He locked his eyes on mine. “I want.”
The way he said that, his voice low and husky, made my stomach flutter. “Well, there’s a car and motorcycle show at the fairgrounds this weekend if you’re interested.”
“A girl after my own heart.”
“Because I like cars?”
“Among other things. And yes, I’m interested.”
“Awesome. Saturday or Sunday? Which would work best for you? I’m free both days until four, then I have work.”
“Sunday.”
“Sunday it is.” I had my hand resting on the table, and he reached over, putting his over mine. I lifted my eyes, and my breath hitched at the way he was looking at me. As if he’d like to devour me whole.
“The other night when I kissed you?”
I nodded.
“You said it was nice. I want to kiss you again, Red. Show you I can do better than nice.”
Well, wow. “Maybe I’ll let you kiss me again.” I grinned. “You know, just to prove you can do better.”
He laughed. “That’s as good a reason as any.”
“Right now, though, it’s late and I’m tired. I should be getting home.”
“Stand by and I’ll walk you out.” He went to the bar and paid the tab. I hoped I knew what I was doing because I sensed he was a man who could rock my world. I was busy admiring the back of him, specifically the way his butt looked in those jeans, when Chad the Absolutely Impossible To Get Rid Of slid into the booth across from me.
“I knew you were screwing around on me,” he said.
I opened my mouth to tell him off, then closed it. What good would it do? Obviously he closed his ears whenever I said something he didn’t want to hear. Dylan was headed back to the table, his narrowed eyes focused on Chad. Before he could reach us and the new police chief found himself in a fight with my ex-boyfriend, I snatched up my purse, slid out of the booth, and grabbed Dylan’s hand.
“He’s not worth it,” I said, tugging him along with me. That he came willingly increased my opinion of him. He could easily take Chad on, by either beating the crap out of him or putting him in jail. But he let me lead him away, not at all worried about losing his man card. I liked that.
“It’s time to take out a restraining order, Jenny.”
He was right, but I didn’t like it. I only wanted Chad to leave me alone.
“I just want to talk to you, Jenn.”
Dylan’s fingers tightened around mine when I stopped, and I was sure he’d finally lose his cool. Instead he looked at me and raised a brow. I understood his question. He was asking if I wanted him to deal with Chad. I shook my head before letting go of his hand and turning.
“So talk,” I said to Chad the Stupid. Because he really was, considering he was bothering me when I was with the head of a police department.
Chad shifted his gaze from me to Dylan. “Alone.”
“Not going to happen. If you have something to say, tonight’s your last chance because I’m going to take out a restraining order on you first thing tomorrow morning.”
Dylan put his hand on my lower back, caressing me with his thumb, and I understood the message he was sending. He was letting me know he was there for me if I needed him. He could easily step in and try to take control, making this some kind of male-versus-male fight over the girl. A lot of men would probably do just that. Seeing how he handled himself in an awkward situation, I liked him even more. And I was already liking him a lot before this little scenario happened.
Chad’s face turned red. “A fucking restraining order, Jenn?”
10
~ Dylan ~
Ifisted my hand, holding on to my temper by a thread. What I wanted to do was knock the asshole into next week, but unless she asked me to step in, this was Jenny’s battle.
