Page 100 of Romancing the Grump
If we were anywhere else, I would not stop with one kiss.I would pull Summer against me, explore her mouth with the reverence and attention it deserves. But we have a very attentive audience, and it’s time for me to tell him to get the hell out of Harvest Hollow and leave Summer alone.
“Hey, baby,” I say to Summer, looking at her warmly. Talking like we’ve done this a thousand times. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
I motion to her jerk of an ex-boss with a tilt of my head. “Who’s your friend?” I infuse my words with what I hope sounds like easy confidence, keeping my words light enough that there’s no trace of jealousy. I’m not intimidated by this man. I don’t want him to think I am.
Summer tucks herself under my arm, slipping a hand around my waist. “This is my old boss, Jason Roscoe. Remember? I told youallabout him,” she says pointedly. “Jason, this is myboyfriend, Nathan Sanders. He plays hockey for the Appies.”
Jason looks me up and down, then audibly scoffs. “So it is true,” he says, his tone dripping with derision. “Congratulations on finally wearing her down. She’s a prickly one.” He says this last part with a knowing eye roll, like we’re commiserating over a shared experience.
I pull Summer a little closer. “Funny,” I say. “That hasn’t been my experience at all.”
This comment backfires because it shifts Jason’s roving gaze to Summer. He raises his eyebrows suggestively, and Summer tenses beside me.
If this guy creepsmeout with his stare, I can only imagine what his gaze does toher.
It’s all I can do not to pick him up by the collar and haul him outside so I can show him exactly what I think of his attitude, but then Alec appears behind him, his expression telling me I have more to consider than Summer’s feelings.
I’m an Appie.
And Appies don’t get into bar fights.
If only I could meet this guy on the ice.
“If you’ll excuse us,” I say, my tone overly friendly, “we’ve got friends waiting for us.”
I turn and walk Summer back to the table, tucking her close, keeping my body between her and Jason. I don’t even want him toseeher anymore, much less think he can try to talk to her again. I guide her to the seat next to Gracie, then place both hands on her shoulders, squeezing them once. “Stay here,” I say, my voice low.
“Nathan, wait—” Summer says, but for once, I ignore her.
I motion to my teammates, who immediately stand up and wordlessly follow me back to the bar.
I won’t get into a fight, but I will let this guy know he’d better never show his face in town again.
I step up behind Jason Roscoe and lean close, giving his shoulder what I hope is a painful squeeze. “You have exactly two minutes to pay your tab and get out of this bar. Understand?”
He looks over his shoulder, and I tighten my grip as his eyes move from me to Felix, Alec, Eli, Logan, and Van, who are standing behind me, a looming brick wall of muscle and mass.
He nods once, and I let him go. But I’m not through with him yet.
It takes him almost four minutes to make it into the parking lot, but when he does, I’m waiting for him. I step out of the darkness as soon as he rounds the corner, leaving the glow of the lights illuminating the bar’s front entrance.
I push him into the brick wall, pinning him there, my hands holding onto the lapels of his coat. He grunts, his eyeswidening as he looks over my shoulder and sees my teammates, still flanking me.
“She’s not your concern,” I say menacingly. “She doesn’t want to hear from you, she doesn’t want to see you. And youwon’tsee her again. Not unless you want to answer to me.”
Jason’s jaw tightens, but then he rolls his eyes and nods.
I lean into him a little harder.
“Tell me you understand,” I say, and he huffs. “Tell me,” I growl.
“I understand.” His voice cracks at the end of his last word, and I finally let him go, stepping back enough for him to move past me and get to his car.
I watch him, unwavering, until he’s pulling out of the parking lot, then I finally blow out a long breath.
“I hate guys like that,” Eli says, stepping up beside me. He drops a hand on my shoulder. “You okay?”
I nod, but then I look at Eli and frown. He’s smirking. Like he’s seconds away from bursting into laughter.
