“Heath, please don’t.” Oliva hoped things didn’t spiral into a fight. What if they broke something? Kathy could demand she pay for it out of her wages. Something she couldn’t afford.
Heath kept his attention on the men in front of him, so she didn’t know if he’d heard her or not. The man looked back at his friends, and then back to Heath. Olivia could tell he was calculating his odds and was thinking his buddies would back him up if need be. The man took a step towards Heath, when Kathy jumped into the fray.
“Jeremy, you and your friends need to leave. Now.” Kathy didn’t yell. She told him calmly, which sounded more terrifying.
Jeremy lost his gusto and left without a word, as his friends trailed behind him. Heath and Kathy watched, until they all left. Only when the door closed, did Olivia relax.
“Shows over, folks,” Kathy trudged back into the kitchen without another word.
Olivia felt her hands and knees shaking. That had been a close one. “Thank you.” She whispered.
Heath turned to her, the softness returning to his eyes. “You’re welcome. May I?” He gestured to her wrist that Jeremy had grabbed.
Heath didn’t wait for a response, instead he took her hand and looked over her wrist. “It doesn’t look like he hurt it.”
Olivia shook her head trying to ignore the electric current, running over her skin, where he touched. “No, it hurt at first, but I’m fine now.”
Olivia tried to step around him to get back to work, but Heath placed a hand on her shoulder. “What time do you get off of work?”
“Heath,” Olivia sighed. If he was trying to hit on her again, she might be prone to hitting him over the head with her tray.
“I don’t trust those guys not to try and cause trouble again. I was only asking to make sure you get to your car safely.”
She hadn’t thought about that. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. I’ll ask Kathy to walk with me to my car.” Jeremy wouldn’t try anything with Kathy around. She was just as big and scary as Heath was.
Heath nodded. “Until next time, then.”
Olivia watched him leave, and for some reason, she had a stupid urge to call him back, but for what? She had already told him she wasn’t interested, nor did she want his protection. The sooner she got out of this town the better, and she could forget all about Heath.
Chapter 3
Heath managed to stay away from the diner for a week. It had been hard not wanting to check on Olivia every day to make sure Jeremy and his gang left her alone, but he had to plan his next move carefully. It had never occurred to him that he might be coming on too strong. He was a man used to making hard and fast decisions, and when he wanted something, he held nothing back and went after it with everything he had. It had never been a problem until Olivia.
If he was going to win her over, it would take more cunning and patience. His usual tricks to get a woman in his bed weren’t going to work.
There was something special about her. He didn’t know what, but she was worth the effort. She was beautiful that was certain, but there was something more. Something different. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to get to know a woman. More than just her name, and where she lived to take her home and leave, when he was done. Something in him changed from when he first started pursuing her to saving her from Jeremy.
His looks, charms, and strength weren’t going to be what won Olivia over. No, it was something else. She was under the impression he was only interested in a one-night stand, but that was before. Now, he’d be okay with a little longer to be honest. Not saying something permanent just for a little while.
There had to be something that would convince her to give him a chance, and today, seemed like a perfect day to try his luck.
“Remind me again why I’m here.” Mike asked causally beside him, as he walked with his hands stuck in the front of his jeans, watching people give him wide berth.
Mike could be intimating to those that didn’t know him with his six-foot eight height. He was also as broad as a linebacker, which didn’t help. It was handy against their enemies, but frightening to most people that didn’t know him. He really was a kind and gentle guy to those that weren’t his enemy.
It was unconventional not only for Heath to bring a wingman, as he usually didn’t need one, but to go to a carnival. He had learned this was where Olivia would be today, and he wanted to see her. He didn’t want Olivia thinking he was stalking her or coming on too strong again, so he thought bringing a friend would help his cover and make it look like he was just out to enjoy the day, and not looking for her in particular.
“You’re helping me with reconnaissance.”
“By stalking the woman you’ve been going to the diner to see almost every day for the past month?”
“You’re one to talk. How many times have you gone sneaking off base over the past few months?”
Mike scowled. It was only by accident that Heath learned the real reason Mike kept going to a hospital off base so frequently, and it wasn’t because he was accident prone. True, he had been shot a few times, and almost every mission he seemed to get hurt in some way. The bastard was a giant moving target, but his skills and quick reflexes had prevented him from fatal injuries.
Mike had tried playing it off, saying he was getting hurt around the house, but everyone knew that for the lie it was. Heath followed Mike one day and saw him talking with a woman, and suddenly, it all made sense. Mike had found someone, but he wasn’t ready to share her with the team yet.
“It’s not the same.”
