Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Devon gaped at him, looking like Tanner had just socked him in the stomach.
“You’re right.”
Okay, now it was Tanner’s turn to be surprised. He wasn’t expecting Devon to admit that he’d been in the wrong.
“And I feel fucking awful about it. I need another bouncer on during busy nights like last night. But did you seriously have to wreck half my bar?”
“Looks okay to me.” Tanner glanced around. Sure, there were a few missing chairs and tables, but thankfully, it wasn’t as busy tonight.
“Going to cost me money to buy new stuff. Not to mention having to deal with Jake last night.”
“Yeah, he’s a real buzzkill. Can you get me a beer?” he asked.
“Tanner!”
“What?”
“Fuck. I don’t know whether to thank you or strangle you,” Devon said.
“Strangely, I get that reaction a lot.”
“Nothing strange about it,” Devon muttered, pouring him a beer.
Thank God for that. Maybe he’d go away now.
“I don’t want any trouble tonight,” Devon warned.
“There’s not going to be any trouble.”
Devon shot him a skeptical look.
“As long as no one touches her, upsets her, or tries to claim what is mine.” That last part had been aimed at Devon, and he wasn’t even going to pretend that it wasn’t.
“She’s a beautiful girl. Hard-working. Kind. Loyal. But what she needs is someone to take care of her. To ensure she gets what she needs even when she protests. To do what’s best for her. You think you can do that?”
“I know I can.”
“You better.”
“Hey, everything all right?”
Tanner turned to see Lilac standing there, watching them both worriedly. “I’m really sorry about last night, Devon. If you need to take any of the repairs out of my pay, you can.”
“He won’t be doing that, will you, Devon,” Tanner warned.
“Of course I won’t be,” Devon replied. “If I’m going to charge anyone for the damage, it will be him.” He pointed at Tanner.
“But that’s not fair. He was just coming to my aid. It was that other guy who was the asshole. He should pay.”
Was she . . . sticking up for him?
Damn. He was getting hard. Not exactly the time or place.
Devon sighed, nodding. “You’re right. Those assholes aren’t welcome back here. No one is in trouble or has to pay for the damages. Okay?”
Lilac gave Devon a relieved smile. Tanner hated that she’d been worrying about this.
“Baby, you need a break.” He brushed some of her red hair behind her ear.
“I just got here. I can’t take a break.” She gave him an exasperated look and turned away.
Reaching out, he lifted her onto his lap. “I don’t care how long you’ve been at work, if you need a rest, you take it. Understand me?”
He kissed the side of her neck, feeling a tremble run through her before he placed her on the floor again.
Devon gave him a nod of approval. Not that he needed it. But he was glad they were both on the same page when it came to her health.
The other man walked away.
“You got me all hot and bothered standing up for me like that.”
“What? You’re kidding.”
“Nope. I’m not. Now I’m going to have to sit here with a hard-on for the rest of the night. Do you feel sorry for me?”
“No.” She slapped his chest. “You’re terrible.”
But he noticed a smile on her face as she turned away to go back to work.
He resumed watching her and glowering at anyone who dared to even look at her for longer than a few seconds.
Nothing was happening to her on his watch.
Devon walked out, carrying a bowl of fries and chicken bites, which he placed on the bar beside him. He frowned. Who were those for? No one had been sitting there all night.
“Lilac!” he called out. She glanced over and he pointed to the food. “Break.”
Tanner’s eyebrows rose.
“I’m fine,” she replied.
“Sit. Eat.” Devon shot him a look, then disappeared down the other end of the bar.
Lilac turned away as though she was going to walk off. But Tanner grabbed her, lifting her onto the stool.
“Hey! I’m working. You can’t come sit here if you’re just going to manhandle me.”
“Manhandle you? Hmm, I do like the sound of that.” He leaned in close to her. “Eat your dinner, baby.”
“I already had dinner.”
“Um, if you’re talking about that pizza, then no, you didn’t. But if you don’t want to eat this, I’d be happy to get you something else.”
“W-what?” She turned to stare at him in shock.
“If you don’t want to eat this, I’ll go get you whatever you want,” he repeated. “What would you rather have? A burger? Some fruit? Salad? I don’t actually know your favorite food.” He frowned. That wasn’t really good enough, was it? He had to do better.
“I . . . I don’t need anything else.”
“Then you want this?”
She stared at the food as if she’d never seen anything like it before. “I . . . I . . .”