This guy was an idiot. Cole wouldn’t have to worry about any competition where Maeve was concerned because he was going to dig his own hole. She looked like she wanted to hang the man and he’d gladly stick around for backup. Guys like this had the potential to do harm, it was written all over his face. How she managed to stay calm up to now was impressive.
“Well Ralph, I’m quite sorry, wait…I’m not really sorry at all that you’re put off. You were already being helped by my associate and if anything, this man in front of me should beoffended because you were rude and out of line to intrude on a private conversation.”
This was a new side of Maeve he was seeing, and he liked it; made him more convinced that she was a very well rounded person. She was clearly smart, independent and besides beautiful, quite spunky. However, her tirade looked to only be pissing Ralph off further.
“Now, I think it’s past time you left here.”
Cole fought off a laugh when she pushed a hand toward him again, this time to stop his progress.
“I mean it, leave now or I’ll be forced to call the police and have you escorted out.”
“Why you bit…”
Enough was enough, Cole couldn’t take any more. He’d taken self-defense classes a few years back with some of the guys and knew he could take this guy, so he grabbed the other man’s wrist and had his arm pinned up behind his shoulder blades in two seconds flat, pushing him right for the door.
“And don’t come back, ever!” He yelled out the door as the offender tripped all over trying to right himself out on the sidewalk. Cole made apologies to a few passersby who’d had their walk interrupted. He also hadn’t realized a few customers had come in The Sand Bucket during the ordeal and apologized to them as well.
He felt bad for how disheveled Maeve looked as she walked toward him, motioning for him to sit at a nearby table.
“I’m so sorry for all of this Cole. I feel awful.”
He couldn’t help but notice how badly her hands shook as she gripped them tightly together atop the table. Instinct had him reaching to cover them, offering her what comfort he could.It was the first time he’d initiated a touch and he almost pulled away, surprised at the sheer emotion that rippled through him. He wondered if she’d felt it too. At that same moment her hands went still, he looked up to find surprised stormy hazel eyes staring back at him.
“I’m sorry to be so forward.” He slowly released her soft dainty hands. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Chapter5
It was more than shock that struck her as Cole’s roughened hands covered her own. Safety and warmth encompassed her and oddly enough, she felt cared for from that single gesture. It couldn’t really mean anything; he didn’t even know her; he was just trying to lend his support. Cole was a pretty smart guy, no doubt he could tell how shaken her confrontation with that guy made her.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue yet again. I can’t imagine what you must be thinking of me.”
His brain was probably telling him to leave, run as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
“If you only knew.”
“What do you mean by that? Was I that bad? I promise you I’m not always about this much drama…”
“No wait. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, I promise. I was actually impressed watching you take on that guy. Honestly what ran through my head was, not only is this woman beautiful, sexy and independent but she’s a firecracker and can hold her own. I’d love to see how badass you might be in a self-defense class.”
“I think you’re delusional. Are you sure you didn’t bump your head at that fire last night.”
Maeve didn’t see herself as any of those things Cole described. She had always been shy but no way was she sexy.Maybe he was confusing her with her best friend Chloe; she was the outgoing one, always the partier and a definite man chaser. Maeve couldn’t even get a guy to stick around long enough for a second or third date. How pathetic was that?
“How about I get you some lunch? I say you’ve earned it.” And she really wanted to change the subject away from her. It made her uncomfortable.
“I can’t argue with lunch. I’m hungry and I was really looking forward to it yesterday before I got called out. I thought about that meatball sub all night but even more than food, what I’d really like is that date I’ve been trying so hard to get. Will you please give me a second chance?”
He wasn’t giving up, but she was hesitant to say yes. There was still that little doubt monster creeping into her subconscious telling her this one wouldn’t stick around either but on the other hand, she was dying to go out with Cole, had been for months, even if it was just for ice cream. If she accepted, she was sure to see that gorgeous smile again and ifshesuggested what they should do, then maybe she might feel like she had just a little bit of control? Maybe…
“Okay Cole, I’d love to go out. I know it’s another hot one again today, what about that ice cream you mentioned yesterday? I’m done here at 4.”
And there it was, the smile that could so very easily melt her heart if she weren’t careful.
“It’s a date. I get off at three, but I’ll wait around no problem. I’m sure there’s something I can clean in the firehouse til you’re ready.”
“Perfect.” She beamed a shaky smile. “Now let me get you that sandwich.”
***
