“Yeah, your girlfriend. And get your hands off me.”
“Make me,” the man threatened.
“Oh, I don’t have to make you. My brothers will do that for me.” Behind the man, the Hades’ Spawn in the bar lined up, with Luke front and center.
The man twisted his head to see them and released Saks.
“I don’t know you from Adam, but this place, it’s my territory. So, make yourself scarce.”
But the idiot was either very brave or very stupid, because he raised his fist and smashed Saks’ jaw.
“No, Marcus!”
Saks heard Chrissy’s words as he staggered backward, into the arms of a Spawn member.
“You okay?” Luke called out.
“Let me at him,” Saks snarled.
“Easy, Saks,” Luke said. “Not sure if the company health insurance covers bar brawls.”
“Fuck that,” Saks growled. The frustrations of the past week flared through him, to blaze into pure white heat. He launched himself at Marcus and swung, but failed to connect. Chrissy’s hand was on Marcus’ arm, and she managed to yank the man off balance before Saks landed his blow. Saks stumbled and unintentionally fell against her.
Her eyes registered stunned surprise, but then she pushed hard, shoving him away from her. Damn. Saks was surprised. She was stronger than she looked.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Chrissy snapped.
“What the hell is yours? What’s wrong? A grease monkey not good enough for you?” The words tumbled out of Saks’ mouth before he could stop them.
Her faced colored a bright shade of red, confirming his suspicions. Chrissy’s mouth opened as if to say something, and then shut.
“Come with me,” he snarled. He motioned toward the front door, then stopped the growl in his voice. “Please.”
“Chrissy?” Marcus called.
“It’s fine,” she said. “I can take care of myself.”
“Anthony!” John yelled.
“Stay out of this,” Saks replied. “I’m fine. This is between her and me.” He reached for her hand and kept walking until he reached the back of the building. He turned as the motion sensor light came on, illuminating her face.
“Take your hands off me!” Chrissy spat.
“Really? That’s not what you said the other night. What changed? Or is one slice of bad-boy enough and it was time to go back to your boyfriend?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Not that it’s any of your business, but I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Yeah. Right,” Saks snorted. “Big boy back there was awfully protective of you. Or do you do the same thing to all the guys you fuck? One and done? Only they don’t know it?”
“What the hell is with men today?” she said, as if talking to herself. “You’re ridiculous,” she snapped. “What makes you the lord and master of my life?” Her eyes were blazing, and she took her breaths in ragged gasps.
Fire, ice, and all that blazing heat.
She was the most beautiful thing he’d even seen.
“This,” Saks said, no longer thinking. He pulled her to him, claiming her mouth with a searing kiss that sent electric shocks coursing through his veins. Her mouth was so luscious, so velvety, he had to have more. He pushed his tongue against her lips, teasing them with its tip, urging her to open. She melted against him as he held her as close as physically possible. Her chest pressed against his and her scent filled his nose. “Seriously, baby,” he murmured as her mouth opened to his and his tongue entered, tasting the delights within. “How can you not want this?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN