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Damn it. Why had my body betrayed me?
“We’re closing,” I told him, more in passing.
“Then I’ll wait until you lock up to walk you to your car.”
I threw him a look over my shoulder, grabbing the bat from underneath the bar. “I take my Louisville Slugger with me wherever I go. While I’ve had a few assholes try and take advantage of me, they limped away quickly after I bashed in their kneecaps.” No, I hadn’t done that before, but he didn’t need to know that. Maybe I was pushing a little too hard, but at least he was fun to toy with. I was in that kind of mood.
He chuckled and pulled out two hundred-dollar bills. “There are a few things you should learn about me. First, I don’t scare easily, and I eat assholes who threaten me like candy. Second, I refuse to allow a beautiful woman to be taken advantage of.”
“Even by you?”
Mr. City Slicker seemed to be caught off guard by my question. “That remains to be seen.”
Exhaling, I could tell I wasn’t going to get rid of him. Fine. I looked at the cash, shoving one of the hundred-dollar bills back at him then ringing up his tab. When I handed him the change, he snorted and shook his head.
“Tips aren’t allowed?”
“Decent tips are always welcome but I’m also not the kind of woman to be bought. You got it, slick?”
“Understood, Big Red.”
Grousing wasn’t going to do me any good. I was exhausted and with Britta enjoying a sleepover, maybe I could get a little rest tonight. I moved from behind the bar, grabbing one of the chairs from the dozen tables in the joint, placing it on top. When I moved to the second one, I heard the legs of his barstool scrape against the floor.
When I heard another noise, I lifted my head. He was following my lead, grabbing chairs and placing them on the tables.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped.
“Helping. What does it look like?”
“I don’t need your help.” I slammed the next chair on the table, hissing when he refused to stop. After another two, I’d had enough, storming toward him and yanking the chair from his hand. And as luck would have it, I smashed him in the face, the force I used enough to knock him over the table to the floor, two more chairs toppling down over him.
Oh. My. God.
Exhaling, I slowly lowered the chair, standing over him. “Come on, city slicker. Let’s get you up.”
He moaned, opening his eyes then wincing.
“You’re faking it. Come on. Get up. You’re a tough boy.”
“Jesus.” His voice sounded terrible, as if he was almost unconscious.
When he didn’t move, his breathing labored, I was forced to drop to my knees, terrified that I’d done some damage. This day couldn’t get any worse.
Not unless he calls the sheriff.
Great. Now my inner voice was reminding me I was a stupid girl. “Hey, dude. Are you okay? I’m sorry that chair hit you.” I wasn’t entirely certain I was that sorry, except if he had a concussion and was forced to spend the night in a hospital. What if I had to foot the hospital bill? Oh, Jesus. I needed to get my anger under control.
I would if life would stop continually throwing me a curveball or five.
“Oh…” he moaned, his head listing to the side. I didn’t see any blood anywhere, but that didn’t mean anything.
Groaning, I placed my hand on his forehead, brushing my fingers to his cheek. He wasn’t clammy, thank God. When I took a deep breath, trying to control my nerves, I gathered another amazing whiff of his aftershave. How could any man smell so damn good? Woodsy with just a dash of tangerine mixed with a few exotic spices. Oh, lord. Who cared?
“Come on, city slicker. Let’s get you up.” Before I had a chance to try to help the man to his feet, he grabbed my wrist, rolling me over with ease, pressing the full weight of his massive, carved body on mine. “What the fuck are you doing?” Immediately, I struggled in his hold, fighting him with everything I had.
“Tsk. Tsk. Not only do you have a mouth on you, but you have no method of controlling your anger I see.”
“You pissed me off.”
