A/N: Happy New Year!
Chapter Nine
After a few more rounds in the saddle, with no one quite breaking the new record, though both Blake and Wheeler came close, the participants headed back into the main bar to get refreshments and find their partners. Their table having been taken by someone else by this point, the two Planeteers settled at the bar on stools and Wheeler ordered another beer and a lemonade.
The American was enchanted with his friend's reaction to riding the bull, she seemed to be glowing with happiness and that is the mood he wanted to keep her in, it was so rare that she relaxed so completely. He fell a little deeper every time she smiled at him but, he decided, it was worth it.
"That was so much fun Yankee," She beamed at him while they waited for their drinks, "Thank you for talking me into it."
He grinned, "See I'm full of fun ideas."
"I have always known that." She replied, "It was your ability to be serious that I was doubtful of… what?"
That last was in response to the look on his face but he shook his head, "I'm always serious about you, even when I'm making jokes."
Not entirely sure what he meant and trying to keep her heart from escaping her chest at what she thought he might mean, Linka smiled, "Da, you have taken my recent requests very seriously… and have guided me through some very awkward situations like the wonderful friend you are."
Friend?! Wheeler tried not to grimace as he knew she meant it as a compliment. But surely she can't really think that's all she is to me… "Well you came here because I wanted to, so that makes you a pretty incredible friend too, especially as I know you didn't really want to."
"I wanted to!" She replied a little too quickly, and blushed, "I want to spend time with you, you know I do. I admit that I thought the bull thing was a bit stupid, but that was before I tried it… we have already agreed that I need to let go a little more."
Impelled to take her hand, Wheeler hastened to assure her that, "There's nothing wrong with you, you don't have to be anything but you. I've only been trying to get you to loosen up because it seemed to be what you wanted."
Linka nodded, "I do not want to do anything really stupid or wrong or anything but… I sometimes feel too inhibited to do what I do want to do." She regarded him warmly, giving his hand a squeeze. "I do not feel like that when I am with you like this, right now I am free to be the person I am inside."
"I'm honoured," He said sincerely, "And for the record, you were breathtaking up on that bull. I like being with the real you, I like seeing you enjoying yourself and laughing without the million and one things that are usually going on in that super smart brain of yours. Though, the genius thing is quite hot too."
Laughing, the lovely Russian shook her head but was distracted from answering by a group of local girls who were getting rather noisy. Wheeler followed her gaze, "Looks like they're doing Tequila shots, want to go join them?"
"Nyet." She replied immediately, but she was still watching and finally admitted, "They were doing that at my friend's wedding, I wanted so much to feel a part of things but I could not bring myself to join in."
Wheeler tugged gently on her hand to get her to slide off her stall and into his arms. "That's not a good reason to drink Babe, they shouldn't have put you in that position."
She shook her head and leant into him. "They did not try to make me, a part of me wanted to try it, I am just too sensible. If I had not wanted to, it would not have bothered me."
"You didn't feel safe." He kissed her temple and when she agreed he added, "But you're safe now, with me, and I promise not to do anything to embarrass you if you have too much."
"You think I should?" she asked, looking up into his eyes.
Wheeler shrugged, "You started this whole thing so that you wouldn't have any regrets. I don't want you to get drunk for the sake of it, I'm just letting you know that if it's something you need to get out of your system, I'm here for you."
Clearly tempted she said, "It will not make you uncomfortable?" and receiving a smile and a solemn shake of the head, "I think… I will ask them if I can join them then, just for a little while."
His smile grew wider as she placed a brief kiss to his lips, and then moved in to whisper in his ear. "Just in case I am not in a condition to make a decision later, I want you to know that you have my permission. I came here intending to spend the night with you and I will probably not be very happy with you if you try to be a gentleman."
Stunned for the briefest of moments, Wheeler laughed and pulled her to him in a hug. "You got it Babe."
They shared another light kiss and then Linka approached the group of girls. She was a little nervous but they were perfectly happy for her to join them providing she took her turn buying, and after a little awkwardness during the first couple of shots, she was soon laughing and joking with them.
"So you're with that red head that can't take his eyes off you?" One of the girls asked between rounds, and Linka cast a slightly embarrassed glance at the bar before nodding. "You don't see too many guys with red hair looking that good, is it natural?"
The others burst into laughter and the Russian joined them, "Da, it is his own colour."
"He doesn't look like a city guy, but he doesn't move like a local, where are you from?" Another asked.
