Ben turns to face me, his dark eyes narrowing.
“That asshole I saw leaving your shop when I pulled up. Who is he?”
My stomach drops. Of course he saw him.
“Oh,” I say, looking down as I button my coat. “That was just my landlord, Gary.”
“What did he want?”
I roll my eyes. “Nothing, just coming by to harass me about the rent as usual.”
Ben’s eyes snap to mine.
“Did he touch you?”
I blink up at him in surprise.
The intensity in his voice should frighten me, but instead, it sends a thrill through my body. There’s something sexy about the way that Ben’s looking at me right now, like he’d tear apart anyone who dared lay a finger on me. Which is ridiculous since we barely know each other. This is supposed to be a dinner date, after all. Maybe a one-night stand if I’m being honest with myself.
So why is he being so protective of me?
“No,” I say quickly. “Gary didn't touch me. He just surprised me, that's all.”
“He surprised you,” Ben repeats flatly. He doesn't sound convinced. “He looked like he was running away from a crime scene.”
“That’s just how he is,” I say, stepping back slightly to break the intensity of his contact. “Now can we please just go? I really want to get out of here.”
Ben studies me for a long moment. I can see the wheels turning behind those dark eyes. He knows I'm holding back. He knows something happened. For a second, I think he's going to push, to demand an address so he can go handle it his way.
But then he seems to decide to let it go. For now, at least.
“Okay,” he says, his expression softening. “We'll go.”
He steps back, giving me space, and holds out his hand.
“You look beautiful, by the way,” he adds, his voice dropping to that intimate rumble that makes my toes curl. “That color looks incredible on you.”
I look down at my green dress peeking out from under my coat and manage a genuine smile this time.
“Thank you.”
I take his hand. His grip is firm and warm, engulfing my smaller hand completely. Then he leads me out of the shop and into the cold night air. And after I lock the door behind me, he tests the handle twice, tugging on it firmly to make sure it holds.
Chapter Three
BEN
The moment we step outside,the cold January air hits us like a wall. I tuck Tilly against my side, shielding her from the wind as we walk to my truck.
But my mind isn’t on the weather.
It’s on that greasy piece of shit landlord who thinks he can just show up at my girl’s store and harass her.
Part of me wants to find him tonight. Track him down, put him against a wall, and explain in very clear terms what happens to men who threaten what’s mine. I’ve spent fifteen years learning exactly how much damage a human body can take. I know how to hurt someone without leaving marks. I know how to make a lesson stick.
But that’s not the smart play. Not yet.
Tomorrow, I’ll make some calls. I know people. Lawyers, property managers, a private investigator who owes me a favor. By the time I’m done, I’ll know everything about Gary. And then I’ll dismantle him.
