I shut off the water and open the door, grabbing a towel for each of us. While drying off, we steal glances at each other, the tension charging the air between us.
“Breakfast?” I ask, wanting to spend all day with her since we’re both off work.
She saunters over, wrapping her arms around my waist. Tilting her head back, she smiles sweetly. “I’d like that.”
We decide to have breakfast atThe Grind. I look at the place differently now. It seems brighter and I know it’s because of her.
She’s the full package with her gorgeous mind, charming personality, and sinful body. When she smiles, my chest tightens with emotions I can’t explain. I want to take care of her and protect her.
“If you don’t have anything planned, I thought we’d spend the day together.” I know there’s some unspoken rule after your first date. You’re supposed to play it cool in the beginning, but I don’t give a fuck about rules.
We’re past that.
“I don’t have any plans.” She smiles shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“We can go somewhere, or I can take you to my place.”
Swallowing her last bite of danish, she smirks. “I definitely want to be in your space,Mr. Layton.”
Just like that, my body reacts, and I want to bend her over this table. “Let’s get out of here.” I pay the check, and we head outside. Too focused on getting her home, I don’t notice the man walking past us.
“Well, well, well. Look who it is. Thekingof thesouth.”
Fuck.
I’d know that fucking voice anywhere.
Slowly turning around, I step in front of Brooke. “Johnson.” I say tightly, not bothering with any kind of pleasantries.
His gaze shifts to Brooke, his eyes roaming her body, smirking. “Who is this scrumptious little morsel?”
His tone has my fucking blood boiling, my fists clenching. I don’t want him looking at or speaking to her.
She steps around me, oblivious to the hate we share for one another. “Hi, I’m Brooke.”
Damnit.
Lifting my arm, I ease her behind me again.
“Brooke. I’m so very pleased to meet you. My name is William Johnson. Gabe and I used to be in the same business. That is, until he took all my clients and forced me into bankruptcy.”
She grips the back of my shirt, her body tensing.
“You’re a fucking liar, Johnson. You lost your business because you’re a crooked son-of-a-bitch.” Turning to leave, I wrap my arm around Brooke’s shoulders.
“It was nice to meet you, Brooke. I’ll be seeing you.”
This motherfucker.
Spinning around, I grab him by the shirt, slamming him against the brick wall of the coffeeshop. “No, you won’t be seeing her. If I ever catch you looking at her, speaking to her, or being in the same vicinity as her, I will fucking end you.”
Ragged breaths rush out of me as I stare into his eyes. With a sinister smile, he holds his composure. This asshole is cool as a cucumber while I’m on the brink of committing murder. Pushing off of him, I grip Brooke by the arm, leading her to my truck.
I have to calm the fuck down. I’m not usually one to lose my temper so easily, but the thought of him anywhere near her makes me fucking rabid.
Reaching the truck, I open her door, and she slides inside. I do the same, speeding off towards my house. We don’t speak.
I’ve fucked up.
