“You’re right about that,” I retort with a roll of my eyes. “I appreciate you stepping in.”
He nods once, then gestures toward my half-empty glass. “Let me buy you another.”
“Shouldn’t I offer to buyyouone?”
He quirks a brow. “We’re already negotiating. I like that.” He moves to the vacant seat beside me but doesn’t sit, unlike its previous occupant. “May I?”
My eyes lock on his. A part of me thinks I should thank him again for his help, then insist I have work to do. It’s not a complete lie. Idohave work to do. Another glass of wine will make that challenging.
But Parker’s words choose this moment to replay in my head, telling me to live a little. Since starting this job, it’s been my focus. I can’t even remember the last time I went out for drinks.
So despite the laundry list of things I need to get done, I give the handsome stranger a small smile.
“I’d like that.”
CHAPTER TWO
DECLAN
I signalthe bartender for another round of drinks, then shift toward the stunning brunette at my side.
The stunning,youngerbrunette.
This is the last thing I should be doing.
Once that jerk who’d been bothering her left, I should have said goodbye and gone back to my room, like a responsible man with a mountain of work and a hell of a lot on his mind.
But I didn’t.
There’s something about her that caught my attention the second she walked into the bar.
Or maybe I just needed a distraction. Someone to help keep my mind off everything… Especially the news I learned today.
“I’m Claire, by the way.” She extends her hand toward me.
“Declan.”
“Declan,” she repeats as I wrap my hand around hers.
Soft. Delicate. Warm.
I almost don’t want to let go.
But I do.
“Thanks again for the rescue,” she says as the bartender sets her fresh wine onto the counter with a light clink. “Though I had it handled.”
“I’m sure you did,” I agree.
But I know guys like him. Entitled. Arrogant. The type who treat the word “no” like a challenge instead of a refusal.
I’ve been around enough of them in my life — military, law firms, country clubs. It’s always the same. They think the world owes them something because they showed up.
I can tolerate a lot of shit. I’ve had to. But a man disrespecting a woman?
That’s where I draw the line.
That prick’s lucky I didn’t break his fucking hand. Ireallywanted to.
