Page 218 of Forbidden Heroes

I push through the crowd, my sights set on the opposite side of the floor. Sophia nothing but a bad memory behind me.

Most everyone had the cake, all but one of the birthday presents were opened—I haven’t given her mine yet. By now all the adults have a few drinks in them and the way they are grinding it out shows we might be a small hick town in the middle of Texas, but the majority of us know how to work a song.

I feel myself grow irrationally pissed at the sight I find when I close in and the crowd parts to reveal Harper. Her toes are all but being crushed by a boy three times her size trying to hold her too close, his hands doing an awkward slide to her ass despite the girl fending off the advancements.

He’s a damn big boy, too and I’m about to teach him what his momma should have years ago. And I won’t feel bad when I pummel my fist into his face. Normally, I’d let it pass, but the tight smile on Harper’s face says she’s uncomfortable and what kind of man would I be leaving a lady in distress?

I collar a hand around the boy’s thick neck. “Before you dance with a lady, you should learn how to first. And you should know a smile from a lady isn’t an open door to paw her like a piece of meat, dumbass.”

I tighten my hold when big eyes meet mine. Only I have years of experience on how to make mine look a whole lot meaner.

I rest a light touch on Harper’s back, and she immediately turns those baby blues on me. Relief filling her gaze. I let the boy go.

“Hey, asshole, she’s mine. Back the fuck off or else.”

Someone should step in and stop me because I’m about to land my fist in the little shit’s face. I move to do just that, but a light touch to my balled fist stops me.

“Boone, please.”

“You’re lucky, boy.”

Instead, I tip my hat back and pull Harper into my arms. “Unless you’re man enough to back up that kind of language, I suggest you fuck off little boy. You've hogged the birthday girl from her uncle long enough and unless you put a ring on her finger this woman doesn’t belong to you. Now go fuck a cactus.”

Harper’s back stiffens at the punishing tone I use on her friend. He turns and leaves us alone on the floor. It’s wrong of me to think of her as mine, but until someone worthy of her love comes along, she’s mine to protect, and I take my responsibility seriously.

Her pretty face turns sour with a frown and worry lines pull at the smooth skin of her forehead.

Shit.

Her head is tilted back and my cock thinks it’s a good time to harden at such a pretty pout.

“Was that necessary, Boone?”

I let out a breath. “It was if you're me.” I’ve been told I’m a little too direct. I mean, who the hell has time to beat around the bush with pansy-ass ego strokes and niceties?

“Sometimes, Boone, I think you need a lesson in manners.”

“That’s what Momma was always sayin’, sweetheart, but for now how about that birthday dance?” I ask to see what she says, hoping she doesn’t stomp on my boot and walk off.

But I know Harper and she likes the truth as much as I do.

I hold her at arm's length for just a minute. Jesus H. Christ. I take an eye full unapologetically and I’m once again floored by just how beautiful she is. intoxicating and forbidden fruit. Damn near jailbait. My cock throbs, and I smell the hint of her perfume. Something slightly sweet with a hint of her favorite flower—jasmine.

I hold out my hand and she glides her smaller hand into mine. One song drifts into another and I wind my arm around her, resting my other in the slight dip of her back. So damn soft and delicate, though I know she’s as strong as any man walking the Earth. Maybe not muscle wise but her unwavering willpower is a thing to marvel over.

She tilts her head back. “You know I’ve never called you uncle.”

I feel myself smile a little. “Yeah, but that doesn't change the fact that the boy's hands were getting too close to your ass.”

I look down at her, and for a split second my walls slip. Those pretty lips are parted and her eyes have so much love in them I'm about to do the one thing that would ruin us both—kiss her.

I tear my gaze away, focus on anything but the woman in my arms and force my dick to chill.

We get a couple of twirls and dips in before I bring us to a stop on the edge of the floor.

“Come on. Got somethin’ to show you.”

Before the song finishes its last guitar strum, I lead us off the dance floor and through the vast back yard to a barn off the side of the house a good ways off. We weave through the party-goers and stop only briefly for a few birthday hugs here and there. Austin and Hunter step in stride alongside us, but her hand is still in mine. I can’t bring myself to care if they see.

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