Page 10 of Within Shadows

Maeve

Jess squeezes my shoulders in her hands, and I finally break my stare away from the doors that Oliver was dragged through earlier. Garrett is frowning as he takes my pool stick out of my hands and leans his face closer to mine.

“Maybe we should call it a night?” he suggests. I bite my lip as I consider it but shake my head.

“I want to have fun and let loose.” My voice is quiet, and Garrett nods, grinning at me as he hands me the stick.

“You and me against Jess and Al. The losers buy drinks for the winners.” He holds his hand out, and Al hesitates, frowning down at it before glancing over his shoulder and sighing while shaking it.

Jess rolls her eyes as she steps between Al’s legs when he rests back on the bar stool near our table.

“Fine, but somebody has to stay sober to get all of our asses home,” Al mutters, taking the last swig of his beer before burrowing his face into Jess’ neck as he whispers something that makes her giggle and turn bright red.

Garrett leans his butt against the table and crosses his arms, drawing my attention right to the veins that cover them.

“I don’t think he’s my biggest fan,” he whispers to me, and I flick my gaze to Al and Jess, immediately wishing I hadn’t.

His hand is gripping the inside of her thigh as he drags it higher, and Jess nearly melts into his touch.

My chest and neck flush with heat, and I find myself basically drooling over Garrett’s hand when he grips the edge of the table.

I wonder what that hand would feel like tangled in my hair or wrapped around my throat.

“Earth to Maeve,” he says in a singsong voice.

“Sorry,” I mutter, grabbing my drink and chugging the melted red liquid while Garrett watches with raised brows.

“I think he might just be a little more reserved because he doesn’t know us.

” Also because he’s secretly a member of a popular band, and one wrong word could spoil everything , I think to myself.

Garrett nods as I line up to take the first shot, and Jess speaks up.

“It’s time for shots! We’re grabbing drinks, maybe while we’re gone, Garrett can show you how to really grip a pool stick,” she says with a pointed wink at me.

“Jess,” I hiss her name in warning as she tries to play matchmaker.

She grabs Al’s hand and drags him towards the bar without a second look, but Al keeps glaring at Garrett from the corner of his eye.

Garrett’s hand wraps around mine as his chest presses to my back and bends me forward.

My eyes widen, and heat rushes between my thighs as his face hovers next to mine while his scent envelops me.

“I’m a sucker for free drinks, so I was planning to give you a few tips anyway.” His voice is low, and I swear I can feel every word crawl up my spine.

“Are you a secret pool master?” I ask, proud that my voice only wavers a little. His laughter rumbles through my body, and he shakes his head.

“I spent a few years traveling with some friends, and we wound up in bars more times than I’d like to admit.

Adding to the shame, I realized I have a pretty good knack for playing, and hustling drunk morons for some extra cash became a bit of a game for me.

” I raise a brow, turning to face him, but any words I was planning to say die on my tongue.

His mouth is a breath away from mine, and all I can think of is how it would feel against my lips.

“Can you two just get a room?” Jess teases as she lines up shot glasses and smiles. I jump up, accidentally slamming my head into Garrett’s chin.

“Oh fuck, ow,” I groan, grabbing the top of my head as pain throbs over my scalp. Garrett only grunts, immediately wrapping an arm around me as I try to back away.

“Dang, Maeve, I am so sorry. Are you okay?” The concern in his voice only adds to my wounded pride as Garrett gently pries my hand away to check my head. “It looks okay, but you’re going to have a pretty decent bump. I’ll go grab some ice.” He tries to step away, but I grab his wrist to stop him.

“No, it’s fine, I promise. I should be apologizing to you.” I give a humorless laugh, rubbing my head as I try to check his chin. He easily leans into my touch as my fingertips graze over his jaw.

“They’re totally gonna bang,” Jess declares, and I shoot her a glare, ripping my hands away from Garrett in a not-so-subtle way. Al frowns between us and shakes his head once.

“Doesn’t seem like her type,” Al says and smirks over the beer in his hand. “I seem to remember you all tangled up with my friend not that long ago. Garrett seems like the complete opposite, that’s all.” He shrugs.

“Maeve and I are just friends, and teasing is fine, but don’t insinuate anything negative about her.

