I told Angel to drink it slowly because of the queue at the bar. “Wow,” she shouted. “Hopefully, the band will be asked back if they are this popular. They will be stoked!”
We bounced and drank and sang and cheered until we were exhausted. Towards the end of their set, they began to play their ballads and the crowd began to sway rather than jump. The bar was crammed by his time and we were shoulder to shoulder. I was grateful for the change of pace as I could feel the effects of the alcohol in my system. I felt a hand on my lower back and turned instinctively. I came face to the face with the blonde who had bought our drinks. “Dance?” he said loudly to be heard about the music, holding out his hands. He was attractive in a pretty boy sort of way - more boy band than rock band. Not my usual type but hey, it was only a dance.
We began to slow dance and he quickly pulled me into him and I felt one of his hands slide down to my behind. The smell of his cologne was quite overpowering and made me feel slightly nauseous. There was more room to dance now as less people had stayed by the stage for the slower numbers. I knew that I had had too much to drink because I was finding it difficult to concentrate fully.
I realized that his other hand had traveled up to my face and he was now cupping my cheek. He is going to kiss me! Do I really want him to? What about my man ban? Part of me craved some physical attention after the emotional day that I’d had but I knew that I didn’t really feel attracted to the guy whose head was slowly angling down towards mine. I watched his eyes close and his lips part in slow motion. No, I don’t want this. I would rather go home alone. I pulled back my head saying “No” firmly but he just grinned and held me tighter. His head immediately swooped down and his intentions were clear. I again said “No” firmly and then put my hands on his chest to push him away but I must have shoved him pretty hard because he went reeling backwards. I stood still in confusion when I heard him shout. However, the reason for his shouting soon became clear.
Lucas was stood about six feet away from me, holding the blonde guy by the scruff of the neck. Oh shit! What is he doing here? I sobered up quickly and took two determined steps towards them. I opened my mouth to protest and then stopped abruptly when I saw his face. Cold fury gripped his features as he glowered at me. I noticed that he was still wearing the same clothes that he was wearing earlier in the day. He shook his head briefly and then effortlessly pushed the blonde guy away to the side. I just stood there, frozen to the spot, horrified at the unwelcome interruption but afraid of the dangerous energy that seemed to be emanating from Lucas. The people around us could feel it too I realized as they gave us a wide berth.
I closed my mouth but glared at him, determined for him to see how angry I was too. His eyes narrowed and he quickly closed the gap between us, grabbed my arm and dragged me away from the stage and towards the bar. I tried to pull away but his grip tightened. He pulled me behind the bar and out into a corridor. He barged through a door into a deserted office. He pushed me roughly down onto a chair and stood over me, raking his hands through his hair before planting them on his hips.
I took a deep breath but resumed my angry glare. When my heart began to slow and my head cleared. I hissed quietly, “Just what the hell do you think you are doing?”
“He was going to kiss you,” he shot back, his black, raging eyes boring in to mine.
“So what if he had? It has got nothing to do with you!”
His face contorted as he struggled to remain calm. “Of course it has!” he said quietly.
“Really?” I spat back sarcastically. “Can you explain to me what business it is of yours who I choose to kiss … or fuck for that matter?”
“Issy, I am warning you. Don’t push me.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Are you insane? You cannot dictate to me what I can and can’t do, or who I can and can’t do it with and you certainly are not in a position to give me a warning.” The adrenaline was beginning to subside now but I still felt affronted. “I meant what I said. We should stay the hell away from each other.”
“I told you that I can’t.”
“And I told you to try harder.”
“I did. It obviously didn‘t work.”
I sighed in frustration. “What are you doing here, Lucas? I wouldn’t have thought that this was your scene. What with your abhorrence of socializing.” How did he even know I was here? Did he follow me?
“I was here on business,” he said simply.
“Nothing that I do is any of your business.” I groaned, suddenly feeling tired of this whole situation.