"Jason is from Brooklyn and I am from Russia, but we live on a tropical island with others from different parts of the world." Linka shook her head, knowing she was being more chatty than usual but strangely comfortable with it. "We have probably picked up a few habits from each other, and our work means that we travel a lot and it is very physical."
A third girl gave her a sly smile, "I wouldn't mind getting a little physical with him for sure. Is he as well built as he looks to be?"
Their de-facto leader called a brief halt to the conversation by announcing another shot, but once she'd swallowed, they prompted Linka for an answer. "Da, he has an incredible body and… and seems to know exactly what to do with it."
The girls screamed and hollered, and called for another shot. Linka's cheeks reddened but she was laughing and joined them. The girls then began telling stories about their own boyfriends, past and present, causing more laughter and making Linka feel for once like she fit in.
Wheeler watched as he drank his beer, grinning at how happy she seemed. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he knew what girls were like when they got together and judging by the colour that came to his almost girlfriend's cheeks, these girls were no different. He decided it was good for her, though he was glad that he was there and admitted to himself that if she started going on 'girls nights out' with Gi he would worry, but he didn't really think it was likely.
Seeing her begin to sway slightly, the American bought her a bottle of water and crossed to the table. "Hey Babe, mind if I borrow you for a while?"
"Yankee!" Linka grinned up at him and then stood unsteadily to put her arms around his neck and kiss him. He laughed at her affection and acknowledged each of her new friends as she insisted on introducing them, but still took her back to the bar and lifted her onto a stool. He then gave her the water and placed his hands on her hips to steady her.
"Spasiba," She took a few swigs from the bottle but then reached up to pull him closer again. Wheeler didn't object, and when their lips met he felt no guilt in deepening the contact, but it wasn't long before he was encouraging her to drink her water again.
The girls had continued with their game but as the music changed tempo suddenly they got up and made their way over to one of the poles by the stage. As they went past, the one that had been introduced as 'Jo' called out, "Come on Linka, time to dance."
Linka shook her head and then rested it back against Wheeler, "I will sit this out."
They watched as each of her new friends took turns on the metal pole receiving whistles and calls from the watching men. It was clear that they had all done it before and Linka commented on how graceful they looked.
"Maybe you should try it after all," Wheeler teased, "You're a gymnast, and I know you have rhythm, it can't be that hard."
"I am not that drunk," She laughed, "The water must be helping."
The American laughed with her, but then tickled her bare sides making her giggle and squirm in his arms, "You are too that drunk. Admit it, you're dying to have a go."
"You just want to see me straddle a long pole." She retorted. Chuckling again at the expression on his face she leant to whisper in his ear, lowering her voice. "Shall I rub it between my legs for you?"
Wheeler cleared his throat, "Forget the dancing, let's find our room."
"Nyet," Linka gave him a saucy look, "I have decided I want to try the dancing after all." She pulled out of his arms and hopped down off the stool, but glanced back with mischief still in her eyes, "Be sure to watch me Yankee moy, then you can thank me later."
Astounded by her confidence, Wheeler ordered another beer and leaned on the bar as he watched the beautiful blond approach her friends. He saw them giving her some instructions while Jo finished her turn and then when the next song began to play Linka took her place.
Wheeler stared, as did every other guy in the bar. There was something odd about the way Linka moved as if she heard the music differently. It was in time to the beat but it had a precision to it that should have been awkward but was somehow even sexier. The Russian was in complete control as if it were a practised routine instead of something improvised, Wheeler had been right that her gymnastic skills would come in handy.
Linka's eyes were closed as she moved against the cold steel like it was her lover, completely lost in the music and the rhythm of her dance, each move more daring than the last. She had always been confident in the movements of her body but she found herself thinking that the last of her reserve had gone with her innocence and her present ease and fluidity were as much down to Wheeler's love-making as it was to her own level of fitness.
As the band played their final note, Linka allowed herself to slide to the floor into the splits, and received a round of applause that made her cheeks burn.
She got to her feet, her gaze immediately seeking out Wheeler though she spoke to her friends, accepting their praise as she put her boots back on, before heading back in his direction. The American's eyes were burning with desire and she felt her body respond. So intent was she on getting back to him, that when a large denim clad chest suddenly appeared in front of her causing her to crash into it, she yelped and stepped back only to find her wrist suddenly caught in a rough grasp.
