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I nod as she passes some keys to a grinning Leah, which makes Sophie shake her head subtly and scowl at her.
"It was, uh, nice to meet you both, Leah. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."
Leah nods before leaning over the counter to kiss Sophie's cheek, and again, I swallow a growl, making Leah and Gunner raise a brow at me, causing me to clear my throat.
I look at the beauty as she clears her throat before waving her hand at me and shaking her head, making me smirk.
At least I know I'm not the only one who's affected.
Just as she goes to walk, I grab her hand again, making her turn to look at me in shock.
"Tomorrow then?"
My voice is husky. I need her like I need air.
Is this how Axel and Dagger felt? Is this how Gunner feels every time he sees Leah?
She swallows hard with my intensity, but I can see the want and the curiosity in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I'm sort of seeing someone."
My whole world crashes down like lead in the pit of my stomach.
I feel like I've been drenched in water.
She waves to Gunner and Leah before looking at me one more time, the want and longing shining through those gorgeous green eyes of hers. She wants me; this other fucker won't last another month, and if he touches her, then he's a fucking dead man walking.
She turns to leave, and I have to fist my hands down my sides to keep from dragging her back to me and throwing her over my damn shoulder like a caveman. As soon as she leaves the door, Leah clears her throat again, making me look at her while Gunner leans one elbow on the counter. They both raise a brow at me, and I shake my head in shock.
"She's mine."
It's all I say; it's all I can say as my eyes turn back to the door where she left.
I feel a light touch on my arm, and I see Leah leaning over the bar while Gunner growls, making her look at him funny, and I snort.
I shake my head. We men are fucking cavemen when it comes to the women we want.
"She's gone through some heartbreak; it'll take a lot for you to convince her she's yours."
I furrow my brows and give her my full attention.
"What do you mean? Who hurt her?"
I can't keep the anger out of my voice, and she smiles gently.
"Her daddy."
I sucked in a breath.
I really cannot kill her own father now, can I? Fuck, I know I can't.
My body starts to shake with a fierce need to protect her while Leah just shakes her head, squeezing my arm and making Gunner growl again, his eyes not leaving where her hand is on my arm.
"It's not like that Ink. Her daddy died three years ago of lung cancer; he was her entire world. She gave up a state school for a community college just so she could spend his dying days with him. Momma Anderson struggles with the loss every day; she's a shell of the woman she used to be, still an amazing mother who is just lost, and it's hardened her heart to love. This man she's with, the banker, he's an amazing guy; he used to be an ass in high school, but he's changed, and it's not serious between them, but also, it's not like you think. Despite that, you will still have your work cut out for you."
I take a deep breath and nod my head in understanding as I lean over and kiss her cheek before a glass smashes on the bar counter, making Leah scowl at Gunner. I just shake my head at him and give him a pointed look to say, 'Get your shit together.' He frowns but nods his head in understanding before Cararushes over and grabs his hand where he has some blood dripping from the smashed glass, "Gunner baby, let's get that cleaned up."
He gives her a smile and lets her pull him from the bar, and I slowly close my eyes at his stupidity before I hear a small sniffle from my right. I quickly look at Leah to see her wiping away a tear. "It's his loss, darling." She nods before clearing her throat, gives me a pointed look, and says, "Don't hurt my friend any more than she's already been hurt. She works at Barnes Vets in town as a qualified vet, and she loves animals. That's all I'm giving you; the rest is up to you."
