The bar door swings open and a couple of rowdy guys stumble out. It is clear they are drunk by the way they slur their words, but I ignore them. I have other things on my mind, things that include getting Lola naked in my bed, screaming my name as she comes.
You dirty fucking bastard.
I stay out here for half an hour or more, trying to resist the urge to go back inside. I know the minute I do, my dick will come alive at the mere sight of Lola. The damn thing is still semi hard, but manageable, less noticeable.
It’s a mistake, but I just need one more look at her before I go home and jack off to my hand. I snub out my cigarette, about to head back inside, when I hear the shattering of bottles.
Maybe I should have minded my own damn business, but I find myself walking around the corner and stepping into the alley. One of the parking lot lights is on, the muted yellow glow casting shadows over the twin dumpsters.
At first I can’t make out what is going on. I can only see the two drunks I noticed earlier standing by the dumpsters. But then I see her small form between them, the trash bag she clearly had been taking outside now sitting by her feet.
I don't know what in the hell is going on, but the two assholes are crowding her. It has this rage burning brightly inside of me. I find myself stalking closer to them, my hands curled into tight fists at my side, my focus solely on the two pricks who will soon be on the asphalt.
And then I hear the foul, disgusting things that they are saying to Lola. I growl low and reach one of the guys, gripping the nape of his neck and yanking him backward. He falls to his ass on the ground, and I immediately go for his buddy.
I have the front of his shirt twisted in my hold, and lift him easily off the ground. I toss him away and hear his body slam into the brick wall. I face both of the pricks then and watch as they pick their sorry asses up off the ground. Maybe it's the anger coming off of me in violent waves, or maybe they're not as stupid as I think, but they both hightail it out of there.
I turn to face Lola and see her staring at me wide-eyed. I want to take her in my arms and just hold her in that moment, let her know that everything will be okay, that I’ll never let anyone hurt her. And because I have all these insane emotions running through me, I do just that.
I pull her in close, her small body forming perfectly to mine. She smells good, like sweet vanilla, and that makes me even more intoxicated. I cup the back of her head but she pulls back slightly and looks up at me. Because I'm a dumb motherfucker I know what I want to do in that moment.
I want to kiss her.
I want to fuck her.
I want to make her know she's mine.
Chapter 5
Lola
He’s going to kiss me. He’s going to kiss me.
The thought repeats in my mind over and over. I run the tip of my tongue over my lips and fight down my nerves. My heart is thundering in my chest like a herd of wild elephants. Ryker has to be able to hear it. I stand up on my tiptoes, leaning into him, begging him silently to kiss me.
I inhale deeply, and the air I suck in is thick with the very essence of him. Sandalwood, old leather and a tinge of motor oil are scents that I always associate with Ryker. Some women might curl their nose at it, but not me. It makes me feel…alive.
His hands are at the small of my back and I feel his fingers just barely brushing the hem of my shirt. They are rough from hours of working on cars. The harshness of them tickles against my sensitive skin and sends a wave of goosebumps up my spine and on the back of my neck. My entire body has excitement running through it that leaves me breathless.
I put my hands on his chest, my knees suddenly weak. He lets out a low rumble that I first feel vibrate under my hands and then hear from his gruff voice.
“You shouldn’t be out here by yourself,” he says and takes a step from me, his hands moving to my hips as he roughly pushes me away. He keeps his hands on me until I steady myself. I immediately miss the warmth of his body, his masculine scent and the feeling of being safe in his arms. I mourn the loss of him silently for a moment while I gather my thoughts.