Page 85 of Sweet Surrender
“How fun for you,” she replied, all trademark sass anddon’t give a shitvibes. Reminders of the things he’d done to her, to her squirrels, barreled through her brain and she fought to stay calm. She adopted a bored expression and lifted her hand to study her nails, hoping he wouldn’t notice how they shook.
“He doesn’t mean shit to you, baby. You don’t look at him like you looked at me, you don’t evenkisshim. He doesn’t make you happy,” he growled.
She fixed him with a cold smile. “I’ve only ever kissed two men in my life. One of them is him and the other sure as shit wasn’t you,” she taunted.
His face twisted with rage and his arms snapped out, trying to draw her to him, his lips puckering for a kiss, but she was quicker. She thrust her hand out and up, just like Beau taught her, the heel of her palm connecting with his nose. The sickening crack echoed around the room and Dale howled as blood poured from his nose.
Taylor used his distraction to make her escape, lunging for the door and yanking but it didn’t budge. He had locked it. Her shaking hands fumbled, costing her precious seconds. Dale banded his arms around her in a bear hug, dragging her backwards. His putrid breath filled her nostrils as he slicked his tongue up the side of her face and she fought the urge to vomit.
Her pulse pounded, adrenaline spiked as fear tried to take over. She made herself focus on Beau’s training. She shoved her panic away, and bent forward at the hips, using all her strength to flip him. Her muscles screamed but he flew over her shoulder, crashing onto the hardwood floor. She didn’t pause, just ran straight for the door, unlocking it and throwing it open.
“Kayleigh!” she shrieked as she ran out. It was still early so the bar was empty and shit, she needed her phone. Dale was still rolling on the floor groaning, so she ran back to grab her phone and call Blake. Then Kayleigh was rushing in, concern on her delicate face.
“Taylor? What’s going on?”
“Blake! I need you now, Dale-” She began when he answered but Dale lumbered to his feet and was running for the door. He barreled into Kayleigh, shoving her out the way and she cried out as she slammed into the door, dropping to the floor with a sharp crack of the head.
“Kayleigh!” Taylor cried, dropping her phone and running to her. She was slumped on the floor, not moving, and fear gripped Taylor. She rolled her over, crying out as she saw the blood coming from Kayleigh’s head wound.
“Kayleigh? Can you hear me?” She patted her cheeks gently. Kayleigh groaned but didn’t move.
“Help! I need some help in here!” Taylor shouted into the bar, surely there was someone here? There was a pounding of feet and then a man appeared.
“Oh my God, what happened?” he asked, his young face paling as he took in Kayleigh.
“I need some ice now!” Taylor snapped and off he went. She tried gently shaking Kayleigh but other than the odd groan, she wasn’t getting much response. Taylor’s stomach clenched with worry.
The young man reappeared. “I’ve called an ambulance, locked up the back and turned off the stoves. Here’s the ice, we need to get her to wake up and to keep talking until the ambulance arrives. She’s probably concussed, here’s a bucket if she needs to be sick.” He took a cloth and dipped it in the water, mopping over Kayleigh’s brow and cheeks then dabbing carefully at her wound.
“Ka- uh, What’s her name?”
“Kayleigh,” she replied, dumbfounded.
“Pretty. Okay, Kayleigh you need to wake up now,” he said, pulling her up so she rested back against his chest.
“Who are you?” Taylor asked.
“I’m Ben Morgan, I’m here for my interview,” he said, his green eyes swinging to her. A couple of shades lighter than her own, more jade. His dirty blond hair flopped over his forehead. He continued wiping Kayleigh’s face, talking to her and keeping her awake. Taylor couldn’t believe Kayleigh had been injured because of her. Poor, sweet Kayleigh who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“Taylor?” Kayleigh groaned.
“I’m here,” Taylor replied, taking her hand.
“I’m no doctor but I think she’s definitely got a concussion,” Ben said.
Kayleigh sighed and beamed at Taylor. “I love you!”
“Aw, I love you too, Kay,” Taylor patted her hand, but Kayleigh moaned.
“No, you beautiful dummy. Iloveyou,” Kayleigh said again.
Taylor’s eyes flicked to Ben and he gave her a tight smile, and said, “Yeah, she doesn’t know what she’s saying, I’d ignore that.”
Taylor nodded, and then the ambulance was here. Taylor and Ben moved to the side while the paramedics got to work.
“So, um shall we reschedule my interview, I’m free anytime?” Ben said, tucking his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“Fuck your interview, you’re hired. When can you start?” She’d watched him remain calm under pressure, think outside the box, and care for his future colleague. She’d seen all she needed to see. Anyone could be taught to pour a pint but the qualities he’d already exhibited impressed her more. His eyes flicked to Kayleigh and he worried a hand over his stubbly jaw.
