December 29 2014
"I don't like this Dru," my uncle sighs as he leans against the wall beside the doorway beside me as I curl my blonde hair.
"You've made that abundantly clear, Paulie."
"And yet you refuse to listen to me."
"Cuz she is a very smart girl," my uncle's best friend smiles, leaning on the wall opposite his friend. "Seriously Paul. Leave the girl be. She's not fifteen anymore."
"No one asked you, Shawn."
"In his defense it was the last time I was sweet," I smile back at Shawn through the mirror in front of me. Shawn shrugs in response.
"I don't think this is a joking moment," Paul huffs.
"Lighten up, Paul. Shawn has a point. She is thirty. Not exactly a child," Paul's friend Brian calls from inside the hotel room.
"Thank you, Dogg," I call back.
"Good thing no one asked for your opinion," Paul growls.
"Funny, I thought that's exactly why you brought us to Dru's room," Shawn smiles.
"And now he's pissy because you're on my side instead of falling at his feet," I smirk.
"That's not what this is about," he snaps.
"That's what everything is about with you," I sigh. "People bending to your will. It's a personal flaw only the best of them can overlook. I appreciate that you think you're looking out for me right now. But you need to learn to let go. I'm not who you think I am."
"Your mother's daughter?"
"Don't you fucking start in on my mother," I snap.
"Paul, please consider your words. I know you don't want to hurt your only niece right now. Not on her birthday," Shawn mumbles placing a hand on the bigger man's chest.
"Will you at least consider changing? You look like a whore."
"I borrowed this dress specifically for tonight," I motion to skin tight cream dress. The halter style completely covers my front from the neck to midriff where diamond cutouts exposes the deep tanned skin and most of my back exposed. The long skirt's high slits on either side showing off my legs. "From your wife by the way. I'll make sure she knows how much you think it's something a whore would wear."
He opens his mouth to respond before snapping it shut again.
"Exactly."
"We leave early tomorrow. Please don't be late."
I give a mock salute to his back.
"No drinking and driving," Shawn smiles, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
"I'm just going to be at the club downstairs. No driving required."
"Plus this is Vegas. No one drives here. You just stumble from hotel to hotel," Brian smiles, joining his friend in the doorway. "You remember stumbling around Vegas right, Shawn?"
"Reminiscence elsewhere," I smile, shoving the two older men towards the door. "Don't do anything I would do, Doll." "That doesn't leave me much to do, now does it?"
"But it will keep you out of trouble," Brian smiles reaching to pull the door shut behind him and his friend.
"Hey Dogg."
"Yeah?"
I point to my cheek, "Get your old ass over her and tell me goodbye."
"Bossy much," he smiles pressing a kiss to my cheek.
XXX
"I would like to abstain from this game," Nattie shouts over the music as she settles beside me on the right side round booth, Layla sliding in on her other side. Victoria and Melina taking up the left side.
"I'm with Nattie on this one. On principle alone," I smirk.
"And why is that," Melina questions.
"Really? If a bunch of guys were piled up in a booth judging who they would "marry, date, or do" you would think they were the biggest douches in the place."
"But they are doing that," Melina shouts over the music. "I mean look at them," she motions at a random booth around us. "Sitting there ogling every chick that happens into their eye line, going: "I'd do that. I'd do that."
"So we have to reduce ourselves to their level?"
"Fine then I'll start. Pick my victims."
"Alright," Victoria starts, scanning the club for our co-workers, "Stu, Nick, and Heath."
"Do Nick, no doubt about that," Melina smiles. "You heard why that comedian bitch said she left. Too athletic in bed. What does that even mean? Anyway, date Heath, and marry Stu."
"Really Lina? Why would anyone lower themselves to marrying Stu?"
Victoria clears her throat.
"No offense intended Tori."
"Your turn Dru," Melina smiles over at me but my eyes are on my friends on the end.
"I would like to refuse to participate on the basis that I find it sexist and the fact that I'm not "doing" anyone in this room."
"Oh I forgot, Dru is a virgin," Layla smirks over at me.
"What," Melina gasps, staring at me in disbelief.
"It's not a secret," I huff. "I am too particular to just sleep with anyone."
"I thought that was all storyline."
