night air is cool around me, and I drunkenly weigh my options. I could call Harrison and have him come get me, though there’s not a guarantee he’s not as drunk—or drunker—than I am right now. I could call an Uber and have someone take me home in just a few minutes…or I could keep walking, which seems like the best option in my mind after several drinks.
I’ll call Laney later, after I’ve gotten safely home—somehow—and will finish that bottle of Moscato I’ve been nursing all week, allowing myself to wallow in self-pity until I pass out. What annoys me though is how my reputation held. Yeah, I was weird. But get the fuck over it, dude.
I angrily wipe a tear away and keep walking, not wanting to stop until I can’t see the lights from the bar-front anymore. I get to a street corner and pause. I’m drunk but stop to look both ways at least. The air has cooled considerably now that the sun has set, and I wish I brought a sweater.
Something rustles in the overgrown flowerbed of the storefront next to me. Sucking in a breath, I jump, turning with wide eyes. A car drives by, blasting its music, right as whatever is lurking in the dark growls.
Fuck.
I run across the street as soon as its safe, heels catching on the uneven sidewalk. I regain my balance before I fall. Heart hammering, I stop and turn around, looking at the flowerbed. Why am I running? That thing attacked me. Scared my horse. And would have done much worse if it were able.
Running away isn’t going to solve anything. I have to face it and then…I don’t know. I’m drunk and it sounds like a good idea right now. Balling my fists I take a step forward. I make it two more steps before I sense someone behind me. I come to a sudden halt, and shoes scuffle on the sidewalk behind me.
Oh, shit.
Lips parting as my breath leaves in a huff, I slowly turn my head, looking over my shoulder.
The shadowed outline of a man comes into view. “Hey,” he says, deep voice rattling right through me. “It’s not safe to be walking out here alone.”
Chapter Five
“Seriously?” I spit and whirl around so fast my heel catches on the uneven sidewalk. The man behind me rushes forward, catching me before I fall. It’s not until his hands wrap around my waist that I realize what he said sounds like a line right out of a horror movie.
“Yeah,” he says, brown eyes meeting mine. “Seriously.”
I push off his firm chest, trying to stare daggers at him, but my drunk mind gets distracted with his stubble-covered sharp jawline.
“Especially dressed like that,” he adds, full lips pulling into a smirk as he runs his eyes over me.
“Okay, Mom,” I say, narrowing my eyes and crossing my arms. I’m wobbling as I stand here, trying hard not to notice how attractive he is. He’s tall and muscular, dressed in a dark blue t-shirt, jeans, and a black leather jacket.
He takes a step forward, eyes darting around as if he’s looking to make sure no one is watching. I jerk back, tripping over the same crack in the sidewalk.
“Goddammit,” I grumble, throwing out my hands and recovering my balance on my own this time.
“Are you okay?” the guy asks, inching closer still. Fuck. There’s a very real possibility that he’s a vampire, and as much as I’ve wanted to meet one, I’m suddenly terrified. My pulse bounds, and in the back of my mind, I know he can hear it.
“Do I look okay?” The words tumble out of my mouth on their own accord. A car drives by, going a good twenty over the speed limit with music blaring. There’s a good chance I’m going to die out here, and the people in that car didn’t even notice me.
“Not really,” he answers, and motions to a bench a few yards away. I sway on my feet again, regretting downing my drink as I angrily stormed out of the bar. “Maybe you should sit down.”
“With you?” I retort. “How do I know you’re not a psycho killer?”
“And how do I know you’re not?” His lips pull into another smirk and, dammit, he looks absolutely charming.
“I suppose you don’t, and after the day I’ve had, it probably wouldn’t take much for me to lose it and bludgeon someone to death. Though I need something to do the bludgeoning with.” I look around for