Page 19 of Taste Of You

I stole that kiss.

I made the move.

He just didn’t kick me out of the car because he’s a gentleman. It has to be it, because nothing else makes sense.

But he was hard. Growled his need as we kissed.

But then again, his body reacting to mind is natural. I’m young and perky, something all men lust over. Nothing more.

It’s why I’m here and not at my usual tables. It’s why I’m grabbing all my orders from Ben, no matter how hard he bores holes into the side of my head.

He’s angry with me, and I feel uncomfortable. Makes me realize that this isn’t going to work out. Not one bit.

I need to find another job, and soon. Maybe I should just take—

“Shit!” I yelp, stumbling into someone. My tray is empty, but the plastic falls to the ground, colliding with my leg on the way down. That’ll bruise.

“It’s okay, Camille. I like having you like this,” Alex croons, his nose skimming my cheek. Just my luck, out of everyone that it could be, it has to be him.

“Let. Go.” With both hands I push at his chest, but this only seems to amuse him. His arms tighten around me, pressing hard around my ribs, and I wince. “This isn’t funny. Get off!”

“Kiss me and I will.” Alex pulls me back a few steps, just behind a group of guys from my school. I don’t know them, but I’ve seen them a few times in passing.

“I’ll scream.”

“Dude, enough. Let her go.” The guy closest to us tries to pull him back by the arm, but Alex shakes him off. “People are looking. Her boss is going to—”

“Fuck him,” Alex sneers, his face coming closer to mine, the intent clear on his face. “Go ahead, slut. I like it when they scream.”

His mouth comes closer, but before his lips connect with mine or I can call for help, he’s on the ground with an angry Jet standing over him.

I stumble back at the force he uses, landing hard on my butt. There’s a shock of pain that shoots up my lower back, and I cry out.

For a full minute, there’s nothing but silence at the sound of my pain. I’m there on the ground, in shock by what is happening while Jet’s eyes snap toward me.

Our stares lock. Mine shows a bit of fear, while his burns with anger. He’s a ferocious beast seeking to destroy.

His chest expands with every rapid breath.

His nostrils flare as he fights the ire scorching his veins.

His hand around Alex’s neck flexes, then tightens while he ignores the imbecile cursing his existence below, begging in between threats to be let go.

He’s a Roman God. A warrior set on tearing apart the man at his mercy.

Stop him. He’ll get arrested if you don’t.

“Jet, please let him go,” I beg, my voice low. “Toss him out, ban him, but don’t do anything that will land you in jail.”

“Listen to your whore...son of a bitch!” Alex cries out as Jet lifts a knee and slams his head down. The resounding crack of a nose breaking sounds like a sledgehammer being driven into a wall.

Loud, the sickening crunch makes everyone staring wince.

“I warned you to stay away. To never touch her,” Jet snarls, lip curling over his teeth as he knees him once more.

“Okay. Just stop.” Alex tries to push Jet away, but he has no strength—can’t even manage to stand on his feet, his knees failing to hold him up each time he attempts. “I’ll leave her alone.”

“Fuck, stop him before he does some permanent damage!” I hear Ben yell out, and at once I’m on my feet rushing forward. I’m not strong enough to stop the first punch or the second my boss lands, but I latch on to his arm on the third, and he pauses.

---