Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)(30)

“Well fine then. I guess you can go back inside to your date,” Jess grumbled.

“Yep I think you’re safe,” I replied and headed inside the back door. There had never been any dogs. Of that I was certain. But at least I wasn’t sporting the woody from hell anymore. I stopped by the bar and picked up our drinks then headed for the table. Preston and Dewayne were alone and the severe looks on their faces made me halt in my steps.

AH HELL NO!

I’m an idiot.

Slamming the drinks down on the table I studied both their faces and I knew. Without asking I knew.

“When did she leave?” I managed to ask over the sick knot in my stomach.

“Right after you walked off holding hands with Jess,” Preston replied.

“Said she was getting air but we all know that means she’s jetting,” Dewayne piped up.

“Why did you not do something?” I barely contained the roar in my chest.

Preston shrugged looking somewhat sorrowful, “I did man. I told her it probably wasn’t what it looked like.”

It probably wasn’t what it looked like? Really Preston? That was the best you could do?”

“Hey don’t growl at me. You were the one who was dumb enough to walk off with Jess after almost having sex with Low on the dance floor.”

I was going to be sick.

I stalked to the door wanting desperately to run. Had she called Cage? To save her from me? Opening the door I stepped into a parking lot full of cars but no people. No Willow.

Why hadn’t I told her what I was going to do? Did she not realize I was doing all I could do not to find an empty corner and run my hands and tongue all over her body? How could she think I would leave her for someone else? Hadn’t I made myself perfectly obvious with my interest in her?

Jerking my truck door opened I climbed in and my eyes landed on her purse sitting in the seat she’d vacated. Her phone. Reaching for the small little red purse that had matched her red high heels. Inside was tucked her phone. I pulled it out. One text from Cage.

“I’m heading to Destin tonight baby. Should be back in the morning sometime. Text me when you get home safe.”

Dropping her purse I cranked up the truck and pulled out of the parking lot. She’d had to walk home. In those heels. In the dark. Looking like the damn sexiest thing on the planet. My heart was racing in my chest for other reasons now. Please God let her be okay.

Slowly I drove back to the apartment searching the dark sidewalks for Willow. There was no sign of her when I finally pulled into the apartment parking lot. She couldn’t have walked home. She hadn’t had time to walk home. Either she was here and someone gave her a ride or I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about the ‘or’. I was already starting to panic. I couldn’t think that way. I needed to keep my head. Running up the stairs I opened the door to a very dark, quiet apartment.

“Willow!”

I ran to Cage’s bedroom but the bed was empty. She wasn’t here. I spun around panicking. Where could she be? I’d lost her. I get one date with her and I lose her. I couldn’t even take care of her for one night. My head was pounding in tune with my heart. I’d go back and stop people along the way. Maybe someone saw her. Maybe she got a ride with someone and they went somewhere else first. Someone had to have seen something. I ran back to the door and jerked it open and took the stairs two at time. I’d find her. I had to.

“Marcus?”

I halted and spun around to see Willow walking up the beach with her high heels dangling from her hand. I took off at a run toward her. She was here. She was safe. No one had hurt her. I only had a moment to take in her big expressive green eyes full of surprise before I wrapped her up in my arms.

“You’re okay,” I declared needing to let it register with my brain that Willow was okay.

“Yes,” she replied in a hesitant voice.

I ran my hand down her hair needing to feel her. To know she was real and she was here. It took me a second to realize her hands had lodged themselves between our bodies and she was pushing me away. Releasing her I stepped back.

The sweet face that had been smiling up at me earlier tonight was gone. It was replaced by a very angry scowl. And her face was tear streaked. Why had she been crying? Oh. I’d forgotten why she’d left in the first place. Jess.

“Low listen. You don’t---”

“No Marcus you listen. I realize I may not be the kind of girl you normally take on dates. I don’t run in your family’s social circle and well let’s face it I don’t have a swimsuit model body. But I have feelings too. Probably much more sensitive than the gorgeous females you normally date. IF you want to go off with some other girl you should at least alert your current date and find her someone to take her home. Don’t leave her there to look like a fool. It’s not nice!” She pushed past me and started stalking toward the stairs. I stood dumbfounded watching her.

“Low,” I called out running after her. She stopped and then slowly turned around.

“What?”

“I would’ve never left you. For anyone. I was an idiot. I made a mistake. I should’ve told you about the dogs and helping Jess get to her car. But honestly I was just thinking about the distraction it would be and I really needed a distraction because you had me so freakin’ worked up I could hardly walk.”