I feel sorry for marking her as I did, but bloody hell, what was I supposed to do? That wanker called her his girlfriend. I wanted to kill him on the spot. She's mine and I'll make sure the world knows that. My eyes burn as I remember seeing that image on her phone of her condo covered in roses. Heart shaped with candles and rose petals in front of her windows. Her bed covered in them too. My stomach rolls from the anger. I'll kill whoever this is if they touch her.
I pull up to the restaurant and worry I'm going to lose myshit. My chest hurts just thinking about how much she's kept from me. First Greg and Derek, and now I learn two stalkers are after her. I look over at her as she looks at me nervously. She knows how angry I am right now.
She resembles a schoolgirl in her short miniskirt with black tights, dark sweater, and leather jacket with those damn boots. I want her again, right here. I want to show her what she does to me.
We walk into the restaurant where we’re meeting Joshua. I should have told Maya he intends to talk to her about a job with the company, but I didn't wish to wreck the afternoon any more than it already was. You’d think I'd want a break, but I want to clear off the nearest table and take her again. I never did spank her for her stunt in the car. I know it turns her on when I do, so I'm waiting her out.
We approach Joshua's table and I see he's on the phone.
"What do you mean you don't have eyes on him?" Bloody hell, this isn't going to be good. I hear his southern accent peeking through and know he's close to losing it. "Find him! I'll be there later to take over. If anything happens to her, Ian, your head will roll. Not only will I be after ya but so will Michael when he gets done with his errands." He growls and hangs up.
"Ian lose eyes on Nathan? Where's Michael?" I ask, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Yes! Michael is Christmas shopping for Mum. I hate to do it, but I might have to add a second guy. Michael won't like that. He's been her only guard for years now, she'll not like it either. So sorry, my mum raised me with better manners, I'm Joshua Donovan." He stands and extends a hand to Maya. When she puts her hand in his to shake it, he turns it and kisses herknuckles. I can't help it, I actually growl at him. This is my best friend, but damn this is my woman.
"Maya Aaron. Don’t mind him. He's in a full-on jealousy mood today." My woman is actually making fun of me.
I lean toward her ear and whisper, "Want to see what mood I'm in right now? I still owe you a spanking from earlier." She actually squirms, possibly to relieve the pressure of the erotic image I left. "That's right, baby, mine." I say the last a little louder so Joshua can hear me. The bloody bastard actually laughs.
"Come sit, you two, before I have to pay the maître d' to clear the room." He laughs again.
"I'd not be jealous like this if she had just let me tell everyone she's mine back in June. As for you, baby, you know why I'm like this right now." I growl at both of them. Now they both laugh.
"Jealous much, Duncan." He laughs at me harder.
"Oi', what're you laughing at, ya bloody bastard? You've been a barmy wanker for one girl since I met you?" That shuts him up. He doesn't like references to his "Angel" at all. None of us have ever met her or know her name. I only know about her because he got drunk one night and spilled the beans. I watch him rub his side.
"So, can I ask who Michael is?" Maya asks. Oh great, here it comes.
"Michael works for me, just like Duncan, but he's on a special assignment, protecting my mum," he states.
"Can I get you something to drink? And would you like another Jack Daniel's, Mr. Donovan?" The server interrupts.
"Yes, another for me, Maya, Duncan?"
"I'll have the same as him," Maya answers with a smile.
"Scotch," I say.
"An Englishman that drinks good Tennessee whiskey, I like you already." Maya is smiling at him.
"Yes, but to make it perfectly clear, I'm only half English. I was born in Georgia and lived in North Carolina for a while until my grandfather brought us here when I was twelve." He says no more, but I know he drinks Jack for a reason, something to do with his "Angel" again.
"Well, you won't hear any complaints from me. I either drink JD or Jameson."
"An Irish girl to boot, Duncan you're in trouble. Reddish hair, green eyes, and Irish, mate, you do have your hands full." He laughs.
"I'll take it, she's worth it." I smile at her and wink.
She is worth it. I'll prove I'm not leaving her to this maniac. Even if Greg and Derek think they've got it handled, I'll help or take over.
"So, Maya, tell me a little about yourself. The way Duncan talks I was expecting a very different woman to walk in here. You're too small and beautiful to be the spitfire that he speaks about."
"He talks about me? Aww...how sweet. What do you want to know? Not my resume, I assume."
"Actually, I'd like to know about your background. I'm interested in seeing if you'd be a fit with Securities International." I cringe, knowing what's coming next.
She swings her head to me, and I smile.
