Stopping at the bar, Brody turned to face me. Leaning in close he shouted. “What do you want to drink?”
“Just a Coke, please,” I replied, standing close to him while he waited to be served. His hand never dropped mine as he ordered and passed me my drink.
“Let’s see if we can find a table.” I nodded, following him as he led us away from the bar and past the dance floor. Spying a table, I tugged gently on his hand and he stopped and turned to face me. “You okay?” I nodded and pointed to the free table. Following with his eyes to where I was pointing, he nodded and made his way to the table. Dropping my hand, he placed his drink on the table and pulled a stool out for me.
“It’s great in here,” I shouted after he’d sat down. He nodded and moved his stool closer to mine so we could hear each other.
“Once Savannah’s had the baby, we’ll have to all come out. She and Lib love to come here and dance.”
“I’d love that. I’ve never been anywhere like this. There were bars and clubs in Westwood, but with all that happened I never had the chance to go.” Taking a sip of my drink, I looked around, loving to people watch. With the music playing, I found myself dancing in my chair and I heard Brody chuckle.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked with a smile.
“Can we?” I had no idea if Brody danced. He’d mentioned Savannah and Libby dancing but not himself.
“Of course. Come on.” He jumped off the stool and finished his drink. I drank what I had left before standing up. Grabbing his hand, I tugged him across the room and onto the dance floor. It was busy, and I had to push my way through people to reach a gap in the middle. Dropping Brody’s hand, I began to dance, moving my body to the music. My hands went in the air and I closed my eyes. Sensing someone coming up close behind me, I felt arms wrap around my waist and I was gently pulled back onto a hard body. Recognizing Brody’s aftershave, I relaxed into his embrace, my head dropping back onto his shoulder.
We danced like that for the rest of the song before a slower one came on. Turning me in his embrace his arms tightened around my waist. I reached up, linking my arms around his neck. “Having fun?” he shouted in my ear. I nodded.
“Best birthday ever,” I told him, repeating my words from last night. He chuckled and held me even closer to him, my head resting on his chest. After a minute or so I raised my head and our eyes locked. Moving one of his arms from around my waist, his fingers brushed my cheek before his hand cupped my face.
“You are so beautiful, Quinn. You have no idea,” he muttered, his words just loud enough for me to hear over the noise of the bar. Tilting my head, his eyes dropped to my lips, and I felt my stomach erupt with butterflies. Lowering his head, he gently brushed his lips against mine. He pulled back slightly as if seeking permission and I found myself winding my hands into his hair and pulling his head back toward me. This time his lips met mine for longer and I closed my eyes, barely able to believe he was actually kissing me. His tongue swept over my bottom lip and I parted them, moaning as I felt his tongue push into my mouth. All the sounds of the bar disappeared leaving the pounding of my heart all that I could hear. He was kissing me like we were the only two people in the room and at that moment we were. Nothing and nobody else existed but us, and it was the most perfect kiss I’d ever had.
Deepening the kiss, his hand moved from my face and tangled into my hair. His other hand held me tightly to his body and I could feel the effect our kiss was having on him. Moving his lips from mine, he brushed soft kisses along my jaw and down my neck. My head dropped to the side, and I tugged on his hair, never wanting him to stop. As the song came to an end, his lips found mine again, and he kissed me softly before resting his forehead on mine.
“I’ve wanted to do that since the hospital,” he said, lifting his head.
“Me too,” I confessed. “It’s complicated though, Brody.” I dropped my head, figuring there was no point letting him think anything could happen between us. I felt his hand on my face, and his fingers lifted my chin so that I was looking at him.
“Quinn, I know you’re running from something, but you’re safe here in Marble Falls.” He paused, his eyes locked on mine. “You’re safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
Sighing, I tried to take a step back from him, but he held me close. “You don’t know that, Brody. You can’t promise to keep me safe. I have no idea how dangerous Evan and the people he’s involved with are. If he finds me… we’re all in danger. I can’t let him find me. I need to keep moving.” Kissing me gently on the head, he wrapped both arms around me and held me tightly.
“You can tell me everything tomorrow. We’ll figure it out.” He sounded confident, but I couldn’t see a way of figuring it out. If Evan found me it was game over.
Brody
Pushing my lips into her hair, I sighed. Hearing her talk of leaving made my heart ache. I might not have been looking for a relationship, but now that she was here, in my arms, it just felt right. She felt right. Even though she was wary of getting involved, for me it was too late. I’d somehow become all in with just one kiss. I knew now that I’d gotten her, I wasn’t going to be letting go anytime soon.
As much as I hadn’t wanted to admit it, I’d felt a connection with her as soon as I’d pulled her from the stables. She might think she needed to keep running, but what she needed was to be with me. I would keep her safe. Whatever it took.
The music had changed to a more upbeat song, but we were still wrapped up in each other, every other person in the bar fading away. All I could see was her. After a few more minutes, I felt her let out a sigh, and I moved back slightly so I could see her face. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, she wound her arms around my neck, her hands finding their way into my hair. “Will you kiss me again? Make me forget?” Her voice was so low I could barely hear her.
Cupping her face again, my thumb gently stroked her cheek. Not needing to be asked twice, I lowered my head and pressed my lips to hers. She pulled on my hair and I deepened the kiss, snaking my tongue into her mouth. She let out a moan as our tongues collided. Her moan was a direct line to my cock which was now straining against the zipper of my pants. Moving one of my hands to her ass, I pushed her body closer to mine, and I knew she could feel the effect she was having on me. I wanted to pick her up and carry her straight home to my bed. I knew Quinn was special though, and something told me she wasn’t ready for that just yet.
After dancing for a few more songs, we fought our way off the dance floor. “Another drink?” I called over my shoulder as we cleared the crowds.
“Yes, please. A Coke would be great.” I squeezed her hand and set off for the bar.
“Hey,” she said, pulling on my hand. “Why don’t I find a table while you go to the
bar?”
I shook my head and frowned at her. “No, stay with me.” I tucked her into my side, my arm slipping around her waist. There was no way I was letting her walk around the bar on her own. Not in that dress. She looked incredible and I wouldn’t be the only one to think that. There would be all sorts of jerks trying to hit on her. She nodded, and we made our way to the bar.
Once we’d been served, we looked for a table. The table we’d sat at earlier was now taken and we had to go almost to the back of the room to find somewhere to sit. There were some leather loveseats tucked away in a corner, and thankfully one was free. Placing our drinks on the small table next to the loveseat, I sat down, pulling on Quinn’s hand. Giggling she fell onto my lap. “Having fun, sweetheart?” I muttered into her ear, my lips brushing a kiss against her neck.