My Mind's Eye (Pub Fiction #1) (32 page)

“Don’t even worry, Kat. You are too fucking cute together. We all knew Ryker just needed the right girl. I’m just glad he found you and you gave him the time of day.”

“He really is something else, Brooke. God, he’s terribly sweet and just so…so caring. Like with me, my friends, and seeing him with Jacob, just melts my heart. Who would have thought the player was really just a total front? It took a bit, but I’m really glad I let him in, too. But it’s hard working together sometimes. I mean, I know he doesn’t give any of them the time of day anymore, but look.” I point to the group of girls perched at the bar vying for Ryker’s attention. “Don’t get me wrong. I know it’s not a secret that we’re a couple around here with the staff, but sometimes I feel these chicks have no clue that he’s mine now, you know? I feel like I need to brand him or some shit.”

Raising her eyebrows, she smirks at my Ryker gushing and musings. “Awe, Kat. Are you a wee bit jelly? I really don’t think you need to worry. That boy only has eyes for you, believe me. He even asked me to pitch the message bowl out later as I’m on bar clean up. Out with the trash, the trash will go tonight,” she giggles at her joke. “For real, Kat, just try and relax and don’t worry. The hootchies will all get the message soon that he isn’t interested.”

“I’m sure you’re right. It’s just hard. I’ve never been with a man like Ryker before. I guess I’m just scared. I know I shouldn’t be, though; he’s been perfect so far.”

Brooke studies me for a moment then a huge grin breaks out across her face. “My sweet Kat, I must say, you sound pretty wrapped up in all things Ryker. I’m glad you’re happy. And it sounds like you just might be falling in love with our little Ryker Eddison himself.”

“I…ah, I better get over to the bar. I think I see my VIP order ready. See you in a bit. Hopefully, we manage to get breaks tonight. We can chat more then,” I quip before making my way over to Ryker and the bar. I love seeing him in his element, all business in that sexy-ass t-shirt that hugs his strong arms perfectly.

I just finished dropping off the tray of drinks to Steve and his boys in the VIP section. Steve is a regular who just got into law school, he and his buddies are out for a good time. And of course on my way back to the bar, I run into this guy, the guy who’s apparently looking for another type of fun. “Hey, sweet tits, why don’t you come here and give me some sugar? Fuck, you’re one sexy minx. I wanna see what you got under those shorts, baby,” says some creep as he reaches for my hips. I cringe at the word “baby” rolling off this asshole’s tongue. With his other hand, he grabs my wrist in a tight hold before pulling me into him and rubbing his hand on my ass. Just as I’m about to let him have it, I hear a growl and can’t help the smile from breaking across my face when I hear Ryker’s voice.

Buddy, I’m gonna need you to get your fucking hands off my girl, right-the-fuck.

“Oh shit, sorry, man. I didn’t know she was yours. I was…I was just trying to get some of that sweet sugar she’s sportin’, you know? ’Cause fuck, man, she is fine.”

“Dude, did you just fucking hear me or what? Listen, fuckwad, and listen good, ’cause I will only give you this warning one time. This beautiful girl here is mine and only mine.” He wraps his arms around me at the waist securely, pulling me into his front. “She will only be showing her sugar to me. I’m gonna be needing for you to back the fuck off my girl before I lose my shit all over your face.”

The drunk raises his hands in surrender just as Big Jim comes over to see if Ryker needs him.

“Right, man. I got it, okay? Listen, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” With that, Big Jim escorts him to the other side of the club.

“Ryker, we need to talk for a minute.” I lead him aside and down the hall away from the crowd.

“You okay, baby? That fucker hurt you at all?”

“No. God, Ryker. I’m fine. I appreciate you sticking up for me, but I could have handled him. You need to know I’m okay, that I’m capable of dealing with the assholes. You can’t always save the day, you know.” I look him in the eyes, trying to be stern with him. I know he means well, but I’ve been dealing with the jerks here just fine before he and I were together. Besides, he can’t threaten to beat the shit of all the men who bother me.

“That’s where you’re wrong, sweet girl. I protect what’s mine, and you
are
mine.” He enunciates each word in that possessive way that always makes my nipples harden and the need to clench my legs unbearable. “Ah, see. You love that, eh, baby?” He nuzzles in closer to my neck, trailing kisses.

