Page 33 of Broken Rules
Roger gave her a skeptical look. “Are you sure?”
“Yup. Totally fine. Better than fine,” she said, glancing at her thief. Then she turned away and took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, but when she caught her reflection in the mirror that lined the back of the bar, she grimaced.
“Damn it,” she whispered as she quickly smoothed her blond curls that had gone all frizzy. Grabbing a cocktail napkin, she blotted the moisture from her face. Then she seized her lip gloss near the register and dabbed a little on before turning around to face Damien.
“Hi,” she said awkwardly, not knowing what to do with her hands. “I didn’t... you know...” She tucked her hair behind her ear again. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I thought I’d surprise you,” he said, his voice deep and silky.
She smiled tremulously. “It worked.”
Roger slid next to her and rested his chin in the palm of his hand, smiling at Damien. “Hi, gorgeous.”
Damien smiled and offered his hand to Roger. “I’m Damien. It’s nice to meet you.”
Roger shook his hand. “Good grip,” he said to Savannah. “I like that. Take your break, boss.”
Savannah raised her brow at him. “The rush is about to start.”
Roger’s gaze held hers. “You don’t think I can handle it?”
She smiled. “I know you can.”
Roger pointed to an unclaimed two-top in the corner. “Take this gorgeous man and go sit down. I’ll call you over if I need you. And when my guy comes in later, you can do me the same favor.”
Savannah lifted her shoulders and smiled at Damien. “I guess I’m taking a break.”
“Thank you,” Damien said, nodding his head to Roger.
Roger smiled, but then his smile vanished. He straightened to his impressive full height and flexed his well-muscled neck from side to side. “Be nice to her or I’ll fuck you up.” Savannah watched as Roger held Damien’s unreadable gaze. An instant later another smile appeared on Roger’s face. “I’m just joking, lover.” Then his smile gave way to a fierce scowl, furrowing his black brows. “No, I’m not.”
“That’s plenty, Roger!” Savannah hurried around the bar and took Damien’s hand, leading him toward the empty table. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be,” he replied. “I like knowing you have someone watching your back.”
“Roger’s always been my champion. The only villain he can’t save me from is myself.” A slight smile curved her lips. “Then again, Roger and I have the same taste in men. He needs saving as much as I do.”
Damien’s gaze shifted over her head. “I believe your friends are lining up to wipe the floor with me.”
“What do you mean?” Savannah turned to look behind her. Sure enough, Wally and Brandi were standing in the door of the bar, staring at them. Savannah motioned them over. “What are you guys doing?”
Wally narrowed his gaze on Damien. “We were just making sure everything was cool.”
“Damien, this is Wally, our head chef and Brandi, my best friend.”
Damien motioned to the table next to them. “Pull up a chair and join us.”
Savannah smiled but shook her head. “We’re filling up. Wally needs to get back to the line before all hell breaks loose.”
Wally leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “You know where to find me if you need me.”
As Wally headed back to the kitchen, Brandi reached for a chair. “I don’t mind if I do.”
“What about your tables?” Savannah asked.
“All good,” came her quick reply. “So...I didn’t know you were dating anyone,” she said, giving Savannah a pointed look.
“Sorry,” Savannah grimaced. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I’ve been a little busy.”
