Page 4 of My Pucking Valentine

I open my mouth to sayno thanks, but then I hear Sarah’s voice behind me, answering for me. “She’ll have a white wine. Any kind will do,” she quips.

Snapping my lips closed, I widen my eyes, and I’m sure I have an expression of shock on my face at her words. The guy in front of me smirks, then lifts his hand and motions for the bartender to come over.

I hear him order a white wine, but I can’t take my eyes off Sarah, who only gives me a shit-eating grin in response.

“Enjoy,” she mouths.

Narrowing my gaze on her, I shift my attention back to the stranger in front of me and give him as much of a smile as I can. He takes that as his moment to advance. He reaches for the glass of wine the bartender left and hands it to me.

Wrapping my fingers around the stem, I thank him, but I don’t take a drink. I didn’t watch the bartender pour the drink, so I won’t be drinking it. Instead, I hold the glass as I give him what I hope is a smile and not a cringe.

“What’s your name?” he asks, his eyes flicking down to my lips. He watches my mouth and seems unable to take his eyes off me. I’m not necessarily uncomfortable by his gaze, but that doesn’t mean I welcome it, either.

“Clara,” I murmur, only because I’m trying not to be rude.

He takes half a step toward me and lifts his hand. When his fingers slide down my jaw, I gasp, but not because he’s touching me, but because Luke is here. He’s standing right behind the stranger, and the look in his eyes is anything but friendly.

“I’d take your fucking hand away if you want to keep it,” Luke growls.

The man drops his hand, but he doesn’t move away. He looks casually over his shoulder as if he doesn’t believe Luke has spoken. That he’s given a command. My breath hitches at the sight of Luke’s expression.

His face has turned slightly red, his eyes are dark, and it’s sexy as hell. I’ve never seen him jealous before in my entire life. In fact, he’s never seemed to be bothered by much. I didn’t know he could even become jealous. Yet here he is, green with envy right in front of my very eyes.

Hot.

Sexy, out of this world hot.

“I got here first,” the stranger snaps.

And then it happens. I don’t realize what’s going on until it’s said and done. Luke reaches out, wraps his fingers around the back of the stranger’s neck, and roughly pulls him away. His hand falls from my face.

I stare at the floor, watching as the stranger’s body lands on the ground. He didn’t say a word, and I couldn’t speak, even if I wanted to. Then Luke steps over his body and reaches forward, but he doesn’t wrap his arm around me the way I desire.

Instead, he touches my hand, the one that’s next to the bar. He doesn’t want anyone to see him touching me.

I’m his dirty little secret, and I like it.

“Nobody touches you but me, Clara,” he growls. I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out, so I snap my lips shut. “Meet me in the hallway…” He lets his words linger before he leans forward slightly, his lips close to my ear, his breath fanning the side of my face. “Now,” he growls.

A thrill of desire slides up my spine, and I realize this is what I had been feeling when I walked into the bar—Luke’s presence.

FOUR

LUKE

She’s sexy as a sin.

And she is just that—a sin.

An immorality I can’t quit.

Clara is, without a doubt, the sweetest sin to have ever graced the earth, and she’s mine. As I walk toward the hallway, I know I should not be doing this here. Not only is this bar overcrowded, but my teammates are everywhere. The likelihood of being noticed is overwhelmingly high.

But seeing that asshole’s hands on Clara was too much for me to ignore. I need to replace his touch with my own. It’s not a want but more of a need at this point.

Once I reach the hall, I glance around, and there’s only one logical thing to do…supply closet.

Standing next to the closet, I wait for Clara to turn the corner. When she does, her eyes widen as I push off the wall and turn toward the door. Reaching for the knob, I gently twist it and tug it open.

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