Page 28 of Embracing Hope

“The war hero saves the day,” she said flippantly.

“I’m the man who saved your ass,” he quipped.

“Saved me? From Wren?” She rolled her eyes in that bratty Rose fashion. “He's harmless.”

“So you wanted his paws all over you?” He didn’t like the direction of this conversation. He had no rights to her, and yet he couldn’t bear to watch another man touching her.

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“Fine. You want to go back inside, then go!” He stomped off toward his truck.

“Too late now. You’ve completely ruined a good buzz,” she huffed and darted past him.

“You’re not driving in your condition,” he said to her back.

She raised her hand and flipped him off. “Good thing I didn’t ask for your permission.”

The woman was going to give him more grey hair. He marched after her. He'd never chased a woman in his life, but he guessed there was a first time for everything. “This is going to go one of two ways. With your cooperation or with me carrying you to my truck.”

She swung around, her gaze intense even through the dim parking lot. “When hell freezes over!”

“Well, hell just got a forecast for icy conditions.” He crossed the distance.

She took two steps backward. “Touch me and I’ll claw your eyes out.”

“I’ve faced cats that scare me more.” He did his best to contain his laughter.

“I’m serious! I’ll tell Daddy that you manhandled me.”

“I’d bet my eyeteeth that Sam would thank me.”

“I’m leaving. You stay put.” She waved her finger through the air.

She turned and hurried toward her car, but she tripped over her own feet, stumbled in slow motion, and landed on her knees on the concrete. She cursed a blue streak under her breath.

He shook his head and crossed the short distance. Easy as pie, he lifted her to her feet. “Now you understand why you’re not driving?”

“Let go of me,” she seethed.

“Fine.” He removed his hands and she wobbled slightly to standing.

“I’ve been taking care of myself all my life. I don’t need a Prince Charming.”

“No, you don’t. What you need is to be dragged over a knee and spanked until you lose that bratty attitude.” His patience was thinning. This wasn’t the simple life he preferred.

“I’m a brat because you’ve decided you want to talk to me, so I should just fall into place?” She snorted.

“You’re a brat because you’re not listening to reason. If I was an asshole, I’d let you get behind the wheel and take off knowing you wouldn’t make it far.”

“But you were asshole enough to tell me to go back inside!” She lifted her chin high. “I’m responsible enough that I’d sit in my car until I sobered up.”

“If that’s really what you want, I would let you go back. However, I would, too. Call it the gentleman in me.”

“Gentleman or caveman?” She slammed her hands to her hips.

He rubbed his tired eyes. “Make this easier for the both of us and get in my truck. Because as long as you’re here, I’m here.”

She gave a disgruntled moan of dismissal and made her way toward her car. “See ya, cowboy.”

---