Page 19 of Brands

Dixon seems to shift, but his attention is solely on Char.

Then the strange guy puts his hand on Libby’s arm.

A bubble of rage begins to well when I see her shake her head.

Knock it off. I have no claim on her.

He seems closer to her age, anyways.

Willing to try anything once.

Her words mock me. Were they for me alone, or anyone with something new?

Damn it.

I have to just finish this last set.

But then he takes hold of her wrist.

With a screech, my fingers slip from the neck of my guitar as I jerk it over my head.

In two strides, I’m jumping off the stage to grab his collar, yanking him to his feet.

“I don’t think she wants to be touched,” I growl into his shocked face.

“Shit, dude. Sorry. I didn’t know she was your girl.” His palms fly up in a sign of surrender.

I have to force myself to let go, when every fiber of my being wants to beat him into the wooden planks of the floor.

“Keep your fucking hands to yourself.” My heart is racing, and I take in deep shuddering breaths to try and get it under control.

He stumbles back into the group of people, then I watch him head towards the exit.

“Blue, everyone!” Lloyd’s voice carries through the speakers and he instigates a round of applause.

It’s only then I realize the entire bar is watching.

Screw them.

“Well done,” Dixon chuckles from behind me.

When I turn, I’m hesitant to look down at Libby.

Did I overstep?

But the wide eyed stare she gives me reveals a smile tugging up her lips.

“Thank you.” Her flushed cheeks are nearly glowing under the dim lights, and her bottom lip is puffy as she bites it.

What I really want to do is take a victor’s kiss.

But instead I slump into the chair the jackass vacated and pull my hat low enough I can’t see her. “Your dad would tan my hide if I let anything happen to you.”

I catch a glimpse of her fingers flattening on the table before the brim of my cowboy hat is lifted abruptly.

“My dad? Really? Don’t wanna admit you werejealous?” With a giggle, she snags my Stetson from resting on my ears and plants it firmly over her golden locks.

Fuck, she’s pulling on me so damn hard.

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