Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Phoebe had explained that this was a networking event, so I knew I’d have to suck it up and share her attention while we were there. That didn’t mean I had to be happy about the situation.
A buffet table of hors d’oeuvres sat in the middle of the room, and since she’d mentioned having missed dinner, I moved us in that direction. I was starving, but the protective instincts in me wouldn’t let me take my focus off her safety.
When we reached the table, she handed me a plate but smiled gratefully and shook my head. She frowned and went to set both plates down, but I grabbed her wrist to stop her. “Eat something, baby,” I insisted. “I know you’re hungry.”
“And you’re not?” Phoebe remarked. “Didn’t you say you came straight to see me?”
I nodded.
“I’m going to assume that means you didn’t stop to eat.”
“I’ll grab something later. Go ahead,” I urged, finally releasing her so I could nudge her along in line.
When she hesitated again, I took her plate and began to fill it until I’d piled it high with food.
Phoebe laughed. “I’ll never be able to eat all that.”
I shrugged and put my hand on her back again, steering us toward an empty high-top table. When we reached it, I drew her around to stand with our backs to the wall. That way, I had a view of the exits, the entire room, and everyone in it.
A few people Phoebe introduced to me as local vendors stopped by to chat about upcoming events. When they moved on to speak with someone else, my eyes narrowed on a preppy-looking guy who was probably a few years younger than me. He smiled warmly at my girl as he approached the table. His eyes practically devoured her, and I had to stamp down the warning growl threatening to rumble in my chest. I needed to wait to see if the little shit did something stupid. I wouldn’t make a scene, but if he hit on my girl, he’d regret it.
“I’m glad to see you here, Phoebe,” the kid said with a wide smile as he moved around the table and held out his hand. Before Phoebe could shake it, I grasped his palm, swallowing it up in my much bigger one.
His eyes widened as he glanced at my hand holding his in a firm grip. I was making a point, so I wasn’t squeezing hard enough to cause pain…yet. “Hello,” he greeted me, his voice pitched just a little higher than it had been when he’d first walked up. “I’m Blaine Asbury. My family owns the hotel,” he added with the obnoxious arrogance of a spoiled, trust fund kid.
I nearly snorted at the name. It was pretentious and fit him perfectly.
“Silas,” I muttered gruffly, tightening my fingers just a bit. Phoebe let out a little gasp, but I slipped my other arm around her waist and gave it a squeeze, letting her know I wanted her to keep quiet. When she didn’t say anything, I gave her another squeeze to show her my appreciation.
“Oh, I didn't realize you were seeing anyone,” he said, his gaze bouncing between me and Phoebe. He was trying to extricate his hand from mine, but I was irritated that he was speaking directly to Phoebe, essentially trying to freeze me out of the conversation. It was so ludicrous, I almost laughed. Did he really think he had a shot with someone as incredible as my Phoebe?
“Well, now you know,” I grunted.
“Is it serious?” he mumbled, his eyes darting in my direction for a split-second. This time I didn't suppress the growl.
“Of course it’s fucking serious, Blaine,” I snarled, putting an emphasis on his name with a disgusted tone. “Now run along and hit on someone else’s girlfriend before I decide to kick your ass and save everyone the trouble.” At this point, I put enough pressure on his hand to elicit a little girlie yelp from him. Then I finally released it, and without another word or glance at my girl, he scurried away with his tail between his legs.
“Oh my gosh,” Phoebe groaned. I glanced down to see her face buried in her palms. Before I could say anything, she looked up at me, her pretty cheeks flushed with color, and snapped, “What was that?”
“A friendly warning,” I muttered.
“Are you going to scare off everyone who comes to talk to me? If so, it would have been better if I’d just stayed home.”
I didn’t feel bad for scaring away that little shit, but I would regret doing anything that would negatively impact her job.
“I’m sorry,” I told her with genuine remorse. “I’ll do better.” I almost ended it there, but I figured she deserved total honesty. “But if I see another man undressing you with his eyes like that little shit, I can’t promise I won't make it clear that if they don't keep their eyes to themselves, they’ll likely be swollen shut tomorrow.”