Page 1 of Protecting What's Mine

Jacob

Ialready wiped down the bar three times and took stock of the liquor bottles twice. There is literally nothing else to be done - just stay behind the bar to wait for the last lingering couple to call it a night. They have until the dishwasher finishes its cycle before I toss them out. The one arrival for the accommodation upstairs is three hours late, and there was no point staying open for what is bound to be a no-show.

As I call “last drinks” into the practically empty bar, Ethan’s head pops up from the kitchen window, his tanned skin glowing red from the dishwasher steam. “Giving up, bro?”

I grunt. “If this Alex guy turns up now, he can fuck right off. I don’t want assholes staying here anyway.”

“Stop being a jerk, Jay. We need the business, which means we don’t want a bad review online. Maybe something happened to him - like a car crash? Got lost? Hit a deer?”

“That shit only happens in the movies. These days it’s more likely that he forgot to cancel and isn’t coming at all. Still going to charge his credit card though. Prick.”

Ethan’s face scrunches as he turns away to finish up in the kitchen. I love him fiercely, but in many ways we are complete opposites. He’s the cheeky optimist of the family, but being the youngest means he’s also the most sheltered from life’s realities. He cruises through life relying on his charm, good looks and toned physique courtesy of his intense training schedule to make the Olympics track team. Our mom and I make sure he has no other concerns that would detract from his dream.

Nice to be some, I guess.

The couple rise from their booth and walk out of the bar, hand in hand and gazing adoringly at each other. Watching him open the door for his girl and seeing her beaming smile in return makes my stomach twist unexpectedly. It has been a long time since someone looked at me that way - actually, have they ever? I was far from popular at school, too quiet and serious for anyone to really notice. By the time I found some confidence (and the gym) I was spending all my free time helping to care for my dad after his first heart attack so dating was out of the question. Then after he passed I found out he’d left me the almost-broke bar, and the pressure of keeping his legacy afloat became my full-time obsession. Now Billy B’s is breaking even but I still spend every night working till close. It’s not like there’s anything - or anyone - waiting for me at home.

I lock the front door and go back to the till to count the cash so I can call it a night. As I finish there is a wild banging on the front door. My head whips around, ready to pounce on the drunk teen or rebellious bikie who is harassing me, but instead I see the most beautiful pair of eyes staring back at me. Blue like crystal-clear water, wide and doll-like, with dark lashes sweeping out to the sides. As I stare I take in the lightly freckled nose and pillowy-soft lips framed by chocolate-brown waves that I desperately want to run my fingers through.

Something clicks inside my heart - like a final puzzle piece finding its home, or a key turning in its lock.

Wait, what the fuck am I thinking? Clearly I need sleep, or find a girl in the next town for a one-night stand. Get this romantic shit out of my system.

I’m jolted out of my thoughts by more banging at the door, and Ethan runs out from the kitchen. With a raised eyebrow thrown my way he unlocks the door and lets this vixen into Billy B’s. Her white linen shirt and frayed denim jeans do nothing to distract me from the voluptuous curves of her hips or the gentle swell of her breasts peeking above the neckline. Soft olive skin begs me to touch her, but somehow I’m frozen in place. I’m literally immobilized by her beauty.

Despite her frenetic energy she smiles, a dazzling sight that calls my dick to attention. “I’m so sorry I’m late, there was a crash on the freeway and then I took the wrong exit so I’ve been stuck in the car for hours… I’ve never been to Georgia so I don’t know if I’m even in the right place… is this the hotel?” Damn, her voice sends electric pulses over my skin. Sweet and husky, and heightened by anxiety. Wonder if that’s what she would sound like when she is moaning my name while I’m between her thighs… or she’s bent over the pool table and I’m taking her from behind…

“It sure is,” Ethan responds with a smile I’m not entirely comfortable with. “We weren’t going to leave until you arrived, were we Jacob?”

My vocal cords apparently have ceased functioning, so I just grunt in response. The brightness of her smile dims slightly, which affects me more than it should. I already care too much about what she thinks of me and she’s been in my life for about thirty seconds.

“Well, thanks to you both - I have no idea what I would have done otherwise. I don’t know anyone here, and my car has everything I own so there’s no room to sleep in there.”

Ethan’s face lights up. Bastard. “You’re moving to Emerald Springs?”

“Yeah, I’ll be a teacher at the local school from next week.”

“Great! I guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, won’t we Jacob?”

They both turn expectantly at me, and my mouth goes dry. “If you like to drink, then sure. Since this is the only bar in town.” Yep, this is why I’ve been single for seven years. I’m a grump with no game.

Ethan rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, not everyone in town shares Jacob’s glass-half-empty attitude. Some of us are much more fun to spend time with”. Did he just wink at her?

I think I’ve had enough of this show for one night. Or maybe I’ve just had enough of Ethan being here. I pick up her overnight bag and sling it over my shoulder, and her jaw drops slightly as my biceps strain my shirt sleeve. Suddenly those early morning gym sessions seem worth it. “I’ll show you to your room. Make sure to lock the door behind you, Ethan.”

“Hint taken, bro - see you tomorrow. Pleasure to meet you Alex.” He takes her hand and kisses it with another wink and a smile, before heading back towards the kitchen to grab his stuff and leave via the back door.

Now it’s just us. Alex glances around awkwardly, picking at her fingernails and shifting her weight between her feet. Do I make her uncomfortable? Of course I do; I’ve been a colossal dick since she’s arrived, but it’s been a while since I’ve had to interact with a woman who isn’t related or taken. Single women in a small town don’t stay single for long, but it’s never been an issue since nobody took my fancy. Until now.

I have some work to do to turn my shitty first impression around. “So, do you have any other bags to bring inside?”

“No, just the one for now.” Alex bites her lip and darts her eyes to the front door. ”Unless you think my stuff won’t be safe in my car?”

“You could leave that car unlocked for a week and everything would still be there. Don’t get a lot of crime around here.”

I watch her face relax as she sighs with relief, and try not to notice the rise and fall of her ample chest. She seems skittish, but I suppose a long drive to a strange location would do that. How can I help her feel safe?

I gently drop her bag onto a nearby table and walk behind the bar to grab a bag of pretzels and two bottles of water from the fridge. When I come back and hold them out to her, she blinks in confusion. “What’s this for?”

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