Page 2 of Tempting You

Chapter 2

Ian

Halley walked into my bar not even twenty minutes ago, and already, I can feel the itch in my fingers to touch her, claim her, and be the man her boyfriend obviously isn’t. I watch as she walks toward the poor bastard, her head held high, shoulders back, and I can’t help but wish I knew what she was about to say.

I want to be the one to tell him what an idiot he is, how colossal his mistake is because stepping out on a woman like Halley? That’s not conceivable to a man like myself. I knew she was my type the second she walked through the door. Her bright-red hair is anything but natural, yet it suits her all the same. I didn’t know I could find her sleeve of tattoos any more attractive, but pairing that with the nose ring and her extremely unexpected shy demeanor, and I was hooked.

I take my eyes off Halley to serve a few of my regulars and restock some of the beers under the bar. When I come back behind the bar, I expect to see Halley’s arms flailing and hear her voice carrying across the room, but instead, her shoulders are slumped, and her head is dipped toward her chin.

Fuck.

I eye Hank, my other bartender, and he gives me a knowing smile, nodding for me to go save her. So I hop over the bar, dismissing the bulging eyes of some of the patrons, and make my way toward Halley.

“Halley. Go home, and we’ll talk,” Hank demands. Her shoulders lift as if she’s taking a deep breath, and before she can let it out, I reach out and take her hand, pulling her against me, my lips close to her ear.

“I got you. Give him hell.” Her body sinks back against my chest, entwining our fingers and squeezing as her eyes meet mine. I nod, letting her know she can do this, and that’s when my eyes lift to meet the idiot who decided he was better than the woman in front of me.

“Who the fuck are you?” Douchebag mutters, the disgust evident as he takes in my appearance—from the blue hair, spacers in my ears, and the tattoos that cover almost every inch of my torso and arms. I know I don’t fit the mold his type believes should be allowed within the front doors. But he’s in for a shock.

“I’m the owner of this bar, and I think it’s time for you to leave.” He rolls his eyes as they flick back and forth between Halley and me.

“You hypocrite. You’re over here yelling at me for getting some on the side when you’re doing the same fucking thing!” he yells. Halley flinches as my arm wraps around her middle, pulling her closer.

“I never cheated on you,” Halley whispers, her eyes cast down, and I know as much as she wishes to yell and scream at this guy, that’s not her style. So I decide to do it for her.

“Okay, that’s it. You and the girl need to leave.” My voice carries, and all of a sudden, a hush settles over the bar, and all eyes are on us. Halley begins shaking in my arms, and I know I need to get her out of this situation before it gets any worse, so I gently pull her behind me as I lean down on the table between us and level our gazes. “I am going to say this one more time before I call the cops. Okay? I need you and the lady to leave my bar...now.” He huffs, taking the woman’s hand as they stand and walk away. Just when I think the drama is over, he turns when he reaches the front door and catches Halley’s eyes.

“Call me later, Hal. We’ll talk and sort all of this out.” He smirks. The fucker smirks, thinking that everything will be okay while he’s standing in front of her with another girl in his arms.

“You know,” Halley says from behind me, finally stepping out, her shoulders back and eyes angry, “a few months ago, I might have done just that. A few months ago, I might have tried to make it work, but you know what? I’m done. I’m done getting shot down by you, I’m done feeling like what I want doesn’t matter, and I’m sick and tired of feeling less than because your ego can’t take it.” Fuck, yeah. My hands settle on her shoulders, lightly squeezing and loving the smile she gives when her eyes meet mine. I’m so proud of her at this moment.

“That would be your cue to leave,” I say, pointing at the door. I wait until they’re out of sight before spinning Halley on her heels and wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close. “God, that was awesome,” I mutter into her hair, taking a deep breath and shuddering at the strawberry scent that hits me.

“Thank you for that. I was prepared to yell and scream, but when I got over there, that woman was looking at me with so much pity in her gaze... I just couldn’t do it.” I nod, taking her hand in mine, trying to ignore the spark that travels through me.

“Well, you did it, and I think that deserves a drink on the house.” She smiles a genuine smile for the first time tonight, and I wink, settling her on her stool and making my way around the bar once more. “What can I get you?” Her eyes sparkle as her head tilts, her eyes locking with mine.

Yup, it’s going to be hard to get this woman out of my head for the foreseeable future.

“An old-fashioned please.” Fuck, but I love when women order something that doesn’t come either slushed or with an umbrella or a cherry.

“A woman after my own heart,” I whisper, placing a napkin down on the bar. “Now the question is, do you want it with bourbon or whiskey?” I ask, hoping she gets the joke, and when her eyes sparkle, I know the earlier scene has drifted into the recesses of her mind.

“Well, considering bourbon is a type of whiskey, it seems that question is null and void,” she teases, and I swear I fall for her headfirst at this moment. She’s perfect.

“Well done,” I whisper, loving the way her eyes dilate at the praise. I file that piece of information in the back of my mind as I take a minute to make her drink. I place it in front of her, watching as she takes a sip. “Halley approved?” I ask, needing to hear her praise.

“Yes, very well done,” she mutters before taking another sip. Before long, that drink is gone, and I’m working on making her another.

“Can I ask you something?” She nods, her eyes meeting mine as I take a deep breath, not knowing if she’ll find this out of line. “Why were you with a guy like that?” I nod to the door so we both know who I’m talking about. “He obviously didn’t deserve you.” She smiles, shaking her head.

“He wasn’t always so…” She trails off, trying to find an appropriate word.

“Douchey?”

She laughs, nodding. “Yes, that. But these past few months, I’ve been...pushing to do some things he wasn’t interested in pursuing.”

I tilt my head in confusion. “Is that a roundabout way of saying you’re into some kinky shit, and he wasn’t?” She blushes scarlet, and I have to take a breath to settle my cock down because that color on her fair skin is causing him to go into hyperdrive.

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