“Yeah, well, that’s because you would have had us married off in two point five seconds.” I take Clay’s outstretched hand and pull him away from those two and off into the party crowd, straight to the bar. The night has already begun, and we need liquid courage to make it through. Well, at least I do, Clay seems to be as cool as a cucumber, taking all this in stride.
One Cosmo down and we have yet to bump into the happy couple.
“Do you want to dance?” Clay sweetly asks.
“Yes, thank you.” He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor and pulls me close to him as we slowly sway back and forth. I am a perfect fit against his body, my head landing just under his chin.
“Romi, don’t let them get to you. We’ve got this,” he whispers in my ear, and it sends shivers straight to my core, making me burn up in his arms, despite the skimpy dress I have on.
The realization of what we are doing hits me. “I can’t believe I even asked you to do all of this, I’m so embarrassed.” I look up to meet him eye to eye, hoping he can read the uncertainty that I am feeling.
“Oh, sweetheart, don’t worry about it.” His comforting words are like a security blanket.
The song ends, and when Clay steps back, I immediately feel a sense of loss. “How about we grab another drink and take them out to the balcony for some fresh air.”
“That sounds good.”
The balcony is large and overlooks a beautiful garden lit up with fairy lights around a gazebo and a pond in the center, displaying a fountain of water that shoots up from it, illuminated with colored lights. We stand at each other’s side, just being next to one another, knowing we are in this together.
Laughter from behind us has Clay moving directly behind me with my back touching his chest and his arms and hands come on either side of mine to rest on the railing as he whispers in my ear, “Tweedledee and Tweedledum.” I chuckle under my breath. We ignore them and remain in our own cocoon of solitude until they go back in. This is only the second time I’ve been in Clay’s arms, but I do love the way it makes me feel. Cared for. Cherished. Safe.
We head back in to the party, and of course, the people we are avoiding are standing right by the door. Clay hops around me to be between us and ushers me along. It’s almost like a famous person being hurried through the crowd to be protected from the raging mob. Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but I really hate facing both of them at the same time. It’s another reminder of cruelty and broken trust in the world, I bet a lot like how Clay feels toward ugly people who miss-treat and abuse animals.
“I think it’s time for another drink.” I’m feeling good, and the alcohol is numbing the awkwardness of being here with eyes all on me, knowing exactly what happened last time because most of these same people were at Allen’s and my engagement party that was very similar to this one, just a couple of years ago.
A standing table butted up against the wall in the back corner gives us a reprieve from the crowd, and we can lean up against the walls and set our drinks on it. He’s standing right next to me, so we can hear each other talk over the music as we sip our drinks and tell each other funny childhood stories.
I stiffen at the sight of the vultures heading our way, and Clay swoops in between us once again, but this time he leans down and takes my mouth. Holy hell, fireworks explode through my core, awakening a feeling I’ve never felt before. Want. Need. Uncontrollable passion. With one hand next to my head on the wall and the other on my side, he moves in closer. Or was that me moving closer to him? I don’t know. All I do know is that we need to be horizontal as soon as possible. He has me totally closed off and protected from the world. I do not hear any other sounds or see any more judgemental people. It’s just Clay and me. That’s all it needs to be. That’s all I want it to be. Everything else can go to hell. My need for him grows with every swipe of his tongue, and then the groan he just releases tells me that he is feeling the same way.
But, he stops. His head meets my forehead, he takes a deep breath in, then turns only his head, and the rest of his body stays in place. Shielding me. “What?” he unhappily growls at the people over his shoulder.
“Can we have a word with Romi?” Allen says with a smug attitude, and I can tell nothing good would come of that conversation, which causes me to stiffen. Clay lightly squeezes my hip, letting me know that he’s got this under control, and I instantly relax while he continues to have a stare down with Allen and Rebecca.
“No, we are leaving,” Clay answers with finality in his voice, loops his fingers between mine, and we march out of that dreaded place hand in hand, not looking back.
I want this man in a bad way right now. That kiss, the way he controls a situation in a calm but stern manner, and the way his body feels up against mine have my insides all hot and bothered.
11
With Romi’s hand in one and my cell in the other, I rapidly fire taps on the phone to order the closest and fastest Uber pick up I can. Luckily, one is less than five minutes away. Thank God we are not in Heartville where there is only one Uber driver named Skins. Nice guy, just a little cooky.
Fucking hell, that asshole. I’ve been watching him all night, and he is definitely up to no good. What could those two have possibly wanted to talk to Romi about? Whatever it was would have upset her more, and I wasn’t going to let that happen and made the decision to call it a night.
The air in this Uber is thick and tense with the buildup of desire radiating from both of us. That kiss… It was meant to be an avoidance tactic to make Allen and Rebecca turn around and walk the other way. It didn’t work, but I definitely won’t take it back either.
“Clay,” she whispers into my neck.
“Yes?”
“Thank you.” She rests her head on my shoulder, our fingers are still laced together, resting on my leg. I like the way she feels next to me. I’m not ready to let go just yet. She is my little bird to protect.
“You’re welcome,” is my reply with a soft kiss to her forehead. She unlocks our hands and places her palm on my upper thigh. The warmth of her hand being so close to the area of my body that is craving her makes Big Tex’ stir.
I have to put some distance between us. It’s been an emotionally hard night for her, and by the way she downed those Cosmos, I know she’s pretty tipsy. I need to get this girl to bed and take a long cold shower.
Yet, as soon as we cross the threshold to our hotel room, Romi has other ideas entirely and perks up with no intention of sleeping. When I turn around from closing the door, she kisses me. Her body has a magnetic pull on mine, drawing me to her. Clear case of cause and effect. Her warm body pressed to mine, causes me to wrap my arms around her and walk us to the bed, laying her down gently, never breaking the kiss. Which in turn makes my hand eagerly push her dress up her thigh, and I freeze. Fuck! I’m supposed to be the honorable one. I can't take her when she’s not in the frame of mind for me to do so.
I break the kiss, rest my head against her forehead and catch my breath. “We can’t,” I breathe out.
“What? Why not?”
“Because you’re drunk, and I’m not that kind of guy. I’m going to take a shower. Please change and go to bed. Good night, Romi.” Damn, I’m only a man, and my willpower ain't that strong.