Tansy blinked. “How do you do that? How do you get right to the bottom line so quickly?”
He shrugged those massive shoulders, and she wanted to snuggle right in.
As if reading her mind, Sam straightened and tucked her into his side in a side-arm hug. Except he didn’t let her go like he would her brother. He kept his arm there, and she leaned in, resting her head against his chest as they continued to look at the lake.
“He approached outside companies about the work and claimed not only to be the creator but that he had the rights to sell it.”
“Obviously, he’s a prick as well as a dumbass. And stupid on top.”
She couldn’t disagree, which made her feel even more foolish.
“How’d he take being tossed out on his ass?”
She managed a laugh. “Not well. Not well at all.”
It had been a hideous scene.
Sam suddenly tensed. He turned and gripped her shoulders with his big hands. Then he leaned down so she couldn’t avoid looking into his eyes.
“You were with this guy?”
Tansy dropped her gaze, but even without the words, he knew.
“Aw, Tans. That sucks. I’m sorry.” Then he pulled her in for one of his bear hugs. Guaranteed to make everything better.
“Did he hurt you?”
Her half-second hesitation was enough to have him pulling back and searching her eyes again.
“He was really angry. Tossed things around. Picked up a lamp. I wasn’t sure if he was going to try to hit me with it or not.”
Sam’s smile was fierce in the moonlight. “You kicked the lamp out of his hand, didn’t you?”
At her nod, he hugged her again. “I’m betting he stormed out like the coward he is. Scared shitless of a wisp of a girl.”
“Hey.”
“That’s how he would see you, Tans. He’d see a tiny woman and assume you’d be afraid of him physically. He’d think he’d have the upper hand. As I said, dumbass.”
Sam hadn’t met him, but he’d nailed the description completely.
Tansy wrapped her arms around Sam and leaned into him. “Thank you. I’ve been feeling like the dumbass.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “You a dumbass? Never. Unless we’re talking about keeping track of your phone. Then all bets are off.”
He was totally right there, so she didn’t argue.
“Is the asshole still bothering you? Still after your work?”
“I’ve blocked his number.”
When she didn’t continue, he squeezed her gently. “But?”
“But he’s tried with other numbers. And he’s sent emails.”
Sam’s muscles flexed, and the man had muscles everywhere. His hands coasted up and down her back, making her burrow in closer.
As long as he kept touching her, she’d tell him anything. Everything.