Shattered (6 page)

The song ended again and the crowd broke out in a thunderous applause.
I was on cloud nine, flying high on the feeling of conquering one of my many fears. I stepped off the stage this time without being dragged back.

I
wanted to avoid my couch until I had a drink in my hand.  So I head to the bar looking to quench my thirst.   I perched myself on a stool and waited for the bartender to fix my drink.  I felt a big scruffy hand touch my arm.  I knew these hands didn’t belong to the Greek God.  I turned to my right and looked up into dark brown eyes.  He wasn’t a bad looking guy, just not the guy I was looking for.  Let’s face it, he wasn’t the Greek God, and this would start to be a problem if started to compare all guys to him.  Then I would get nowhere in my social or sex life.

“Hey can I buy you a drink? My name is Brandon and I just wanted to say you rocked that stage.  I am not a big fan of country but if you were to sing to me like that every night I would become a big fan.” He stated leaning up against the bar taking up my space.

“No dude she is off the market.  Go ahead and find you another victim to give your cheesy lines too.” Said the bartender as he handed me my drink.  I shot him a look both that said thank you and also stated what in the hell. Big guy got the picture.  I told him thanks anyways and gave my best smile and turned back to the bartender.

“Sorry about that.  You don’t want that guy and plus your kind of off limits to anyone in the bar.” He said nonchalantly

“Um….what’s your name….and could you please tell me how I am off limits?” I asked with a little irritation in my voice.

“Oh sorry my name is Luke. My cousin owns the bar.  Caleb is my cousin and well we are supposed to make sure you and your friends are taken care of and
he likes you so we get to herd the guys away from you. Sorry.” He gave me a shy like grin and his eyes where pleading asking me not to kill him for being the messenger. 

“Well then allow me to go tell Caleb that I was unaware of me being off limits. So Luke
, thank you for taking care of the big guy and I am sure I will be back because I can tell I will have a fight on my hands and I will need some liquid courage to get through the night.  So please make sure you have the cotton candy vodka bottle full and ready.” I sassed back as I slid off my bar stool.

“You got it Ryan.”

Chapter 5

  Taking long strides back to where my seat is, that is with my friends, I tried to come up with something to say to the Greek God.  I wasn’t normally a feisty person.  I liked control but I did not like the one being controlled. What on earth possessed this man to think that it was ok for him to stake claim on me like some predatory animal.

Two years ago I would have bowed down to any man wanting to control and dictate my well being.  But now I draw the line.  I am stronger
, better, and more confident than I ever was. Well at least I think I am, hell I don’t know it’s been a very long time since I have had the attention of a man, hell I have never kept the likes of a Greek God, but none the less any man.  As I inch closer to my table my confidence starts to waver and my heart rate starts to speed up like it wants to jump out of my chest and attack the Rock God.  My steps start to waver even more now that I am so close to him.
Take a deep breath Ryan you’ve got this, he is just a man, a very sexy man, but a man none the less.

“Hey….Ryan.
So you did great up there.  Us ladies are so proud of you.” Amanda stated as she stood up coming towards me.  She had that look in her eyes, you know the one where she knows I am about to either go ballistic or run for the damn hills. As she inches closer to me she leans in and whispers. “Oh my God Ry he sat down started talking and told us everything was on the house tonight.  Now play nice so we can get free drinks.”I whispered back, “Oh is that what you are using me for….for free drinks Manda or do you know I am about to  pull a Medusa on his Greek God ass!!??”

“Now now
Ry, its ok.  Enjoy yourself with the hunk of burning hormones and sit your pretty ass down.” Kris now stated, now that she was involved in this discussion of Greek goodness.

“I am not sure if you know this but
that man just told all the bartenders in here that he had claims on me and to make sure I don’t get hit on by anyone other than him. Oh and he owns the bar for Christ sakes.” By this point I was done whispering and all three girls were looking at me like I should just go ahead and play along.  I was seeing red by this point.  I felt like I didn’t have any back up or anything.

