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The hotel was a flurry of activity when we arrived, which grated on my protective instincts. Then we walked into the ballroom, and my mouth curled down in a deep frown. The large space was opened on our end by several sets of double doors, and the wall opposite of us was made of floor-to-ceiling windows, broken up by three sets of doors—all of which were propped open to let in the night breeze—which provided access to the garden area. The exit situation annoyed me, but all the strangers mingling around the high-top tables set my teeth on edge.
I slipped my arm around Phoebe’s waist and tucked her into my side. Several people called out hellos to her as we walked into the throng of guests. She tried to step away the first time, but I tightened my arm, making it clear she wasn’t going anywhere without me. After that, she just waved and said hi in return.
Phoebe had explained that this was a networking event, so I knew I’d have to suck it up and share her attention while we were there. That didn’t mean I had to be happy about the situation.
A buffet table of hors d’oeuvres sat in the middle of the room, and since she’d mentioned having missed dinner, I moved us in that direction. I was starving, but the protective instincts in me wouldn’t let me take my focus off her safety.
When we reached the table, she handed me a plate but smiled gratefully and shook my head. She frowned and went to set both plates down, but I grabbed her wrist to stop her. “Eat something, baby,” I insisted. “I know you’re hungry.”
“And you’re not?” Phoebe remarked. “Didn’t you say you came straight to see me?”
I nodded.
“I’m going to assume that means you didn’t stop to eat.”
“I’ll grab something later. Go ahead,” I urged, finally releasing her so I could nudge her along in line.
When she hesitated again, I took her plate and began to fill it until I’d piled it high with food.
Phoebe laughed. “I’ll never be able to eat all that.”
I shrugged and put my hand on her back again, steering us toward an empty high-top table. When we reached it, I drew her around to stand with our backs to the wall. That way, I had a view of the exits, the entire room, and everyone in it.
A few people Phoebe introduced to me as local vendors stopped by to chat about upcoming events. When they moved on to speak with someone else, my eyes narrowed on a preppy-looking guy who was probably a few years younger than me. He smiled warmly at my girl as he approached the table. His eyes practically devoured her, and I had to stamp down the warning growl threatening to rumble in my chest. I needed to wait to see if the little shit did something stupid. I wouldn’t make a scene, but if he hit on my girl, he’d regret it.
“I’m glad to see you here, Phoebe,” the kid said with a wide smile as he moved around the table and held out his hand. Before Phoebe could shake it, I grasped his palm, swallowing it up in my much bigger one.
His eyes widened as he glanced at my hand holding his in a firm grip. I was making a point, so I wasn’t squeezing hard enough to cause pain…yet. “Hello,” he greeted me, his voice pitched just a little higher than it had been when he’d first walked up. “I’m Blaine Asbury. My family owns the hotel,” he added with the obnoxious arrogance of a spoiled, trust fund kid.
I nearly snorted at the name. It was pretentious and fit him perfectly.
“Silas,” I muttered gruffly, tightening my fingers just a bit. Phoebe let out a little gasp, but I slipped my other arm around her waist and gave it a squeeze, letting her know I wanted her to keep quiet. When she didn’t say anything, I gave her another squeeze to show her my appreciation.
“Oh, I didn't realize you were seeing anyone,” he said, his gaze bouncing between me and Phoebe. He was trying to extricate his hand from mine, but I was irritated that he was speaking directly to Phoebe, essentially trying to freeze me out of the conversation. It was so ludicrous, I almost laughed. Did he really think he had a shot with someone as incredible as my Phoebe?
“Well, now you know,” I grunted.
“Is it serious?” he mumbled, his eyes darting in my direction for a split-second. This time I didn't suppress the growl.
“Of course it’s fucking serious, Blaine,” I snarled, putting an emphasis on his name with a disgusted tone. “Now run along and hit on someone else’s girlfriend before I decide to kick your ass and save everyone the trouble.” At this point, I put enough pressure on his hand to elicit a little girlie yelp from him. Then I finally released it, and without another word or glance at my girl, he scurried away with his tail between his legs.
“Oh my gosh,” Phoebe groaned. I glanced down to see her face buried in her palms. Before I could say anything, she looked up at me, her pretty cheeks flushed with color, and snapped, “What was that?”
“A friendly warning,” I muttered.
“Are you going to scare off everyone who comes to talk to me? If so, it would have been better if I’d just stayed home.”
I didn’t feel bad for scaring away that little shit, but I would regret doing anything that would negatively impact her job.
“I’m sorry,” I told her with genuine remorse. “I’ll do better.” I almost ended it there, but I figured she deserved total honesty. “But if I see another man undressing you with his eyes like that little shit, I can’t promise I won't make it clear that if they don't keep their eyes to themselves, they’ll likely be swollen shut tomorrow.”
5
PHOEBE
Iprobably should have been appalled at what Silas just said, but I found myself impressed…and oddly turned on. Blaine Asbury was a colossal jerk, and I dreaded bumping into him, which happened often since the company I worked for managed several hotels owned by his family.
I always tried to avoid him when we were at the same events, but that wasn’t easy when he seemed to seek me out each and every time. Not even having a big, intimidating Navy SEAL at my side had stopped him from coming over to flirt with me.
