For The Love Of A God by Rosanna Leo (ebook reader for comics .txt) 📕

But when she'd entered the room, it was Jeremy hiding in back.

The young board member had been moping and crying, something about his wife leaving him. But as soon as he spied Maia, his eyes had brightened, and he'd pounced on her. Way too spry for a drunken guy.

And now she couldn't get him off her. “Look, Jeremy, let's get you some coffee and go talk. Somewhere more public."

"Nah, I like it here, baby.” His wet lips parted with the sleepy grin of a very inebriated, yet very stimulated man. “You're so hot. I never noticed before. Gimme some sugar."

"I don't want to give you sugar. I'll give you the back of my hand if you don't stop touching my boob!” She wrenched his big hand from her chest.

Jeremy was not to be deterred. “You know, my family gives a lot of money to the museum. You should act a little more thankful.” He lunged at her, cornering her against the wall. And then he came at her again, all dribbling mouth and soggy tongue.

Oh, this is too much, thought Maia. The one man who I wish would kiss me won't, and this one won't stop.

She turned her head, evading his kiss, and got an earful of tongue. “Oh, yuck. Help! Someone. Anyone!"

"Stay still, baby. You'll love it, I promise."

He might have been drunk, but he was big and heavy, and she was getting tired of fighting him off. She shoved against his chest again, and thought she might have succeeded in moving him.

But then his large hand reached between her legs, and he squeezed.

Maia's eyes popped and she screamed. It was official now. She was scared.

Oh God, where was everybody? Where was Eric?

"Get the fuck off her, or I swear I will take your head off, asshole."

Maia peeked over Jeremy's shoulder at the voice. Eric's voice. Sheila was behind him, looking terrified.

Eric looked ready to kill. He was seething. Lip curled. Fists clenched. Eyes blazing a virulent green. She could almost hear his heart racing.

"Mind your own business,” Jeremy garbled and then turned back to Maia.

She didn't even see Eric move. Before Jeremy could even consider swiping another kiss, Eric had him by the scruff of the neck and had pulled him off her. With no apparent effort on his part, he tossed Jeremy against the back wall and watched as he landed on one of the coat racks, bringing it all down with a loud clang.

In the blink of an eye, Eric was at her side, holding her. He whispered against her hair. “Are you okay?"

"I think so. It all happened so fast."

He looked down at her, his eyes wild. “Christ, Maia. He touched you."

As much as she was unnerved by Jeremy's erratic behavior, she couldn't ignore the thrill of seeing Eric looking as if he would kill for her. But his obvious pain upset her, too. He looked more upset than she felt, and she needed to comfort him. “I'm fine. Really. He's just upset about his wife. He probably won't even remember this tomorrow morning."

They both looked at Jeremy's prostrate figure. He was already asleep on the floor, nestled on some lady's pink pashmina.

With Sheila following, Eric led Maia outside the coat room. And then they noticed the crowd which had gathered. Maia rolled her eyes. All the people who'd ignored or hadn't heard her cries seemed to suddenly be interested in the proceedings. Museum staff, Sarah, her date, even Wally. There were all there. Even Dino was there in the background, mouthing, “Ohmigod!"

Eric almost growled as he ushered her through the crowd. “Let her through, people!” He led her back into the main hall and toward their table. Once there, he held her chair out for her so she could sit, and placed her shawl around her shoulders. “Want a drink?"

"Yeah. And you look like you could use another one, too,” she joked half-heartedly.

"Good idea,” he growled again. He motioned to Sheila and Dino. “Sit with Maia for a second, would you? I'll be right back."

They watched as Eric headed to the bar, only to be joined by Sarah's date. Maia frowned, watching the two men talk. Their heads were together, and they kept darting looks around the hall and toward her.

What on earth could Eric have to say to that guy at a time like this?

"Do they know each other?” asked Dino.

"I didn't think so."

Whatever their acquaintance, they knew each other well enough to drink together. Maia watched as they both quickly downed their scotches, and as the dark-haired man gave Eric an encouraging pat on the shoulder. She was a bit concerned about Eric's alcohol consumption, but decided to chalk it up to the stress of the evening and tried not to think about it.

"Boy,” Sheila said. “That was something else back there. Eric defending you."

"Yeah,” Maia said. “It was."

And she missed him already. She'd forgotten her momentary anger. She just wanted to be with him, doing anything and everything. Despite all of Jeremy's attempts at ravishment, she still wanted Eric so badly. She shouldn't want anyone under the circumstances, but she did. She needed him. Wished she could go back to the moment on the dance floor when he'd told her how much he desired her.

But she seriously doubted anything like that would happen even now. He was too hot and cold.

Sheila elbowed her, and she turned. Eric had left the other man at the bar and was headed toward her, clutching something which looked like brandy and looking downright famished for her.

She wondered if the hot was winning out over the cold.

He came to within an inch of her and looked down, his body generating a heat so powerful she suspected it could deprive a few polar bears of their homes. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were narrowed. Possessive. Smoldering.

Perhaps also slightly inebriated. But in a hot, hot way.

He handed her the drink. “Here. Drink."

She did. In one gulp.

He reached for her hand. “Now, let's go."

A nasal-sounding noise escaped