“Well, fine then, Ryker. If you’re going to protect me from assholes, tell me how am I to deal with all the whores who still think you’re available. What am I supposed to do? Stand on the bar and tell them all to back off my man, that you’re no longer the player they know?” He chuckles at my crazy rant, then squashes my concerns with his mouth, hands, and sweet promises.

All too suddenly, Ryker pulls away from me, leaving me panting and breathless from his kiss. “I gotta go do something, baby, something I should have done before. I’m a fucking genius. I’m gonna fix this little problem.” Then he’s gone, bolting back toward the bar. The music stops as I make my way back into the crowd of people, all wondering the same as me.
What the hell is this guy doing?

Ryker takes a stand on top of the bar. “Shhh, shhh, I need you all to quiet the hell down for a minute.” After a few minutes, the entire bar is silent, all eyes are trained on Ryker. I move in closer. “Lovely patrons of Pub Fiction, I need a moment of your time, if I may.” Pointing to me he continues, “Do you all see that gorgeous shooter girl over there? Well, of course you do, how could you not? That fine ass girl is Kat. Well, anyway, I’m standing here now to tell you all, as well as warn you, that she is MINE,” he basically grits out to the listening crowd. “And just so we are clear, I am also hers. As of now, you need to all know we are together. Sorry, boys, that means you all need to watch yourselves around my girl, especially the eyes and hands. As for the ladies, the same goes for you all. I’m completely fucking gone over this girl. You needn’t even bother trying.”

Holy cow, I can’t believe my eyes or my ears.
The
Ryker Eddison is basically hanging up his player jersey, handing in his scorecard for me. My heart is beating a million miles in my chest, but I have the biggest shit-eating grin on my face, and I don’t care who sees it. God, this man makes me swoon.

With that, Ryker takes his message bowl and tosses it in the garbage before running back over to me, scooping me up and over his shoulders, leading me to where I assume is the staff room. All I can hear are my own giggles and hoots and hollers from the bar.

Ever since that night, work has been pretty calm. My tips are a bit less, but I’m totally okay with that.

Chapter 57

Kat

February

“O
h my God!”

“What is it, Kat?” Claire comes rushing to the front door where I’m holding the mail in one hand, the open letter in the other.

“That boy is just plain fucking sweet,” I say, showing Claire the Valentine I found from Ryker in with the mail.

Kat,

You’ve been caught in my mind’s eye from the moment I laid my eyes on you.

Now you’re completely caught in my heart.

I can’t wait to see you tonight, sweet girl.

Be ready.

Ryker x

“You’re such a lucky bitch. Now don’t get me wrong, Matt is amazing, but Ryker is just bloody swoony!” She beams with her hand over her heart for effect. I can’t help but smile, because she honestly has no idea just how much this boy makes me feel like I’ve been swept off my feet on a daily basis.

It’s Valentine’s Day and Claire, Matt, Ryker, and I have decided to have a double date to celebrate. None of us are too keen on the holiday, but when the three of us discovered Levi was able to give us the day off, we decided we might as well go out. We’ve bought tickets to attend Pub Fiction’s
Love is in the Air Affair
, the annual dinner and dance that the club holds to raise money for The Heart and Stroke Foundation. It’s a great cause, and because it’s a black tie affair, we all agreed it would most likely be a blast to get all dressed up.

I was also excited because I was busy plotting out a special after party for Ryker and me. Claire had made plans to spend the night at Matt’s already. With all the others planning to stay over at Jenn and Laurie’s after the bar, I had the house to myself so it worked out perfectly.

“I’ve just finished setting up my room for my little act tonight,” I say, walking into Claire’s room with all my stuff to start getting ready. Claire has agreed to help me with my hair and makeup. “I’m excited and nervous. I’ve never been the initiator before. I’m really hoping I can pull this off. I mean, what I have planned for Ryker is totally out of my comfort zone.”

“I love it! I’m proud of you, grasshopper,” Claire basically coos. “I can’t believe how bold you’ve become, Kat. Ryker has been a really good influence on you,” she beams, directing me to sit in the chair in front of her. Claire is going to put my hair up into a French twist, because she thinks it will suit my off-the-shoulder dress perfectly.

Agreeing with her, she smiles down at me, getting to work on my updo. “I’m really happy you decided to give the guy a chance. I knew you were different for him. Besides, I’m really loving how we get all kinds of double dates now.”

