Page 35 of Baja
“When you think about it,” Sukie interjects. “If it weren’t for the Uber driver, you might not be where you are today.”
“Crazy how things work out,” I add. “It’s true what they say… everything happens for a reason.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Sage raises a shot glass, and the rest of us follow suit.
By the time the third act of the night ends, I’ve moved well beyond tipsy into full-on drunk. I can’t remember the last time I drank this much. Speaking of too much to drink, my bladder is about to burst. I turn to Sukie. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Okay. Want me to order another drink for you?”
“Yeah, a beer.”
On the way to the restroom, I pass a group of men sitting at a booth. One man whistles and drunkenly tries to gain my attention, but I ignore him. There is no way I’m letting an obnoxious drunk ruin my buzz.
A few minutes later, I finish my business and wash my hands. When I exit the bathroom, I go down the hall and once again pass the booth with the rowdy men. This time, the drunk guy from before doesn’t allow me to ignore him a second time. A rough hand clamps down around my bicep, momentarily knocking me off-balance.
I quickly regain my footing, even in heels. “Let go.” I try wrenching my arm free.
The idiot’s friends snicker, further goading him on.
“Come on now, baby. Don’t be like that.” His grip tightens. “I just want to talk.”
My lip curls at the smell of his rancid breath. I’m about to open my mouth again when suddenly, a hand reaches out in front of me and grabs the guy’s wrist. At the same time, an arm hooks around my waist, pulling me back away from the booth. The man lets go of my arm, and he bellows in pain as his wrist snaps backward into an unnatural position. Nash’s imposing frame fills my vision, and I watch as he grabs a fist full of the guy’s hair before slamming his head face-first into the table.While blood gushes from his nose, his three buddies seem to have more sense because none of them help. Salem and Mystic are standing guard at Nash’s back, arms crossed over their chests.
“You fucked up thinkin’ you had the right to put your hands on my woman,” Nash sneers.
“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know she was yours. It won’t happen again. I promise.”
“You’re right, it won’t.” Nash jerks his chin, signaling one of the bouncers to come over. Nash and the bouncer exchange a silent look before he thrusts the bleeding man toward the bouncer, who then drags the guy off toward the back of the club near the exit.
Nash turns his attention to the guy’s three friends. “Get your asses out, and don’t come back.”
“What about Dave?” one of them asks.
“Dave is not your concern,” Nash says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now get the fuck out.”
Dave’s friends, sensing Nash is not a man to defy, make a hasty retreat.
Nash then turns to me, and the arm around my waist disappears. His expression goes from fury to heated as his gaze sweeps my body from head to toe. “Babe,” he growls as he looks at me expectedly. There’s nothing else to do but to go to him, so that’s exactly what I do. The second I’m within reach, he wraps his arm around me and pulls me to his side.
“I like the dress.”
Smiling coyly, I glide my palm up his chest and lean close. “How about you take me back to your place and show me how much you like it then.” I should be concerned about the scene that played out moments ago, but I’m not. The only scene on my mind is the one I want to happen tonight while I’m in bed with Nash.
Nash’s nostrils flare. “Are you smashed?”
“Yes. Not so much that I don’t know what I’m saying or that I’m not going to remember tomorrow what it feels like to have you inside me.” I do not know where that confession originated, but I’ll ride with it because it’s true.
The next thing I know, I’m being lifted into Nash’s arms and giggling.
“We’re out,” he informs the guys.
“Figured.” Salem smirks toward Nash’s retreating back.
Like a loon, I wave over his shoulder at the girls, who all share similar knowing expressions.
We hit the parking lot, and Nash’s boots crunch against the gravel as his legs eat up the distance between the exit and his bike. Stopping beside his motorcycle, his hold on me goes slack, allowing my body to slide down against his until my feet touch the ground. I’m fully aware of how hard my nipples are and that my dress has ridden up past my hips.
“You going to be able to hold on?”
