CHAPTER TWO
Brian
Charles @ Stella’s - Lynn
When a text from Lynn comes in, I grab my wallet and keys, dialing her number as I climb into the truck. Two more unanswered calls later, I’m pulling into the parking lot, cursing under my breath.
There’s no chance in hell Lynn would call me unless it was serious. Doubtful she’d call then. She’ll find any reason she can to get as far away from me as possible.
At least that’s what it seems like. No matter what I do, or how much I try to help her, she’s always in my face, telling me to mind my own business. I’ve lost count of how many times she’s told me I’m not the boss of her.
And I’m not. But I want to look out for her, keep her safe. Maybe even save her from herself.
But Logan, her brother and my best friend, has made it clear I need to back off and let Lynn handle things her own way. For the most part, I’ve honored his wishes. But it’s not easy being a bystander watching her life go up in flames.
Not when I feel the way I do about her.
Which is why her SOS text has me so riled. I swear if this Charles dude’s put a finger on her, I’ll mop the floor with his ass.
I spot Lynn’s car as soon as I pull into the lot. I head straight for the front door without a clue what I’ll find on the other side. But I’m ready for a fight if that’s what it takes. My blood’s boiling, and my stomach is clenched as tight as my jaw.
The door to Stella’s swings open as I’m reaching for the handle and out rushes Lynn.
I’d recognize her if she were wearing a potato sack, which she’s not.
She runs straight into my chest, her head turned as she looks over her shoulder.
I grab her and pull her into me, away from the door in case Charles is hot on her tail.
She lets out a sharp whoosh, followed by a second of silence as her gaze meets mine. She recovers quickly, pulling in a high-pitched gasp. Under different circumstances, her guttural noises would elicit a different response in me. But not when she’s in fight or flight mode.
“Why the hell aren’t you answering your phone?” I growl, my voice laced with concern and irritation.
“What are you doing here?” She rears back, pushing against my chest with her palms.
“Saving your ass,” I snap back, without loosening my grip. “SOS, remember?”
“Damn it,” she mumbles under her breath, yanking her arm away. “Blair shouldn’t have called you.”
“You texted me.” I grab her arm and pull her into me when the restaurant door swings open. “Tell me what’s going on.”
A man charges outside, and for the second time in minutes, I’m nearly blindsided. He jostles into my shoulder before coming to an abrupt stop. His gaze shifts from Lynn to me, then back to her.
I size him up immediately one fist at the ready—starched white shirt, black trousers, and preppy shoes. Too much gel in his hair, and though we’re a match height, he’s a little soft around the edges. I bet he’s never seen a hard day’s work or a gym in his life.
“What’s going on here?” He addresses Lynn, but keeps an eye on me, a look of confusion across his wrinkled brow.
Honestly, I’d like to know what’s going on, too. Until he opens his mouth again.
“Look, bud, she’s with me,” he says. “Come back inside, Lynn. The manager’s sending a free appetizer over while we wait.”
He tries to sidestep me, but I block him. “Is this the creep?” I’m not playing around with niceties.
Lynn nudges her shoulder into my ribs, and she’s not gentle about it. I hold my ground. “Brian,” she huffs, but stays close to my side. “Look, Charles. This isn’t going to work out. My boyfriend...”
“Boyfriend?” The crease across his forehead deepens. “But I thought—”
“We were, but...” She glances at me with a wild look in her eyes, then slides her hand up my arm and squeezes.
I flex automatically, and she rolls her eyes.
Her nostrils flare as she takes her next breath.
“He begged me to come back to him. There’s only so much groveling a woman can take. You understand.”
She plasters on a sugary sweet smile, and as much as I don’t like this hallucination of hers, I do like her body pressed against mine.
“Sure, he understands.” I clamp my hand over hers and scowl at Charles. “Enjoy your free appetizer... Charles.”
I steer us away from the entrance into the parking lot, keeping my grip on Lynn. “Grovel?” I grumble.
“Oh, you know you would,” she says.
I let out a grumpy denial, though if the circumstances called for it, I would grovel. But only for her.
“Is he still watching?”
I don’t check. I could care less if the bastard’s flipping us the bird, let alone watching us.
She pulls at the corner of her bottom lip, gripping it with her teeth, fretting over something that no longer matters. “Just in case,” she says.
I barely have time to figure out what she means before she turns into me, catches the front of my shirt in her fist, and presses her lips to mine.
For half a second, I’m too damn stunned to react. It’s quick, barely more than the warm press of her mouth against mine. A kiss for show for an audience of one, before she starts to pull away.
Like hell.
My hand slides around her waist, and I pull her back, catching her mouth before she gets more than an inch away.
Her surprised breath warms my lips, and my better judgment gets sidelined.
I lean into the kiss, tilting my head as her fingers tighten in my shirt, her lips and body softening beneath mine.
There’s nothing fake about it now. All the heat that’s simmered beneath every argument we’ve ever had comes rushing to the surface. She presses closer, and I forget about every damn reason this isn’t a good idea.
When we finally break for air, our eyes lock. Hers wide and innocent, lips parted as she stares up at me. Her fist still tangled in my shirt, my hands firmly around her waist. And my only regret is that we’re standing in the middle of a damn parking lot instead of somewhere private.
But for one solitary moment, I get the girl.