Chapter 15: Chapter 14

I PULLED the door open at the bar and walked in. Last night had been… one for the books, so to speak.

I’d come so hard at the sound of her coming. And the thought of a naked Saylor in the bathtub touching herself while I said filthy things—that was all it took.

Her voice had been sated and raspy and sexy as hell when we’d said goodnight.

Then I’d texted to make sure she was okay, and she’d told me she was fine.

She’d enjoyed it.

And then she reminded me that it was a one-and-done deal, and we’d never speak of it again.

I was hoping like hell that this was out of my system now. I’d never forget the feel of her lips against mine. Kissing Saylor was better than I ever could have imagined. Her soft lips were made for mine. The way they parted for me, inviting me in to take the kiss deeper.

Fuck.

Apparently, this was not out of my system just yet. But we’d all agreed to meet at Whiskey Falls bar for country music night, and I’d be seeing her there. I hadn’t been out in a while, but Saylor had reminded me that it was my job to look out for her with a snarky comment about me being her babysitter.

Such a smartass.

I walked into the bar and the girls were already on the dance floor. Romeo held his hand up and waved me over. I stopped to say hello to Lionel who was behind the bar and having a great time being in his element. It was good to see him doing so well since having a stroke last year.

“Looking good, Lionel,” I said, as I dabbed him up.

“You, too, King. Expecting to see you out on that dance floor.”

“You know it.” I held up a hand and made my way to the table where the guys were sitting.

Well, everyone but Hayes. He’d texted to let us know he’d made it to Barley Creek and wouldn’t be able to talk much, but he’d check in when he could. We were all following the fire on the weather app he’d sent us so we could get updates.

“There he is,” Nash said, as he took a pull from his beer. “I was worried you were going to bail again.”

“Hey now. Don’t go throwing shade. I told you I’d be here. Cutler’s having his first sleepover at JT’s tonight, right?” Cutler had obviously slept at our homes before, and his best friend, JT, had spent the night at Nash’s house. But the little dude had never slept at JT’s house, so it was a big deal. Nash was protective as hell—we all were. But JT’s parents were great, and our boy was excited to go over there.

“Yep. Jay and Susannah said they’d call me if there were any issues. But they were ordering pizza and watching a movie when I called to check in on my way over here. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.”

“So, no one is at your house.” I waggled my brows. “You can actually take a woman home to your place for once.”

“Shit. It’s been a while. And as sad as it is to say, I’m fucking exhausted from this past week. I wouldn’t mind sleeping for the next twelve hours, you know?” Nash said, setting his glass down.

“I hear ya. It’s been a busy couple of weeks.” I nodded.

“Well, I hate to add to your plates, but we all need to go get fitted for our suits for the wedding,” Romeo said. “Maybe we can meet up midweek, and we’ll just have Hayes go as soon as he gets back. He sent me his suit size, and Wally over at Stitch said he can work with that until he gets back.”

“We got you, brother. Don’t give it a thought. But when I had to go get some alterations for a suit I bought for court, it was a little awkward,” River said, leaning in so no one would overhear what he was saying, while his gaze remained on the dance floor.

On his girl.

“What do you mean?” Romeo asked.

“He grabbed my junk. Moved it to the side like he was lifting my arm. But it was my dick.”

All three of us erupted in laughter, and I made a mental note to fill Hayes in on this story the minute he returned.

“What?” Romeo asked, not hiding his discomfort. “Why did he grab your junk?”

“I don’t know. I’d never been fitted for a suit, and I asked Ruby about it, and she fell over laughing, too. She said that wasn’t normal. And he wasn’t fucking gentle either.” River shrugged.

“What did you do?” Nash asked, as his mouth hung open.

“I took my dick back, man. I wasn’t going to tolerate that shit. I just held it in my two hands while he continued measuring my inseam.”

I was laughing hysterically now, and it was difficult to get my words out. “Was it out in the open?”

“Fuck no. It was in my briefs. He didn’t yank it out completely. But I wrapped two hands around it to protect it. And Wally didn’t seem to care. He just wanted it out of the way. So what I’m telling you is… go in there with a game plan. Or wear a cup.”

“So that he can’t yanky your wanky?” I said over my laughter.

“Fuck you. You’re the sensitive one. You would not be okay having your dick manhandled by a dude old enough to be our grandfather.”

My gaze moved to the dance floor, where Saylor had her hands over her head. She wore a short, fitted denim miniskirt, a white spaghetti strap cropped blouse, and her favorite cowboy boots.

Fuck, she was cute.

Her hair was pulled back in some sort of knot at the nape of her neck, and her cheeks were flushed. She didn’t drink often, and by the looks of the empty shot glasses on the table and the way they were dancing around and laughing on the dance floor, they were well on their way to having a good time.

“Don’t you worry yourself about my dick. He’s doing just fine.” I winked as the song ended, and Ruby led the girls back over to the table.

My eye caught a guy waving Saylor over from a few tables over. It was fucking Coach. That dude needed to take a fucking hint. She stopped at his table and hugged him, and I didn’t miss the way his hands landed on her hips, and he kept them there.

Demi was laughing about something to Romeo, Peyton was talking Nash’s ear off, and Ruby was standing between my brother’s legs with her hands in his hair as she swayed to the music.

“Coach has his hands all the fuck over Saylor,” I hissed, and everyone turned to look at me before glancing over at her. She kept stepping back, and he was stepping forward.

“He’s had a lot to drink tonight, and she does look a little uncomfortable,” Romeo said.

