Waves - Book #2 [completed]

19 ~ Akrasia

Akrasia
noun
lack of self-control

I push through the gradually thickening crowd, flickering lights and dancing people and finally catch a glimpse of Riley's profile. She's surrounded by the same slimy boys from earlier of which one of them, a particularly repulsing dork, is trying to claim her with a firm grip on her hip, leaning in and burying his face in her neck. She tries to twist away, but she's unsuccessful and it only results in his grip stiffening. She giggles awkwardly. Is she drunk? How many drinks has she had? Did she even eat?

I don't see her face well enough to tell how drunk she really is. But she's laughing unnaturally now, swaying and trying to lean away from the guy who's eyes flicker down to her breasts, trying to catch a look down her cleavage.

Not today!

Red blurs my vision and I push forward, determined to get her away from these sleazeballs. I may have ogled her myself before, but never when she was drunk or in a blatant way like this guy. At least I hope so.

I come up from behind, make myself known so she doesn't startle and pull her away from the other guy, manually unclasping his hand from her. He looks stunned and before he can regain his wit I drop a kiss to the crown of Riley's head, narrowing my eyes at the sleazebag at the same time. "Where have you been, babe? I've been looking for you." My tone is intentionally loud so the others can hear.

They're all athletic underneath their shirts and objectively nice-looking. That is if you like slime bags and fake-looking tan. But I'm taller and have broader shoulders so they don't put up a fight and just stare at me with confusion and bewilderment.

Riley looks up to me with an irritated smile but leans into me when I curl my hand around her shoulder, dragging my thumb over the strap of her dress. "Hey," she husks.

Plastering a smirk on my face, I force myself to ask, "Can I kidnap you?" even though all I want to do is steer her away from these dudes.

Riley nods, her eyes observing every line on my face. "Mmh-mmh."

Shooting a warning glance at the group of scumbags, I turn us around and guide a wobbly walking Riley to the bar. I order water and keep my arm around her shoulders. Now I can see her bloodshot eyes, her rosy cheeks and I know she's been drinking too much too fast. Undoubtedly of the courtesy of the other guys. I rub my hand up and down her arm and she leans into me more.

"Thank you." Riley sighs, and her body relaxes more by the second, almost melting against me.

I don't reply because I'm too torn between the feeling of her against me, the uproar of emotions for her in my belly and the flicker of anger still coursing through my veins. I guess, we'll pause the display of feelings for a day when she's not drunk.

A bartender drops off the water bottle and I dig for some cash, slapping it on the bar top. "Do you even like these guys?" I ask gruffly, pushing the bottle into Riley's hand after pulling her to a spot further away from the speakers. It's still loud and busy, so I have to lean down and hover my face close to her ear.