Page 9 of Legends Luke

He wasn’t surprised Easton showed an interest in her. The green dress she wore was short enough to show off her shapely legs and fitted enough to emphasize her delectable ass and impressive rack. Luke might have been interested in her too if Easton hadn’t stacked a claim already. It was a habit Easton had of asking his brothers to “babysit” any single woman he had his eye on until his shift at the bar was over or until he could talk her into giving him her phone number. If Luke wasn’t there, Jackson or Ben usually filled the role.

Luke hated playing bodyguard to Easton’s girl-of-the-moment, but any grumbling on his part would change nothing. Easton hada way about him that made people want to do things despite their better judgment.

“Wh—”

The woman’s voice, sexy and sweet as honey, snapped him out of his stupor.

“Easton said your date bailed, and he wanted me to keep an eye on you.” The words fell from his lips before he realized he’d interrupted whatever she meant to say.

She closed her mouth, but she watched him closely, almost leery in how she regarded him. He couldn’t tell if she was grateful he intervened or if she was afraid of him. He wasn’t sure which one made him the most uncomfortable.

With a gentle but firm hand at the small of her back, he maneuvered her through the crowd which had already gone back to enjoying their evening. He motioned for her to take the stool he’d vacated and took the one next to her, so he had a better view of the bar.

“Oh! My purse and my drink are over there.”

She pointed to the spot opposite them where she’d been sitting. Luke caught Easton’s eye, lifted his chin, and watched as his brother retrieved her purse.

“Easton will get you a fresh drink.”

“But he’d just brought one to me. I hadn’t had a chance to drink any of it before the guy grabbed me.”

Luke kept his eyes roaming the bar, making sure no one got any crazy ideas about stirring up more trouble. “And no one was watching your drink during the commotion. It’s not a good idea to drinkit when there was an opportunity for somebody to mess with it. It’s better if Easton makes you a new one.”

Easton placed her purse in front of her, flashing one of his smiles usually meant to make women fall at his feet. “I’ll get right on it. But first, I want to make sure you’re okay. That guy got kind of rough with you.”

She smiled. “I’m fine. Thanks to your bouncer over here. I never even realized what was happening until after he moved me out of the way and punched the guy. I just wish I had punched him first.”

Luke smirked, wishing he could have seen her hit the asshole. He imagined she was quite a sight when she was mad.

Easton chuckled. “That I would have liked to see. And the bouncer over here is my brother, Luke. Luke, this is…”

His voice trailed off, and Melody hesitated, knowing what he was asking. The bartender and his brother were still strangers to her, but they looked out for her when they didn’t need to. Unless it was an elaborate pick-up game on their part, she figured she could trust them with her name.

“I’m Melody.”

Easton’s eyes brightened. “Melody. Nice to meet you. Luke, watch out for Melody. This is her first time at the Fire, and after the night she’s had, she deserves to enjoy her drink and app in peace. I’ve already put in the order for the appetizer. It should be ready any minute. I’ll get you another mojito. Relax. I promise you, nobody will bother you with Luke at your side.”

Luke barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Easton wasn’twrong. Nobody who frequented the bar voluntarily messed with Luke or any of his brothers. Their reputation made them effective in keeping the peace at the bar, but Easton was laying it on thick for Melody’s benefit. From what he could see in her expression, she was buying into Easton’s charm, as most women did. She watched Easton move away with something akin to hero worship on her face.

She twisted the strap of her purse between her fingers. “I’m sorry. I’m sure this isn’t how you expected to spend your evening.”

Luke shrugged. “It’s not my first time filling in at the bar. It’s part of the family business.”

“I didn’t mean being a bouncer. I meant having to keep me company.”

He hated the insecurity flickering in the depths of her eyes, and he wasn’t aware of his frown until she tensed beside him. He made an effort to soften his expression before he spoke. “It’s no big deal.”

“Oh, it is, at least to me. I’m still trying to learn my way around and make some friends, otherwise I certainly wouldn’t have walked into a bar on a Friday night alone. I guess I should be flattered those two guys tried to pick me up on my first time here, but honestly, it creeps me out.”

Easton walked up in time to hear her words. “Well, now you can count us as friends. Hey, Luke, we should introduce her to Reagan. I bet they’d get along great.” Easton grinned at Melody. “Reagan is married to our older brother, Jackson. He runs the bar with me.”

“Jackson and Reagan have their hands full right now.”

Luke made a mental note to yell at his brother later for continuingto involve him in his flirtation with Melody. He would prefer her to finish her drink and leave him in peace. He was never good at socializing, not like Easton or Ben, but he was in no frame of mind to keep Melody company. He may have kept a close watch on the bar, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

“Reagan is expecting their first baby. She’s due anytime,” Easton explained Luke’s remark. A customer called out to him then, and he winked at her before moving to fill another drink order.

“How exciting! I’m sure you all are looking forward to having a new baby in the family.” Melody smiled brightly as she faced Luke again, and he felt his chest tighten.

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