Did I really want to see him again? Shane and Amy both seemed to think I should stay away from him, and there was the small matter of him beating the crap out of two guys the first night we met. Still, that second time, he was calm and kind, if a little brooding and quiet. There was also the little matter of how fucking hot he was, and how badly I wanted to run my tongue along his abs. And maybe I needed a violent, dangerous man in my life. At least he was something new.
I bit my lower lip then typed back. Maybe I will. I hit send. I didn’t know what else to say.
Too good for me now, I get it, he sent back. I smiled to myself, and realized I hadn’t felt this excited texting someone in a long time.
I’ve always been too good for you, I sent back.
Not how you seemed in the bathroom. The memory of his body pressed against mine, of his huge stiff rod straining against his shorts, made my breath come heavy.
Moment of weakness.
Your call. I’ll be there if you change your mind.
I left our texting there. I felt a thrill run through me. I knew I had plans with Amy, but she was always canceling on me. I had every right to push our little date back a night or two if I wanted to. Plus, he was coming after me.
How could I say no?
––––––––
Amy didn’t seem upset when I told her I had to postpone our date. We rescheduled for brunch the next day, and I prepped myself to see Rex. I had no idea what to expect; we had already made out in a bathroom stall, but I still barely knew him. I put on short, high-waisted jean shorts, and an old band T-shirt. I didn’t want to dress up too much, but I also didn’t want him to think I was purposefully dressing down or something, even though I was. I finished the outfit with gladiator sandals.
I could barely contain how excited I was as I made my way toward Drake’s. I grabbed a cab outside of my apartment, and had them drop me off two blocks away from the bar. I didn’t want Rex to see me climbing out of a cab and have more ammo for his “spoiled girl” jokes.
The night was cool, but comfortable. I pushed my hands into my pockets as I walked, and pictured what I was getting myself into. Rex’s muscles came to mind immediately, his strong jaw and eyes, and the way he grunted at questions he didn’t feel like answering. There was something magnetic about him that I couldn’t explain.
There was nobody hanging around outside Drake’s, but music spilled from the dim windows. It was some old country song I didn’t recognize, and I laughed to myself at how cliché it was for this bar to play crappy country. I pushed open the door and let the warmer indoor air run over me.
Inside, the place was as dim and smoky as the last time. It was somewhat crowded, although it was still only nine on a Saturday night. I scanned the pool tables and booths, until I spotted Rex sitting alone at the bar in the same seat I had sat in last time.
I crossed the room and came up behind him
“Hey, stranger,” I said over the music.
Rex was wearing another tight black T-shirt and the same cutoff shorts. He turned back to look at me, and his face broke out into a devilish smile. I let out a small gasp when I saw his black eye and the fresh red cut along his right brow.
“Hi there, spoiled chick,” he said.
I wanted to reach out and touch his face, but I restrained myself.
“What happened?” I asked.
His smile turned into a grin. “What, this? Fell down some stairs.”
“Seriously, that looks bad. Are you okay?”
He waved his hand, dismissing my worry. “I’m fine. Sit down,” he said, and turned back toward his drink. I took the seat next to him as he ordered me a whiskey and Coke from the bartender. I was impressed that he remembered.
“Seriously, that eye looks bad. What happened?” I felt bad pressing him, but he looked seriously hurt. I noticed both of his hands were wrapped in white bandages.
“It’s nothing. Part of my job.”
“I thought you worked here, at the bar?”
He gave me a sideways look that I couldn’t read. “I do, in a way.”
“Quit being so mysterious.”
He broke out his wicked grin again. “Can’t help it. Drink your drink.” The bartender placed the glass in front of me and nodded at Rex.
I lifted the glass to my lips and sipped it. He downed his beer and gestured for another.
“What’s your job, then? Stopping cars with your face?”