“They’re friends.” Ruby eyed me suspiciously as I pushed to my feet. “Don’t embarrass her by going all caveman on her. Just go tell her you want to dance and take her out to the dance floor so it won’t be obvious.”

I nodded. “Great idea. I’ve got this.”

“Any excuse to fucking dance and keep the party going,” River said, and he smirked at me.

It is so much more than that.

I walked toward her, and her gaze locked with mine. She’d obviously been drinking because her eyes and cheeks told a story.

“Hey,” I said, pushing to stand between them so I was half-blocking Coach, forcing him to drop his hands. “This is our song. How about you come dance with me?” It wasn’t our song. We didn’t have a song. But it was one of my favorite country songs, so it sounded believable.

Her lips turned up in the corners, and her head fell back on a chuckle. “Sure. Let’s dance, King.”

Coach glared at me, and I tossed him a wink. There was just something about the guy that I didn’t like. Maybe it was jealousy. I wasn’t too proud to admit that it was a possibility. I didn’t like the way he looked at her.

Like he was claiming her.

I want to claim her.

I wanted to claim every fucking inch of her.

“You having a good time, Dandelion?” I whispered against her ear, my hands finding her waist, our bodies swaying together.

“Yeah. I thought maybe you’d changed your mind and weren’t coming?”

“I’d never leave you hanging like that.” I loved the way she looked at me. Like I set the sun and hung the moon all at the same time. No one had ever looked at me the way Saylor Woodson did.

“You’ve left me hanging plenty of times, my forbidden King,” she said against my ear, her words slurring a bit, and I tugged her close so her head could rest against my chest.

We just swayed to the music, her body pressed against mine, moving as one.

Her head fit beneath my chin perfectly, and I savored this moment.

The song came to an end, and I reached for her hand and led her to the table.

“Let’s get you a water, and I think the guys ordered some food. Have you eaten yet?” I asked, as my fingers intertwined with hers.

“Is this part of your babysitting duty?” She giggled, and I rolled my eyes as I pulled out the stool where I’d been sitting and lifted her by the waist and set her down.

I put some tater tots and chicken fingers on a plate and set it in front of her. “Yes. I take my job very seriously.”

I went to the bar to get her a water and brought it back and handed it to her. “Drink.”

“Thanks, Dad,” she said, as she and the girls burst out in laughter.

I didn’t mind it. I was having a good time. I liked seeing this side of Saylor.

Seeing her relaxed and having fun.

She deserved that.

I had a couple of beers and followed Saylor out to the dance floor a few more times like it was my job to protect her.

Because, in a way, it was.

Everyone started making their way out, and we said our goodbyes. I assured the girls I would get Saylor home safely, and my brother made some snarky-ass comment, and I flashed him the bird.

She was walking beside me, leaning against my body as she told me all about the book she was reading. How the hero was obsessed with the heroine and how his sole purpose in life was to please her.

“I mean, I know you’re impressive with the dirty talk, King. But this guy is next level.” She chuckled.

Like clockwork, my dick heard the word ‘dirty talk’ and jumped to attention.

“Trust me. That was casual phone sex. I’m much more impressive in person.”

Why was I telling her this?

“Oh, I don’t doubt that for a minute,” she said, waggling her brows at me.

We walked up the steps to her house, and when she reached into her purse for her keys, she lost her balance. She fell into me, and I caught her before she toppled to the ground.

A fit of laughter escaped her sweet mouth as I steadied her. “You never could handle your booze.”

“I’m fine. Don’t be ridiculous.” She put the key in the door and tripped as she tried to walk inside, and I caught her again.

I was done with this, so I turned her around, bent down, and tossed her over my shoulder fireman-style, as she burst out into a fit of hysterical laughter.

Saylor Woodson was a fun drunk, no doubt about it. But I didn’t want her falling over when she’d be staying here alone. I knew Ruby had gone home with River, so I kicked the door closed behind me and walked her down the hall toward her bedroom. I dropped her onto the bed, and she smiled up at me. Her crop top and skirt both managed to ride up higher than they’d been just a few seconds ago. I could see the lace of her panties, and I cleared my throat before yanking her skirt down.

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, and she smiled. “Sorry about that. I’m fine, really. I just get a little clumsy when I drink.”

“I know you do. That’s why I wanted to make sure I got you home safely.”

“Thanks.” She looked away before turning back to me. “That was pretty sexy what we did the other night. Phone sex is my new favorite thing.”

“Ahhh… first-timer, huh?”

“Yep. Never thought it would be my thing. But I think everything is my thing when it comes to you,” she said, before springing forward and kissing my cheek. “I’ve got to go brush my teeth and get my jammies on. Do you want to go now or wait till I come out?”

“You go do your thing, and I’ll grab you some water and a pain reliever, and once you’re tucked in, I’ll head out.”

“Fine. But for the record, I like forbidden King more than protective King.” She fluttered toward her bathroom like some sort of goddamn fairy.

I went to her kitchen and poured her a glass of water and found the Tylenol in a cabinet with the vitamins. I walked back to her room and set it down on her nightstand. I pulled her white-and-pink floral comforter down and tossed the ridiculous amount of decorative pillows covering her bed onto the floor. Something caught my eye from beneath her pillow that was lying at the head of the bed. The corner of a piece of fabric that I recognized immediately. I pulled it out, and my chest pounded.

The blanket I’d loved as a kid had been tucked beneath her fucking pillow all these years later.

I unfolded it, and right there in the other corner was the faded outline of my handprint I’d drawn for her.

She’d held onto it all this time.