Do I make myself clear?” Garrett is suddenly serious, and he crosses his arms, all humor gone from his face.

Jess elbows Al and gives him a dirty look while he shrugs and she hands me one of the shots.

“To a good time,” she says, holding her drink up, and I tap my glass to hers. The whiskey burns on the way down, but I grab a second one to throw back right after and Jess cheers. Garrett throws his head back with a laugh. “This is going to be interesting.”

The floor feels unsteady under my feet as Jess and I sway to the music.

Garrett carried me the entire first game of pool and the second one until he suggested we take a break.

He and Al are watching us, standing far enough apart that they don’t have any hope of conversation, and my fuzzy mind thinks that’s on purpose.

The music slows, becoming more sensual, and I keep drawing my gaze back to Garrett.

He’s watching me, lip curled in a half smile as he gives me a tiny wave.

“I can’t believe he friend-zoned you,” Jess shouts next to my ear, having no other choice with the crowd of bodies and pounding music. I roll my eyes as she pulls me closer.

“He’s a good friend.” I hesitate, and Jess raises a brow.

My mind is getting fuzzier as time passes, and I struggle to find the right words.

“I bet he fucks good.” The words tumble out, and Jess bursts into laughter.

“Then show him that he has more options than just friends .” She nods her head towards Al.

He’s watching her every move, and when she starts to roll her hips, rubbing her hands down her body, I can feel the tension stretch between them.

It doesn’t take long before he kicks away from his position, long strides drawing him closer as he devours the distance and slams his chest against her back.

His hands steady her as she giggles in his embrace.

“Oh temptress, you’ll pay for taunting me later.” His words aren’t meant for me, but they still send desire through my veins as I turn to look at Garrett. He’s no longer smiling as Al pulls Jess away and a different body presses against me.

“Well hello there, pretty girl,” a man says, his words slurring as he tries to grab my hips. Al has pulled Jess away, towards the darker corner of the room, and I can only guess what they’re doing. Unfortunately for me, that leaves me alone in the swarm of bodies.

“I’m here with somebody,” I say, taking a step away, but he yanks me against him, and we both almost lose our footing.

“I don’t see anyone dancing with you.” He grins, and my stomach twists. It’s not a friendly smile, and his eyes make my body tense up. I try to push away from him, but Garrett steps up, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Sorry I took so long, sweetheart. Is everything okay?” He leans close to press a kiss on my forehead.

The other man backs away with his hands raised, and Garrett rolls his eyes.

“Slimy. Are you alright?” he asks. My palms are resting on his chest as I stare up at his face.

The dim lighting only adds to how handsome he is, giving him a more mysterious appearance, and I find myself leaning into his hold.

“Dance with me,” The words are out before I can even process what I’m asking, and he hesitates but wraps both arms around me after a few moments. Garrett leads our bodies, swaying to the beat as I struggle with an internal battle.

“Talk to me, Maeve,” Garrett urges, his hand sliding up my side and I take a deep, shaky breath. I turn in his arms until he’s facing my back, and I lean my head back, closing my eyes as I press my body to his. Garrett’s grip tightens as he leans forward.

“I think you’re cut off from drinking tonight, let’s get you something to eat and a glass of water.

” He tries to lead us away, but I spin, which was a terrible idea, and my feet tangle up.

He easily catches me with a sigh, and all logical thought leaves my body.

His left hand is squeezing my ass and he jerks it away when he realizes it.

I wrap my arms around his neck, forcing us closer as I wrap one leg around his hip.

I don’t care that we’re in a crowded bar or that we barely know each other.

All I’m feeling at this moment is a deep hunger—a need for Garrett to touch me.

His eyebrows furrow as we stop moving, but he still holds my leg, gripping my thigh.

Before my drunk confidence can fade, I lean up and crush our lips together.

Garrett tenses for a second, and then his mouth molds to mine.

His kiss is deep and full of longing, the same that is eating at me.

I curl my fingers into his hair and he groans against my mouth, his tongue shoving past my lips.

An inferno builds within my body as Garrett pulls away, both of us breathing hard as he picks me up off my feet and carries me from the dance floor without bothering to look for Jess.

He passes right through the bar and only stops at the back door to put me on my feet while he shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders.