“I don’t see a property patch on her,” he grunts.
I jerk my wrist out of his hold and Roane shoves him back. “Not up for debate, Viking.”
“Easy, big guy. I’m here to see East.” I hurry past him and make my way to the bar. I look back over my shoulder and that guy Viking is staring after me. I admit he’s hot and I can see where he gets his name from with his lighter colored hair and beard that gives him the look of a warrior. Not to mention his tribal tattoos and large stature.
I’m almost to East when he turns around, gaze burning through me. He shifts and slides off the stool stumbling toward me. “You shouldn’t be here,” he snarls at me.
“You weren’t at home. I thought I’d find you here.”
“You can’t be here right now.”
“What? Why is that?”
“We should t-talk,” he slurs.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t want to talk about this here, Wylla Mae.” He shakes his head then pinches his nose.
“Discuss what, East? You’re freaking me out.” I can feel eyes on us and know we need to go somewhere private to talk.
“Upstairs, now.” His voice is so cold it slices straight through my heart. Grabbing hold of my arm he tugs me toward the stairs, and I go with him. A feeling of dread consumes me. A brick is sitting in my stomach.
In the stairwell the music fades away and Easts turns into me pushing me against the wall. “I fucked up,” he says.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve missed you, baby.” He leans into me, pressing his mouth to mine tasting of liquor. My stomach burns and I push against his chest.
“You’re drunk.”
“Had a rough day, but you can make it better.” His hot and cold is giving me whiplash. Those firm hands cups my ass, his torturous lips drag along my neck. It’s easy to get lost in him. To submit to his will. His kisses turn urgent almost desperate. “Need you, baby.” Sliding a hand up the back of my sweater he tries to unhook my bra.
“Stop. We need to talk. I had an interesting phone call today.”
“Fuck,” he mutters. His head
drops and moisture gathers in the corners of my eyes.
“So, is it true, East?”
“What did Alexa say to you?”
“Oh. My God.” My tears break free. “It’s true,” I croak, and he doesn’t deny the accusation. I shake my head back and forth. This isn’t real. It can’t be.
“None of this was planned.” He strokes my cheek, wiping my tears as quickly as they fall, and I want to die right here on the spot. “I never wanted to tell you like this.”
“Lynn’s having your baby,” I say the words, each one cutting me deep.
“It’s not what you think.”
“Stop talking. I don’t want to hear anything else.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Okay, East. I can’t wait to hear this. Tell me what it’s like then because from where I’m standing it sounds like you got your ex-girlfriend knocked up.”
“Never loved her. Never wanted anything serious with her. She knew that. You know that. You know how I feel about you.”