"Well little darlin'," A gruff voice drawled, "Looks like you're all ready to make some guy's night and I'm ready to let yer."
"Let go of her." Wheeler sounded annoyed, but his voice calmed Linka a little as she hadn't been sure she could get free, even if her ring would work while she was drunk.
The interloper turned, still holding on to her, "Take a hike buddy, get your own ride."
Wheeler looked ready to commit murder, "Take your hand off my girlfriend now or I'll make sure you never grip anything with it again."
The guy looked down at Linka, "He your boyfriend?" She nodded and he released her. For a moment she thought it would all end peacefully but then he said, "Well don't worry darlin' you'll be single again in minute and then I'll show you what you've been missing."
He turned and swung at Wheeler but the American had seen it coming and ducked, returning with his own punch straight to the man's gut. Doubling over as the air escaped from his lungs, the bully still managed enough strength a moment later to charge his opponent. Again Wheeler dodged the blows but the guy was relentless and finally managed to catch him with the back of his hand, splitting his lip but not doing any worse damage. In fact the Planeteer had anticipated the move, but had chosen to take the hit in order to be in the right place for a right hook, this he delivered so hard that the guy went down hard and didn't get up again.
Two more burly guys got to their feet, "You shouldn't have done that to our Billy." The other added, with a look at Linka that made her skin crawl. "Yeah, you should learn to share her, like we're gonna, once we beat you to a pulp."
"You can try." Wheeler wiped the blood away from his mouth with the back of his hand. "But you won't be walking out of here if you do."
Linka moved swiftly around the tables, away from Billy's brothers and came up beside Wheeler. "Yankee let us leave…"
By now the band had stopped playing and everyone was watching. The barman had gone to fetch the bouncer and another two guys had got up from Billy's table and joined the aggressors.
"Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you." Wheeler told his lovely friend, facing them bravely and thinking, I'll die before I let them lay a finger on you.
"I will not let them hurt you either Yankee," She replied, straightening up and moving to his side, intending to fight with him.
At this point they got some unexpected support in the form of Blake, and the other guys they'd made friends with over the mechanical bull, as they came to join them."Leave these folks in peace Johnny, Billy's drunk and he's got no business pressing his attentions on an unwilling woman."
Johnny scoffed, "Unwilling? You saw her up on that pole, it was an invite to any red blooded man and that's a fact."
"I danced for Jason." Linka replied boldly, wishing she felt more steady on her feet, "It was not an open invitation and it certainly did not apply to you or Billy!"
"Break this up." The barman returned with their bouncer, "Johnny, you take your brothers and get out of here, I don't want any more trouble, you hear me?"
For a moment Wheeler thought they would start the fight anyway but finally realising they were now outnumbered, they picked up the unconscious Billy and left, under the watchful gaze of the bar employees.
"Thanks." Wheeler told their friends, "I'm sorry for the trouble."
Blake waved it off and complimented Linka on her dancing ability, they then went back to their tables and left the young couple alone.
"Yankee I am sorry," The Russian reached up to hold his cheek, not quite touching his damaged lip but looking like she wanted to.
Wheeler smiled, trying not to wince, "Not your fault, Babe, but let's call it a night ok?"
She nodded and took his hand, following closely as he led her up to their bedroom.
As soon as the lift doors closed on them, Wheeler silently pulled his 'girlfriend' into his arms and breathed a sigh of relief, and then tightened his grip as he realised she was trembling. "It's okay, I've got you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"Are you angry with me?" she asked, holding on around his waist.
"No, of course not, what would I be angry about?." He kissed her hair comfortingly, and then did it again when he felt her relax.
The doors opened at their floor and taking her hand, the American led his companion to their room. She couldn't walk a straight line but seemed mostly with it.
"I need the bathroom." Linka announced, dropping her new hat on the chair and heading for the ensuite as soon as the door was open.
Wheeler smiled and then winced as his lip reminded him why he shouldn't. He sighed and began unbuttoning his shirt.
A couple of minutes later Linka emerged carrying her shorts and with a towel around her lower half. "Your turn."
"Thanks Babe."
She stopped him as he reached the door, "If you can find a medical kit I will see to your lip?"
"I'll take care of it, don't worry." Normally he would have accepted her nursing just to get close to her, but her co-ordination wasn't great just then and besides it wasn't a serious injury.
He came out a little while later to find her kneeling on the bed, naked save for her cowboy hat and a saucy and somewhat determined expression.
To be continued...