If You Let Him Take Me From You || Woody McClain ||

Chapter Two

Zora

I knew I was staring. But I wasn't sure if I couldn't look away because of my compromised state. Or if my subconscious simply wouldn't allow me to look away from something so eye pleasing. My god this man was fine. I mean like GQ fine. A far cry from the sweet, standoffish, hoodies and sweats only Woody I remembered meeting a few years back.

I couldn't help but feel as though someone was watching me earlier. I wasn't sure if it was all in my head or perhaps another patron, who was growing upset at the fact that for the last few minutes I had taken up most of the bartenders time. I mean how fucking hard was it to make a Patron margarita. That was all I had asked for. Not her damn opinion on how many was too many to have.

That's when I saw him approaching from the corner of my hooded eyes. I was prepared to go another round with whoever but then I looked into his face and realized who he was. "Woody?" I was shocked. I wasn't sure if it was because of how much he had grown up or at the effect him standing over me was having on my body. I was suddenly overcome by a smoldering heat.

"Zora?" He smiled and there was nothing else for me to do but smile back. And stare. Up until the bartender purposely sat my drink down in front of me harder than need be. I rolled my eyes at her. "Is everything okay?" He quizzed before taking the seat beside me. A look of concern now replacing that smile I had learned so quickly to appreciate. He raised his eyebrows in confusion and I realized once again I was staring. If I wasn't sure I was tipsy before I was sure now. 

"No. No. No. I'm totally fine." I said before returning my attention to my drink. 

"Well what's bothering you? I'm always down to listen." He offered before placing his drink order. 

"I said I was fine." I looked into the side of his face questionably. 

"Right. But I asked you if everything was okay. Anybody with eyes can tell that you're fine. The hell." There was that smile again. 

"Thanks." I blushed, although I could tell he was simply trying to put a smile on my face . "But no, everything is okay. I'm okay. I don't want to keep you away from your friends. Go have fun. You don't have to babysit me. I'm a big girl. Trust me." 

He chuckled but I wasn't exactly sure what he had found funny. "I miss my momma man." He admitted to no one in particular before shaking his head and taking a sip from his glass. "My momma always told me if a lady says no before saying yes than it's definitely no." He tilted his head in my direction for emphasis. "No, it's fine. You can go out with your boys. No, I'm not mad. I really don't care. Do what you want." He said mimicking the voice of a female. The way he moved his shoulders, neck and hands with each word had me struggling not to laugh. "No, everything's fine." He turned in his seat toward me. His playful demeanor now turning serious. Something about the way he was seeing right through me suddenly made me feel vulnerable and uncertain. 

"Your mother sounds like a very wise woman." I admitted before shyly turning away. 

"The wisest." He continued to stare into the side of my face. I took another sip from my drink hoping he'd eventually take the hint. I wasn't about to vent to him. Every girl with any good sense knew better. Your man's friends aren't yours. No matter how hard they pretended to be. 

"Woody! Hi!" A female voice yelled to right of me. In a flash her arms were wrapped around his neck in a hug. I looked over and noticed he seemed to be caught off guard by her gesture. He raised his brow as did I before politely patting her on the shoulder. "Ugh. It's been so long since we talked. I didn't expect to see you here tonight." By this time I had went back to doing what I did best. That was minding my own business. That was until she said this. "Zora right. Splack's girl. It's nice to finally meet you in person." I turned to greet her, prepared to shake her hand and silently thank her for saving me from this increasingly growing awkward situation. But as soon as my eyes landed on her face the fake smile I had plastered across my face quickly fell off. And I could feel my jaw clench as my teeth began to grit.