Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 179812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 899(@200wpm)___ 719(@250wpm)___ 599(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 179812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 899(@200wpm)___ 719(@250wpm)___ 599(@300wpm)
But back to why I chose this bar. Not only to show Miles that I’m older than my age, but also because of him.
I haven’t seen him since his impromptu engagement at the charity event. Mostly because he’s been on the road for the season. But I knew he’d be here tonight. The season is still on, and he’s got his championship game day after tomorrow. It’s a home game and he’s visiting Bardstown for a couple of days, like he always does when he’s got some time on his hands. I heard Callie say he was going to let off some steam before the big game and go see his friends at the bar. She didn’t have to specify which bar though; I already knew. So when Miles told me to choose where to meet up, I picked this place.
To show him.
That I’ve moved on. That I’ve gotten a fucking life and forgotten he exists. I realize this whole show and tell may suggest that I’m not as into this date as I should be, but it’s not true. I do like Miles. I do want this date to be successful. But I also want to rub it in his face. I was minding my own business that night, dealing with my own heartbreak, when he found me. He was the one who followed me. He was the one who said all those assholish things to me. There was no need for him to be so cruel, but he was anyway. So this is payback.
The place is packed, as it usually is every night of the week, not just the weekend. The lighting is not the best so it’s hard to say if he’s here yet or not, but when Miles pulls me to the makeshift dance floor, I go with him. I dance with Miles like he’s watching, and halfway through the song, when Miles pulls me even closer, I don’t resist. I’m not especially happy with the lack of distance. Even though I tell myself I should be; I like him and we’re on a date so it’s not a big deal. But if he’s really watching, I should put on a good show. So I spin around in Miles’s arms, moving and twisting my hips, when I finally see him.
He’s at the edge of the dance floor with his eyes locked on me. I come to a halt and for a few seconds all I can do is stare at him, at his tall figure. Tall and dark and immobile. Everyone else around us is moving and swaying, laughing, but we’re standing still. Staring at each other, connected. But then I start to move. I press myself even closer to Miles as I resume dancing, twisting my hips, writhing, and I notice his jaw clench. I notice his fingers fist and his eyes narrow, a dark current running through his body.
I can’t deny the satisfaction that goes through me at this. I can’t deny I’m not trying to make him jealous. To show him he doesn’t matter to me. Yes, I’m lying, but he doesn’t need to know that. All he needs to know is I took his advice, and he can go fuck himself.
But then he starts to move toward us and my heart skips a beat. No, my heart practically stops as I watch him prowl, cutting through the dancing crowd, undeterred. It doesn’t matter that people are bumping into him, crashing and colliding. He’s unaffected, all broad chest and steely thighs. I don’t know what his intention is, but it doesn’t look good. In fact, his eyes are flashing and there’s a certain intent in his demeanor that screams danger. I should be reacting to it, I know. I should be doing something instead of simply staring into his eyes, but I can’t.
I’m all frozen and foggy, and that’s probably why it takes me a few seconds to realize he’s here and what he’s done. Pushed Miles away from me. He’s put his large hand on my date’s shoulder and given him a shove, breaking our embrace. All aggressively and possessively. Like I’m a toy he doesn’t want anyone else to play with. Then moving his eyes over to Miles, he growls, “Beat it.”
Confusion is clear on Miles’s face, and I try to go to him when he addresses me. “Take one step toward him and I’ll fucking break his bones.”
I snap my eyes over to him and instantly know he means it. I know it down to my core, and it serves as a wake-up call. It makes me realize I’ve lost my mind. What was I thinking playing games with him? What was I thinking involving someone else in my games? What if Miles gets hurt, what then?
God, I’m so stupid. I’ve been so angry at him all these months, so freaking furious, that as soon as I heard he was back in town, I reacted without thinking things through. And look what I did. I back away then, from him. And notice his eyes going narrow in displeasure. But I don’t care. I’m getting out of here. I’m getting away from him.