I figured Denver would make it over here before anyone else, and he does. I just don’t want him getting into trouble, considering he’s not even supposed to be here.
“Did someone call security?” I ask as Denver shoves the heel of his palm into the guy’s back, holding him down.
“Talon just did. They’re on their way. Prick,” Denver mutters.
The guy just groans in response. At least he’s not fighting back, but I wouldn’t expect a man in his sixties to be fighting through a restraint anyway. This guy is just drunk and stupid.
Security arrives relatively quickly and takes over, cuffing the guy and getting him away from the pool area to avoid any more of a crowd. They try to keep scuffles quiet to keep the hotel’s high ratings. It’s not always easy with so many entitled assholes walking around, but we handle it discreetly most of the time.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” Denver says to me. I shake my head to snap out of the moment.
“It’s happened before, unfortunately. Drunk, rich men often have the confidence of mountain lions, thinking they can get whatever they want, whenever they please.”
“Actually, I’m referring more to the way you handled the situation. You’re this tiny little thing who just totally jacked that guy up with what looked like little effort. I’m kind of scared to admit how much that just turned me on.”
“Dirty talk at the pool isn’t allowed, Wonder Buns, so watch yourself.”
“Well, feel free to use your moves on me when we’re not at the pool.”
I pull my sunglasses down my nose, giving him a look I’m sure he will clearly understand. “I’ve warned you to be careful about what you ask for.”
“Talon told me you had it under control, and I’m sorry for underestimating you. I’m just in awe. Plus, you’re Aya’s new favorite superhero now.”
“Every girl should know how to defend herself,” I tell him.
“You kidding me? I’ve had Aya in Tai Kwan Do since she was three. My girl will know how to defend herself.”
“Good,” I tell him, happy to hear he’s on the same page as me. I look down at my watch, and I can’t believe it’s already three. “I get off in an hour, so I can get ready for the luau.”
“Without me?” he asks.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re getting off without me?”
“Denver, you’re getting filthier by the minute. Maybe you need to go take a dip in the pool and cool off.” I’d love to sit around here with him all day, talking, joking, laughing, and learning more about him and Aya, but I can’t, and I hate choosing to be responsible. It’s the last thing I want to do right now.
“Maybe you’re right. I won’t make it until tonight if I don’t settle down,” he says.
“What’s tonight?” I ask. He knows I’m working the luau.
“We’ll see,” he says. I chuckle, calling his bluff because I have no clue what’s up his sleeve, and I get the feeling he doesn’t either. Things have kind of just happened with us, and I like it that way. It takes the stress out of planning what’s next and when it will happen. “Have a little faith in me …”
“Is Aya sitting at the bar?” I ask him, looking past him at the little girl dangling her legs from a bar stool.
“Yup, she’s getting a Piña Colada. Why?”
“A virgin one, I’m sure,” I correct him.
“Unlike you,” he mutters, looking smug. He loops his arm around me and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Catch you later, beautiful.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Denver
There was a time in my life when I worried about everything—what people thought about me, whether or not they liked me, and it killed my confidence. I went through high school with very few friends, watching as Brielle, my ever-so-popular younger sister had crowds of friends swarming her. It was like she was born to be the center of attention. I was bullied and teased for being scrawny and book smart because back then, that was something to hide. Kids are awful, but it turns out adults aren’t always better. I’ve kept to myself most of my life, trusting very few people, but when I decided the Marine Corps would be the best avenue for me after a shitty high school experience, I had to change my mindset about others. I had to let people in and learn to trust. The guys I spent my time with and deployed with became more like family than friends, and I gained a sense of confidence during that time, finding out that it didn’t matter what any of us looked like. We had a common goal of protecting and surviving that brought us together, making bodily features a blurry difference in the background of our lives.
Battling my way through combat and having to watch friends get hurt and sometimes even die put life into perspective for me. I promised myself then I wouldn’t let anyone affect the way I think or feel about myself, and it’s been the best gift I could have given myself.
