Her Shadows, His Secrets

I spot the table I need and make my way straight there. I can only see her back, but I can tell right now that her outfit was picked out by my sister. Legs—her legs are long, tan, and beautiful. My cock is going hard just watching her from across this bar. She’s wearing over-the-knee black boots, a long T-shirt-like dress, and her hair is down her back and curly.

That doesn’t seem like the timid woman who said sorry a hundred times in a row for simply bumping into me. I wonder how much convincing it took from my sister to get her out of the house and in something like that. I don’t know her, but you can tell by her body language that she isn’t exactly comfortable or in her usual element.

Walking up to the table, I greet, “Sis, want to introduce me to some of your new friends?” I don’t know any of these women. My sister is constantly making new acquaintances, and I’ve been gone for years. So new faces.

“Oh hell no. Are you really here? I told you not to ruin girls’ night for me. Why are you that brother? The one who has to always be there?” Brenda groans, taking a sip of her drink.

“Come on now. Most people would say I don’t ruin parties but better yet make them quite fun.” I look around at the ladies, my eyes landing on Hanna. She is avoiding eye contact, keeping her head down and her hands playing with the condensation on her beer. A woman of great taste. I prefer beer myself.

“Hanna. Aren’t I a lucky bastard, running into you twice in one day?” I turn my body toward her, and she rolls her eyes.

“Theo,” Brenda warns.

“No, Brenda, it’s all right. I can handle it,” she tells my sister, and my brows lift.

“I love the sound of that. You handling me.”

“You are something else. How the two of you came from the same DNA is beyond me. You’re an ass.” With that, she turns to grab her bag off the back of the high-top bar stool. “Brenda, ladies, thank you for the invite, but I’m going to head out. Have a good night. I’ll see you girls another time.”

“No! Hanna, don’t let him scare you off. He’s just like this with everyone.” She glares at me, then softens her features toward Hanna, reaching out for her.

I take it Brenda told her about me being her brother and Hanna told her about our exchange earlier.

“No, really, I’m tired, and I have a lot to do tomorrow. I’m working out in the garden, to try to see if I can revive it.”

“I’ll walk you home,” I tell her.

“Not a chance,” Brenda says.

“No thanks. I think I’m good.” Hanna turns to leave.

“It’s dark out there, baby girl. I don’t want you getting hurt,” I say after her.

“I’m not a damsel, doorknob.” Doorknob? Did she just call me a doorknob? I smirk, clicking my tongue. I chase after her, giving little goodbyes to my sister and her friends. I came here for one thing, and that thing is hauling ass for the exit.

“Hold up. Did you just really call me a doorknob?” I grab her elbow, and she yanks it back, turning to face me. Her almost-emerald eyes glimmer in the neon lights, my chest roaring with want.

“Yes, I did.” She crosses her arms, looking up at my towering frame.

I match her stance, not missing the way she admires my leather jacket molding to my muscular physique. “How in the hell is that an insult?”

“How is it not? Who wants to be called a doorknob?” We both stare at one another, my smirk only widening. Finally, she cracks, chuckling at the fact that she called me a goddamn doorknob.

“Knew I could make you laugh,” I say proudly.

She starts walking. “No, I was laughing at my own choice of words. But take the credit if it strokes your ego.”

“Ego? Is that what you think I’m doing here?”

“No, I think what you’re doing is sick and, quite frankly, cruel. That’s two for two tonight.”

My mouth curves downward, my brows furrowing. What is she talking about? “I’m sorry?” I prompt, and she turns on me again, this time halting me before I topple over her.

“Is this some sort of fetish? Or is there a fun little bet where you flirt with the fat girl in town, make her all gooey-eyed, then laugh about it with your buddies? If that’s the case, you can take a flying leap. You and the guy your sister brought who took one look, shared less than one drink, and left because no one likes the big girl.” Turning on her heels again, she takes off. We both look shocked by her admission. She seems like she wouldn’t be the type to share such a vulnerable part of herself.