Chapter 4

After a few drinks Cleo was up dancing and dragged me with her. Although, I had a few drinks in my system, I was nowhere near enough inebriated to enjoy being on the dance floor the same way Cleo did. Cleo headed to the bar for more drinks. We were in the fifth round of drinks and there was no sign of Cleo slowing down.

I tried my best to convince her, but she was having too much fun to slow down. The guys who brought us drinks had arrived about an hour after we did. Cleo spotted them on round 4 of the drinks and asked them to dance. They were more than happy to oblige. I ensured that I was the one getting the drinks for each round so that I could make mine nonalcoholic. I needed to make sure that I was in a fit state to meet my mum for lunch the following day, even if we got in at silly o’clock in the morning.

I was fetching round number 8 of drinks when there was someone next to me at the bar.

“Hey, pretty lady. Wanna dance.” The voice was creepy, and his hand was around me.

I gently pushed his hand away and politely declined. He tried to push the issue, but I refused again. The bar tender came back with the drinks, and I picked them up. I managed to walk away without an issue, or so I thought. Halfway across the floor, there was a strong arm around my waist that pulled me backwards. The shock made me jump and spill the drinks.

So, much for the white t-shirt. I thought.

“Dance with me,” he growled into my ear as he pressed himself against me.

“Let me go!” I screamed.

In the jostling, I dropped the drinks completely. Glass smashed around my feet. I dug my nails into his forearms as hard as I could, and I heard a deeper growl escape his lips as he loosened his hold. It was enough for me to force his hands apart and escape. I spun to see him behind me. By the look on his face he was pissed, in every sense of the word. Just then I saw a reaction, and he lifted his arm to swing at me.

It was like I was watching it happen in a slow motion. A shadow appeared between us and caught his arm.

“I believe the lady said, no.” His voice was smooth and intoxicating.

It was low but somehow broke through the music like it wasn’t even there.

“Walk away while you still can.” He threatened.

The smoothness of the threat made him sound so dangerous; it sent a shiver through me.

I looked up to see a slightly older gentleman in a black suit, crisp white shirt. He was handsome with a dangerous edge. I watched as he hooked his finger under the knot of his tie and loosened it. His gaze on me made me feel weak in my knees. The guy pushing his luck with me quickly scrambled and ran away.

“Thank you,” I said shakily.

“You are welcome.”

He turned and walked away. It was like him jumping in was nothing. I was confused by the interaction. It wasn’t until he walked away that I let out a deep breath. I hadn’t realised I was holding my breath under his presence until that moment. Shakily, I headed back to the table.

“Did you forget the drinks?” Cleo asked.

She then saw the mess of my shirt.

“What happened?” She slurred.

“Some guy tried his luck and wasn’t taking no for answer.” I explained.

“Where is he?” She staggered out, looking past me.

“It’s ok, some guy stepped in.”

Cleo wanted more information, but there wasn’t really anything else that I could tell her. We looked around the pub quickly but whoever it was that stepped in was no longer there.