"Nope," I sigh, taking a long chug from the water bottle in my hand. "Here we go. The same conversation every time."
"But you're thirty."
"And? It takes a lot of control to last this long."
"It's just pathetic," Melina laughs. "I mean come on, you've never just wanted to jump on some guy and feel the physical side of love?"
"Yes I have. I've just chosen to control my urges for someone special. Someone who sees more in me than just Triple H's niece."
"That person doesn't exist."
"I've always told you how proud I am of you," Victoria smiles.
"That awesome actually," Nattie grins.
"Whoa. That's a first."
"Whatever," Melina huffs, sliding out of the booth to pick her way towards one of the three bars lining the club.
"The Ascension is staring at you," Nattie smirks, nodding behind me.
I turn slightly to find the two men in question doing just that, staring in our direction. The two men look to be celebrating their main roster debut judging by the amount of bottles sitting on the bar in front of them. I've had little interaction with the men but their reputation is exceptional and they are so easy on the eyes.
"Ok, I amend my earlier statement, there are some in the room I might be willing break my control for," I smile.
The other three women bust out laughing as I study the two men.
"Big man is a nice piece of ass," Layla chuckles. "And I heard he is single."
"I'll give you that," Nattie smirks, nudging me but my eyes are roaming over the dark haired man of the group. The charcoal shirt contrasts with his dark hair and black leather jacket beautifully as it molds to every muscle of his torso. My heart rated triples as our eyes lock and I feel my lips pull up into a smirk.
"Ugh," I hear Victoria groan.
Tearing my eyes away from the men behind me I turn to find the reason for her displeasure, Curtis "Fandango" Hussey. The man's tendency to treat the women of the company as pieces of meat has caused me to give him a wide berth in the past and now he was swaying his way to our booth.
"Now why are four lovely ladies like yourself sitting here sipping water like you're in someone's living room and not a club," the older man asks pulling a chair up to the end of our booth. Layla points towards one of the bars as she locks eyes with me. I waggle my fingers in a wave as she slides from the booth.
"Staving off dehydration," I smirk.
"Now word around town is that it's your birthday little lady."
"When did you start listening to idle gossip, Big Boy?"
"So it is in fact not your birthday?"
"Never said that," I smirk.
"Well in that case," he smiles looking around the club for someone. "Waitress. Waitress. Can we get a waitress over here," he shouts.
"I'm outta here," Victoria leans over to whisper in my ear. "You have a good night, birthday girl."
"You too, sister," I smile, giving her a quick squeeze.
"If you want to head out too," I lean the opposite way to whisper into Nattie's ear, "I understand. This night is pretty much done anyways."
"I don't want to leave you alone. Especially with him."
"I can handle myself. There's no need for you to be miserable. You go find TJ and enjoy the rest of your night. We will go clean out a mall sometime this week to celebrate my birthday."
"You're sure?"
I turn to find the man talking to a waitress, ordering, the word twelve is the only word making it through the music.
"Yeah. He's planning on getting drunk. I'll give him the slip first chance I get. You better hurry."
"Be careful."
"Will do," I smile, kissing her cheek.
"Where did everyone go," the man asks as he finally tears his eyes from waitress' ass as she retreats.
I shrug staring into man's glazed eyes. "How much have you had to drink, Curtis?"
"Just a couple beers. Call me Johnny."
"Liar. Or a freaking lightweight. Either way I can use it to bruise his ego and poke at his competitive side." "Come on you're halfway to drunk already. How much have you really had?"
"I'm nowhere close to drunk," he sneers.
"If you're not drunk already you're a few drinks away. If you really just had a couple of beers…You are just a lightweight."
"Am not."
"Prove it. I bet I can out drink you."
"Not likely."
"Put your money where your mouth is big boy."
"What if I don't want your money?"
"Then I guess we'll find out what I'm willing to give you," I smirk as the waitress lines the edge of the table with shots of what looks like tequila.
"Get the little lady here the same," he smiles at the waitress.
"Get the little lady some Jose," I smile.
"Cheap date," he smiles sliding into the booth in front of shots.
"Who said I am your date," I smirk, sliding around the booth to face him again.
"You will later."
"Don't you have someone waiting on you at home?"
"Nah, no one can tie me down," he smirks.
"Maybe no one wants to."
