Page 17 of Cowboy Bull's Promise

“He might need a dentist,” I offer, completely straight-faced.

“Fuck you.”

I smirk.

“Not my type, pussycat.”

One of the bushy-haired bastards stands, his hackles still raised.

“This ain’t over, pal!”

I don’t even blink.

“It is for now, pal. Now. Get. Out.”

My Bull snorts and my eyes roll. I can sense them trying to feel me out, so I let some of my heaviness leak from my body like water from a spout.

The table crunches beneath my hands, and I know they’re aware of what I am.

They might outnumber me.

But have you ever seen an angry bull take out an opponent?

They know they’ve lost.

One by one, they slink toward the exit, dragging their wounded like the cowardly little shits they are.

I don’t watch them go.

Because the second I turn back around, Arliss is still staring at me.

And this time?

There’s something in her eyes that wasn’t there before.

Something that hits me like a punch to the gut.

I don’t know what it is.

Curiosity? Maybe even desire?

Whatever it is, it’s dangerous.

To me.

To her.

To the razor-thin control I have over my Bull.

I swallow down a tendril of something too close to fear. Because fuck yes, this woman terrifies the shit out of me.

Not because she’s dangerous.

But because she isn’t.

Because she’s good. Pure. Untouched by the darkness that shaped me.

Because she could ruin me with a single soft look.

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