My eyes haven’t left hers, but I’m aware of every movement around her.It would be good to have backup, but that’s what my weapon is for.
I’m not the only one packing.
One guy has a knife in his sock.
Another is armed, but it’s tucked under his shirt in the back of his waistband.Fucking novice.It would take far too long to withdraw.
The final guy isn’t armed and looks more entertained than a threat.
“Water, thanks.”I glance at the bartender and lean on the bar.
None of the men know what to do with themselves.They glance at one another, unsure why I’m not responding or moving in.
Jessie drops her eyes and takes a sip of her drink as the men resume their flirting and banter.
She shoots me an annoyed look.
I smirk.
Her look darkens.
Gotcha.
I know her every nuance and how she reacts in any given moment.I know not to push her.I know she will come to me.
She always has.
These men have no hope.Jessie belongs to me and always will.Even if I can never do anything about it.
I’m sorry if that makes me an asshole, but it's true.
My water arrives, and I’m halfway through it when she slides off her stool, nudges a couple of the guys out of her way—such a little spitfire—and storms over.
“Lim!”she uses my nickname, and I want to tug her against me and kiss her until she’s breathless.
“Jess.”
“Go home!”
“Okay,” I drop my glass and take her hand.She tugs it out of my grip.
“No.I’m not going with you.I don’t want to be around you.I hate you.”The last words are slurred.
“No, you don’t, darlin’.”My Texas drawl is heavy as I take her hips, pulling her closer, and gaze down into her pretty eyes.
Who hurt her?
I’m going to fucking find out.
And if it takes distracting her from other men and buying some undeserved trust—to protect her—then I will do it.
She lets out a little huff.“I’m not your darlin’.”
Oh, yes, she is.
I lean into her hair.“Let’s pretend you are.I want to take you home, sober you up and talk.”
Big eyes lift to mine, and I feel like an asshole lying to her.Deceiving her.But I am not leaving Jessie in this bar, drunk and vulnerable, with this pack of vultures around her.I’ll sit at the end of the fucking bar and stare at them all night if I have to.