"What's that mean?"
"It means you're a pretty face and a nice ass but obviously you can't keep a woman satisfied so they find someone who can. When I win I get five hundred bucks and a chance to neuter you. You really don't need to be reproducing," I snap as the waitress returns with my shots.
"Amen sis," she murmurs.
"I'm going to enjoy proving you wrong," he smiles.
Picking up a shot in both hands I throw my head back and swallow the liquor, relishing the fire sliding down my throat before picking up two more shots. "Looks like you have some catching up to do," I smirk, before repeating my previous actions.
He picks up one of his own shot glasses and kisses it before imitating me.
"You know we can just skip this little foreplay we got going here and go straight to the main event," he smirks sliding around to sit beside me.
I force myself not to move again. "You still have eleven shots to my eight. I think I'm the one winning here."
"Ok, we can play this game," picking up his next shot.
"And I will win."
Three shots for him later, the larger man is pressed up against my side. "I'm tired of this shit," he slurs.
"Give me my money then,"
"I'll give you something but it's not gonna be money," his hand coming to rest on my knee.
"I don't think so," I force myself to smirk against the panic rising through me as I twirl one of my nine empty shot glasses between my hands.
"You're a tease," his hand creeps up my thigh.
"If that's what you want to think."
"I'm right here, Sweetness," he chuckles, his hand tightening on my thigh. "I don't have to think. I know. And what I know is you are Paul's little whore."
"You're about to have your ass kicked by a girl," I snap wrenching his hand off of my leg.
"You know you want it," he slurs into my ear.
Planting a hand firmly on his chest, I push him back so he can clearly see my face. "Does it look like I want it? Walk away while you're still ahead, Johnny. I'm going to the bathroom," I snarl sliding out of the booth. "Don't be here when I get back."
"Who do you think you are," he growls grabbing my bicep in a painfully tight grip. "Do you think because your uncle got you a job you can look down your nose at those of us that actually deserves to be here?"
"You're little act is getting old. Go sleep off your liquor, you fucking lightweight," I growl wrenching my arm from his grasp. "Maybe I'll forget that you ran off at the mouth and said something you wouldn't otherwise.
"Don't you walk away from me!"
"What are you going to do about it," I smirk. Studying the drunken man in front of me, I do the most insulting thing I can think of at that moment. I turn my back on him and walk away, heading for the women's room on the other side of the club. I'm about half way there when it feels like a freight train hits me from the side, knocking me through an emergency exit that is conveniently propped open. My head bouncing off something metal as I try to roll through and come up on my feet. I catch a glimpse of a couple scurrying through the open door and back into the club.
"I said don't walk away from me," he snarls, his face in mine.
"Last warning," I smirk, adjusting my stance so my back is no longer to the stairs leading down.
"What are you gonna d…" he starts before I feign a punch with my right hand and driving my left elbow into his jaw.
"That."
"I like a girl that can play rough," he smirks and I drive another elbow into his jaw.
"Walk away before I dislocate your jaw."
"You could try," he smiles, reaching for me. "The result is going to be the same. You underneath me."
"Keep dreaming," I snarl, slapping his hand away easily.
"Oh, believe me that is what is on everyone's mind in the locker room. Getting you beneath them. There is even some veterans who are putting up some cold hard cash for whoever is the first one to taste you, Sweetness."
My stomach turns at his last statement. "You're lying," I whisper.
"Please," he smirks. "Getting you in bed means two things. The first is they get the pleasure of making you a fully realized woman. The second is it gets them that much closer to whispering in Paul Levesque's ear. That is the real prize. You're just a fucking bonus. I mean that literally."
I'm so stunned by his words that I don't notice him backing me up until my back hits the wall.
"Fuck," I mutter to myself.
"That's the plan," he smiles, leaning to nibble along my earlobe.
I prepare to bring my knee up between his legs when he disappears from in front of me and someone is yanking me sideways by the bicep. I spin ready to defend myself against the new attacker, to find the largest member of the Ascension. He holds his hands up in surrender. "Easy, Princess," he rumbles, pulling me further into the doorway. "Just trying to get you out of harm's way."
I turn at the sound of a scuffle finding the big man's tag team partner on top of Johnny. A gentle hand on my lower back causing me to turn back to the big man, who looks up from my back to drag me back to the club side of the doorway and to the side of the door.
