Jordan looks up from his phone. “Who me? Nope. Just didn’t know you could act like a lady.” Before he can react, I have him in a headlock, ruffling his hair as he struggles. Little punk has a mouth like his father
“Did my daughter watch you act ‘ladylike’?” Seth finally asks.
“Don’t worry, she was outside. Although, she watched me walk head-first into a brick wall of a human. She’s calling him my prince now.”
“Klutz, who the fuck did you run into?” Seth looks up at me in surprise. I’m usually more aware of my surroundings.
“I don’t know; I didn’t get a name. I don’t really care.” I take a sip of my drink to avoid more questions.
I can feel Seth silently pressing me for more. Seth is too nosey for his own good. “Fine, he looked like a Viking. Blond hair, blue eyes. I think he was sitting near the bar when I first came in.”
Seth went quiet, like he’d seen a ghost. “You gonna say something, or let it go?” I question.
“Don’t tell me Leif Erikson is standing right behind me.” My spidey senses are tingling.
“Yep,” Seth mumbles as he takes a sip of his beer, looking down to avoid the chaos that might erupt.
“Does he have a puzzled look on his face? Like why did I brush past him?” I take a big gulp of my strong drink.
“Most likely,” Seth answers. All I wanted to do was spend time with my friends and my munchkins; I don’t have time for an alpha-male trying to “do a good deed.”
I sigh, turning to face the giant. Might as well get this over with. It’s not that hard to tower over me, but I’ll be damned if I let some man make me feel small. His scent hits me before I see him. I can smell the fire and woods, and it’s intoxicating. I’ve always liked the smell of bonfires; it brings back memories of summer fun and roasting marshmallows, and days on grandfather’s farm at night. Any other day, I’d be climbing him like a tree, a squirrel trying to get its nuts.Lord, get your mind out of the gutter.
I take a deep inhale.Woman, get yourself together.He speaks before I have the chance to form a coherent, non-sexual thought.
“I want to apologize for Randy, for his rudeness. Normally, we’re very gentlemanly,” Leif Erikson says. I can hear a faint hint of a southern accent.
“I can handle myself; not my first rodeo.” Andprobably not my last.
Leif Erikson chuckles. “There’s still no excuse for him to put his hands on you. Again, I apologize on his behalf.”
I can see a smirk starting to form at the corner of his mouth, and it just irritates me further. “Listen sweetheart,” I sneer. “While I appreciate the sentiment and the gesture, you don't have to put on the knight in shining armor for me, I’m not the damsel in distress type. I’ve faced bigger giants than Randy before. That back there wasn’t even a giant, more like a grumpy old troll under a bridge.” I make Jordan scootch over so I can sit at the table. Jordan snickers at the end of my joke.
Seth elbows me in the ribs. “Tessa shut up or keep digging your grave. I’ll hand you the shovel.”
As I sit, trying to enjoy the rest of the party and surround myself with my friends, Leif Erikson places his hands on the table and leans forward.Do I smell peppermint?“Someone has a bit of a fire in them. Just be careful of where that fire and mouth is directed to. Folks around this place don’t take kindly to mouthy women with your spitfire. I am just trying to be respectful, do you a kindness, but if you think you can handle it, I’d be happy to test that theory.”
One day is all I asked for where I don’t have to explain or be condemned for my actions. I stand up to face him. “Oh sweetie, you do not want to know what this mouth can do. Sorry to say, it might destroy that ego you’ve got going on, Leif Erikson.” I smirk and turn to go play with the bubbles, taking my damn drink with me.
“The name is Alexander Jackson, but you can call me Jackson, not Leif Erikson. But, let’s try that fire out one day,” I can just hear the smugness in his voice, probably topped off with a sexy smirk spreading across his face. His voice adding to the boldness of his words. “I’ll bring the matches, darlin'.”
Somehow the world stops and, for once, everything is quiet. I know there’s music playing, children laughing, the smell of barbeque in the air.Please don’t let this be one of my squirrel moments.I stop dead in my tracks, and glance back over my shoulder. “Light it up, A.J”. I throw a smirk at him for good measure. I turn back and sip on my drink, walking towards Allie, who is currently engaged in a bubble war.
My phone dings from my group chat with Matthew, Michelle, and Seth.
Matthew:Girl, it was nice knowing you. You seriously don’t know when to shut the fuck up.
Me:Don’t know what you’re talking about. Also, hurry up with the damn meat. I’m starving over here.
Matthew:You do realize who that was right? Did you pay attention to the cut?
Me:Translation?
Matthew:The jacket. Jesus, damn squirrel moment. If you’d paid attention, you’d’ve seen the importance. He’s probably going to bury you..
Maybe I want him to bury somethinginme. Tessa, get your mind out of the gutter.
Michelle:Please be on your best behavior. Jackson ain’t stopped watchin’ you. Think you just threw down a challenge.