“You got it.”
The hair on the back of my neck prickled as the seat next to me was pulled out.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Elijah’s low voice slid into my ear as the smell of stale booze wafted from his hot breath.
Great. He’s already three sheets to the wind.
“Laying it on thick there, Clark,” I spit out quickly with a little laugh. I loved how much he hated when I called him by his last name.
“Don’t be like that, sweetheart. Aren’t you just a little happy to be seeing me?”
As his head cocked to the side, I narrowed my gaze at him. “After all this time, why the hell would you ever think that?”
“That smartass mouth of yours is going to get you in quite a lot of trouble around these parts, little lady. Your memory can’t be that short. Don’t you remember the last night you mouthed off to me in public?”
“Do your worst, Elijah. Your empty threats don’t scare me anymore,” I bit back before turning away from him.
“Don’t for one second think there is anything empty about what I’m sayin’.” His hand gripped my wrist.
Wrong move, fucker.I was in no mood to deal with his bullshit.
Chapter 8
Maccon
Bellying up to the bar at the Red Crow, I ordered a pint of Jade IPA and a shot of Jameson neat. It had been so long since I drank alone at a bar, I didn’t really know what to do. The people-watching was prime that night with drunkards hollering at each other at the top of their lungs while playing rounds of pool, couples line-dancing their hearts out, and swarms of barflies trying to outdrink each other.
It didn’t take long for a gorgeous brunette with long flowing curls at the far end of the bar to catch my eye. Just as I mustered up enough courage to walk over to her, a guy took the empty seat beside her.
The blacked-out tattoo on his forearm wasn’t lost on me as I tried to place his somewhat familiar face. The brunette seemed to know him, and I chalked it up to bad timing.
There will be other women to talk to.I tried to reassure myself, but I couldn’t stop glancing over at her delicate features as she laughed and carried on with her guy for a short time.
Abruptly, her face twisted and his hand gripped her wrist. He pulled her to her feet and she promptly slapped him across the face.
Without a second thought, I leapt up from my stool and scrambled over to their side. “I think the lady has made it very clear that you’re no longer welcome here,” I growled in a low tone.
“Fuck you,” the douchebag snarled. “I think my old lady here just needs to learn her place. This doesn’t concern you.”
“Oh, I think it does concern me now.” I stepped in between them. “Don’t make me say it again.”
He threw his hands into the air. “You’re not worth it, slut. He can have you.”
The asshole spit at my feet before turning to walk away.
He backed down easily. What a pussy.
“Thanks,” the striking woman huffed as she sank back onto her chair.
“You all right?” I asked, taking the vacated stool next to her.
“Yeah, just an old boyfriend who needs to stay an ex. I don’t know why I even entertained the thought of being around him tonight.” She nudged the lime in her empty glass with a straw.
“Old habits die hard,” I responded, holding out my hand for her to take. “I’m Maccon.”
“Kinsley,” she replied, taking my hand. “Thank you.”
“No problem. What’re you drinkin’?” I pointed to the rocks glass next to Kinsley’s elbow.