Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 4
RHETT
I bite on to my lip to hold back the groan. It’s either that or I’m going to moan, and there will be no doubt to anyone around us what I think about having Maddie in my arms. I thought I could do this. The plan was to stay in my seat and mind my own business. I was just going to keep an eye out for her ex and intervene if I needed to.
I didn’t think about how I would feel, seeing her across the room, laughing and having a good time. I wasn’t prepared when she moved to the dance floor and I could no longer see her from my seat. I told myself that I moved closer to the dance floor because I wanted to make sure she was safe. And yeah, I want her safe, but that’s only part of it. I’m drawn to her. The way she lights up, I had no choice but to follow her.
I stood on the sideline, content to watch her dance with her friend. As soon as the lights lowered and the tempo of the music slowed, I tensed up. I thought I would breathe easier when she started to walk off the dance floor, but I let my guard down too soon. I should have known that some man would ask her to dance. He’d be a fool not to.
But I don’t have to like it.
I stayed rooted to my spot for as long as I could, but it wasn’t long before I was making my way through the couples and cutting in. Now here I am with Maddie in my arms, and I’m wishing that the night didn’t have to end.
It kills me to know she’s scared of her ex, and I wasn’t lying when I told her he wouldn’t touch her. There’s no way he’s getting near her. The thought of him touching her makes me feel lethal.
“You okay?”
Her hand has slid to my chest, and she’s tilted her head back to look up at me. She’s just a few inches away, and I could easily lean down and press my lips to hers. I want to do it. Heck, I want to throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of here, but I can’t do anything that I want. “Yeah, I’m good.”
She pats her hand on my chest. “I think I’m ready to go home.”
My hands tighten on her waist because I don’t want to let her go. “Are you sure? I can make my way back over to the bar, and you can go back to your friends.”
She shakes her head. “No, I think I’m ready.”
Reluctantly, I let her go and take a step back.
She turns on her heel, and I follow behind her. She goes to tell her friends bye, and I wait by the door. When she gets close to me, I help her put her jacket on. We’re both quiet as we walk out of the bar. The quiet sound of the night is welcoming, and we walk side by side toward my truck.
I hear Wes before I see him. “Well, well, well. What have we got here?”
Maddie stops mid-stride, and I grab her hand, pulling her against me. Wes is here with two of his buddies, and the three of them are standing in front of us, blocking our path.
“I suggest you move, Wes.”
He ignores me and looks at Maddie instead. “Is this why you broke it off? I knew there was something going on between you two.”
I pull Maddie behind me. “You have a problem, you talk to me. Not her.”
He frowns. “What happened? She give you a few acres so you’re throwing her a bone?”
I take a big step toward Wes and stop when I bump into his chest. I can feel Maddie’s hand on my back, and I know she means to calm me, but it makes me even more tense that she’s so close to me knowing one of the other two guys could do something stupid at any moment. Because I can’t stop myself, I reach for the front of Wes’ shirt and pull him in close with my face in his. At least the men that are with him don’t come to his rescue. If anything, they move away. I tighten my hold on the man. “Here’s how this is going to go down, Wes. First, you’re going to shut your mouth. You even mention Maddie’s name and you won’t like the consequences. Second, you’re going to stay away from her. You see her and you go the other way. If I find out you’ve called her, approached her, or hell, even thought about her, I will end you.”
He’s pissed, that much is obvious. He doesn’t like being called out, especially in front of his buddies. I grip his shirt tightly and repeat while enunciating each word. “Do. You. Got. It?”