“He’s more of a friend to Mike.” I avoided Ripp’s stare. “I barely know the guy.”
They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but a woman who was suffering from rejection and humiliation, well, that was a dangerous combination. We could be vindictive, and yes, even overdramatic, but how was I supposed to look at him and not remember that night? I propositioned him, and yes, most of the night was a blur, but I will never forget what I felt when he led me out the door and I saw that cab waiting.
I spent the next ten minutes dancing with Ripp and doing my very best to ignore the curious stares of every man in my family. The guys were relentless when it came to the women. Most of them weren’t even blood related, but you’d never know that. My father sat at a round table with my uncles, never once taking his eyes off me even though he carried on a full conversation with the men before him.
Most men in this town were terrified of my father. Why, I didn’t know. Okay fine, I did know. He was huge, broad, and a little intimidating. But to me, he was the kindest man I had ever met. I was sure that may be different if you crossed him, but I’d never know that because he’d never shown me that fierce side.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed how Ripp was lowering his hand ever so slowly over the course of our dance. I noticed actually a moment too late when he cupped my ass, and I yelped in surprise.
Even over the music, I heard the sounds of the chair screeching against the floor. All at once, there was a raging bull moving toward us in the form of my father, and my earlier thoughts of never seeing that fierceness in him were no longer true.
His face was reddened, his nostrils flaring as his lip curled in a not-so-appealing snarl.
I knew if I didn’t intervene, Ripp would be R.I.P. instead.
Spinning out of the guy’s hold, I positioned myself between my father and him and extended out my arm toward my dad. “Daddy.” He paused, still not taking his eyes off the foolish man behind me. “I can handle it. I don’t need you running to my rescue.”
“Someone needs to teach that boy some manners.” I almost laughed at him when he fisted his hands. Almost.
“How about you let me handle my own battles?” For only a split second, he looked at me before slowly taking in the guy behind me once more. “Really, there is no need to cause a scene at Maddison and Mike’s wedding.”
“I could very well take him outside and no one would ever know what happened. Well, no one but him and me, that is.”
I bit my lip to hide the smile that tugged at my lips. I could almost imagine the terrified look on Ripp’s face as he remained hidden behind me.
“Dad.” I tried my best to use my warning tone just as my mother stepped up to my father’s side. “I think Dad could use a distraction, Mom.” I watched as he visibly softened when my mother placed her hand on his arm. Slowly and with resistance on his part, she tugged him away, leaving me standing alone with the guy who should be thanking me for saving him from Benjamin Rigdon.
“Thanks for that.” I tensed when Ripp placed his hand against my lower back. Spinning around to face him, I slapped my hand against his chest and gave him a little push.
“First of all, you are a fool if you think that I’m okay with you groping me the way that you did.” He doesn’t even seem to be fazed by my words. “That will be the first and very last time you ever grab my ass.”
When he grinned as if I were only playing hard to get, I fisted my own hands, doing my very best to remain in control. Why in the hell did everyone treat me like I was some fragile, gullible, and impressionable girl?
“Smile like that one second longer and not only will I kick you in your tiny nuts, but after you drop to your knees in agony, I will invite my father back to finish the job off.” Satisfaction filled me when his smile faded. “I would suggest that you turn around and walk away while you still can.”
“You sure are adorable when you get all worked up, Chloe.” Was this guy serious? “Thanks for the dance.” He stepped back, wagging his brows. “And the handful of one of the sweetest asses I’ve ever felt.”
My mouth gaped open, making this arrogant prick only chuckle triumphantly. I tried to rein in my shock at his words, but it came a moment too late.
Ripp walked away feeling accomplished, and I was left with yet another blow to my pride, and worse yet, I noticed that Landon was there to witness it all. His face stoic, void of any real reaction, only staring at me, before looking at Ripp strut across the dance floor toward the bar.
Chapter Four
Landon
My body was humming with pent-up energy. Fuck that, it was bouncing with unbelievable anger. The very second I watched that fuck grab Chloe’s ass, I was moving forward, only to stop quickly when I found Ben charging with purpose toward his daughter. The man looked murderous, and he had his eyes locked on the asshole who’d just grabbed his daughter.
I wanted to be the one to put him in his place, but watching Ben do it, well, that could be interesting,