"Your back is scraped up and he tore the top of your dress," he smiles gently, keeping me between the wall and his body, the position feeling less pervy and more protective than the same position had seconds earlier with the other man.
"Shit. This is Steph's. She's gonna kill me."
"I think she may overlook it considering you tore it fighting off one of your co-workers trying to rape you."
I search my fuzzy brain for his name. "It's something simple. Conner? No that's his ring name. Zack? Ben? Reid? Ryan!" "You don't know Stephanie and her clothes."
He smiles slightly before looking around the door frame. "Eric is gonna take the idiot down the stairs the hard way if I don't stop him. He's already thrown him down one flight, probably more by now. Not that Johnny doesn't deserve it," he smiles apologetically, "but I should really keep Eric from killing the man."
"Go," I smile. "I'm fine. Really. Thanks to you two."
"Don't go anywhere," he rumbles. "Eric's gonna want to check on you once he calms back down. I had to restrain him when dumbass started groping you in the booth."
"Just go. I don't want a murder on my conscious."
XXX
I yelp as I'm yanked into yet another side entrance to the club. My fist connects with something solid and the following grunt tells me it is some part of the other person's body. Suddenly the light flares to life to reveal a doubled over body and a head of bleach blonde hair. "Damn it Cillia. Don't you usually look before you punch," he groans.
"Don't you usually warn me before grabbing me, Nick," I sigh leaning against the door.
"Sorry," he straightens. "Didn't think I needed to anymore."
"Just having a bad night."
"I saw. What did Fandango want?"
"The same thing all guys want."
"Stop that. That is not what all men want."
"That's why you decided we would be better as friends after I informed you that I wasn't going to sleep with you."
"Never said that wasn't what I want," he smirks. "Are you okay?"
"I've been told that I'm a little scraped up and I'm a little on the defensive right now but otherwise I'm fine."
"Where?"
"Where what?"
"Where are you scraped up?"
"Back."
"Turn," he orders twirling a finger.
"I'm not really in the mood to let you check out my ass."
"Then I'll try my hardest not to look at it. Now turn around."
"I'm fine," I sigh turning.
"That you are," he chuckles.
"What would your girl have to say about you flirting with me," I ask as I feel gentle fingers skimming along my back. "You know Layla. The girl you've been seeing for the past two months."
"How did you…"
"You two are not as subtle as you think you are."
"You'll be fine but you should get probably call it a night. The back of this piece of material you are calling a dress tonight is torn down to your ass."
"Which you are staring at now," I smirk.
"It was staring at me first," he chuckles.
"Goodbye Nick."
"Hey," he sighs wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "You know I'm there for you if you need me, right?"
"Yeah Nick," I sigh patting his arm.
XXX
"Fuck," I growl as reach the booth my party was previously occupying. "Someone stole my damn purse."
"You mean this purse?"
Turning I find Victoria holding out the bag.
"Thanks. I was kinda in a hurry earlier."
"Saw that," she smiles as I take my purse. "You okay?"
"I eluded him."
"Not without suffering some damage," an English voice adds.
"I'm fine, Layla," I smile.
"Your arm is bruised and your back is scraped up," the shorter woman points out.
"Not to mention the only thing keeping that dress on is the two inch piece of cloth around your neck," Victoria adds.
"And some really good double sided tape," I smirk. "Really. I'm fine. I've been through worse."
"Doesn't mean you have to suffer now," Layla sighs, moving around me.
"She has a point," Victoria states as my dress tightens around me.
"She usually does," I smirk. "Doesn't mean I always listen to her. What is she doing back there?"
"Tying the torn area together. I can't have you wondering through the hotel with your ass hanging out."
"Thank you."
"How exactly did you 'elude' Johnny," Layla asks.
"A couple elbows to the jaw," I smile.
"Nice," Victoria smirks.
"I mainly just wanted to shut him up. And the Ascension may have come to my rescue too."
"The Ascension?"
"Yep. Both came running."
"Really?"
"Really," a new voice calls. The three of us turn to find the men we were just discussing. Eric being the one who spoke. "Despite popular opinion, we're not animals. Nor do we appreciate some of our co-workers thinking it was ok to manhandle a woman."
