Chapter 8
Leland
FUCKING CARLTON.
Of all the nights for that prick to show up at the bar and give Paige shit, it would figure he’d choose this one. The one where Leland was already struggling to keep himself in line. Already unable to keep his distance.
Leland stood just inside the door of The Creekery for the second time today, rocking his head from side to side as he attempted to stretch out the tension collecting in his neck and shoulders.
He’d gone home after his shift, fully intending to stay there, but all he’d ended up doing was pacing the floors until he finally gave up and got dressed.
The drive from his place to downtown Moss Creek took less time than it should have, and right now he was incredibly grateful for that.
Because if he’d walked in even a few minutes later, he wouldn’t have been able to save Paige from the one guy in town who hadn’t figured out how to take no for an answer.
Probably because the fucker got off on the thrill of the hunt. The joys of manipulation and coercion.
Tonight that was going to end.
Unfortunately, given his chosen career path, he couldn’t do what he really wanted—punch Carlton right in his smug fucking face. He also couldn’t dish out threats or do anything else that could be seen as a violation of his duty.
And, considering Carlton already knew Leland and Paige were good friends, his presence alone wasn’t enough of a deterrent.
That left him with one option and one option only.
And he didn’t hate it.
Shouldering through the crowd, he cut the most direct path to where Carlton was holding Paige hostage, one meaty hand clamped at her elbow.
The muscle in his jaw ticked as he watched the cowboy squeeze tighter.
After so many failed attempts to get the attention of Moss Creek’s most eligible bachelorette, Carlton must’ve decided intimidation was the way to get Paige to do what he wanted.
Leland almost chuckled at that, because clearly the fucker didn’t know Paige at all. Intimidation would only piss her off. And significantly raise the chances Carlton was going to leave the bar tonight with only one testicle intact.
It would be one hell of a deserved outcome, but would also lead to a significant amount of paperwork.
Paige likely wouldn’t get home until dawn.
She was already running on not enough sleep—she always was—so if there was a way for him to get Carlton in line and Paige home, tucked in her bed, at a decent hour, that’s what he was going to ensure happened.
He reached Paige’s side just as her eyes started to narrow. A second later, and she would’ve been swinging. Not that it couldn’t still happen. His plan to get Carlton out of Paige’s life might just change who she was aiming at.
It would be worth it if he never had to see this asshole touch her again.
“Carlton.” He brought a hand down onto the shoulder of the arm gripping Paige. “I see you’re keeping an eye on my girl for me.” He waited for the second his words registered, using the surprise they brought to knock Carlton back a step with what could be perceived as a good-natured pat to his delt.
Unless you saw it for what it was—a shove.
The second Carlton let her go, Leland used his free arm to sweep Paige in tight at his side, positioning them so his body stood between her and the man who’d been a thorn in her side for years.
Carlton’s hardened gaze snapped from Paige to him then back to Paige. “Did he just call you his girl ?”
Leland shifted in his boots, the minor change in his positioning blocking Carlton’s view of Paige completely. He didn’t like that the fucker was still trying to talk to her. Still acting like he had any right to her attention.
Leaning closer, so Carlton couldn’t avoid him anymore, Leland met the man’s glare. “I did. I guess word hasn’t gotten around yet.”
It would now, though. And, in this moment, he couldn’t bring himself to be sorry for it.
Later though, he’d likely be kicking his own ass.
Carlton’s eyes narrowed further and his nostrils flared. “You’re fucking full of shit.”
Of everything that could’ve come out of Carlton’s mouth, that was not a response he was expecting. “Excuse me?”
Carlton stepped closer, almost like the dipshit planned to square up. “I said, you’re full of shit.” One accusing finger jabbed in Paige’s direction. “Everyone knows you’ve wanted her for years. If she wanted you back, she would’ve been your girl way before now.”
Carlton’s words hit a little too close to home, leaving Leland’s brain struggling to craft a worthy response.
Because they were probably true. He had wanted Paige for years. And if Carlton’s dumb ass figured it out, Paige’s brilliant mind surely knew.
A loud bang followed by the rattle of empty glasses nearly made him jump. He glanced over to see Paige had slammed her tray onto the table beside them.
She stepped around Leland’s side, shouldering him back a step.
Her lip was twisted into what could most accurately be described as a snarl as she advanced on Carlton.
“I know this might be difficult for your tiny little brain to understand, but some men value women. They see them as more than just a hole to shove their dick into. They’re willing to bide their time to preserve a friendship because it genuinely matters to them. ”
Leland stiffened. If Carlton’s words were true, then Paige’s were accurate to a scientific standard. They also made it seem like maybe Paige did know how he felt for her.
And if that was the case, it meant his love was one-sided.
Proving just how dumb he was, Carlton laughed. “Men and women can’t be friends. One of them always wants to fuck the other one.” His eyes drifted to Leland. “He’s a perfect example, because he sure as hell wants to fuck you.”
Paige’s left hand shot out in the direction of the tray and glasses. Thankfully, Leland had been expecting her to start throwing things at some point, so he was able to block her attempt, his fingers wrapping gently around her wrist.
Undeterred, Paige decided to go after Carlton with her second most dangerous weapon.
Her tongue.
“Obviously, you aren’t paying as close attention as you thought you were, because it wasn’t Leland who wanted to fuck me.” Paige enunciated every word, making sure they were clear and concise as each one landed with the sharpness of a knife.
