I haven’t been able to approach her yet, my temper too raw. I don’t want to say something I’m going to regret.
But as I see all of the men in the crowd ogling her, it makes my blood boil. She’s wiggling her hips in time to the music, and they’re going crazy for it.
It takes everything inside of me not to storm up there and haul her off over my shoulder. When the song finally ends, she heads back to her table and sits down. I use the opportunity to order another whiskey from the bar.
But as I turn around with a fresh drink in hand, she’s standing behind me.
“What the hell are you doing here, Gabriel?” she jams her finger into my chest.
“I’m protecting what’s mine,” I answer coolly, resisting the urge to pull her into my arms.
“I’m not yours, anymore!” she hisses. “And I don’t need protecting, so you can just leave!”
I slam my drink down on the bar, grabbing both of her arms and whirling her around as I press my body against hers. She’s trapped against the bar as I inhale her scent, my whole body relaxing with her warmth.
“Tell me, Victoria,” I whisper into her ear. “Tell me to my face that you don’t want me anymore.”
She goes limp at my words, her defenses crumbling around me. She looks down at my arms and gasps at the cuts around them.
“Gabriel, what happened to you?”
“I thought you didn’t care,” I bristle.
“Of course I care.” Her voice cracks. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“If you care, then leave with me now,” I insist.
That gives her enough fuel to stoke the fire that burns inside. She spins around and pushes hard on my chest.
“You don’t own me, Gabriel. I’m not going anywhere… I’m here with my friends, and I’m staying.”
I stumble back and clench my jaw as she stomps off to her table and slams another shot of Tequila. I turn back to the bar and down the dark whiskey in front of me, the burning sensation in my throat keeping me from going crazy.
***
Victoria
“Sign me up for the bull,” I tell Alanna resolutely.
“Uh… really?”
“Yes. I want to do it.”
Trevor claps his hands and scurries off, yelling over his shoulder. “I’ll get the paperwork.”
Ten minutes later the announcer at the podium calls my name. I stomp up to the bull with full determination and shoot Gabriel a harsh glare across the bar as I climb on. He’s on his feet within a minute, plodding over to the fence between us. He looks like his head is going to explode, and it gives me a small flare of satisfaction. Immature? Maybe. But do I care? Not really.
I climb onto the bull as graciously as I can, tossing my hair back over my shoulders. It starts out slowly and I hold on tight with one hand while raising my other in the air. The crowd goes wild with whistles and clapping as the bull bucks viciously beneath me.
But somehow, it only serves to remind me of Gabriel’s wild fucking the other night. I glance at him and see the tension in his jaw.
I know I should be the bigger person, but right now, the Tequila is doing all of the talking inside of my head. I want to make him jealous. I want him to feel one tenth of what I felt looking at the photos of him and Anya together. And by the look on his face, I’m succeeding.
The bull bucks harder, faster, and I begin to lose my balance. The room is a blur around me as I slam onto the mat beneath. Refusing to feel defeated, I stand up quickly and shake myself off with a rush of adrenaline. The crowd cheers around me.
I stumble up to the exit of the fence where drunk, horny men pat me and offer to buy me drinks. And then I feel a strong pair of hands hoisting me into the air. Gabriel. He throws me over his shoulder, pinning my legs against his chest as I squirm. He stomps up to Alanna and Trevor who are watching the whole scene play out in amusement.
“I’m taking her home now,” he growls.
Neither of them says a word, but nod with stupid grins on their faces.
“Put me down!” I demand, flailing against him in vain. He’s too damn strong. And he’s clearly made his mind up as he stomps through the door.
I’m expecting him to shove me into a waiting car outside, but instead he turns down the alley beside the bar, carrying me into the shadows. He sets me down and then pins me to the brick wall behind us.