“Man, you’ve got it bad,” Nix whispered in my ear.
I opened my mouth to deny it, but the denial wouldn’t form. I was definitely intrigued by her, and not just her looks. It was a recipe for disaster, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Not yet.
After two drinks, I was ready to crash, to wash the day off and fall into the semi-comfortable bed at the B&B and sleep for the next ten hours. “I think I’m going to head out.” I finished my drink and stood. “Drinks on me.”
A round ofthankswent around the table, which was already so unlike my last city, where it was always expected that someone else would pick up the tab. So far, Holiday Grove was an unexpected delight.
I made my way to the bar to pay the tab, scanning the area for one last look at Sela. She was deep in conversation with a man, and it didn’t look like a happy conversation. She was shrinking in on herself and searching for rescue, but the bar was packed, and the other waitress was halfway across the room.
Don’t do it.
He grabbed her arm, and she cried out in pain. “Just hear me out!”
“Let me go,” she shouted, her eyes welling with tears.
My feet moved before I could second-guess myself. “Sela, you all right?” It was a dumb question, but it distracted them both just long enough for her to put some distance between her and the man.
“I’m fine,” she said in a strained voice. “Adam was just leaving.”
“Not without a conversation. You owe me that much.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “I don’toweyou anything. You left, Adam. Remember? I’ve moved on.”
The jerk stepped forward, and I slid easily between them. “Pretty sure she said you were leaving.”
“And I’m pretty sure this is none of your fucking business,” he growled and put his hand on my shoulder.
I grabbed his wrist and twisted until I had his arm behind his back, which was easy enough since I had about five inches on him. “Now I’m making it my business.” I pushed him against the bar, drawing a shocked expression from the bartender. “You have a tab to pay?”
“Five beers,” the bartender answered.
“Pay the fucking tab. Now.” I twisted his arm until he cried out.
“Okay, man, jeez. She’s not even worth all this.”
“Good. Then this is the last you’ll see of her, or I will make it my mission to ruin you. Got me?”
He pulled a few bills from his wallet and angrily tossed them on the bar. “Whatever.”
I twisted his arm again. “That’s not an answer. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, I got it. Don’t worry, man. I am out of here.” He glared at Sela. “Never to return.”
I dragged him to the door and tossed him out. “Good. Remember that.”
He fell to his knees before he got up and took off at a full run.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Sela’s voice was soft at my side. “But thank you.”
I turned to face her and felt my breath catch in my throat. “Anytime, Sela.”
She let out a sharp laugh. “Let’s hope I don’t need you to do that more than once.” She grabbed my bicep and squeezed. “Have a good night.”
I wanted to say more. Hell, what I really wanted was to grab her arm and yank those curves against my body before devouring her mouth until she moaned and begged for more than a kiss. But I didn’t. I smiled, squeezed her shoulder, and walked out into the cool night air.
Distance. That’s what I needed. Distance from Sela.
