“I can fix that for ya, sweetheart. I’ll ditch the bitch I’m with if you promise to follow me out into those woods.”
I glanced over at Leann for assistance and all I got was a wild-eyed panicked expression. She began scanning the crowd. I knew she was searching for Noah to come to the rescue.
“Um, that’s okay, Ryan,” I said and started to stand up. I wasn’t fast enough because both his hands were on my waist and pulling me onto his lap before I could get away. My heart was racing and I fought the urge to scream.
“Let her go, Ryan. If Sawyer hears about this he’ll kill you.” Leann’s demand fell on deaf ears. Ryan chuckled and ran his hand up my leg. I slapped it away and struggled to stand up again.
“Sawyer’s not here,” he said, holding me firmly in place.
“Ryan, man, let her go,” Kyle Jacobson called out as he jogged over toward us. Luckily Ryan’s loud voice had caught Kyle’s attention. He reached out to take my hand and pull me up.
Ryan laughed. “I was just having some fun. She’s the only piece of hot ass I haven’t gotten any of in this town. Sawyer keeps her all to himself.”
Kyle squeezed my hand. “The only ass you need to be worried about is your own. Once Sawyer hears about this he’s gonna beat the shit outta ya.”
Ryan stood up and stumbled a little bit, proving just how much he’d had to drink. “Aw, I was just having a little fun. No harm done. All that sweet untouched beauty is still in place. Go on now and run along, little preacher’s daughter,” Ryan called out as I scrambled back toward Leann’s car. I didn’t check to see if she was following me. I just knew I had to get away.
I reached her car and jerked on the handle only to find it locked. The tears I’d been holding back trickled down my face. I took a deep breath, letting the rest of the tears free. Why Ryan’s behavior bothered me so bad I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like he’d actually hurt me. My stomach rolled and I pressed both my hands against it, praying I didn’t get sick. Sawyer had been my shield for so long, I didn’t know how to react to situations like that one. I hated being so naive.
The bad Ashton would’ve known what to do. I let out a sob and laid my forehead against the cool window of the car door. Two arms slipped around my waist and I started to scream when the smell of Irish Spring soap met my nose.
“It’s me. You’re safe.” At the sound of Beau’s voice I let out a sob and spun around to throw myself into his arms. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I came up too late. But I swear to you Ryan Mason won’t ever come near you again.” His words caused me to cry harder and I clung to his shirt, burying my head in his chest.
“Shhh, it’s okay, Ash. Let me get you in the truck before anyone comes searching for either of us,” he whispered in my ear. I let him lead me to his truck and put me inside.
“I told Leann I’d take care of you,” he said as he got into the truck. I wiped my face and nodded.
“Thank you. I told her coming here was a bad idea. This isn’t the place for single females.” I tried to make my voice sound light but I failed.
Beau cranked the truck then leaned over and opened the glove compartment. It was then I noticed the blood covering his knuckles. Gasping, I reached for his hand.
“OHMYGOD!”
A low chuckle vibrated from his chest as he took the rag he’d pulled out of the glove compartment and wiped the blood off of his hand.
“It isn’t my blood, Ash,” he reassured me. Slowly I released his wrist and let him finish cleaning off what I assumed was Ryan’s blood.
“Like I said. Ryan won’t come near you again.”
I nodded. Not sure what I was supposed to say. I’d never had anybody beat someone up for me before. It was a strange feeling. The warmth rushing over me as I watched Beau’s slightly scratched knuckles come clean was surprising. Apparently, I liked the idea of him smashing in Ryan’s face.
“I’m sorry I haven’t called,” said Beau.
I tore my eyes off Beau’s hand to gaze up into his eyes. The worried expression in them tugged at my heart.
“You don’t have to apologize. I have no reason to expect you to call me. I just hope my being at your place didn’t cause problems for you and Nicole.” Okay, that was a lie, but he didn’t know it.
“Doesn’t matter what she says. I make my own decisions.”
I wanted to ask him what he meant by that comment but I didn’t say anything.
“Do you want to go home now?” he asked.
Not if I could stay with him, but telling the truth would only cause us more problems.
“Um, well, I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Beau glanced over at me and a mischievous grin tugged at his lips. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.