Kapitel 18: Teaching a Knightley Manners

...AUSTIN POV...

If I did not think that I can get anymore overwhelmed by her, she brings me to my knees again as she goes and does that. As I watch her bite into her lip, every sensation in my body shoots straight to my core. I no longer have just a desire to protect her, but there is a far greater desire that wants me to make her mine. And to make it even more of a torture is the way she sways those hips from side to side. This time it is me that bites into my lips and a soft growl escapes my lips.

But as I get lost in the fantasy that is her, I see Tyler come from the other side of the floor. He is heading straight for her. I know I said that I should not get involved. Well, Mr.Knightley is leaving me with no other choice. So I find myself heading in the same direction. And as I hear their voices, I come running outside.

I feel an incredible rage consume my body as I see Tyler grab Summer by the arm so hard that she shouts out in pain. I thought this man would listen, but it seems that he is just as thick as what he looks. Well, one thing that he does not know about this low-class cowboy is that he is a man of his word.

And as I make my way up to them, I grab him with only one hand. My hand knots into his shirt, making the buttons pop off one by one.

"What did I say about not touching Summer? Are you drunk and deaf?"

I rip him by the collar away from Summer so hard that the drunkard falls straight onto his ass. As he comes back to his feet, my fist connects square into his face.

"Yes, that looks better. You deserve to be on the floor, the fucking filth that you are."

"You are going to pay for this."

Then as he regains his balance, he comes at me, but he is too damn drunk to stand on his feet. But that does not stop me from smashing my fist into the side of his face. His head snaps to the left, and the skin above his brow splits right open.

"You think you are so big for beating on men that are at a disadvantage."

"Hahaha, I love how being drunk is putting you at a disadvantage; you are even dumber than you look."

But I am not done yet, and the stupid asshole seems to think the same as he fumbles forward and tries to punch me in the face. Well, he is too drunk to even coordinate his feet. Next I crash my fist right between his eyes. As he falls back, I hear something crack, and then the blood comes running from his nose.

As I go for another swing at his face that has seen a fair amount of beating, I can see the blood coming from a few open cuts. Some made by me but most of all by him falling to his ass onto the gravel road. So as I steady myself again, Summer calls out.

"Austin! Stop!"

I ignore her plea and go for Tyler once again. I am holding him away at arm's length as I shove my hand in his face.

"I don't think Tyler here understands how to treat a lady yet."

"Austin! Don't! You don't know the consequences! Just walk away, please!"

"And let him do this again? You are his sister for fuck sakes."

"You don't know, Austin. You don't know what they're capable of. Just go, please!"

I watch as her once beautiful and vibrant face turn into nothing but agonizing pain. As she pleads with me, I see the tears starting to trickle down her face. In no time at all, they start running down her cheeks like a waterfall.

"I am so sorry Summer. What can I do to make you feel better?"

I let Tyler go, and he drops to the floor. I pull Summer deep into my arms, placing her head gently against my chest. As I cover her face in my hand, I can feel my shirt getting soaked by her tears. I wrap my arms even firmer and rest my chin lightly on the top of her head. I can't help but think that she is exactly where she needs to be. Then she pushes me away.

"You need to go before he comes to. He can't know it's you. I'll handle it from here. Please"

"I will not leave you alone like this. What kind of man would I be if I leave the girl that I care...I mean like...Fuck I am not leaving you alone!"

"Austin, I really appreciate that you came to my rescue; you mean the world to me...I mean...it...it...means the world to me, but I need to do this alone. Please, I beg you."

"Promise me that you will be okay and that I will see you tomorrow?"

Fuck, that sounds a bit desperate, Austin. I would swear you don't know how to handle yourself around a woman. But Summer is not just any woman. I need to see her again or just even speak to her.

"Here, please take my number and phone me if you have any problems."

"I promise."

But what is she doing? Her lips are coming straight towards me. I don't know if I am ready; damn, I don't even know how to kiss a woman like Summer. I am going to look like a complete fool. But then...

She kisses me on my cheek...And...my knees become weak. Oh god, her lips are so damn soft. Can she not do it to the other cheek. Damn Austin! I better leave before I become an idiot. I spin around so she cannot see the blush on my face. But then she calls me back.

"Austin."

"Yes, Summer?"

"The wall."

"Yeah, I knew that."

You are a complete idiot; let me rather go find a hole where I can stick my head into. This woman is going to be my undoing if she has not already been.

So I find my way to the bar, where I find Billy having a beer by himself.

"Hey, Billy."

"Hey, Austin."

He looks at the blood on my knuckles. He knows that sometimes it is not best to ask, but he does so in any case.

"Who was the unlucky wall?"

"More like face. Tyler Knightley."

"Ouch, you are aiming high. What did the pig do this time again?"

"He does not have respect for a woman."

"I have never liked the man that much; it is about time he gets a beating."

Then of course Billy looks at me and waits for me to tell him the juicy bits of the story. Now Billy is one that rarely gives you full sentences. And when he does, you can consider yourself lucky. And for me, the torture is about to start.

"So?"

"So what?"

"You know."

"No I don't."

"Why."

"Why what?"

"What?"

"What what?"

This is going to take long. The question is, do I want .0him to drag it out of me and play ping pong? The thing is, I don't know what to say to him for I don't really know what to say to myself.

"Just ask it, Billy?"

"Which girl did you do that for?"

"See, now that was not so hard, was it? And if you should know it was for Summer Knightley."

I watch as he goes silent for a fraction of a moment. There are a million things that are probably rushing through that head, but only one is the most important.

"Damn Austin, I did not know you liked Summer that much."

"Believe me, Billy, neither did I."

"So?"

"So what?"

"Have you?"

"Have I what?"

"You know?"

"No I don't."

"Did you?"

"Did I what?"

On my god, here we go again. But luckily, he gets distracted by something, or should I say someone across the bar. I do not pay attention to what he is saying or who he is talking about. My head is filled with Summer and her soft lips against my cheek. I knew they were soft, but I never imagined that they would be so soft. Just thinking of them sends tingles of pleasure over my skin.

But holding her in my arms was even just as perfect as that kiss. Her body is so delicate; she is like a porcelain doll that deserves extra care; she needs to be held in your hands. And how can I forget how warm she felt. I was completely consumed by her touch and her scent. Tomorrow cannot come fast enough.

To get there, I need to sit and listen to Billy that had been trying to get my attention for the past minute.

"Austin, have you seen that girl here before?"

"What girl?"

I look across the bar to where a girl is standing and talking to another man. My entire body freezes.

"Fück!"