Page 16 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
But the dope didn’t seem to need encouragement. He just moved with her like they were doing some sort of bar room dance.
“What brings a pretty girl like you here?”
She glanced up, her smile too tight to be polite. If he could read facial expressions, he’d immediately know she wasn’t interested, but the man seemed oblivious.
He wasn’t unattractive, with a dusting of dark stubble and a square-cut chin, but his eyes were vacant, his smile too… well, dopey. Not clueless-dopey, drunk-dopey.
When he leaned in closer, the stench of his breath only confirmed it. “You want to join me for a drink?”
“No.” She kept it simple, not bothering with a “thank you” that he wouldn’t even appreciate.
She’d endured more than enough men like this one to know better. Any politeness would only be construed as encouragement.
The stranger ignored her “no” and threw an arm around her shoulders as he called to the bartender, “Mack, get this beautiful lady a drink on me.”
She shrugged him off, spinning around to face him. “I said no.” She spit the words this time, since he obviously needed a stronger message.
It wasn’t fear that had her pulse racing but anger. She couldn't stand men who didn't listen, who assumed they could read a woman's mind.
“Now, now,” he said in a drunken drawl. He leaned in close and grabbed her arms. “No need to be rude.”
“Let me go.” She started to shake him off, but before she could, he stumbled away from her.
No, wait…
She blinked in surprise. He wasthrownaway from her.
He bumped into the bar and made the stool behind him squeak against the floorboards as it slid under his weight. He gaped up at JJ, who towered over him with a look Dahlia had never seen before.
It was primal.
It was… It was…
Much to her annoyance, Dahlia’s thoughts derailed.
“Are you kidding me, Bobby?” JJ’s tone was glacial, yet his glare could melt titanium.
Dahlia’s mouth went dry as she stared at him, gawking just as much as Bobby.
“This lady said no.” JJ’s tone was unyielding, and Dahlia struggled to swallow.
She should be annoyed. She should intervene. This wasn’t his fight! He had no right to go all Neanderthal on her like this. She wasn’t his to protect.
But while her mind rattled off this information, her body went into full-blown revolt.
Something warm and sweet slid through her veins, spreading further with each thud of her heart.
“Come on, man,” Bobby whined. “I’m just having fun. She’s into it, right?”
Dahlia pulled herself together long enough to give the man a withering glare. “No. She’s not.”
He gave her a sloppy smile, then reached for her again. JJ grabbed his collar, shoving him back against the bar. “You’re drunk, Bobby. Now, I don’t want to hurt you, but I will.”
JJ stayed put, his pointed look sending a message that even the most inebriated person could figure out, before letting go of Bobby’s collar.
The drunken fool stumbled away. “All right, fine. Geez, JJ,” he muttered with a childish pout as he turned away to head back to his friends. “Just having a little fun, is all.”
“Well, go have it somewhere else,” JJ growled. “And keep your hands to yourself from now on, you hear?”
