Page 48 of Taming Waves

Good. This is exactly what I need to get him to back off.

The clock strikes two, and the lights click on. A few customers linger, hoping to speak with the band. Some even hold copies of their latest CD for them to sign. I inform the bouncers to give them a few minutes before escorting them out the door as we begin cleanup.

Warner stops by the bar on his way out. “See you tomorrow, Audrey. Get home safe.”

“You too,” I say, and he and his friends walk out.

“Tell me you’re not actually dating that douchebag.”

I turn to see Parker standing with a tray of glasses. His eyes are trained on the door that just closed behind Warner, and a scowl is spread across his face.

“Warner? He’s a nice guy,” I say in Warner’s defense.

Parker scoffs. “Nice guy? He was an asshole in high school.”

I place my hands on my hips and glare at him. “Maybe he just didn’t like you. He’s always been charming to me.”

The corner of his mouth tips up as his eyes flicker from the door to me. “That’s because he wants in your pants. You’d be surprised how easily charm can be turned on when a prize as sweet as that is within grasp.”

His chin lifts in my direction as his gaze drifts down my body.

“Really? That must be why the girls fall all over you nightly. Poor girls can’t see the wolf in sheep’s clothing right in front of them,” I snap.

He chuckles as he sets the glasses on the bar. Then, his amused eyes come back to mine. “I might be a wolf, but I’ve got my sights set on one meal and one meal only.”

“I’m not your prey, Parker.”

He grins. “Good. Because I don’t plan to trap you, I want you willingly spread before me while I feast and you enjoy being devoured.”

My knees give a little at his words, and I sway on my feet. The bastard notices and his mouth lifts in a triumphant smirk.

“Don’t look so pleased with yourself. Because Warner is picking me up tomorrow, and he’s the only one who will be enjoying a meal.”

His brows lift. “You’re right about one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You won’t be enjoying it either.”

With that, he turns and starts to unload the tray, placing the glasses into the chiller beneath the shelves of bottles.

Insufferable asshole.

I ignore him as best I can as we finish the night. Leonard and Leena can tell there is tension, and they give the two of us a wide berth. Once the floors are finished, I have him walk her out and turn to Parker.

“You can go too,” I say. “I’m just going to drop the trash and lock up the back.”

I take the tied bags from the hallway and toss them into the dumpster just outside the back door. After locking the deadbolt, I go down the hallway to Brew’s office. I grab my bag off his desk and flip the light off. When I return to the front, he’s standing by the bar.

“I told you to go,” I say as I turn off the lights on the main floor, leaving only the shelves holding the liquor bottles illuminated and the rope lights that frame the footrest of the bar.

“I know, but I’m walking you out.”

“I’ve been closing this bar for years without you, Parker. I don’t need your protection.”

He steps into me and brings his face to mine. “I know you have, but I’m here now, and I’m not letting your stubborn ass walk out of here by yourself at three thirty in the morning, no matter how pissed you are.”

“I’m pissed? I think you’re the one who’s pissed.”

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