Page 73 of Sweet Home Louisiana

“And because you’re being pushy towardher, that meansI’mabout two seconds away from gettingreallypushy.You should leavenow.”

Instead of moving toward the door, the guy, stupidly, opened his mouth.

Owen gave a little growl and grabbed the guy by the front of his shirt.He dragged him forward and pinned his back against the front counter.“The only thing coming out of your mouth better be an apology,” he said, his nose nearly touching the other man’s.

The guy’s eyes were wide and he was breathing fast.

Maddie felt herself lean in to get a better look.And still she didn’t say a thing.Certainly not, “Owen, stop.”Not even, “Hey, calm down.”

Like the guy’s friends who hadn’t said, “How about we drink soda now?”or “Man, sit your butt down,” Maddie just let it go.

It was stupid.It encompassed about ninety-five percent of the reason she hadn’t wanted to come back to Autre.But she appreciated the way Owen’s biceps bulged as he held the guy, the low, gruff quality of his voice that sent tingles through her stomach—and lower—and just the pure fact that he was this pissed off because the guy had been giving her a hard time.

It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t defend Kennedy or Tori or really any other woman who was being harassed.But dealing with customers was part of this job, and she was sure Owen let it go a lot longer before stepping in with Kennedy.If someone made an actual threat or touched Kennedy, Owen would have reacted this same way.But the frat boy hadn’t done any of that with Maddie.He was clearly entitled and used to charming his way out of trouble, but she hadn’t felt threatened.Yet, here Owen was protecting her from even thepossibilityof something happening.

And it made her hot.

She’d hate herself for getting turned on by all of this later, but…well, that would be later.At the moment, she leaned onto her forearms and took it all in.

It was a stupid reaction.A dangerous addiction.One that she completely avoided by living two thousand miles away.

“I’m sorry, man.Jesus,” the guy said, squirming against the counter.

“Not.To.Me,” Owen said through clenched teeth.“Her.”

The guy swiveled his head to look at her.“Sorry.Geez.Call your man off.”

She gave him a slow smile.“Nah.”

A second later she heard, “What the hell is going on?”

Josh had joined them.

He sighed when he saw Owen and the drunk.Maddie sat up, trying to seem as if she hadn’t been enjoying the spectacle.Josh pushed through the crowd and grasped Owen’s wrist.

“Let him go.”

Owen glared at the guy and then dropped his hold.

The guy smoothed his hands over the front of his shirt.“Holy shit,” he breathed.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Josh told him.

He didn’t even know what had happened or if Owen was right—or wrong—to have backed him up against the counter, but he was clearly on his cousin’s side.

The guy stalked toward the door, his friends turning and following him out.One of them had an arm around the drunk who had caused all the trouble.

“You’re getting a terrible review,” the guy called over his shoulder.

“Be sure to mention the new two drink maximum rule!”Maddie yelled back.

The door slammed behind them.

“Two drink max rule?”Josh asked her.

She nodded.“It’s new.”

“Very.”

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