Page 40 of Animal's Reformation
“No, thank you. I’m going home,” she answered.
He grabbed her arm and spun her around so that she faced him. A faint scowl marred his perfectly shaped eyebrows.
“What the fuck?” he said.
“I’m tired, although I don’t really owe you an explanation.”
Animal shook his head. “Yeah, you do. Are you pissed off about the kiss?”
“Yes.” She held her hand up to stop him from speaking. “Not at you, but at me. I overstepped the boundaries.”
“What fuckin’ boundaries? Yours?”
“Yes, and the school’s as well. You’re Lucy’s dad and she’s a student at Slavens. It should be pretty obvious why I’m upset at myself.”
A smile whispered across his lips. “I’m not gonna tell, so there’s no problem. Anyway, you’re not Lucy’s teacher.”
A jolt of pain stabbed into the back of her skull like an ice pick.Shit!“This really isn’t open for debate. I had too much to drink and I acted foolishly—end of story.” She pressed the heel of her palm against the side of her head.
Animal glared, unblinking. “There’s no fucking way you’re believing that ‘I’m drunk’ bullshit. You don’t wanna have some fun? That’s cool with me. I got a hot redhead in there who’s more than willing.” He jammed his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, and she saw a muscle jump in his jaw.
His words affected her like a slap in the face, and she was annoyed by it. “You’re free to do whatever you like,” she said through clenched teeth before stomping away from him.
A tidal wave of heat washed over Olivia when she entered the tavern. Another band was on stage setting up as she made her way to her table. Harper and Darcy were still talking with each other, and Austin had his tongue halfway down Kennedy’s mouth as they clung to each other.At least he’s not a student’s father. Shit.
“Olivia did you get lost?” Harper asked, a rosy glow lighting her face.
“I just stepped out for some air. I’ve got a splitting headache, so I’m going to take off. Are you good?” She glanced at Darcy then back at Harper.
“I’m very good.” Harper smiled broadly. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay, great.” Olivia slipped her arms through the sleeves of her coat then pointed at Kennedy. “Tell her I said bye—I don’t want to disturb her.”
Harper laughed and leaned in a bit closer to Darcy, who snaked his arm across the back of her chair. “I will. Drive safely. I hope you feel better.”
“Thanks. I just need to get some aspirin in me.”
Olivia walked through the tavern toward the front door, very much aware of Animal’s penetrating stare on her. Outside, the cold night air circled around her bare legs as she strode across the parking lot. She slid into her car, locked the doors, and cranked up the heat. Leaning over, she took out a pair of gloves from the glovebox and slowly put them on. Her head was a throbbing mess, and all she wanted to do was wash the makeup off her face, change into her comfy pajamas, and go to bed.
The night had been a disaster, but what had made it the absolute worst was that Animal’s kiss had showed her that every other one she’d had in her life had been wrong. And I loved every single minute of it.
Large white flakes began to fall as Olivia pulled out of the lot, and she switched on the windshield wipers. She stared straight ahead at the snow swirling in the headlights of the oncoming cars as she slowly made her way home.
