentered the bar area I came to an abrupt halt at finding a brunette leaning seductively over our table, talking to Cal.
What the hell? Had he brought me to the Cal groupie bar on purpose?
There was no way I was going over there. My eyes swung to the bar where the two blondes I assumed I’d just overheard in the bathroom stood searching for their next prey. Their eyes immediately snapped over to me. They were gorgeous and, by the looks of it, barely old enough to be in the bar.
I couldn’t stand it a second longer, I needed air. Without another thought, I headed for the door and stepped out into the parking lot.
It was a gorgeous, clear night and the stars twinkled brightly overhead as I took a few deep breaths.
Did I really have any business starting something with a man like Cal? I was still fragile from my past with Tim. I still had to rebuild my confidence. Dating a man who had women half his age salivating over him wasn’t a great place to start.
