Chapter 13 Cooper #2
“I don’t know haven’t talked to him, but I’m sure he is. It doesn’t matter though, Mae is new to Paxton. She doesn’t know to stay away from Kensington Ranch and all of its hands.”
I stare at them as jealousy rises in my chest. I’m aware of the overly protective part of me, not that I have any right to be protective of Mae. But someone has to say something to her.
Jacob grins down at her small figure and slides his hand to her lower back. I bristle again. It’s one thing for a woman to want a man’s touch. It’s another entirely when he takes advantage of it by copping a feel disrespectfully.
Mae reaches behind her and pulls his hand up on her back, away from her ass. Good girl. He hasn’t earned that right.
Not that I have either.
He says something, and I wish I could read lips.
Mae nods, and Jacob takes her hand, leading her onto the dance floor.
“Is she the reason we’re here?” Sterling asks.
I glance at him before returning to Mae and Jacob.
“Wow, dumbass, it took you that long to figure it out?” June mutters.
“You know me, June, ever the idiot,” he grumbles and lifts his hat, rubbing his head before placing it back on, directing his attention to me.
“You should save her from that asshole. You’ve been ogling her since you walked through the door,” Sterling says.
I don’t answer, taking another drink.
Sterling shrugs. “No problem, I can,” he says and takes a step.
I grab his shoulder before he takes another step. “She’s spoken for.”
Sterling laughs. “Is she?”
“Sterling,” I growl.
He grins widely. “That’s alright, I can ask that pretty lady to dance,” he says, lifting his chin to a group of women.
“You make it sound like I’m a jealous man whore,” I grumble.
Sterling chuckles. “No man, that’s me, but it’s not like you have troubles with the ladies. What’s the hold-up?”
“At least you’re honest with yourself,” June grumbles, loud enough I can hear, but I don’t think Sterling heard her.
I shrug. “This is different.”
Sterling snorts. “I've heard that one before.”
“Not from me, you ass,” I grumble.
He chuckles. “No, from someone else,” he says and glances at June, who’s focused on the label of her beer bottle.
“Why don’t you go steal her for a dance then?” Sterling asks.
I glance at him and look at June.
“On that we can agree. If you don’t, I will so I can tell her the man getting a little too handsy is not worth her time,” June says.
Jacob pulls Mae closer as Shania Twain plays, and he drops his hand on her ass again. Something snaps in me, and I don’t wait for her to correct him again.
I move through the crowd as if the people dancing are the mountain, and Mae is twirling at the top of it.
Coming up on them, Jacob turns, halting his steps. Mae’s forced smile drops, and her eyes widen.
“Can I cut in?” I ask Jacob as politely as possible while still staring at Mae.
“No, you can’t,” he says.
I keep looking down at Mae with her beautiful long curly hair and pink painted lips staring up at me. “Mae?” I ask her.
“Cooper, I’m on a date,” she says.
“I can see that, but are you aware of who you’re on a date with?” I ask her.
She makes a face and glances at Jacob. “Yes,” she grits.
“Back off, Hayes,” Jacob says.
They take off around the dance floor, and I go back to where June has been watching the whole time.
“I take it that didn’t go well,” she says.
I shake my head and watch as Jacob spins them around. The happy smile is gone from Mae’s face, and she keeps looking over at us.
“Do you want me to say something? She might believe me,” June says.
“I don’t know how you’re going to manage that since they haven’t been apart for ten minutes,” I grumble.
June sighs. “It’s called the ladies room, Cooper, we go in pairs.”
I glance at her, and she leans her elbows on the bar. I don’t miss the way she peeks over at Sterling, making a few women laugh.
“Or I could punch Jacob in the face. We all know he deserves it.”
June hums. “You’re right, he absolutely deserves it. In fact, we should probably call Ledger because I’m sure he could arrest him for something. However, you don’t need to get yourself arrested for assault. Naomi doesn’t need that.”
I sigh, knowing June is right. The Cooper without a kid would have already taken Jacob out back because Jacob is not only being disrespectful, but all the gossip in Paxton isn’t just rumors.
He’s done some things with women that were borderline, and everyone knows about Kensington Ranch and their extra curriculars. All of those things, I’m positive Mae would not want to be associated with whatsoever.
I study Mae and Jacob on the dance floor from my barstool, refusing to move. It’s loud, and the beer is flowing, but I’m laser-focused. A few people come up to me and I give them a brief hello but keep watch. Is it a little creepy? Yes. Would I want a man staring at Naomi as an adult like this? No.
But the reckless part of me is coming through, and I want to let it all out.
Mae says something to Jacob, and he releases her.
“That’s my cue,” June says, moving in the same direction as Mae.