Page 27 of Love You Already

Grabbing the closest towel, I swat it at her. She cackles at the move, then jumps in to help me get this place going. The night is getting busier, and it won't be long before we're running around to try to keep up. I have to get my head right. There's no other choice.

With Mel by my side taking charge, I manage to get into a rhythm that works. I'm pouring drinks, cracking jokes, and delivering to the patrons with ease. It's not until I'm walking back toward the kitchen that things go from good to bad.

One of the guys at a rowdy table reaches out to grab me. “Hey, sugar. Why don't you be a sweetheart and get me another beer?”

I smile tightly. “Sure. I'll go get it now.”

At the bar, I have Mel pour him one, then I'm back at the table dropping it off silently. Of course, life can't be that simple. The idiot reaches out to grab me again, only this time, his hand moves over my ass before he tugs on my jean shorts.

I whip around to tell him off when the energy in the bar shifts. Nearly every eye in the room moves behind me. When I look back, my eyes widen at the sight of the furious man walking my way. My husband.

“Lachlan...”

I don't get another word in before he's lifting the guy who put his hand on my ass from the chair. When they are eye to eye, he uses the coldest voice I've ever heard to say, “You don't lay a hand on her. She's not yours and you don't have a right to touch her just cause you want to.”

“Whatever man. She's got that ass out in those shorts. She clearly wants it.” The idiot spews the words without thinking. His buddies are noticeably less quiet.

Looking around the bar, I'm thankful to see there aren't any cameras pointed this way. If there were, I'd have to confiscate them to get rid of the evidence. I might also need to have Bridgett bake the sheriff a cake or something if he shows up.

“Lachlan... baby, please... I'm ok. Look at me. I'm fine. I was about to kick him out, but you've beat me to it.” I use the softest tone I can to cool him down.

Of course, the man I'm trying to save is clearly suicidal because he starts up again. “Baby? Oh, I see. You're mad I touched your girl. Didn't know it man. She ain't got a ring...”

That does it. No one acts up in my bar and gets away with it. I spot the sheriff walking in the door. “Right on time, Sheriff Stokes. Can you escort this gentleman away before I have to charge him with assault?”

Sheriff Stokes raises his brow as he looks from me to the dumbass Lachlan holds, to Lachlan. “I see. Well, good thing I got a call about trouble down here. Now, son, if you'll just release him to me, that will be all.”

Lachlan slowly releases his grip on the guy as he shoves him toward Stokes. The guy is still muttering shit, though I can't hear it over the noise in my head. I'm not some maiden in distress. It's not who I am or who I've ever been.

But fuck me. Seeing Lachlan, my fake boyfriend and real-life husband, get upset on my behalf, having him step in to defend me, makes me wish I were. I'm swooning and swaying on my feet, desperate to show him how much his words mean to me.

“That's enough of that, boy. You ready to go sit in the drink tank?” Stokes cuffs the guy as he checks to make sure he won't be getting a two for one deal on drunk folks tonight.

“The bitch is lying! I didn't assault her, and I'm not drunk!”

My head swivels to Mel, who gives me the nod. I sigh as I put a hand on Lachlan's shoulder. Using his massive form, I push up to stand in the chair the drunk guy vacated. I let out a shrill whistle to get everyone's attention. Not that I really needed to since they're watching the exchange anyway.

“Who here saw dumbass grab me just now?” A slew of hands goes up. “And who all heard me tell him that I wanted him to do it?” Those same hands drop down. Turning to the man in cuffs, I shake my head. “Loads of witnesses. You're in my town, buddy. People don't like tourists messing with locals. Now you get to go with the sheriff.”

Sheriff Stokes drags him away before he can say another word. The bar is quiet for a moment, the attention completely on me and Lachlan. I decide now is as good a time as ever.

“Since I have your attention, I'll go ahead and let the rest of you know to chill the fuck out too. This behemoth hottie is Lachlan, my boyfriend. You don't want to upset me because it will upset him. Right, baby?” I give him a wide eyed, coy look.

“That's right, Ace. Nobody messes with what's mine.”

I shiver at the possession in his voice. “See! There you have it folks. Now let's get back to drinking and having fun.”

Lachlan lifts me from the chair, then eases me down the front of his body. “Office. Now.”

His growl has me nodding without thought. When I turn to look at Mel, she's giving me a thumbs up with a not-so-suitable-for-work version of what I should do to Lachlan as thanks for stepping in. I laugh at her audacity as I lead Lachlan to my office.

We're barely past the threshold when his control slips away. He's all hands as he lifts me and presses me into the door. I grip his shoulders as I wrap my legs around his waist.

“Don't like people touching you like that, Ace. It's got me all worked up. I want to mark you up. Make it clear to anyone who sees you that you're mine.” His voice is gravel, all broken and rough as he pants against my ear. “I want a ring on your finger and my marks on your neck. Eventually a baby in your belly and a house we share. You make me fucking crazy, and it feels like I'm losing the battle to keep my cool anytime you're around.”

“Lachlan,” I gasp. “That’s too much. Too soon. I need time. We barely know each other. I don't even know your middle name or your hometown.”

He loses some of his steam at my words. The burning tension from a moment ago simmers away, leaving a forlorn version of my white knight who just rode in to save the day. The dragon is dead, the princess is saved, and now he's waiting for the next step. His idea is of a future I can't quite picture yet.

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