“You look beautiful.”
“For you.” I smile.
He stands, and his hands go to my hips. “I wish we were staying in, but I need to go,” he says as his hands grip my hips hard.
I nod trying to form words at his touch. “We have all night.” I smile.
He takes my hand and we leave.
It’s in these small moments that I see him for who he really is. How I have cracked walls he put up so high, not wanting to let anyone in. I haven’t told him again since that night that I love him, and he hasn’t asked to hear it. So I take that as meaning something and don’t pressure him.
We arrive and he finally lets go of my hand as we slide out of the car. His face changes as people say his name before we even get to inside. I step up next to him, and my hand goes to his elbow, holding onto him as he speaks. He excuses himself as we walk in. People start to come over to him. His name is spoken with respect as they look at him, and they regard me as ‘just another woman.’ I certainly hope I’m more to him than that because he’s absolutely more to me.
He nods, only speaks when necessary.
I search around for the bar with my eyes, and when I spot it, I let go of his arm while he’s in the middle of a conversation. When he feels me release from him, he pulls back. “Where are you going?”
I nod behind him, and he turns to look then back at me. “Don’t be gone too long.”
I smile and glance at the men around him who are all looking at me now with curiosity. I step over to the bar and order a glass of wine, turning back so I can watch him. I see him stealing glances my way as he continues to listen to the men around him.
“He has you under a spell, I see.” I turn to the sound of that high-pitched voice and see Geena standing there. Last time I saw her, her hand was on Gunner’s shoulder as I was leaving the event.
Smiling politely, I turn back around to pick up my drink.
“He has most under some sort of spell. I mean, we all do stupid things for beautiful men,” Geena states.
Offering her a smile, I turn to look at her face to face and take her in. She has so much makeup applied I have a feeling if I wiped it off, she wouldn’t look the same underneath. I don’t say a word, simply wait for her to speak again, because girls like her can’t help themselves.
“He is beautiful, though. Isn’t he?” She turns to face him, stops for a moment then spins back to me. “Men as beautiful as him don’t last. You know that, right?” Geena leans in close. “Has he wrapped his hands around your throat yet, and made you stop breathing? That was a favorite of mine.”
I gasp at her words giving her all the confirmation she needs. Damn it! Then hands touch my waist and I know automatically it’s him.
“Geena,” he says in a dismissive tone. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “You took too long.”
I turn around and don’t miss the shocked expression written all over her face. Her eyes flicker to where his hands are, to his mouth which is so close to my neck.
She’s jealous.
I can see it in her eyes.
Did he not hold her like this?
“I was catching up with your friend here,” I say.
Geena looks at me surprised then smiles her fake-as-faux-fur smile.
“You can leave, Geena,” he says in the most dismissive tone I have ever heard from Gunner.
She does just that, walks away.
So he takes her spot, his hand staying on one of my hips. “I need a few more minutes and we can go. I promise it won’t take too long.”
I nod putting my drink to my lips, so nothing stupid spills out from them.
“What did she say to get you this way?”
I talk around the glass at my mouth, “What way?”
Gunner takes the glass from me and holds it, waiting for an answer. “Everly.”
Reaching for my drink again he lets me take it. “She asked if I like it when you strangle me.”
He shows no sign of anger, just watches me for a reaction. “Well, did you?”
“I don’t like it that you treat me as if I’m one of them.”
He shakes his head, turns it then looks back to me. “I don’t, you know that.”
“Gunner, what a surprise. Geena said you were here, but I didn’t believe her.” He doesn’t look at the man who’s speaking next to him, but I do turn offering my hand to him.
“Everly, nice to meet you.”
He looks at it, then seems to think about it before he takes my hand, shaking it. “You’re with Gunner here?” he asks.