"Notice you didn't say helpless," I smirk over at the man.
"I would never insult you by implying you were helpless," Eric smiles.
"You would be the first. You're knuckles are bleeding," I nod towards the man's hands.
"So is your back," he counters.
"I don't make a living because of my back. You're hands on the other hand…"
"It's not the first time I've busted them. Not gonna be the last."
"How many flights did you kick dumbass down?"
"Three. Busted his nose and his lip. From the way he was breathing I probably busted a rib or two."
"Or six," Ryan smirks.
"He'll live. He deserved worse."
"I agree. I'll make sure Stephanie hears my side of the story and there isn't any consequences for you guys."
"Throwing your weight around," Eric arches his brow at me.
"I try to avoid it. I actually go out of my way to do so but I'm not about to allow the perv to run off playing the victim. Plus I'm not going to let you be punished for doing the right thing."
"Thank you for that," Ryan smiles.
"Let's just hope I won't have to do it again. Well, I should really go get out of this torn dress. I'm going to find a way to thank you guys for what you did for me."
"Not necessary," Eric smiles.
"Still going to happen though," I return the smile.
"This out bravado flirting thing is fun to watch and all," Layla smirks, "but would you two like a moment alone?"
I roll my eyes at the older woman. "No. Thank you again for covering my ass." Leaning closer to the older woman I whisper in her ear, "Go find your man and enjoy the rest of your evening. If I catch Melina ever trying to do Nick I'll help you kick both their asses." I pull back to look into her wide eyes before winking. "Go."
"I'll call you in the morning," Victoria smiles. "Don't behave yourself."
"The phrase is behave yourselves, Tori," I chuckle.
"I know," she calls.
I turn my attention to the spot the men were standing to find only Eric standing there studying me. "Thank you again. If there is anything I can do for you don't hesitate to ask. You really saved my ass tonight."
He nods before turning to join his friend.
I make my own way to the nearest bar, my adrenaline starting to wear off and I feel every little scrape on my back. "I need some liquid pain relief before I go back to my room," I mutter to no one. "Physical and mental pain relief."
XXX
"You okay?"
I flick a glance up to find Eric before going back to staring at my hands on the bar. "Yeah. Just trying to find the motivation to head back to my room."
"It looks like you feel like you have the weight of the world on you."
"Yes and no," I shrug.
"Must be something big if it can defeat you more than being assaulted in a stairwell," he states, seating himself on the stool beside me.
I shrug again. "Just thinking about what was said to me more than what was done to me."
"That was…"
"It was something I needed to hear," I interrupt. "Doesn't mean I have to like it. I just can't stop hearing it on a loop."
"Can I at least buy you a drink while you contemplate your motivations?"
"As long as there's not a bet involved," I sigh before chuckling softly at my own comment.
"Yeah," he winces. "I heard dumbass talking about that. Pretty fucked up even for the people in this company," he growls. "I would just like to remind you that we just arrived. Any locker room talk doesn't involve Ryan or me."
"Well that doesn't get me any closer to getting the names of those who are involved. I had a nice, swift kick in the balls planned for them."
"I'll just have to get those names for you then," he chuckles. "But only if I can watch."
"Deal," I smirk, finally turning to look at the man beside me.
"Drink?"
"I don't know," I sigh. "According to Ryan and…a friend and you, my back is horrible. Something I could feel for myself a drink ago. My dress is held on by double sided tape and hope. Plus I'm sure I look like a raccoon from fucking crying over some bullshit."
"A very adorable raccoon," he smiles briefly before allowing it to fall, leaning back to study my back he sighs. "Your back does look bad but I'm sure it's just superficial damage. You keep using your torn dress as a reason you need to leave but you keep hanging around. I don't think you really want to leave but you feel you need to put up a front."
"If I get myself alone for too long, I think I may fall completely apart. I don't really feel like doing that right now."
"So stay. Hang out with us."
"You guys don't hang out with the rest of the company."
"We would make an exception for you."
"Why? Because my uncle is Paul Levesque and you two need an in?"
"Not at all," he states, locking eyes with me. "If we wanted to whisper in your uncle's ear, we would just whisper directly into Paul's ear. We've done it before and we don't use others to do our dirty work for us."
