Ken—the groom-to-be—winks. “Best burger I’ve ever had.”
A man with short auburn hair chuckles. “Better enjoy it while you can. Amanda will have you eating kale salads and acai bowls the second you say, ‘I do.’”
Swallowing a bite of said burger, Ken grins. “Worth it.”
Mr. Handsy snorts, a fry falling from his mouth. “Don’t think about her right now. Tonight, you’re a free man. Next stop, strip club!”
The other guys at the table cheer, and the redhead elbows Ken in the side.
Things could be worse. At least I don’t work at that strip club.
“What else can I get you gentlemen?”
As I attempt to clear an empty glass, an arm snakes around my waist and hauls me against an inebriated man. Ken’s handsy friend. Again.
“How about another Manhattan and a lap dance.” He tightens his grip and leans close, hitting me with sour-beer breath. “I promise to tip well.”
Revulsion crawls down my spine as I try to extract myself. “I?—”
A chilly voice rolls over us like an icy river. “Take your hands off her or lose them. Your choice.”
“Gladly.” Mr. Handsy releases me, and I stumble back. “This one’s no fun anyway.”
When I spin around, I come face to chest with the stranger. His bright blue eyes have darkened, his face etched with lethal fury.
Goosebumps erupt on my arms. I suspect that, if I don’t defuse this situation, tall, dark, and deadly might actually carry out his threat.
Not that I care about the handsy asshole. But if a fight breaks out and Nick blames me, he’s liable to fire me.
“Hey, babe.” I push onto my toes and peck his cheek, urging him with my eyes to play along. “Let me take care of these guys, and I’ll come hang with you in a minute.” A nervous laugh bubbles up my throat as I shoot Ken and his buddies an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. My boyfriend’s a little overprotective.”
I jerk my chin toward the bar, hoping the stranger will get the hint.
Instead, a wicked grin dawns on his gorgeous face. “Is that any way to greet your boyfriend?”
I get all of two seconds to process the words before his lips land on mine. I gasp into his mouth, my hands instinctively settling on his biceps. One large hand splays over my waist while the other slides around to cradle the back of my neck.
He kisses me like I’m the only one who can save him from sinking. My body responds without my permission, and I find myself opening my mouth wider to return his kiss.
Passionate. Wild. All-consuming.
The music fades. Conversations wane. At this precise juncture in time, only he exists.
He tugs me closer, his toned body pressing against me. A faint musky evergreen scent wraps around me. Liquid fire gushes through my veins, the heady warmth spreading from head to toe as my core tightens.
I don’t even know him, yet this man has already ruined me for everyone else.
I’m still drowning when he breaks the kiss to a round of cheering and hoots. “My day just got a thousand times better. Thanks for asking.”
Without another word, he releases me and stalks back to the bar.
I touch my tingling lips, heart racing and mind reeling. The music and surroundings return full force.
What the hell just happened?
A few seconds later, Rachel appears and hip bumps me. “Holy hotness. Want to tell me what that was about?”
Sure…once I figure it out myself.“Later. Right now, I need to take care of this table.”
