A shiver of foreboding worked its way down my spine as I looked around the place. The lights were dim so it was hard to see around but I was definitely getting a creepy vibe. Moments later, Todd appeared, red-faced and angry.
Let's go, babe."
Babe? I knew Lena hated endearments like that but when she made no attempt to correct him I felt disgust and then Todd turned to me.
"You coming?"
"No, babe, but thanks."
I didn't miss the flare of temper that burned in his eyes but then he shrugged and started pulling Lena away. And Lena, never gave me a backwards glance, as she obediently followed after him. Nice.
So, there I was alone in this creepy-ass place. I wondered how far away Trace was and was going to text him but then I noticed a few guys at the bar, leering at me. It wasn't my looks, or lack there of, it was the fact that I was female and alone. I was like roadkill and these guys were the vultures.
I wasn't sure if I should leave because the surrounding neighborhood was a bit scary, or should I stay and be a sitting duck? I decided to go to the restrooms and lock myself in until Trace arrived. I stood and made my way through the crowds when a shadow fell upon me and I looked up into very black eyes.
"Hello, there. What have we here? Aren't you a sweet, little thing."
"Excuse me," I muttered and tried to move away but his hand on my arm stayed that action.
"Where's the fire, sweetheart? Let's get to know each other."
"No, thank you."
"Oh, come on, don't break my heart."
"I really have to go."
He moved then, pushing me up against the wall, pinning me there with his large body.
"I just want a taste."
I could smell the beer on his breath and the hard length of him against my stomach. My fear turned me numb. I tried to push him away but that was as effective as the big bad wolf trying to blow down that brick house. His fingers tangled in my hair and his breath brushed over my cheek. "Maybe you'll like it."
He lowered his head but I turned my head, right before his lips touched mine, causing him to press a kiss into my hair. I felt as his fingers tightened on my scalp as he turned my head to hold me steady.
"Just one kiss."
Panic brought my foot down on his instep harder than I planned but the act forced him to release me as he howled in pain. His eyes returned to mine and I saw the violence burning in their black depths. He lifted his hand, curling his fingers into a fist but before he could release the punch a hand came out of no where and grabbed it, yanking him back so hard that I heard the pop of his shoulder.
"Fuck!" he howled, as he stumbled to his knees in pain. When he looked up I saw fear in his eyes as Trace came to stand just in front of him.
"You dislocated my fuckin' shoulder."
Pain was making his voice higher pitched but Trace watched him completely unmoved and when he spoke his voice was devoid of all emotion.
"Forcing yourself on a woman is bad enough but hitting a woman is inexcusable." And without further adieu Trace moved, with astounding speed, and plowed his fist into the man's face in a quick succession of five before the man dropped into a dead faint. Trace's eyes found mine and were burning with temper.
"I told you to stay with your friend."
"They left."
"Son of a bitch," he growled.
I felt the tears pricking my eyes just as my body started to shake. Faster than would seem possible, Trace was there, wrapping me in his arms. His heart was pounding in his chest, his body rigid and tense, but his embrace was warm. In the back of my mind I had the sense that this hug was just as much to comfort him as it was for me.
"Are you okay?" he whispered.
"Yes."
"You don't belong in this place. Your friends are assholes." I could hear the anger returning to his voice. I wondered what it was about this place that Trace objected to, outside of the obvious. He was right though I didn't belong here and had it not been for my spineless roommate and her jackass boyfriend, I wouldn't be.
He pulled back and looked down at me. I lifted my eyes to his and offered a heart-felt, "Thank you."
Even though his eyes were still burning with temper, there was a slight tug on his lips when he replied, "Rescuing you seems to be turning into a habit."
He held my gaze when he asked, "Are you still up for going out?"
"Yes."
He reached for my hand, linked our fingers and pulled me from the place. Once we were on his bike, cruising down the street, I rested my cheek against his back as I trembled just thinking about that man with his hands on me. Trace saved me again and just in the nick of time. He really was like my own inked guardian angel.
We arrived at a small club as Trace parked and waited for me to climb off. He reached for my hand and led me inside and once we were seated his eyes found mine.