Page 4 of And Then Came You

“No, you’redatingone. Well, you were. I fixed that for you.” He volleys his gaze between me and the activity in the conference room before turning on his heel.

“I never asked for your help.” I don’t know why those words exit my mouth, aside from my need to not appear like a total chicken shit in front of this man.

Whirling around, Sam crowds my space, backing me against the wall. “No, you would have let that piece of shit walk all over you for God knows how long and God knows what reason. So even though you didn’t ask for my help, it’s pretty damn apparent you needed it. What is it with women dating those kinds of men?”

My sigh echoes between us as my shoulders sag in defeat. “I wish I knew how I always wind up in these situations. All the men I meet turn out to be players, liars, or cheats. Those are the good ones. Some are far worse than that.” I wipe at a stray tear rolling down my cheek, mortified that on top of everything else, I’m now crying.

Guess I really am a chicken shit.

What an excellent start to the weekend.

“Hey.” Samuel’s tone softens as he tips up my chin. “No more tears. He’ll be gone. I’ll make sure of it.”

“You don’t know Carl.”

“He doesn’t know me. Give me your address, and I’ll send a few of my boys to your house.”

“What are you? The model mafia?”

Samuel chuckles, a smile lighting up his face. I see what the women mean. He is achingly attractive, even if the lip ring detracts from his full, pouty lips. “I like that. I may have to swipe that title.”

“No way. That one’s mine.”

“What’s your address, Lexi? Let me help you out of this crap situation.”

“Why would you do that? You don’t know me.”

“Despite my reputation, I’m a gentleman. I don’t tolerate women being mistreated.”

Wow. A gentleman. I forgot there were any left. I give him my address, although I seriously doubt the man will do anything with it. But there’s a glimmer of hope mixed in with the doubt. A hope that maybe Samuel Bernard and his band of hotties might rid me of the parasite named Carl. I’m willing to take that chance. “Thank you for everything. You’ve gone above and beyond. I’m sorry that I snapped at you.”

“It’s cool.” He extends his hand. “I’m Samuel Bernard, but you can call me Sam.”

“I know who you are. The entire world does.”

He gestures toward his outstretched hand. “Don’t leave me hanging.”

With a giggle, I shake his hand, noting the tattoos covering his digits and extending up his arm. “Lexi McMillan.”

“Do me a favor, Lexi. Don’t fall for any more assholes, huh?”

“Easy for you to say. We can’t all have your luck with the opposite sex.”

“Who says I’m lucky?”

I roll my eyes at his question. “Come on, you’re a world-famous model. You do not have a hard time getting women. In the short walk from my car to the hotel entrance, I heard at least five women discussing all the dirty things they’d like to do with you.”

His eyes scan the room, that smirk coming back into play. “You’ll have to point them out to me.”

I swing my arms around. “Take your pick. It’s pretty much every woman here. You’d have a full calendar with all the women lining up to ride you… your bike. Motorcycle. Shit. Forget I said anything.”

Another chuckle, low and gravelly, rises from his chest. “A line of women to ride me? Maybe I need to hireyouas a bodyguard.”

“I’d be the optimal choice, considering I’m all of 5’2”. Highly intimidating.”

“True, but that’s not the reason you’re a perfect choice.”

“What’s the reason? Do I secretly know karate?”

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