Page 40 of Loved By You

Heat races through my body, my chest rising and falling in quick succession.Holy shit, breathe, Ria, breathe.

His eyes are full of so much want and longing. He tilts his face down and I rise on my toes to try and meet his lips, desperate to feel them against mine. Just as I think he’s about to kiss me, the moment is interrupted by a loud crash from the front room, and Lexi wails, “Mommy, something fell down.”

I fall into his chest and we both let out a sigh. He leans his chin on top of my head and wraps his arms around me.

I clear my throat and pull away from his embrace. “Duty calls.”

Jack stayed for the rest of the day. We walked to the park with the girls and got ice cream, played Barbies, and Lexi put on a show with her microphone. When Elle went down for herafternoon nap, we watchedTangledand when Lexi fell asleep on Jack's lap, we took a much needed nap next to her.

When I wake, I find Lexi still curled up, cuddling Jack next to me. I smile, seeing her little hand in his hand as she lays against his chest, his hand protectively placed on her back. But I can't help the pain in my chest when I realize I don't think I ever saw Alex cuddle Lexi like this, or sit down and play with her like Jack did earlier.

Jack is proving to me, day by day, that good men do exist, and I think I'd be a fool to not act on whatever this is between us.

If we explore whatever this thing is, I need to take it slow. I can't risk getting my heart broken again, but most importantly, I have to protect my girls.

Thankfully, Alex's parents picked the girls up this afternoon for me, since I didn't have my car. The stars aligned because Jack had gone out to pick up takeout when they turned up. I know I’m not doing anything wrong, and I know Anne and Steve wouldn't judge me, but I don't even know what we are, so until I have a clear idea, I need to keep that separate.

I get myself ready for work while I have the chance, washing and styling my hair in loose waves, before I apply my makeup and a ton of setting spray, because I sweat my ass off working in that club.

I slip on my uniform and pair it with some black heeled pumps, which thankfully are comfy. I grab my purse and throw in my gloss and powder to touch up later and spray my go-to vanilla-scented perfume and head downstairs to find Jack in the kitchen, leaning against the breakfast bar on a call and, holy shit, does he look good.

He’s changed into the spare clothes he keeps in his car and knowing he was naked in my shower was the biggest test of my restraint to date. He turns round and his dark navy suit pantsshowcase his perfectly perked ass, making me want to walk over there and squeeze it.

Calm down, Ria, you horny bitch.

Jack clears his throat and I know I've been caught. The smirk on his face is entirely satisfied and smug. My face blazes with heat as I smooth my hands down my dress, trying desperately to ignore the fact that he saw me ogling him... again. "Ready to go?" I ask, praying my cheeks cool down soon.

“Absolutely,” he says with that smile. The smile that makes me go weak at the knees. Honestly, I have never been so turned on by someone without them touching me, or even speaking. Jack Lawson only has to glance in my direction and I am a puddle who would do absolutely anything he wanted, and that both excites and terrifies me in equal measure.

Chapter Sixteen

Jack

Friday was just as busy as Thursday. Thankfully, when Saturday night rolled around, we were back to being fully staffed. I have now banned all staff from eating seafood for the foreseeable future. I didn’t‘need’to work Saturday night behind the bar, but if it allows me to be around Ria, fuck it, I was doing it.

I watched her work the bar with such ease and confidence. It's like this whole other side of her comes out at work. She's not a mom or someone going through a shitty breakup, she's just Ria. There are so many versions of her and with every version she allows me to see, she has me more enamored with her. The staff love her and so do the patrons, some a little too much. The past hour I've watched the same guy only go to Ria at the bar or call her over to his table, causing my jaw to clench every time I look at the prick.

I watch him wave his empty glass at her as she strolls around the VIP area, collecting glasses. I can't tear myself away from their exchange. He gestures for her to come closer, and she bends slightly so he can whisper in her ear. I don't like the look on her face, unease etched all over it. She shakes her head and smiles politely but the dick obviously doesn't listen as he snakes an arm around her waist and pulls her into his lap.

Rage courses through me at the sight of his hands on her. I’m striding over there, fists clenched, before I give myself time to think.

“Jack, I'm fine. He was just—” She tries to wriggle from his hold and I don't wait for her to finish her sentence. I pull Ria up gently, trying to keep my cool and tuck her behind my back to protect her from this sleaze.

“Out,” I growl.

“What? Ah, man, it's all good. I was just talking to the pretty girl. No harm,” he slurs, hands up in defeat.

“I don't care. You touch my staff, you’re out,” I shout. “Now leave, before I have security throw you out.” My pulse hammers loudly in my ears, my jaw clenched so tight I'm surprised I haven't cracked a tooth.

The drunk staggers from his seat, taking his jacket and heading for the exit. I don’t give a shit that he's a member. He touches Ria, he’s gone.

I close my eyes and mentally count to five, trying to calm my ragged breathing before I turn. Forgetting where I am, I place my hands on either side of her face. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Did he hurt you?”

She places her hands over mine, squeezing them, reassuring me for a change. "Jack, it's fine. I'm alright." I check her over still, panic gripping my throat at how differently that could've gone.

"Listen, I don't need you to go all caveman on me every time a guy flirts with me. I'm a big girl, I can handle it. And besides, we're at work. You can't throw me over your shoulder and carry me out of here."

Yes, I can, is my first thought. My second is that she's right. God, I know she's capable. I just saw red. I drop my hands from her face and let out a long sigh.

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