Page 13 of The Vow We Made
I don't want to appear even shorter than I already am and prefer to talk on an even level. “I'm okay here.” Could it be he isn't the kind of man to leave a lady standing, or maybe he spots an opportunity?
His mouth twitches in amusement when he takes the stool himself. “Come here.” He reaches for my hand and pulls me to rest between his legs. “You didn’t call.” His direct statement floors me for a minute, so when I don’t answer immediately he asks, “Did you think I'd forget you? Because I didn't.”
I glance briefly to our fingers, now entwined and tilt my head while chewing at my lip. I’m trying to disguise my smile.
I want to tell him I didn't forget him either and how his tiny note is still held on my fridge by a Union Jack magnet, but that might come across as too eager. Instead, I work on keeping my cool. “I'm sorry.” I'm not sure why I'm apologising. I only know I have no real reason for not contacting him, other than my lack of confidence.
I straighten myself, ignoring the chill of goosebumps running over my skin. He has no idea how much I’ve fantasised about seeing him again, but now he’s standing in front of me, I’m not sure what to do. “You could have called me?”
“I don’t have your number.” The shine in his eyes distracts my attention and I’m unable to say anything of worth. I try clearing my throat; the obstruction is wedged like a ball, then successfully change the subject. “Thank you for getting rid of that guy earlier. He was a nuisance.”
“I couldn’t stand by and watch him with his hands on you any longer. Not when it was clear you didn’t want them.”
“Yet you felt compelled to lay your hands on me,” I add boldly.
One corner of his mouth twitches again. “That was different. We’d already met.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
He feigns hurt. “So are you saying you didn’t want to dance with me?”
I can’t help but smile this time. “I’m not saying anything of the sort.”
His brown eyes catch mine and I note his half smile as he pays for the shots now placed on the bar. He taps the salt to the side of his hand and offers it to me but I decide skin licking is a little too far at this early stage. I lean past him, pick up the salt shaker and tap out my own tiny granules as I tell him with a wry smile, “I’m not ready for that.”
He smirks. “I’m exceptionally clean.” He makes some sort of scout gesture with his fingers. “You can trust me, I’m a doctor.”
Shame. I didn’t think he’d be a ‘cheesy lines’ type of guy.I roll my eyes. “And I’m the queen of England.”
Another smirk appears when he takes a bow. “Your Majesty.”
I giggle at his antics and subconsciously wonder if he’s stringing me along. I’m sure he’s too young to be a doctor for one thing and would someone in the medical profession drink tequila shots in a club like this with a woman he hardly knows? I decide, while I stare longingly at his mouth, he’s definitely taking the piss, but I like his sense of humour.
“Too soon huh?” He laughs, offering his hand up once more before taking the salt crystals for himself and then his shot in one gulp.
“Absolutely.” My tongue tingles as it runs over the salt, but it's quickly washed down. I slam my glass then we both reach for slices of lime.
He sucks a large breath of air through his teeth before wincing. “Another?” he asks, holding up one finger as a signal to the barman. His eyes never leave me while he waits a few seconds to be served. With only the music surrounding us, we repeat the same salt ritual and with simultaneous, heavy breaths, slam down our shot glasses on the bar and grab more lime. I give the same one finger signal to the barman and mouth in Aiden's direction, “My turn.”
His hand covers mine as I’m about to take the money from my pocket. “I don’t think so.”
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. “I insist, and if you don't like it, I'll walk away.”
Slowly, his hand falls away. “Just for the record, I’m not happy about this.”
“Why shouldn’t I buy you a drink?” I don’t wait for an answer. Immediately turning to be served I lean over the bar and shout towards the guy taking my order who, I might add, is very easy on the eye, “Whiskey. Lots of ice.” My palette isn't cooperating after that last tequila, so as Aiden chose our first drink, I'll be choosing the next. Whiskey is the way forward. I smile at the barman who chances a glance at my cleavage then blatantly winks. Considering my current company, it’s a huge mistake. Aiden’s already proved to be my knight in shining armour once tonight, but it seems that isn’t enough.
I'm about to give the barman a piece of my mind for being so obvious with his wandering eyes, but before I'm able to open my mouth, Aiden leans over the bar.
I don’t hear his subtle suggestion, but the barman holds up his hands in defence and walks backwards. “I didn’t mean anything by it, mate.”
He soon has our drinks on the bar, at which point Aiden stares him down. “Just for the record, I’m not your ‘mate’ and respect for your customers would go a long way. You can apologise to the lady when you’re ready,” he shouts over the loud beats now playing, but I hear every word.
I feel a bit sorry for the red-faced barman now sheepishly making his apologies, “I didn’t mean to be rude and I’m so sorry if I caused any offence.”
I nod and smile at the poor bloke who can’t get away from us quick enough, then turn to Aiden. “You didn’t have to do that, I was ok.
“He was out of order and a quick reminder doesn’t do any harm.”