“Yeah, he really has. I’ve been noticing it myself actually. I never thought Ryker Eddison would be the reason I’m happy,” I tell her honestly. Trying to ignore the emotions rising at the thoughts of how true that statement actually is, I’m quick to turn the talk back to tonight. “I’m way too excited for tonight! I bought the perfect pink bustier, complete with garters and stockings to wear under my dress. Ryker is gonna lose his mind, and I cannot wait!”

Claire laughs, “Jesus! Who knew you’d become such a whore? I love it, Kitty Kat. You are going to bring that boy to his knees.” We laugh as we continue to ready ourselves for the night ahead.

Once we’re finished, Claire and I decide to sit and enjoy a glass of wine before the boys pick us up. Just as I’m topping the glasses off the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it!” Claire smiles before heading toward the door. We’ve been ready for about twenty minutes and dying for the guys to get here.

Standing up to put the drinks on the counter, I’m suddenly shocked to hear a voice that rocks jolts of fear into my body.

“Where the fuck is she, Claire? Tell me right the fuck now! I need to see my little bitch of a girl. I’m fuckin’ done with her ignoring me.”

“No, Seth!” I hear Claire yell as a bumping sound echoes through the hall.

Hands shaking, I’m standing, feeling almost paralyzed with my back to the counter, wine glasses in hand, liquid spilling all over the floor, listening for sounds of Claire. But all I hear is the sounds of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. I try to compose myself, as I know Seth has clearly made his way past Claire. God, he better not have hurt her. Putting the glasses on the countertop, I turn back around and I’m all too quickly met face-to-face with an angry Seth Cooper.
Shit!

Chapter 58

Ryker

“M
atty, I think the girls are gonna love these flowers. I’m full of great ideas, eh? Stick with me, buddy, and I’ll teach you all the tricks to making your girl smile 24/7, all the while getting you laid as a thank you.” I slap his back as we’re leaving the florist.

“Okay, Casanova, like you’ve ever bought flowers for a chick before, or done anything sweet like this,” he smarts me back as we exit the shop.

“You’re right, Matty. None of the chicks I’ve been with have ever made me want to do nice things like this anyway. Actually, none of them have made me want more than a quick fuck and a “see ya later.” Matt nods knowingly, “Melissa just used to demand I do what boyfriends do. It’s nice to want to do these things on my own for a change. I know Kat appreciates it, and honestly, I really like seeing that sexy-ass smile of hers when I do something she least expects of me.”

I actually buy Kat flowers every week, along with a little note including a song lyric or lines from a poem. Yep, my
vagina
has fully grown in and, honestly, I’m okay with it as long as I make my girl smile. I’m not sure if Claire knows or not, but she definitely hasn’t told Matty ’cause I know I’d be razzed by the guys for sure. Not that I’d give a shit anyway. Kat’s my girl and I’m all about making sure every fucker out there knows it.

Matty reaches in his pocket to retrieve his cell that’s been blasting AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Just as we reach my car. I laugh at the ringtone. “Claire,” he says with a smirk. “She’s probably calling to find out where the hell we are. We were supposed to be there fifteen minutes ago,” he tells me before answering. Good thing the florist is about five-minutes away. We’ll have our girls in no time. We both hop in the car as, me in the driver side, Matty the passenger.

“Hey, sunshine, I know, I kno—What? Baby, breathe, calm down. What…Seth?” As soon as Matt drops that fucker’s name, ice seeps into my veins. I know we need to get the fuck outta here right the fuck now.

“Matty, dude, I need you to tell me what the fuck is going on and now, brother!” I spew as I drive off toward Kat’s. He lowers the phone to give me what he’s gathered so far. While I’m listening, I call campus police to meet us there. This shit ends today.

“Claire said they were having a drink, waiting for us to get there, when the doorbell rang and it was Kat’s ex, Seth. She tried to hold him off, but he pushed past her, knocking her down.”

“What the ever-loving fuck?” I say, slamming my hand down on the steering wheel. I knew this asshole was going to make a move eventually. Looking over, I see Matt is losing control as fast as I am, while listening to Claire and relaying information, his legs moving constantly in agitation as he’s telling me what’s going on. “She hit her head on the ground pretty good when he pushed her, but she says she’s all right. Claire says Kat was in the kitchen before Seth pushed his way in. She thinks they’re still there. She called us as soon as she got her bearings.” Matt covers the phone again. “Sorry, Ryk, man, but I’m telling her to stay put until we get there. I can’t have her getting involved with this guy; he’s already hurt her.”