Salmon-shirt went down like a sack of potatoes. His friends got very quiet.
“Get up,” Bastian commanded. His voice was low like thunder and just as menacing.
Salmon-shirt shook his head, holding his hand to his jaw. He didn't look quite so drunk or so brave anymore. He looked like a spoiled, petulant child.
Bastian grabbed the back of his shirt and hauled him to his feet. “I said get up,” Bastian snarled. Salmon-shirt was visibly quaking and turning a strange shade of pale green. Bastian tightened his grip on the salmon shirt. “Apologize to the lady.”
“Sorry,” Salmon-shirt whispered, looking anywhere but at me.
Bastian shook him like a rag doll and growled. “I think you can do better.”
Salmon-shirt looked up at me, fear and honesty pouring out of his eyes. His voice cracked. “I'm very sorry, miss.”
“Are you ever going to bother her or anyone like her again?” Bastian 's voice was so low and angry even I was frightened. Car tires squealed as Elijah peeled into the parking lot. Bastian lifted the man up higher, threatening to shake him again.
Salmon-shirt shook his head vehemently from side to side. “No, sir!”
“Good.” Bastian dropped him. Salmon-shirt went to his knees, tears running down his face. Bastian turned to face his buddies and gave them a death glare that should have killed each of them three times over. They each took three steps back and cowered a little.
It was over by the time Elijah came running up, ready to defend me and Bastian to the death. The whole thing had taken less than thirty seconds.
“Take care of this,” he instructed Elijah before running back to where I stood shaking like a leaf.
“Are you okay?” His voice lost all traces of the anger and violence that had been there just seconds ago. He took my chin in his fingers and looked me over, his eyes full of care and concern.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. I hadn't realized how strong he was. There was a fierceness and violence to him that frightened me, but when he looked at me, all I could see was the sweetness and kindness I knew from him.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and escorted me down the stairs to the car Elijah had arrived in. The car was the same one as Charlotte and I had taken the last time I was at this bar. I decided that as much as I enjoyed the drinks here, I didn't want to come back. Both times I had left had been in disaster.
He opened the door and helped me in, hurrying around to get in as well. He buckled my seat belt for me before doing his own, taking my hands in his when he finished.
“You're shaking,” he told me, squeezing my hands tighter. I watched the muscles in his arms twitch under his shirt from exertion.
Elijah opened the front door and started the car, driving us home. I hoped he sped, because I just wanted to get home. I wanted to curl up with Bastian and forget that moment of fear.
“I tried to fight them off.” I wanted to explain. I needed to tell him that I hadn't just stood there and let it happen. “I tried, but he had me pinned...
“I know,” he cut me off gently. “You're a fighter. I'm sorry I wasn't there. That shouldn't have happened to you.” There was true regret in his voice. He blamed himself and I hated it.
“You had no way to prevent that,” I insisted.
“Doesn't matter,” he said quietly, keeping my hands folded securely within his. “I want you safe.”
I pulled one of my hands free from his and touched his face. He looked at me with failure in his beautiful gray eyes. His scars gleamed in the moonlight. I was so grateful to him for rescuing me that I didn't want to see that regret in his eyes.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “You saved me.”
I leaned forward and kissed him. It started innocently enough, but the adrenaline and fear mixed with gratitude and attraction overwhelmed me. I found my tongue pushing to enter his mouth, wanting his in mine and my hands pressing into his broad chest for more.
He pulled back, grabbing my wrists and holding me in place.
“I don't want to hurt you,” he groaned, fighting with his own desire. “I don't want to take advantage.”
I pushed harder against him, imploring with him with my eyes not to stop. “Please,” I begged, unable to fight my attraction for him. His chivalrous refusal not to take advantage only made it that much harder. I wanted him even more. “Please...”
His brow softened. He picked at a loose strand of hair by my cheek, carefully tucking it behind my ear. His eyes absorbed me, trying to decide if I really was asking.
“Please, Bastian...” I whispered one more time. The sound of his name was his undoing. He kissed me just as the car pulled to a stop in front of the house. It was a short kiss, but full of raw passion.