THE PARKING LOT BEHIND IN Ruins doesn’t house a single car but instead holds almost two hundred people mingling, eating, and drinking. A large, white tent covers everyone, protecting them from the stifling late-July sun.
The Blues and Brews charity event has been hosted by In Ruins for an entire decade now. For ten whole years, Gus—with the help of Saylor and Rhett—has hosted this event that raises money and awareness for local charities supporting kids such as the neighborhood Big Brothers branch, after-school programs, and a group home that fosters kids in the system.
It all started when Saylor was sixteen. Rhett was eighteen and had been working for Gus for a handful of years and less than a year prior had moved himself and Saylor into the apartment across from Gus’s. It was then Saylor revealed the bullying she witnessed, that affected even her, all because kids weren’t wearing the latest trends or couldn’t participate in school activities because their families couldn’t afford it.
She wanted to help, so Gus called everyone he knew to get something together. And stopped Rhett from killing everyone who ever hurt his sister.
It’s been a hit ever since.
At hearing that, and knowing it benefited a foster house, I immediately knew that I had to help and participate as much as I could. I couldn’t afford a lot monetarily, but I could volunteer to work that day and do anything else they needed of me. I just knew I was meant to help.
Not long after I moved to Sunvale, talk and chatter started up with the approach of the event, and I was eager to learn more about it. So one day while I was working, Saylor and Gus explained how it’s a huge gathering in town that everyone looks forward to. The music and beer combo being a big hit. It draws in a large crowd and a lot of money. All proceeds from the cover charge and the cost of food and alcohol all being donated and allocated accordingly.
It may be a little unorthodox to have an event set solely around music and beer set up to raise money for kids, but it works. Gus, Saylor, and Rhett—along with Nash—work hard to make it successful. And when the programs and charities receive their checks, they aren’t complaining. They’re just happy to get any help they can.
I make my way through the mass of people, tray in hand, passing out more drinks, picking up the empties as I go.
The live band thrums and beats as the crowd listens and dances on. Nothing but smiling faces, happy to drink and eat the day away all in the name of charity.
I smile as I go, stopping on occasion to talk to the locals I’ve come to know from their frequent stops at the bar.
As I make a stop at the portable bar set up outside for the event, Rhett catches my eye across the tent as he stands there with Nash, chatting with patrons.
Every year since he’s owned Inked Souls he’s closed up shop for the entire day to make himself available to help. Knowing he has a hand in this event, that he has for the last ten years and that he helped choose what the monies benefited, makes me fall even farther for him. Not that I had far to go at this point. I’ve pretty much been fallen since day one, just never wanting to admit it.
As I appreciate his handsomeness from afar, I can’t help but think of how it felt to wake up in his arms, pressed against his bare, tattooed chest only a few days ago.
At first I was disoriented from sleep, not knowing where I was, startled that I was lying on a hard chest in an unknown bed. Then it hit me, his strong masculine yet clean scent. Rhett. And then I remembered where I was the night before and was startled for a whole new reason.
Because lying there with him felt so good and right, like I belonged. And I wanted more.
And then, he changed my world forever by asking me to be his.
As scared as I was—as I still am—it was the easiest answer I’d ever given.
Because being his comes as easy as breathing.
It’s just meant to be. I can feel it in my bones, down deep in my soul. This man won’t hurt me. He won’t use me or abandon me. Not like the men of my past and everything I’ve ever been used to. I know it, because he’s real and true.
He’s the best choice I ever made.
“I think it’s you drooling this time, girlie,” Saylor jokes, breaking me from my ogling of her brother.
“What?” My tone distracted.
“When I catch Rhett staring at you from the bar, I’m always teasing the big oaf that he’s drooling. But I think it’s you this time, doll.” She winks and sasses.
I can feel the blush take over my cheeks. Not only at being caught, but knowing Rhett gets caught staring at me, too.
“Yeah, well…” I shrug my shoulders, not even knowing what to say. Shaking my head, I quietly laugh at myself. I can’t hide it now. “To be honest, I didn’t even realize I was doing it.”
“Oh, girl.” Saylor joins in, now laughing with me. “Ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. My brother’s a good-lookin’ man. Plus, he’s yours. So ogle away.” She winks as she smiles before sashaying away, tray in hand. Grabbing the eyes of practically every man she struts by, Nash included.
Sighing, I bite my bottom lip. My eyes tracking right back to Rhett yet again.
Mine. He really is.
I never could have imagined that by moving here to get away from my past, to run from all of the bad decisions I made, that I’d find exactly what I said I’d swear off until I could stand on my own two feet. Until I found my worth in myself and not in using men. With moving here, I found my heart and soul, the man I’m trying so desperately to go slowly with because I know I’m going to love him. There’s no way I can’t.