“Girl you just need to get laid and Greek God over here is sure to dust those cobwebs right out of your Lower Ryan tonight.  Now shut up and sit down and play nice.” K
ylie sassed back as she stared me dead in the eyes not faltering one bit.

I looked all three dead in the eyes and said, “Ladies I love you and care for each one but I am not a good submissive.  I will sit down I will be nice but he will not be visiting LR tonight
, do I make myself clear ladies?” All three looked at each other and then directed their attention back to me with big smiles covering their faces.

“Ok” they stated in unison.

I sat my grumpy bottom down on the same couch with him.  I didn’t say hi and I didn’t look at him.  I was still mad at him and my girls for putting my love life in their hands.  Its mine to control and if I want to keep it dusty and full of cobwebs then by George I am going to do just that.

Still fuming and trying to plant a smile on my face and making small talk with everyone was getting really hard because I could feel him right next to me.
It was getting difficult for me for to focus on anything just knowing he was there.  Goodness I am a wreck.  How did this happen? How is my body portraying me so bad that I can’t even see straight?  That’s when I realized I need another shot.  I started to get up and head back to the bar when smooth fingers and callused hands held my shoulders in place.

“What do you need Ryan? I would be more than happy to get it for you.” He said in a sultry seductive voice that lingered in my ear.  His hot breath was so close to my neck that I could almost feel lips there kissing and suckling up and down. “What do you need Ryan.” He asked again this time his voice a little more husky. 

“Cotton Candy Vodka, please and a lot of it. Thank you.” It came out just above a whisper. His seductive tone had me leaning into him without me even realizing that I was doing it. I was letting my guard down and for now I didn’t care. Then all of the sudden two fingers where snapping in front of my face.

“Hey Medusa snap out of it he left like two minutes ago. Please come back to earth and away from Mount Olympus.” Kris whispered to me.

I sat up straight grabbed my drink and looked around.  Thank goodness he had his back to me. But my thankfulness was short lived because everyone at the table started laughing hysterically at me.  I tried to pull myself together but couldn’t help it. “I am a mess aren’t I?”

“
Yes you are.” They all chimed together.

Minutes late
r Caleb was back with seven shot glasses and a bottle of cotton candy vodka. It looked delicious…….all of it did! Trying to keep my composure this time as he sat down I scooted further back in my chair and waited for him to poor us all a shoot. As we raised our glasses Kris gave a little speech.

“We would like to dedicate this shot to the new Essentials’ that will be coming our way and to new friends and a great future.”

“Cheers!”  And we all clanked shot glasses.  I could not wait to get that tasty goodness in my mouth. Oh boy did it go down smooth.  We sat there a few moments longer.  I was starting to feel more relaxed and better about my situation.

I tried to make small talk with everyone but I felt like I was just putting on a show. Deciding I needed to use the ladies room
, I got up and jetted for the restrooms. Standing in front of the mirror I gave myself another little pep talk.  “Come on Ry you’ve got this just be nice and don’t let his sexiness bother you.  He is just a man with perfect skin, abs, and dreamy eyes.  Oh God I am so done for.” I was shaking my head as they rested in my hands.

Finally pulling myself from the restroom I headed back towards my group.
Feeling a sense of urgency I picked up my pace but not fast enough for the two pair of hands slamming me back into the wall.  And I mean hard slamming.

“What the he-
“I was trying to push my attacker off me before his lips crashed to mine cutting off the somewhat verbal lashing skills that I was going to throw at him.

I started to struggle harder and harder trying to fight this freaking linebacker off my body.  There was a soft glow in the hall and I could barely make out his face.  It was the man from the bar trying to man handle me.  I finally tore my head away and tried to head butt him but I
missed and hit his shoulder. He started to laugh deep in his belly at my attempt to free myself.

