Page 14 of Line of Resistance

Jealousy sparked through him, bringing the irritation already burning under his skin to a flashpoint. He knew when he canceled their date that a woman like Eloise wouldn’t continue spending her nights alone, but the reminder there were other men—men who did have the balls to take her out—chapped his ass to no end.

If only she didn’t know Naomi. If only she wasn’t tied to the people he cared about most. If only he could be close to her without worrying what the fallout might be if things went south.

But shedidknow Naomi. Shewasconnected to the people he loved more than anything. And he knewexactlywhat the fallout would be if things went south. A year ago he decided it wasn’t worth the risk, but fate just kept stacking the deck against him. Tempting him to break the rule he laid down.

He forced in a slow breath, counting his way through the inhale and exhale, hoping it would give him enough time to calm down. To think of a new way to handle the woman who was testing him in ways he never expected.

Unfortunately, she was still wearing that fucking red dress. Still leaning against the bar, giving him and everyone else a view of her tits that made it clear they were infinitely more impressive than he initially expected.

And she was still shooting daggers his direction. Still proving to be immune to the charm that had served him so well.

And it meant her mask wasn’t the only one that slipped.

Nate leaned into her ear again, abandoning any semblance of the smoothness that ruled his life. “I’m going to give you to the count of three to get your ass away from this bar. One. Two.” He paused, expecting her to peel herself free, shoot him another glare, and go back to the table.

But Eloise didn’t budge. Didn’t act like she’d heard his threat at all.

“Fine. Have it your way.” He grabbed the arm she was still holding out in an effort to attract the bartender’s attention, oblivious he’d already closed their tab, lacing it over his head before bending down to plant his shoulder in her middle. She let out an ear-piercing squeal as he hefted her up and over, planting one palm against her ass so the hem of her dress stayed put as he strode through the bar. He snagged her coat from the back of the chair and tossed it over her ass and legs, covering as much of her as possible.

Naomi’s eyes widened. “What’s going on?”

“I’m taking Eloise home.” His cool was long gone and it showed. Irritation and aggravation carried through his tone which only pissed him off more. “Luca will be back to pick you two up.”

Before Naomi could say anything else, or he could consider the fallout of what he was doing, he turned away, the crowd parting as he strode to the door and out into the night.

Eloise struggled against him, fighting his hold as she wailed against his back with both fists. “Put me down.”

“You had your chance. I warned you.” He pressed the button on the fob, unlocking the Jeep as he made a beeline for the passenger’s side. “Twice.”

“Nate, I’m serious. Put me down or I’m going to—”

He whipped open the passenger’s door and bent forward, sliding Eloise onto her stilettos in one smooth move. “Or you’re going to what?”

The words were barely out of his mouth before fifty dollars’ worth of tequila came flying out of hers, splattering onto his pants and boots.

He’d been expecting threats of violence and instead became the victim of something much worse.

Eloise’s hand came to her mouth, fingers pressing into her skin as she stared wide-eyed at the mess soaking into the fabric of his jeans.

It wasn’t the worst thing he’d had spilled on him. It probably wasn’t even the worst thing he’d faced this week, but it was still sobering as fuck.

It wasn’t the smell or the rapidly freezing ick that bothered him. It was knowing he was the reason behind it. Not just the immediate cause, but also the driving force behind Eloise’s need to shoot tequila in the first place.

“Christ.” He raked one hand through his hair, messing up the perfect style he’d scraped it into after getting out of the shower.

Eloise sniffled, her eyes continuing to stare down at the sour smelling vomit splattering the snow.

He was an ass. After years of avoiding relationships, he was more out of practice than he’d realized. When the men around him started pairing off into happy couples, he thought maybe it was time to suck it up and put the past behind him. To move forward instead of continuously looking back and expecting history to repeat itself.

But this shit wasn’t like riding a bike. And as much as he was trying to fight it, history did seem to be rolling back for an encore.

“I’m sorry.” He raked his hand through his hair again, because why the hell not? Everything else was going to shit. His hair might as well go too. “I shouldn’t have carried you out of there like that.”

Eloise’s gaze wouldn’t meet his as she shifted the coat he’d thrown over her higher, wrapping her arms into the thick fabric. “You probably shouldn’t have done a lot of things, but that hasn’t stopped you.”

He deserved that. He’d fucked-up every way possible with this woman. Got close then blew her off over and over again.

And here he was again. Right back in front of her, trying to find a way to get close without losing everything.

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