Chapter 10
Chapter 10
After Brooks let go, I started backing away. The buzz from the beer was washed out by fear.
You’re safe. It’s fine. There are people around. Nothing’s going to happen.
But thinking about the crowd only made me panic more. Suddenly, I was hyper–aware of every sound, every word. Dozens of
conversations buzzed in my ears like bees. Laughter sounded like harsh mockery. The people around me felt like they were closing in. Their body heat surrounded me–contrasting sharply with the cold
under my skin. Cold sweat broke out on my chest and back.
I sucked in a sharp breath. “I need to use the restroom.” I backed
away from Brooks, weaving through the crowd, squeezing sideways
into the narrow hallway at the back of the bar.
At the end of the hall was a single–occupancy unisex bathroom. I
locked the door and leaned against it.
Once I’d calmed down a bit, I came out of the bathroom.
Brooks was waiting right outside. Blocking the way.
I looked down the dim hallway toward the light and noise of the bar.
Everyone else was only ten feet away–but it felt like a mile.
“Oh, hey,” I said, forcing down my discomfort. “Bathroom’s all yours p>
I tried to move past him. He grabbed my arm and turned me around. The movement was surprisingly gentle–but I ended up with my back against the wall, Brooks’s large frame looming over me,
Chapter 10
He planted his hands on the wall on either side of my shoulders. His
thick arms caged me in.
“We’ve been dancing around this all night,” Brooks said softly, leaning closer. “My feet are tired p>
“That’s not what this is. I’m sorry,” I said, trying not to show my
panic.
“Then why are you shaking, Tessa?” He moved one hand off the wall
and brushed his knuckles lightly against my face. “God, you’re so cold. I could definitely warm you up p>
“Brooks, wait p>
His mouth pressed down on mine, cutting off my words. I turned my head and pushed against his shoulders. But he was like a wall I couldn’t move. His mouth moved down my jaw, my neck–leaving a
wet trail.
“Look, Brooks-” I managed to pull away a little, but I was still trapped between his arms. “Don’t do this. I don’t want p>
He kissed me again. Wet and suffocating. I struggled, slapping his
shoulder. Once. Twice.
I clenched my fist. Before I could decide where to hit him, he was
suddenly yanked away.
I stumbled back against the wall. Looked up.
Declan?
Declan’s face was full of fury. His dark eyes burned like fire–glowing amber. He slammed Brooks hard against the opposite wall. Then he turned to me, grabbing my elbow to steady me.
Chapter 10
His hand was hot as a branding iron. I gasped and pulled back.
He immediately let go, giving me space. His voice was rough. “Are
you okay p>
My heart was pounding. My stomach churned. I nodded silently.
Brooks suddenly lunged forward. Declan spun around to meet him and slammed him into the wall again.
I dodged away from the fight, pressing myself into a far corner.
“Ah!” Brooks broke free of Declan. “Go find your own woman!” he shouted.
Two more men ran down the hallway and helped Declan restrain Brooks. “Hey! What’s going on?” one of them snapped. “Brooks, are you causing trouble again p>
“Tessa?” Harlan stood at the other end of the hallway. Lucia was next to him. Behind them, a crowd had gathered. “Are you okay p>
Declan and the others had Brooks under control. I slipped past them and ran out of the hallway.
Lucia grabbed my arm. Her hand was warm–like light. “Hey, Tessa. It’s over,” she said softly. “Let’s go.” She looked up at Harlan.
Harlan was staring down the hallway at Brooks. His handsome face had turned cold and severe.
“Harlan,” Lucia reminded him.
He looked back at us. After a second, his expression softened. “Yeah. Let’s call it a night p>
The crowd parted for us. Everyone looked at me with pity–but that
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Chapter 10
only made me feel worse.
In the dark, I sat alone on the edge of my bed, staring out at the street below. I could see the Blue Moose across the way. Light spilled from the front windows, casting a white rectangle on the ground. Shadows moved inside–people who’d seen me leave in humiliation.
They were probably still talking about it.
I didn’t want to look. Wanted to scrub the image from my mind. But
I couldn’t.
I’d hoped that coming to Alaska would help me escape the
nightmare that had been haunting me–the one that had clung to me
in Chicago, tormenting me. I thought that getting away from the
crowded, unfamiliar city would let me start over. Find myself again.
But here, I was still just as much of a mess. In a small–town bar, I
couldn’t even handle one aggressive guy.
I wanted to leave Graytooth. But I didn’t know where to go.
Running away when things got hard seemed to have become my habit. I couldn’t handle people harassing me. Couldn’t handle people ignoring me either. The latter was even harder to bear.
There was a knock at the door. Declan.
(23)
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.