“Oh, hey man. I’m Zane.” He sticks his hand out to Justin and winks at me. I don’t know what to do or say. I am afraid if I move I might be stuck to my chair. I have never been so damn wet in all my life. I could do Zane right here in front of everyone that kiss was so hot.
Justin swallows hard but accepts Zane’s offered hand and shakes it. “I didn’t know Hattie was seeing anyone.”
“My girl likes to keep me to herself if you know what I mean, man.” He smacks him on the back, roughly as if they are buddies. What in the hell is Zane doing?
“Um, Zane, can I talk to you in private for a minute?”
He smirks. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. She can’t keep her hands off me,” Zane says to Justin, shrugging as I pull him toward the back near the bathrooms.
Chapter 17
Zane
Hattie jerks me into the hallway, letting go of my hand once we are out of sight from the bar and that douche she used to date. Watching the two of them together had me seeing red. When I walked over to their table I thought about punching him, but Hattie was sitting there looking so damn tempting and sexy with the saddest fucking eyes and I knew all I wanted was to erase that look in her eyes. I wanted to kiss her and show that fuck boy she belongs to me even if she doesn’t know it yet. I’m going to make her mine.
“What was that?” She is flailing her arms around and pacing. Her breasts are bouncing, and it is so damn sexy seeing her so animated.
“That was me being your friend, Hattie. That is clearly your douche ex and I’m not sorry I kissed you. I didn’t see you pulling back from me.” I am tired of fighting my pull to her. I want her, and I want her to know it. This push and pull we’ve got going on ends now. I’m taking what I want. My brother or anyone else be damned.
She stops and stares at me intensely. “No, I didn’t but Zane, I don’t think either of us are ready to go there yet.”
“I know you are scared, Hattie Mae, but I am not going to pretend I don’t want to try for you. So, do with that what you will. I care about you. I fucking want you and I will have you.” I kiss her hard and full of passion. She kisses me back and I swear my toes curl like a damn girl when she leans into me and wraps her arms around my neck. My mouth explodes
with her taste as she sucks and twirls her tongue with mine—simply perfect. I suck on her bottom lip before pulling back to look into those eyes hoping all sadness has faded.
“What do you want from me, Zane?”
“You know what I want, Hattie.” I’m unable to catch my breath I want her so bad.
“I don’t know if I can…,” she says while touching her lips. Nodding at her once I leave her standing in the hall and go back to work.
The bar isn’t full right now, so I have to busy myself with little things to keep from spying on her and that dickhead who hurt her. I go around to all the tables, avoiding theirs at all cost and gather up the salt and pepper shakers to fill them. I put myself out there for her, now it is up to her whether she wants to do anything about it.
I’ll give her some time and space but not much. Zelda was right. Hattie is the one for me. I will make her see that.
I get the shakers lined up on the bar and can’t help but steal glances at her table. She is talking to her ex and the conversation sounds heated. I can’t tell what is going on between them. Sienna said she doesn’t think the guy has a chance at getting Hattie back, but I know they share a long history and that is something I can’t compete with.
All I have is a bad reputation.
I am so distracted a regular at the bar asks for the house beer twice before I even register what he is saying.
“You know if you keep pouring like that, his drink is going to come out of your check.” Sienna nudges my shoulder. I look down to see the beer is running over the glass. “So, what’s going on with you and her?”
“Leave it alone, Sienna,” I warn. I am really not in the mood right now.
“Yeah, no. So, you like her. I never thought I’d see the day a woman would get you wrapped.” She is smirking at me.
“You don’t know what you are talking about.” I cap the shakers and take them back to the tables after getting Joe a new beer.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Hattie hugging that guy and then he leaves, alone. I climb up on stage and check the equipment for tonight’s show. Anything to keep from running over to Hattie and begging her to give me a real chance. I don’t beg. I take what I want.
I fuck around with a few of the guitars and make sure they are tuned. Once I think it has been long enough for her to be gone, I turn back around to see Sienna waving me over to the bar.
“Your girl said to tell you to come by her place later.” She starts making kissy faces at me.
“I used to like you,” I tease her.
“What can I say? I love to annoy you…it’s a gift.”