Carlton didn’t miss her meaning. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed as he leaned down. “I think you’re full of shit too.” His eyes flicked to Leland before going back to Paige’s face. “Because there’s no way in hell you would have picked him when you knew you could’ve had me.”
He held his breath, waiting to see what Paige would say to that. Worried that despite his best efforts, he was still going to end up knocking out Carlton’s front teeth.
But instead of arguing back, Paige turned away, dismissing the other man. Done with this conversation and done with Carlton.
He couldn’t blame her. The guy was an ass.
Leland started to step back, intending to give her room to leave, but Paige grabbed the front of his shirt, stopping his retreat. Her other hand clamped onto the back of his neck, pulling hard. In the blink of an eye his lips were against hers.
He was kissing his best friend. The woman he knew better than anyone. The woman he’d loved for as long as he could remember. And even though it wasn’t a real kiss—it was for demonstration purposes only—he was a big enough piece of shit to take advantage.
In under a heartbeat, his arms were around her, pinning Paige’s body close as he kissed her the way he’d always wanted to.
Her lips were soft and warm as they parted beneath his.
The hot slick of her tongue into his mouth inflamed every cell in his body, and shorted out the ones in his head.
Before he even knew what he was doing, her hips were gripped in his hands as he lifted her up onto the table, shoving the tray and glasses right to the edge.
Fully committing to the bit, Paige wrapped her legs around his waist, nibbling at his lower lip as her soft breath came in sharp pants against his skin. Almost like?—
“Fucking sick.” Carlton made a sound of disgust. “You two deserve each other.”
He wanted to agree with Carlton on that one.
He’d been circling the truth for years, too chicken shit to make his move. But now, with Paige’s mouth on his, there would be no going back. No return to what was.
That meant his only choice was to move forward, and convince her to come with him. And that’s exactly what he planned to do.
As soon as he was done kissing her.
“He’s gone.” A familiar voice rang out right beside him. “And we want this table.”
Leland forced his lips away from Paige’s, pulling in a steadying breath before turning to the little lady staring at him expectantly.
Muriel’s brows lifted behind her glasses. “It was a good performance though.” She gave him an exaggerated wink. “Very convincing.”
“I know I was convinced.” Gertrude grabbed one of the chairs, pulling it out before plopping down. “Got me all hot and bothered.”
Holy hell. The last thing he needed tonight was the Bridge Bitches showing up. The women were nosy as hell and loved to gossip. He’d assumed him kissing Paige would be all over town by tomorrow morning. Now he’d be lucky if every person in the city limits didn’t hear about it before midnight.
And regret was already setting in.
Hooking one arm around Paige’s waist, he lifted her ass up off the table, catching the hem of her skirt to keep it down as he dragged her off the polished surface, keeping her steady as her boots found the floor.
Paige’s eyes didn’t come his way as she grabbed her tray from the table. He barely caught the flush of her cheeks as she mumbled something about coming back to take their order before basically running away.
He watched her go, waiting until she was fully out of sight before turning to the women now occupying the seats in front of him. He scanned their faces, looking to see who their handler was tonight, but it appeared they were unsupervised, which was not a good thing.
“Who’s your designated driver tonight?” He turned to the crowd, looking for their most recent adoptee, Grady and Evelyn’s helper, Isla. The bar was pretty packed, but not bad enough he shouldn’t have been able to find her. “Don’t tell me one of you is trying to drive home.”
Gertrude scoffed. “Don’t be stupid.” She angled a brow his way. “Even though you do have a history of it.” She leaned back in her seat, crossing both arms. “Winter was nice enough to offer to drop us off and pick us up.”
“That is pretty nice of her.” He looked over the table. “I’m assuming you’re all going to be on your best behavior?”
Betty snorted. “Better than you Cowboy Casanova.” She waggled her brows at him. “You just gonna kiss her like that and let her walk away?”
“I didn’t kiss her.” One hand went to the back of his neck, scrubbing over the spot Paige grabbed him. “She kissed me.”
The table of old women stared at him like he was an idiot.
“I wish a man wouldn’t kiss me like that.” Gertrude shook her head. “It’s been years since I’ve had that kind of tongue action.” She lifted her brows. “Did I ever tell you about the time I slept with Kenny?—”
“For the love of God. You’ve told everyone about Kenny Rogers putting his island in your stream.
We’re sick of hearing about it.” Muriel focused her gaze on Leland.
“And we’re also sick of sitting here every week watching you pine away like a little lost puppy dog. It’s time to shit or get off the pot.”
Is that how he came across? Like the same lovesick teenager staring at the pretty, popular girl with stars in his eyes? Because if it was, then maybe those stars were clouding his vision. Making him want to see things that weren’t there.
And if he wasn’t careful, those same damn stars might cost him the woman who meant more to him than just about anything.
Flicking one last look at where Paige stood behind the bar, as far from him as she could get, he had to admit, things weren’t looking good.
“I’ll leave you ladies to it.” He backed away from the table, wishing he’d never come back out. “Don’t drink too much.” The last word wasn’t even out of his mouth before he tucked tail and made for the door.
He needed to put some space between himself and Paige. Get a little time and distance between them and hope he came out the other end with his head on straight, his vision clear.
And his friendship with Paige intact.