I still have work to do on myself, at being stronger, but I know with Rhett at my side I can do just that.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise all of a sudden as awareness runs through me. The feeling like I’m being watched weighing heavier as the seconds tick by.
I place my tray at a recently vacant table and look around me, trying to see if I can locate anyone that appears to be watching or staring at me. But I come up empty. Everyone is either caught up in conversation or watching the band sing and play their hearts out.
But I can’t shake the feeling.
And it isn’t the one I’m used to, with men ogling and tracking my every move, appraising my looks and my body. Or the feel of Rhett’s eyes on me while I’m working.
This is different. It feels malicious and mean—hateful.
A slight shiver runs through me at the thought.
“You okay, angel?” Rhett’s concerned voice crashes through my paranoia. Because that’s all it is, all it has to be, because there’s no one there. Not that I can see anyway.
Scanning my surroundings once more, I come up empty yet again. Giving up, I look up to see Rhett’s deep brown eyes match his tone—concerned.
“Kennedy?”
I run my hands along my upper arms exposed from my Blues and Brews tank top, as if it’s a cool sixty degrees and not the near ninety it really is.
“Yeah.” I finally reply. “All good.” I try to smile, the action weak.
I can tell he doesn’t believe me. It’s confirmed when he asks, “Something happen?”
“No. Why?”
His large hands reach for me then, grasping onto my waist to pull me in. Wrapping his bulky arms around me, his long fingers span my entire back, the tips brushing the top of my butt.
He’s holding me tight, keeping my close.
Safe. Secure. Protected.
“Saw you standing here talking to Say, then all of a sudden you were looking around as if you were searching for someone. You looked worried.”
Trying to lighten the mood, I deflect. “You spying on me?”
He doesn’t bite, just looks down on me, waiting. Big hands flexing into my back.
Sighing, I finally give in. “I just got this weird feeling, that’s all. Like someone was watching me.” My voice low and quiet.
“Probably one of these motherfuckers that can’t keep their eyes to themselves,” he growls. “Been watching them watch you all day. Pricks,” he spits out. His eyes scanning the crowd behind me, glaring and glowering. A hard look covering his features.
Then looking back at me, he leans down and places his warm lips on mine. Slow and sweet, just what I needed to shake this feeling that still won’t go away completely.
Sliding his tongue along the seam of my lips, he seeks entry and I greedily oblige. Seeking all the comfort he breathes into me.
After a couple of minutes of getting lost in his kisses, I pull back. Breathless.
Heavy-lidded deep browns stare into my eyes when he drops his forehead to mine. “That should set straight anyone thinking they had a chance with you,” he huffs out. Not nearly as breathless as me.
I chuckle softly at his possessiveness, that slight worry still niggling at me.
But as soon as he dips down to slide his lips along my throat and the side of my neck, that worry melts away. “Rhett,” I breathe out. Now worried we’re making a scene.
“Can’t keep off you, angel. My hands. My lips. My tongue.” He licks at my pulse that’s beating just for him, proving his point. “Don’t give a fuck where we are either. You’re mine, baby. I’m making that shit known, public, fucking shouting it from the rooftops.”
I sigh and melt right into his chest. My heart following suit.
I should be scared at how easily he can put me at ease, at how strongly he makes my heart beat. But I can’t be, because nothing has ever felt so right. No matter how much that does scare me.
“You okay now?” Rhett slowly lets me go, fingertips dragging along my sides, and I miss his warmth immediately. Then just as quickly I realize that feeling’s gone; it no longer feels as though I’m being watched.
“Yeah,” I reply with a small smile. Relieved. Rhett must have been right.
Then his lips are back on mine for an all-to-brief peck. “Looks like Gus needs some muscle switching out that keg.” He nods behind me, and I turn to see Gus struggling to move what I’m assuming is the full one.
Turning back to Rhett, I lift to my tip toes and kiss his lightly bearded cheek. A bit of shock lights up his dark eyes at the contact, because I’ve yet to initiate a first touch, let alone a kiss.
“You go on and help him before he hurts himself.” Giving one bicep a light squeeze.
He smirks before asking, “You’re sure you’re good, angel?”
“Perfect now,” I say through a smile. Amazed at how comfortable and content and happy he makes me feel.
Only two weeks and he’s already breaking me out of my shell, slowly but surely making me feel more like me than I think I ever have.
Grinning all smug, he slaps my behind as he walks by me.
“Just what I like to hear, baby.”