“Come now little girl is that all you got? I can make you feel real good i
f you let me. Come one let big ol’ Brandon take care of you.” He was slurring his words and spitting all over my face. I tried to move my knee to his groin only to figure out that his torso was separating my legs and spreading them wide open.  “Get you ape hands off me you damn lunatic before I start crying rape.” I was thrashing my body all over the place trying to break free and praying that someone would come soon and rescue me. “Don’t worry darlin’ I’ll go easy on ya the first time but I can’t promise I will be gentle the second or third time that I am buried in that sweet little cunt of yours.” 

I could just feel the bile rise up in the
back of my throat.  This man wanted to rape me and I was going to puke all over him.  How in the world am I going to get this 300 pound man off of me?  There is no way. Sending up another little prayer and gathering my strength back I started fighting again. 

There was no way I was going to be a victim of anything anymore. I was mid thrashing when the big lung sent out an ear piercing growl slumping his whole body weight on me.  He le
t go of my hands and was gripping at his side, the next thing I knew I was being pulled away by Ky and Caleb was down on the ground pounding his first in the big lugs face and side. “Don’t..
punch
…Ever….
punch…..
Step foot…..
punch
…..in my bar again. Boys take this piece of shit out of here.” Caleb was seething with rage.

He turned around to look at me, trying to figure out if I had any damage.  He
took two steps to me cupping my jaw with both his hands; he bent his body down and looked in my eyes trying to read them.  I took a long breath closed my eyes and blew it out; I was trying to figure out the best ways to say thank you. Because words just didn’t seem good enough. 

Opening my eyes I stared back into concerned stunning blue eyes. Before I could speak the words I wanted to say
to him, he started to gently rub his thumbs in tiny circles on my cheeks and was pulling me closer and closer. I tilted my head to the side and let my eyes flutter shut.  Soft gentle kisses were being pressed against my lips. My heart started pounding more fiercely than before.  Without thinking I placed my hands on his finely detailed biceps pulling him closer and closer to me.  Ever so gently he traced his tongue over my top and bottom lip seeking permission to gain entry.  I complied with his request.

Nothing could prepare me for what I felt next. The intensity and softness of him stroking my tongue was nothing like I felt before.  It was so sensual
, I felt like kicking up my right foot like they did in the good old days.  But I restrained my urge. He slowed the kiss down and started nibbling on my bottom lip.  I let out a little whimper and he let out a little growl. All too soon he pulled back and broke off the kiss. I couldn’t quite get my eyes to open back up.

They were in a lust filled haze.
He let go of my face and stepped back. “Ryan are you ok?” he whispered. I was having a hard time trying to comprehend what he was saying and I was mainly focused on the fact that without his touch I felt too cold. Clearing my throat I stood up taller and shook my head yes. 

I was still
under his spell but was able to finally comprehend what had happened.  Suddenly I felt arms circling around my shoulders holding me tight.  At first I flinched at the touch and then realized that Kylie was holding me firm in her arms. She was trying to bring me some kind of comfort from my attack. But the attack was in the back of my mind at the moment. In the forefront of my frontal lobe was that soft spectacular kiss.  

My hands had a way of doing what they wanted and right now they where caressing my swollen lips.
After what seemed like ages, standing in the hallway transfixed on the Greek God in front of me, I finally found my voice.  It was a little gruff but I was clear. “Um… I think I need a shot.” Kylie busted out laughing howling like a damn hyena. A giant grin crossed his handsome face and it melted me even more.  Thank goodness Ky was still holding me up. She finally gained some composure and guided me back to our table. 

The rest of our group was in deep conversation and they all stopped once we joined them.  Both Amanda and Kris
ty were at my side in a moment embracing me with warmth.  I was getting to the point that I was struggling to breath because of the constant hugs.  Finally I calmed them down and stood up to breath.  “Thanks guys but really I am fine. Now, can we please do a shot and get on with our night.  Let’s not let one stupid lug ruin our good time. Now someone get me some Cotton candy.” I said grinning at everyone. Finally the girls started to calm down and the matter had been forgotten.