Page 4 of Knocked Up

Trouble is, he doesn’t seem to catch the drift.

A Joker-esque kind of laugh spills from his throat as he swipes his small hand across the unshaven goat hairs on his chin. “This slut is pregnant with my baby, so she’s coming with me.”

My fists ball at my sides and every nerve in my body is on fire. I want to crush this guy.This kid. This small boy who thinks he’s playing grown up.“Last chance, man. Watch your fucking mouth.”

He narrows his gaze, but doesn’t look toward me. His focus is on Grace, and though I know I want to protect her, I also know I have no right to be here. This,whatever this is, is between them. I have to remember that. I can’t get involved.

“You signed away your rights, Jason. This isn’t your baby. Leave us alone.” Grace’s voice is soft and shaking.

“You’re such a fuckin’ liar, Grace. You’ve always been a liar. A fat, disgusting, piece of tras—”

Yeah, forget what I said about not getting involved.

I grab the man by the back of the shirt, push him up against the brick wall, and land two solid punches into his jaw before I toss him on the ground like the bug he is, then scoop Grace up into my arms.

“What are you doing? How are you lifting me?” She stares down at the ground as though it’s weird that I’m carrying her. Maybe it is. Maybe I shouldn’t assume she needs to be carried. Maybe this whole fucking night is weird. Maybe I’m a psychopath. A lonely, idiot of a man who’s gone too far with a girl that’s way too fucking young for him.

“Do you want me to put you down?”

Her green eyes focus on me. “Did your mother teach you to fight for women, too?”

“Something like that. She’s a single mom. It was important to her that us boys never treated women the way she was treated.”

“Well,” Grace bites back a smile, “I think she’d be proud of you.”

“Thanks, I’ll let her know you said that. She’s nearly ninety-five, but I think she still likes folks telling her how well she raised us.”

“Hey, let her down!” her friend says, click-clacking in heels behind me.

I realize now this probably looks like a kidnapping.

“Sorry,” I set Grace down and stare at her. “I was just trying to get you away from that asshole.”

She nods and stares up at me. I hadn’t realized how short she is until right now, though this might be the first time she’s stood in front of me without a million things going on around us.

“It’s okay, Zoe,” Grace whispers toward her friend. “I’ll be right in.”

“I think we should go home, Grace. I’ll go warm up the car. We can stay up late and watch something mindless to get your head on right.”

Grace nods, though I get the feeling she’s disappointed to go home. I know I didn’t push her out of the bar, but I’m feeling guilty for some reason.

“Sorry about that,” I groan low under my breath. “I don’t know what came over me. I just… that dude was being an asshole, and I just reacted.”

“It’s okay.” She stares down at the sidewalk before reaching for my cracked hand and lifting her gaze. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it’s nothing. I just hope I didn’t scare you.” Her touch is so soft and gentle that it’s taking all of me not to haul her over my shoulder and take her home.

“It was kind of nice… to be protected. I mean, no one’s ever really punched anyone out in my honor before. Am I supposed to be flattered? Maybe that’s weird, but I am. I mean… it’s sweet.Violent, but sweet.”

“Come on, Grace.” Zoe tugs at her friend's arm. “Let’s go. It’s late.”

I don’t want her to leave. I want to ask her out. I want to tell her I can’t walk away and be normal now. I want to ask her more questions about her life, get to know her, hold her close, but considering the night we’ve just had, I’m pretty sure I should leave before I do any more damage.

“It is getting late,” I say, tucking my hand into the front pocket of my jeans. “Good luck with everything. I hope your delivery turns out as planned.” I lean down and kiss her forehead gently, lingering far too long on the floral scent in her hair.

Jesus, why did I kiss her?This isn’t a kiss on the head type of situation. It’s a handshake and walk away type of night.What the fuck?

As I stand, her big green eyes follow me. I will my cock to stay tucked away, but he’s growing desperate, aching to take this woman that we’ve only just met. I need to calm down. I need to get a grip and stop obsessing. She doesn’t belong to me, and tonight is just one night.

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