Page 22 of Daring the Defender

“I know but…”

“You’re weak, Mallory. W.E.A.K.”

“His personality is lacking,” she admits, “but he’s really good in bed. He does this thing with–”

I bolt out the door before I hearwhatJeremy does withwhateverhe does it with. The bar is still loud and from the sound of the cheers, Wittmore is still leading. The noise, the volume, the alcohol and language… it’s starting to get to me. I’m planning on finding the girls and telling them I’m going to head back to the manor when a figure steps between me and the exit. It’s a guy with tousled reddish hair and a lazy grin.

“Excuse me,” I say, attempting to pass.

“Not so fast,” he sidesteps, blocking my way. In the darkened hallway, I feel more than see his gaze drag over my body, head to toe. “I haven’t seen you here before.”

“That’s because I’m just visiting.” I peer over his shoulder, hoping to catch Nadia, but I see her head disappear back into the crowd.

“Well, let me be the first to welcome you to the Badger Den.” He thrusts out his hand. “I’m Adam.”

I stare down at the hand, unsure of what to do. It would be polite to shake it, introduce myself and move on. But there’s something about him that feels weird. Off. But then again, everything about this night feels off to me. I’m out of my depth socially.

“Nice to meet you Adam,” I say, giving him a quick smile. I make a second attempt to get past him, but he adjusts with me.

“How about I get you a drink, so we can get to know one another better?”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I swallow. “I have a boyfriend.”

“Ah.” His eyebrow raises. “Is he here?”

I feel like I should lie, but I was raised to be better than that. “No,” I admit.

He moves closer, inching into my space. I take a step back and I’m crowded into the wall.

“A girl as cute as you are surely knows you’re going to get hit on,” he says, lifting his hand to place his palm flat against the wall next to my head. My heartbeat quickens and that feeling of being trapped lunges into my throat. “You’ve got an innocent vibe going on, but that shirt…” his eyes dip down to my cleavage. “Maybe you’re looking to get corrupted a little, huh? I’m happy to volunteer for the job.”

Panic rips through me, but I’m not frozen. I duck under his arm. In my hurry to get back to the bar, I nearly slam into Mike holding a bag of trash as he exits the space behind the bar.

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry!” I look behind me, and then to the side, ducking out of sight.

“Slow down.” Mike narrows his eyes, the divots of his crows feet becoming more pronounced. He looks down the hallway and back at me. “Is he bothering you?”

“No,” I reply out of habit. I don’t want to be a bother but… I swallow. “Kind of. He’s just a little pushy.”

He jerks his head. “Stay here.”

“O-okay.”

He drops the bag of trash, and strides in the direction toward the bathrooms. A moment later his voice echoes off the hallway walls. “What have I told you about making our female customers uncomfortable? I’ve given you a warning, Adam, but I can’t have you harassing people.”

I strain to hear Adam’s protests over the loud noise in the bar, but then he shouts, “Whatever. This place has shitty service and shittier beer!”

“Good, then you’ll be okay with being banned.” Mike returns, picks up the bag of trash and says, “Sorry about that. He’s been hounding women in here for a while. He’s got a radar for sweet girls. I’d given him a warning before, but tonight’s the final straw.” He looks at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure.” I nod. “Thank you.”

“Hey, your brother is a legend around here and it’s better I caught that kid being a dick than him.” He snorts. “Can you imagine?”

I laugh. “Axel would peel his skin off.”

---