“Thanks.” She took a step backward.
“Lucky for me that I came in here for a drink.”
“You don’t fool me for a second, Brent. Are you stalking me or something?”
Brent. That name. Wait… that’s her fuckin’ ex. Sonofabitch is outta here.“You need to stop bothering her.” Muerto’s voice had an edge in it.
“It’s okay. I can handle this,” she said to him.
“This is between me and Raven. You’re not involved.” Brent glanced back at Raven.
Licks of anger whipped over Muerto. “The fuck I’m not involved. She’s my woman.” As he spoke, he walked out from behind the bar and came close to her.
Jerking his head back, Brent looked from Muerto to Raven. “You’re dating this guy?”
Raven leaned against Muerto’s arm. “That’s right.”
“Get the fuck outta here. Now.” Muerto clenched his fist.
“You can’t throw me out. I haven’t done anything wrong. You don’t own this place.”
“Actually, he does,” she said in a soft voice.
“You’re outta here.” With one quick blow, Muerto’s fist landed on Brent’s jaw.
Brent’s eyes widened in genuine shock. As Muerto went in for another blow, he stepped back, his head shaking. “I don’t want any trouble. I just came in to say hi to an old friend, that’s all.” He walked out, but as he passed the window, he stopped for a few seconds and glared at Raven before moving on.
“The guy’s a pussy,” Muerto snarled.
“You know, I could’ve handled it. You can’t just go around punching every guy who talks to me.”
“Why not? I knew the fucker was gonna give you some shit, so I stopped it before it happened.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I know, but sometimes you have to trust me to take care of myself.”
“Not gonna happen. If I’m around and someone’s bugging you, I’m punching his fuckin’ lights out. I don’t see the problem.”
Smiling, she brushed her lips against his. “You’re the best. I’ll see you tonight.”
He walked her to her car and had her promise to call him when she got home after her yoga class. As she drove away, he felt a strange sense of emptiness. Being with her made him happy. He’d never really hung with a woman beyond their moments of carnal pleasure; wanting to hang out with Raven was a new sensation for him. And the feelings he had for her were real and steady.
He walked back inside knowing the time would drag until they were together again. For the first time, a woman occupied his mind. He was addicted to her voice, her laugh, her scent, her sexiness, and he thought she was the most wonderful, perfect person he’d ever met. And the thing that blew his mind was that he loved feeling that way. She lit up his life like a fireball.
I’m definitely falling for her.