"Is that right?"
"Absolutely," his eyes never leaving mine.
I study his face, finding nothing but honesty. "Alright then," I smile slightly. "Let me go wash my face. Can't represent the company looking like a raccoon. No matter how adorable you find it."
"Asshole is loitering against the wall over there," he nods over my shoulder. I turn my head slightly to find the man in question leaning against the wall beside the hallway leading towards the restrooms talking to someone in the darkened booth beside him. "He's been watching you since the girls left."
"Is that why you came over here? To save me again."
"No, I genuinely wanted to check on you. You looked like someone kicked your puppy. You want me to walk with you?"
"I want to say no but after earlier… I don't feel like repeating that right now," I grumble, standing. "Besides I blame you that he's over there."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you didn't bust him up enough."
"I could always correct that," he grins, joining me on his feet.
"Tempting but let's wait until he makes the first move. Removes the whole 'he's a victim' angle. Now are you walking me or not?"
XXX
"Why is Eric hanging out outside the women's room?"
"I'm sure he's waiting on me," I smirk, splashing more water on my face. "Where did you run off to, Melina?"
"Didn't really need to hear the Dru is so great speech," she sighs, knocking into me slightly as she moves past me.
"Yeah," I snort. "Because everyone has one of those just stashed away."
"Please! Everyone is always falling all over you. All for the privilege of kissing your butt."
"Well then it's a good thing you left then, isn't it," I smirk, drying my face. "Although since you did, you missed all the fun."
"I shudder to think what you think is fun."
"Why exactly did you come out with me tonight," I ask, watching the other woman fluff her hair. "You obviously think so highly of me."
"I was told it was a party," the older woman sneers. "Instead it was just all the has-beens of the company sitting in a booth actively trying not to have fun. I went in search of someone who knew what fun actually meant."
"Wow," I chuckle, pulling a hair tie from my bag. Pulling my hair back into as smooth of a ponytail as I can manage I turn to the shorter woman. "Someone actually says what they mean to Triple H's niece. I want to be pissed off but I'm actually glad there is at least someone willing to do so. You call me a has-been again though and I'll break you like a toothpick, old woman," I growl before pasting on a smile. "You have a good night now, Melina. I have two guys waiting to help me celebrate my birthday."
I exit the restroom to find Eric leaning casually on the opposite wall. "Better?"
He studies my face for a second before answering, "You look like you feel better."
"I do. Very diplomatic answer, by the way."
"Can't be blunt all the time," he smiles as he pushes off the wall.
"After the night I've had, I think I prefer blunt," I smirk up at the taller man.
"I never understood make-up. It runs if you sweat. It smears if you touch your face. It gets on everything," he states draping his leather jacket over my shoulders before wrapping an arm there as we make our way back towards the club.
"An intense issue for a man who wears all black," I smirk. "I'm not cold by the way."
"Your dress is starting to tear again," he smiles. "Trying to save you from a wardrobe malfunction."
I'm suddenly very happy for the length of the leather on me. "If it makes you feel better, I don't understand the point of make-up either. I rarely wear any. Nattie wouldn't let me out of my room tonight until she was allowed to make me up. I caved," I shrug, sliding my arms into the sleeves of the jacket. Faltering at the sight of Johnny pacing at the entrance to the club. Eric's arm drops from my shoulders, taking a slight step in front of me and putting himself between me and the other man at the end of the hall. "Of course, I hadn't exactly planned on crying tonight," I sigh, leaning against the wall.
"Ignore him," he smirks. "He's not worth it."
"I know. Really, I do. It's forcing myself to act that's the problem."
"That's why I'm here," he smirks, stepping closer.
"Why are you being so good to me?"
"Ryan asked me something similar, earlier."
"What did you tell him?"
"That maybe we're secretly dating," he smirks, placing a hand on either side of me at my shoulders. "And it was none of his damn business."
"But it is my business."
"You're thinking about earlier."
"Maybe."
"How would you have reacted to what happened tonight if Johnny hadn't said anything about a bet?"
"So basically, Johnny just gropes me in the booth and tackles me into the stairwell?"
"Exactly," he smiles, moving closer to allow a group of women to pass.
"Kick his ass down a few flight of stairs myself until I got tired then call someone to finish the job."
