Before I can say anything, Dirk’s gaze drops down to the two glasses of wine in front of me, then back up at my face. “Are you waiting for someone?” The way he says it, like he can’t quite believe I’d be here with someone else, grates on my nerves.
“Pretty sure she asked you to leave.”
The deep rumble from behind makes me gasp. Crap, I’d forgotten he was there, obviously witnessing this humiliating mess. A heavy arm is draped over my shoulder and from the corner of my eye I can see the tattoos that cover his hand. But instead of freaking out that the man I saw almost punch a wall is currently touching me, I feel strangely relieved. He’s a solid presence at my side, and while I want to say I can handle Dirk myself, the backup is nice to have.
“Who the fuck are you?” Dirk starts to puff up in defense, and then I watch him freeze, his eyes growing wide and his dumb mouth falling open. “Holy shit, wait, you’re Maverick —”
He’s cut off by tattoo man pivoting to step in front of me, gathering my coat and purse and taking my elbow. “Let’s go somewhere else, Specs.” His arm is around my waist and he’s guiding me out of the bar before I can register what’s even happening.
Once we’re out on the sidewalk, his arm drops and I whirl around to face him, jabbing my finger into a very solid chest.
“What the hell was that?”
Chapter three
Maverick
“You’re welcome,” I shoot back at the redhead currently glaring at me. She’s so short, it’s almost comical how she’s blustering. As if I didn’t just save her from that jackass inside the bar.
“I didn’t… I don’t… I…” She steps backward, shaking her head at me.
Then, in an instant, the fire seems to abandon her, and her entire body starts to cave in, her arms wrapping around her midsection.
“Hey, hey, you’re fine. I wouldn’t have let him do anything.” I’m closing the distance between us, my hands coming to the tops of her arms to support her.
Her choked laugh sounds way too self-deprecating. “Trust me, I can take care of myself when it comes to dirtbag Dirk.”
“What?” I ask, amused at the nickname and relieved some of her spunk seems to be coming back.
She rolls her eyes behind big gold-rimmed glasses. “The guy inside. My ex-boyfriend. He’s annoying. Also, pathetic and apparently delusional if he thinks cornering meat the bar is the way to win me back. Not that hecouldwin me back.” The last sentence is mumbled half under her breath.
Her arms are still wrapped around her middle, and I drop my hands from her shoulders, ignoring the twinge in my collarbone.
“Well, thanks for your help,” she starts hesitantly, then stops, tugging her lip in between her teeth.
Don’t ask me to explain why, but I want to reach up and free it. Instead, I stuff my hands in my pockets.
“It’s fine. Are you gonna be okay?” I say gruffly, more than ready to leave and go home, to get away from this woman who’s getting to me in a way not many ever do.
She looks up at me and catches my wince as I try to subtly rotate my shoulder that’s still throbbing from me moving it in ways I shouldn’t.
“I’ll be fine, but areyouokay?”
I shrug. She still doesn’t seem to know me, which means she doesn’t know how fucking broken I am. “Yeah, just some old injuries acting up.” If four weeks is old…and if acting up means my ribs are on fire, and my fucking collarbone feels like a hot poker is being stuck into it.
“Okay. Well, thanks again. I really am sorry you had to get involved in there.” She starts to move like she’s going to walk away, then stops and looks back at me. “And, earlier today…at the hospital. I didn’t mean to overhear anything, I hope you know that. And I hope whatever’s wrong gets better soon.”
It takes me by surprise that she brings up what she saw in the stairwell, and I’m at a loss. What the fuck am I meant to say? Instead, I give her a brusque nod. She’s looking at me, like she’swaiting for me to say something.Too bad, babe, you’ll be waiting a long-ass time. After another few seconds of silence, she gives me a small smile, then turns and walks away.
My eyes don’t leave her luscious ass until she turns the corner. As soon as she’s out of sight, it’s as if a haze is lifted and I can think clearly again. Which leaves me fucking baffled. Sure, I’m not one to shy away from defending a woman — any woman — if I see them being harassed. That’s one thing I won’t stand for, in any situation. Most of the fucking gossip about me being in fights is because of that kind of shit. But something about my redheaded Specs had me on edge more than normal, and that was before the fucker sat down across from her. The second he opened his fucking mouth, I was ready to go.
I start walking in the opposite direction she went, toward my apartment. It’s not a far walk, and I’m hoping it clears my head the rest of the way. Although, if the doctor doesn’t clear me to drive when I see him next, I might lose my shit.
The only good thing about this fucked-up day is that she didn’t recognize me, even if her asshole ex seemed to. Last thing I need is some goody-two-shoes hero-worshipping me or getting me tangled up in her drama.
No, that’s the last I’ll see of her.
As soon as I let myself into my apartment, I flick on some lights and drop my shit on the counter. Going to the fridge, I grab a sparkling water and pop the top of the can before settling down on my couch, and closing my eyes.
