“He’s a fucking prick.” He got out of the booth, and I grabbed his hand.
“Callan!”
I was surprised by this overreaction.
“Not worth the fine,” I reminded him.
He didn’t listen, and I stumbled to get out of the booth as he marched across the room.
My heart hammered as I grabbed my purse to follow him, to stop him from doing whatever stupid thing he was about to do.
I was halfway there when I realized he was whispering something in the cocky bloke’s ear. Whatever it was made the guy’s face bleach of all color. Callan’s expression was hard as he straightened. “Understood?”
The guy nodded imperceptibly but wouldn’t look at him. He was scared and embarrassed and although he was a prick for doing what he did in front of Callan, I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.
Callan strode back to me, grabbed my hand, and led me out of the pub. His tension bristled down his arm.
As soon as we were outside, I yanked my hand away, uncaring of passersby. “What the hell was that?”
He whipped around, glowering. “What the hell was what?”
“That!” I gestured to the bar. “We were having a nice night. You didn’t have to do that.”
“That arsehole needed a lesson. You don’t flirt and come on to another man’s woman in front of him.”
I sucked in a breath. “Your woman?”
Callan flinched and looked away. “You know what I mean. My date.”
His date.
Only his date.
Nothing else.
And not even that tomorrow.
“I’m not going to sit by while another guy gets in your face, flirts with you, or tries to touch you when you don’t want him there. End of story.”
I huffed and strode past him. “I hate to break it to you, Captain, but come tomorrow, it’ll be none of your business if another man flirts with or touches me.”
Suddenly, I was yanked back toward him, whirled around by his grip on my upper arm. I only had a second to process the furious hunger on his face before he crushed my lips beneath his. His arms pulled me tight to him, and I grabbed his shoulders for support as I gasped beneath the surprise attack.
He used the moment to slip his tongue into my mouth and like always, our kiss turned wild.
Laughter was a vague noise beneath the blood rushing in my ears.
“Kiss her for me!”
“Get a room!”
Callan broke the kiss with an irritated growl and turned to look at whoever had shouted at us. There was more laughter, and I attempted to pull away. His arms tightened around me as his gaze came back to mine.
I stared at him, lips swollen, cheeks hot, my heart and mind a muddled mess.
“It doesn’t have to end tonight, princess.”
My pulse leapt at his words. Did he mean?—
