He is a good looking guy, more with a boy-next-door kind of appearance, but I know better than that. I knew him from high school and how he really is. He has a wild streak, and although this town is full of hard-working people, Jake never really seemed to care about any of that .
“I’m really glad you agreed to come out with me tonight. I know it was short notice, but I’ll be honest.” He leans in and rests his forearms on the table, his smile widening. My skin tightens at that look, and I can’t explain why a creepy feeling washes over me. “I never stopped thinking about you, Virginia .”
I hate the way he says my full name. I’ve grown so used to Carson calling me Jenny that hearing Jake say my name makes me feel...gross in a way .
And then Jake reaches out and places his hand on top of mine. My entire body freezes, just tenses up. I want to pull my hand away, want to tell him that this isn’t going to work. It would be different if I knew he just wanted a friendly relationship. But the way he looks at me, the way I notice his gaze lingering over my breasts when he thinks I’m not paying attention, tells me he wants something more than just being my friend .
I’m about to pull my hand away and just be honest with Jake, tell him that I don’t want anything more than a platonic relationship. Hell, I will even admit that I’m in love with someone else. Because saying those words out loud to somebody else is the first step in me being honest and finally coming clean with Carson as well, right ?
But before I can take my hand away I hear a commotion at the front of the restaurant. I turn my head and look toward the front doors, feeling my eyes widen as I see the man I’m madly in love with looking around with wide, crazed eyes and an angry expression .
I’m about to stand up and go to Carson to see what’s going on, thinking maybe Mavis has been hurt, or maybe there is some other bad news which would make him come to the restaurant and find me .
But just as I’m about to stand I feel Jake add pressure to the hand he has over mine. And then Carson looks right at me, our gazes locking, his expression intent, possessive. I feel a light brush on my lips and snap my attention to Jake. I can feel his thumb running a small circle around my cheek, right next to my mouth. I look over at Carson again just in time to see him storming over, his gaze narrowed and trained right on Jake .
Oh God. I may not understand what’s going on, but I know that look Carson is wearing. Shit is definitely about to hit the fan .
Chapter 7
Carson
I t’s as if this violent beast breaks free inside of me. I see that little asshole reach out and touch Jenny. The very thought of him putting his hands on my woman has this territorial need inside me rising up. I want to beat his fucking ass. I want him to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she is mine .
I see Jenny‘s eyes widen, see her body straighten. I have no doubt she notices a change in me, probably wondering what in the hell I’m doing barreling toward her and that little prick. He still has his hands on my girl, oblivious to the fact I’m coming right for him. I see Jenny‘s mouth open and close, but she is still staring at me. I doubt she said anything to him. I doubt she’s warned him .
I doubt she knows what’s going to happen… But she will .
And then I’m right beside the table. I’m seeing red, can’t focus on anything but how I feel in this moment. Possessiveness swirls inside of me, makes me a fiend. I find myself reaching out and grabbing his arm, pulling it away from where his hand is touching Jenny. It’s as if I’m in someone else’s body, not able to control myself with rationalization .
He looks over at me, the confusion on his face clear. And then I’m hauling him out of the booth. I can hear Jenny’s voice but can’t make out what she’s saying. I’m too pissed in this moment .
“Don’t ever fucking touch what’s mine.” I hear the growl in my words, and my focus is trained right on the asshole. The guy is nothing to be threatened over, but that doesn’t mean I want him touching Jenny .
“Carson?” I look over at her then, the shock in her voice clear. Jenny’s eyes are as wide as saucers and I realize what I said out loud. But I want her to know anyway. It’s just I didn’t envision the revelation going this way .