"And if it would have worked out exactly like it did tonight? Ryan and I showing up to take care of him for you."
I study the pattern of the wallpaper over his shoulder as I contemplate his question. His hand coming to rest on my shoulder brings my attention back to the man in front of me.
"I would do exactly what I've done tonight. I would thank you and try to think of something more to give you as a thank you."
"You could always ask us. We're not as scary as the guys we play on TV," he smirks.
"In my experience, most of you guys aren't. Maybe it's just a good act," I chuckle humorlessly.
"Hey, we're living in a world where that bet doesn't exist right now."
"Why is that?"
"Because I'm fucking trying to cheer your ass up," he smiles. "I can't do that if you're questioning my every motivation. They're perfectly innocent, by the way. For now."
I arch a brow at him.
"I'm not blind. You are a gorgeous woman. I spend too much time in your company and I'm sure my thoughts will stray into the not so innocent," he shrugs.
"It's gonna take more than one rescue for me to stray from innocent," I smirk.
"Guess I'll have to stick around and continue to rescue you then."
"Are you trying to get in my pants?"
"You're not wearing pants. Not tonight I'm not," he smirks and I suddenly realize just how close we are standing. The heat and a musky cologne emanating from his body surrounding me. His thumb stroking along the leather over my shoulder sending small shivers down my spine.
"So in this hypothetical world where my male co-workers aren't betting on who can sleep with me, if I were to ask you, what would be proper thank you for coming to my rescue?"
"I can only think of one thing I would want right now," he smiles, his face drifting towards mine and my breath catches in my throat. I catch a glimpse of movement over his shoulder a second before someone crashes into the man in front of me. The hand on my shoulder grinding me into the wall before disappearing as something hard slams into my gut. I blink away a fresh round of tears as I try to refill my lungs. Someone grabs my chin, yanking my head up and I make out a blurry form standing there before they are tackled from the side.
"Worst birthday ever." I think pushing myself away from the wall. Finally filling my lungs fully I turn in the direction of fight to find Johnny and Eric trading blows. "Oh for fuck's sake," I growl. "Did he not get enough the first time?" I glance at the crowd gathering just beyond the fighting men. "Well, don't just stand there," I scream, moving towards the men as Johnny rolls on top of the shorter man. "Someone get security. Hey Johnny," I snap, landing a kick to the ribs. "Break it up."
"You fucking cunt," Johnny gasps, his arms wrapping protectively around his ribs.
"What did you fucking say," Eric growls, lunging for the man. I step between them, "That goes for you too, Eric. Break it up!"
"Yeah," Johnny snarls. "Listen to your bitch."
"Shut up before you get another kick to the ribs…or elbow to the jaw, I haven't decided which yet."
"She likes it rough. You'll have to tell me if it's worth all the trouble before I take my turn with her."
Eric lunges around me, slamming Johnny into the wall. "I'm tired of hearing you run your mouth so for once in your life just listen," Eric growls. "You are not going to get near that woman again."
"Eric, stop it," I snap, wrapping both arms around his torso, and trying to pull him from the other man.
"You're not going to talk to her. You're sure as hell never going to touch her again. I'll make sure of that," he snarls as if I haven't even spoke.
"Eric, please, let go," I beg, straining every muscle trying to move the man in my arms. Out of the corner of my eye I see three men in security shirts heading our way. "Just let security handle him."
"Get him out of here," Eric barks, stepping back and motioning to the downed man.
I slide around him to stand in front of the dark haired man, as security finally reaches us. Two pull Johnny to his feet as the third turns to us.
"Self-defense," I state holding my hands up. "We're not going to cause any more problems if he doesn't."
The man turns to the other two men who shake their heads, he turns back to study us before nodding shortly. "This one," he starts, motioning to Johnny, "has had enough. He is being escorted out. Keep that one on a short leash and, as long as there aren't any more problems involving the two of you, you can stay."
"Thank you."
"Fucking bitch," Johnny slurs as the two men drag him away. "This is all her fault."
Eric moves to follow him and I wrap my arms around his waist, "He's not worth it, remember?"
He strains against my hold and I press myself more tightly against him. "Please stay with me," I whisper.
I feel him tense beneath my hands before relaxing and throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Come on then."