Fake Marriage Box Set

"I'm no one." I gave my bouncer friend a warning glance and then turned back to Joshua. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to let you manhandle the lady here."

Joshua gave a tight laugh. "I didn't know white knights came in a hipster-trash model."

His surface judgment of me burned, as it always did, but I reminded myself it did not matter what he thought. I knew who I was, and that was enough.

"So you admit she needs saving?" I asked.

Joshua rolled his eyes and laughed again. "Please. No one around here is going to think that Corsica needs saving from me. You, on the other hand, you look just like the kind of guy women should steer clear of."

"Stop, Joshua," Corsica snapped. Her blue eyes glittered with irritation, and I was relieved not to see a speck of fear.

Then, she rubbed her sore elbow, and my insides boiled again. "One of these days, pretty boy, you're going to learn that your worth has nothing to do with your looks. Or maybe your looks are all you've got."

Joshua took the challenge and stepped towards me. "You really looking to fight me?" He pushed Corsica away when she tried to stop him. "I'll be glad to pound you into the pavement and then bring you up on assault charges. I think we both know who a judge is going to side with."

I thought of all the judges my father regularly golfed with. One phone call and any charge against me would be dropped. Too bad I would never make that call. I would gladly spend time in jail rather than talk to my father.

Allen crossed his tree trunk arms. "No one's fighting on my sidewalk," he boomed.

"She wants a minute to think," I said to Joshua. "Are you telling me you're so insecure you can't even let the lady decide for herself? If she wants to go home with you, it's up to her. If she doesn't, then you're going to leave alone."

"What if she can speak for herself?" Corsica snapped.

I was startled when her glittering blue eyes landed on me. "I'm just trying to help," I said.

"Help?" Corsica asked. "You're no better than him. What are you going to do? Bully him into not bullying me?"

"So, you admit he was bullying you," I pointed out.

She stepped forward and poked a finger into my chest. "The only thing I'll admit is that you are both acting like a couple of jackasses. What century do you think this is? I can and will decide for myself."

Joshua shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'm right here when you're ready," he said.

I looked down at her, furious that she had missed my good intentions. "So, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to keep my conversations private, thank you very much." Corsica stalked off down the sidewalk and gave a sharp motion for Joshua to follow her. He gave me a superior smile and followed after her.

That should have been the end of it, but I just stood there watching her go. It took every ounce of willpower not to follow them and make sure she really was going to be all right.

"Nice try," Ginny said.

"You're not going with them?" I asked.

The little pixie of a woman shook her hair. "Nah. I think I'm going to go back inside. A few old co-workers of mine are here." She glanced up at me. "Not what you wanted to hear?"

I sighed. "I know I don't know him, but I know his type. He always wants to be in charge, and he's not always going to be nice about it."

Ginny shrugged. "I'm not big on judging a person by their looks, but I think you might have nailed Joshua. You wish I was going with her."

"I just want to know someone is taking care of her," I admitted.

Ginny patted my arm, blew a kiss to the bouncer, and took off after Corsica.

I turned and saw Allen's goofy smile. "Oh, God. You look like a man in trouble."

Allen popped his mouth shut, but didn't take his eyes off Ginny. "I'd say it takes one to know one."

I groaned. "That's not it. Not at all. I'm just looking for something to take my mind off meeting my father."