Taking a deep breath, I moved back to his end of the bar. Grabbing a towel along the way, I wiped up the spills.
"More shots?" I focused on wiping down the bar not mister tall, drunk and spikey.
"You can just leave us the bottle," he winked.
"Great," I didn’t hide my sarcasm. "No problem." Forcing a smile, I placed the bottle on the bar. Before I could pull back my arm, his hand reached out and grabbed me. "Let go."
"Not until I get your name," he smiled sleazily.
"Let go," I said more forcefully, yanking at my arm.
"Oh, how rude of me," he slurred, "I’m Tylor. What’s your name?"
"Lilli, now, please, let go!"
"Maybe…if you give me a kiss," he leaned across the bar. Placing the palm of my left hand over his sweaty face, I pushed him back.
"Back off!" Celia came up from behind, peeling his hand off me.
He put his hands up in the air, a shit eating grin on his face and a shrug of his shoulders. "Sorry."
Rubbing at the red mark on my arm, I turned to walk away. The sound of glass smashing on the floor brought my attention back around. Before I could turn completely around, a sting spread over my ass followed by a tight grip.
"What the—?" I spun and screamed.
All in his attempt to grope me, Tylor leaned completely over the bar causing a shot glass to fall behind the bar. Before I could say anything, Tylor’s body jerked backward.
"Who the fuck?" Tylor bellowed.
"Do not touch her again!" A familiar voice snarled.
"Who the fuck are you to tell me—?"
Tylor meet the floor.
"Her fiancé, asshole!"
My eyes widened at the threat made clear on Aidan’s face. James and Oscar applauded while Dixon’s uncontrollable laugh floated over the crowd.
Tylor tried to stand.
"Stay down, asshole or you’ll meet her best friend next." Aidan motioned to Dixon who rubbed his fist in his palm. Aidan looked to me and Dixon stood over Tylor in full intimidation mode. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, still in shock of the scene that just unfolded before me. With my hands flat on the bar, I leaned forward to see Tylor still on the floor.
"Lilli?" I looked back to Aidan. His angry eyes focused on me. "Where the hell is your engagement ring?"
"Uh...um..." Biting on my lip, I furrowed my brow.
Chapter Thirteen
Plans, plans, plans
Lilli
"It’s back in my room." I answered, hesitantly.
"Why isn’t it on your finger?" He grabbed my left hand. "Did that asshole make those marks?" Aidan’s eyes focused on where Tylor grabbed me minutes before.
"I don’t wear it to work," I shrugged, ignoring the question about the marks. "I’m afraid I’ll lose it in a blender or something." I tried to explain.
Aidan glared and his grip tightened on my hand.
"You wear the ring." He growled, letting go of my hand and sitting down at the bar.
~
When that asshole grabbed her at the bar, I lost it. Then, she wasn’t wearing the engagement ring. It pissed me off. We were engaged, regardless of the circumstances.
I sat there drinking and watching men ogle her the entire night. That fact just made it even more important that she wore the damn ring. She was mine now and she needed to make sure people knew. Having never been so possessive about a woman before, I wasn’t sure where these feelings were coming from. Regardless, possessing her took hold deep inside me. The world should fucking know and they would.
Once everyone started to take off for the night, I stayed waiting for Lilli to finish up. We needed to talk. When she slid over the bar with her purse, I surprised her by being there waiting for her.
"Aidan, I thought you left with—"
"Nope, I waited." With my curt response, I grabbed her hand and walked her toward the door.
The pace I set had us reaching my car quickly. She jerked her hand out of mine the minute we stood next to my dark silver Lexus.
"What?" I said, irritated.
"You aren’t driving," she ordered.
"I’m fine," I argued.
"Oh really?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "Then you can go by yourself." She turned and began to walk away. Grabbing her around the waist, I pulled her back against the car.
"Aidan," she protested.
Placing my palms on either side of her body, I stepped close. The heat from her body penetrated through my thin white button down shirt. Her scent surrounded me, warm vanilla and exotic flowers. Arousal burned through my veins, causing me to sway a little closer.
"Aidan," her warning barely a whisper.
"Here," I held out the keys. She took them, hesitantly.
After a quiet drive, with the windows down to cool my need to pull her in the back seat and fuck her like a teenage boy, she parked in my reserved spot in the complex garage. We made our way up to the apartment and she was halfway up the stairs. I didn’t want her to leave me yet. I brought the subject of the ring back up.
"I want you to wear the ring, Lilli. Not leave it in your room." I instructed.
"Whatever." She said without stopping or turning around.
"I’m serious," I said louder.
She stopped.