7
Weston
There was only one problem with this situation.
It was working.
Nora was shy around guys. That fact was still clear. But it didn’t seem to matter. Once I’d forced her to wade out into the deep end, she’d figured out how to swim. Every adorable stagger brought her right back to me with another beer in hand, giggling about the stupid thing that the guy had said or how she’d managed to get through the conversation. She still hadn’t had anyone ask for her number, but she was on her fourth beer, and I’d only purchased the first.
“I did it,” she crooned as she stumbled into me. Literally.
I caught her around the middle, swung her around, and pressed her back against the wall. She gave a little hiccup, and then covered her mouth.
“I did it.”
“Did what?” I asked, suddenly conscious that I had her pressed against a wall.
My body leaned into her with an arm wrapped protectively around her waist. She was all soft and supple under me. And despite sending her off after other guys all night, I’d had a good night. Her coming back to me and recounting it all. Always back to me, doing her ridiculous little dance.
She held up her beer. It wasn’t Blood & Honey, which meant it was beer five. “Gave out my number.”
“Really? Who?”
She pushed my shoulder lightly and pointed out the guy. He was another frat bro, like the first, with a backward baseball cap and a popped collar. It was just practice, but I didn’t like the idea of that guy hitting on her.
“His name is Chip.”
“Of course it is.”
She giggled again. “Do I go out with him?”
“Nah. Just practice, Snickers.”
She tipped her head back. “This has actually been fun, West. Thanks for taking me out here.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.”
Her bright blue eyes looked up at me. She wasn’t even trying to flirt with me. She had no idea what those eyes were doing to me, looking up at me under thick, dark lashes. A half-smile on her painted lips.
I swallowed and tried to focus on anything other than my cock twitching in my pants. I did not need to feel this right now. She’d had her heart broken, and the last thing she needed was for me to make any of this harder. Not to mention, Campbell and Hollin had made it clear that nothing was going to happen there. I wasn’t sure they’d ever forgive me if I touched her. I was pretty sure they’d kill me if I hurt her. I couldn’t take that chance.
So, I backed up.
Way up.
Put all the distance I needed between me and her. Told my cock to fucking sort its shit out. Nora Abbey wasn’t for me. She couldn’t be.
“We should get you home.”
“What?” she gasped. “It’s early. I should practice more.”
“You’re a little drunk.”
“Shouldn’t that make it easier?”
“Maybe. But we want to keep you safe. We can practice more later.”
She shrugged. “You’re the boss.” Then, she passed me her half-finished drink. “If I finish that, I’ll be wasted anyway.”
“Five is your limit?”
She winked at me. “That’s seven.”
I arched an eyebrow. “How did I miss two?”
“I drank them at the bar,” she said, pushing off the wall and teetering slightly.
Well, that explained a lot. I’d thought that she seemed a little drunk, but I didn’t know where her tolerance was. Mine had always been strong despite not drinking much before going to LA. Another thing I’d gotten from my dad. Great.
“Come on, you,” I told her. I wrapped an arm around her and steered her toward the door.
We were almost out when a guy reached for her. “Nora! You’re leaving already?”
It was the guy, Chip, who she’d given her number to.
“Yeah, Chip. Time for me to call it a night.”
Chip eyed me for a second and then dismissed me. “I can give you a ride home later if you want. I thought we were having a good time.”
“She said no,” I growled low, putting Nora between me and Chip.
I didn’t know what had come over me, but I didn’t want him anywhere near her. It was almost…possessiveness…or jealousy.
The guy held his hands up. “Hey, tough guy, I was talking to the lady.”
“West, it’s fine,” Nora said, putting her hand on my arm. “Let’s just go home.”
“This your boyfriend?” Chip asked in confusion.
Nora laughed. “No, no, no. Just a friend.”