“Despite all the drama, tonight has been wonderful and not nearly as difficult as I thought. You make dealing with all these persistent women almost fun.”
“I’m glad it’s not as difficult and that it’s worth it to you to go through all this trouble to be with me, Rachel.”
“Totally worth it. I admit I hate it when they put their hands on you, but I’ve always felt that way.”
“You have?” he asked incredulously, surprised that she’d paid that much attention to his social challenges.
Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets
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“Yeah,” she said sheepishly. “I remember watching you get groped, thinking it must not faze you that much because you were so cool in how you handled yourself. I didn’t realize until tonight how much it bothered you when they felt free to touch you. I mostly focused on how it felt to watch them act that way.”
“I wish it had been your hands that were put on me. I wouldn’t have minded that at all.”
“When they did that, did you go home smelling like their perfume?” she asked, and he liked that she spoke in the past tense.
“Sometimes. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t like it when they touched my hair. It’s too close to my face, then I’d have smell them on me the rest of the night. But I love that you put your hands in my hair, run your fingers through it. It feels good when you do it. I’ll also admit I like it when you do that in front of the others. They see that I let you do what I always stopped them from doing.”
“Oh, baby. I love to hear that so much,” she said enthusiastically to him as he sat beside her
“Hey, lovebirds, check out Brice Huvell on the dance floor. He got a little cutie to dance with him,” Mike said, standing beside them, grinning.
“You know, I’ve never seen anyone dance with him before.” Rachel smiled as she watched Brice scoot the cute little blonde around in a surprisingly efficient two-step.
“I think Brice’s stock went up a little while ago,” Eli said.
Mike chuckled and said, “Look, she’s flirting with him. Oh, man, I hope he doesn’t say—”
“Don’t say it! We don’t want to jinx the poor guy.” Rachel giggled.
“Say what?” Eli asked.
Rachel leaned forward and gestured to him to come close. She cupped her hand to his ear and said, “His favorite pick-up line used to be, ‘I don’t normally beat around the bush,’” she snorted, “‘I prefer to beat in it. Wanna go somewhere more quiet?’”
Eli sat up straight and looked at both of them. “No, really? Did it work for him?”
Rachel clapped her hand over her mouth to cover her laughter. “It didn’t work on any woman I know! Thank goodness Ethan seems to have taken him under his wing.”
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While he watched the dance floor, Eli noticed Jack and Grace doing a slow, graceful two-step. Ethan and Adam stood off at the edge of the dance floor, watching them.
“Grace is so beautiful,” Rachel said as they watched Grace’s slow, languid movements, allowing Jack to lead her.
“She makes them very happy,” Eli replied softly, wishing he could lead her out on the dance floor for another dance, but the club was busy, and he needed to stay focused on the job. “I’m going to make the rounds and check the restrooms. I’ll be right back.”
* * * *
Rachel wondered how many women would attach themselves and
require removal before he made it back. She was proud that she could joke with herself about it. Up until tonight, she didn’t think that was possible. It was just like Grace had said earlier. It was worth it to be with him, totally worth it.
Mike sidled up to her after Eli left the front. Rogelio was standing right beside him. Mike didn’t say anything, just arched an eyebrow at her.
She grinned, her cheeks warming a little. “What? You’re not surprised, are you? I’ve been running from him for two months. I finally stopped running,” she said with a little shrug. She didn’t begrudge him this conversation at all because he was like her older brother or something. As a matter of fact, she’d expected it the moment Eli left her side.
“I have one question. Is he treating you, well, with respect?” His fists were on his hips, looking like a big brother would.
“Of course he is, but you tell me, Mike. Has he done anything to disrespect me in your sight? It’s you he needs to impress with how he treats me because he knows you’ll tell my parents, who already know, by the way.
I already have a key to the other side of the duplex, and I’m going to move in tomorrow.”