“One blow job shot, coming up.” As I turned away, he reached across the bar and grabbed my arm.
He leered at me. “No, I’ll just take a blow job.”
I lowered my glare to where he still held my elbow, his stubby fingers digging into my skin, and tried to yank my arm away.
“Let go of me, now,” I said through clenched, tight lips.
His beady eyes swept over my body. “You’re a pretty little thing.”
“And you’re about to be a dead little thing,” Theo’s forceful voice sounded from behind me. “Let go of the lady and let me walk you to the door.”
“I’m not done talking to her yet,” blond guy said.
“The fuck you are,” Theo said.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” blond guy questioned.
Theo, in one fell swoop, leapt across the bar. It was sexy as hell. He slammed the man’s face down and leaned down to his ear. “I’m the owner, and I’m throwing you the fuck out.” Still gripping the man by the back of his neck, Theo led him to the door.
Margo rushed over to where I stood.
“Did that really happen?” She took a seat, all of her attention focused on Theo and the raucous ensuing.
Theo was in a heated discussion with the blond guy, and by the time Seth made his way over to offer back up, Theo had the jerk out of the door.
“Yeah, that guy’s an asshole.” I rubbed my elbow, my eyes glued to the action at the entrance as well.
“He’s like some hot as hell superhero,” she said, turning to me.
“It’s him,” I leaned in and whispered, “The Lord of my O’s.”
Her brows shot up. “Are you serious?” She looked over at Theo and then back to me. “Penny, what are the chances of The Lord of your O’s buying this bar?”
I lifted my brows at her. “Apparently excellent.”
After kicking the guy out, Theo rushed over, taking my elbow in his hands, glancing it over. “Are you ok?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m used to it.” I shrugged.
He locked eyes with me. “No one will touch you again while I’m around. I won’t have anyone manhandling my employees.”
“Thanks for helping, but I can take care of myself, just so you know.” I held his stare as he dropped my arm.
“It’s my job to protect my workers.”
His sincerity caught me off guard and a current of want flowed through my body, settling in my core.
“Thanks,” I muttered as he walked away.
“Oh, damn. I can’t believe he’s the guy from the beach. It must be fate,” Margo said in an all too self-assured voice. She walked back over to her previous spot at the bar and grabbed her drink. “I’ll be over on a lounger wishing I was you.”
“He doesn’t even remember who I am,” I whispered to myself as she walked away.
***
A few days later, Dex called before I left for work. When I mentioned Theo Sullivan he sat silent for a moment and then told me to stay away from him. When I questioned why, he abruptly cut the conversation short. This behavior was odd and out of character for Dex. When we first met he was so charming, and lately he’d turned into something different.
Chaos greeted me when I walked into work. It was a later shift, and the afternoon rush destroyed the bar. The liquor order wasn’t put away, and I didn’t see anyone manning the bar.