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Frank spun on his heels, his body swaying. “I’m sorry. Never again. I promise.”
“Go on, Frank,” Scorpion chided.
Frank stumbled away and I heard at least four people clapping. A wave of heat rushed to my face. No man had ever taken up for me, let alone been prepared to start a fight.
Scorpion clapped Maverick on the back. “Lily is a tough girl, buddy. I think she can handle herself.”
“Yeah? Well, she shouldn’t need to.”
Scorpion threw me a grin. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.”
“We’re not lovebirds!” I called after him before giving Maverick an evil eye. “You can’t go after every man who looks at me.”
“Yeah? I’ll do what I want, princess.”
The big lugging mass of a man was stubborn as all get-out. Huffing, I flopped down on the stool, pretending to ignore him.
He grabbed the drink that had been delivered while he was being the big he-man, sucking back a huge gulp.
Neither one of us said anything, but I could tell he was still seething. I realized I’d been holding my breath, trying to look cool when I felt like mush inside.
“I really can handle myself,” I said to him, unable to look in his direction.
“It ain’t you I’m worried about.”
“You didn’t sign off as my protector. And I didn’t ask you to become one.”
Exhaling, he swirled the glass, shaking his head slowly. “You’re right.”
“Then why don’t you just go?”
“Is that what you want?”
I wasn’t entirely certain what I wanted at this point. As I rolled my index finger around the rim of the wineglass, I sensed he was watching me intently. He deserved an honest answer. “No. I don’t want you to leave.”
“Good answer.”
“Can we just talk? You know, like friends?” Friends. Who was I kidding? He wasn’t the kind of man to have a single friend. He’d always be a brooding loner, a man who hated all social activities.
He slowly turned his head, the same sly smile I’d seen a half dozen times sliding across his chiseled face. “Fine. Then how’s this? How’s work?”
The man was infuriating, pushing every button. A part of me wanted to berate him, another wanted to wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him for hours. I was a complete, utter mess.
“I’m not really working. I mean I was for a couple hours. But good.”
“Glad to hear it.” His words were clipped, his usual grumpy self shining through.
“You told him to hire me.” The rebellious girl wanted to chastise him, but I couldn’t seem to find the right words. If he was going to act like a bear, then I could counter him.
Shrugging, he took another gulp. “I just said if he didn’t hire you that he’d be missing out on a true gem. Nothing more. The rest was up to you. Seems like you landed on your feet.”
While every syllable out of his mouth was gruff, I sensed he was being genuine. “Thank you, Maverick.”
“Yup.”
We remained quiet and I’d never felt so nervous around anyone before. “Are you tracking anyone?”
“Not right now. Do you plan on getting lost again?” He threw me another look, his eyes floating to the way the tight tee shirt fit around my breasts.
