I pulled her into my arms, fingers skimming along the curve of her lower back.“Why do you think I’m here?I’m not just eye candy, you know.”
“Is that so?Could’ve fooled me.”Her smile turned devilish as she trailed a fingertip down my chest.“Though I guess the muscles do come in handy.”
“I also could have just paid someone to handle it.”
She visibly tensed.“I don’t want your money, Emmett, or your handouts.”
“Just my muscles.I got it.”I bent to capture her mouth in a lingering kiss, feeling her relax into me.My tongue teased her lips.She parted them with a moan, allowing me to deepen the kiss.Desire blazed through me, making me ravenous for more of her taste, her touch.Reluctantly, I broke away before things got out of hand.
“We should get going before I throw you over my shoulder and have my wicked way right here.”
She tapped my nose.“Down boy.We’ll have plenty of time for that once we’re at my new place.”
Grinning, I opened the passenger door for her.As she hoisted her petite frame into the vehicle, my eyes traveled over her enticing curves, and I had to stifle a groan.I was about to close the door behind her when a voice rang out.
“Callie!”
I spun around to see Hugh walking toward us, his face twisted in anger.
“What the hell is going on here?”As he approached, he glared between me and Callie.
She looked just as shocked as I was, and she climbed back out of the car.“Hugh, what are you doing here?”she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I want to talk to you.Alone,” he demanded, glaring at me.“Who the hell is this guy anyway?”
I moved to stand partially in front of Callie, meeting Hugh’s glare steadily.“I’m a friend helping her move.I think it’s best if you leave.”
Hugh’s upper lip curled.“Stay out of this, man.This is between me and my girlfriend.”
Callie made a sound of disgust.“Ex-girlfriend.And you need to go now.”
Hugh ignored her, stepping closer and softening his voice.“Come on, Cal, don’t be like that.We’re good together, you know we are.I messed up but I can make it up to you.”He moved to touch her, but she stepped back before he could make contact.
He glanced between us again.“I miss you.I just came to talk.Can we please go somewhere more private?”
She shook her head firmly.“No.We’re done, Hugh.I’ve moved on and so should you.”
“And I suppose you’ve moved on to him?”He jerked his head at me with an ugly sneer.
“That’s none of your business.”
I stepped forward and spoke in a low, warning tone.“Time for you to go.”
He barked out a harsh laugh that echoed through the parking lot.“Or what?You gonna make me, pretty boy?”
He shoved me hard.I regained my balance, shaking my head.“Walk away, man.Don’t make this worse than it already is.”
He swung at me wildly.I deflected the blow, catching his arm and twisting it behind his back.He howled in pain and outrage, spewing curses.
“Go cool off and don’t come back,” I said, releasing him with a shove.He stumbled but caught himself, breathing hard.After a moment, he gave me a final venomous glare and stormed off.
I let out a long breath.Callie touched my arm, her eyes worried.“Are you okay?”
I nodded, squeezing her hand.“I’m fine.Are you?”
She sighed shakily.“Yeah.Thank you for handling that.”She smiled up at me, soft and warm.“My hero.”
I smiled back, lifting her hand to brush a kiss over her knuckles.“Anytime, beautiful.Now let’s get you moved into your new place.”
