“We own this bar,” Aries says, a smirk playing on his lips. “That’s why we’re here.”
“Seriously?” I mutter.
“Yeah, seriously,” Atlas replies, before walking off.
Aries offers me a small smile. “Have a nice night.”
Yeah, like that’s going to happen now. It looks like I’m on a fucking date when that’s not the case. I’m glad that Atlas walked away, though. It could have ended completely differently.
“Who was that?” Cole asks me, judgment in his tone.
“The owners, apparently,” I reply, turning back to him. “Now where were we?”
Right, he called me eye candy and I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. I down the rest of my margarita and place the glass on the bar. I realize I’d rather be sitting here with Atlas, even if we’re bickering, but he left, unimpressed with me, and now I just want to go home.
“Do you want another?” Cole asks.
“No, thank you. I have to drive so I think one is enough. Do you have any other plans for your birthday?” I ask, making casual conversation.
“Well,” he murmurs, leaning closer to me. “I was hoping to have a few drinks with you, and then take you home as my birthday present.”
Okay, wow. Presumptuous much?
My eyes widen. Very bold. And the assumption that I was going to sleep with him tonight frankly pisses me off. “I’m sorry, but I came out to have a drink with you as a colleague and a friend, nothing more.”
He has the audacity to look surprised at my rejection. “Really? You’re saying no? I’ve seen you checking me out at work.”
“Really,” I reply, putting on a fake smile. “I’m not interested in you in that way. I prefer to keep it professional while at work and I don’t usually date my colleagues. Sure, I may have checked you out, but that doesn’t mean I want to sleep with you. I don’t think you should assume that from any woman.”
And he doesn’t need to worry, because I’m never going to look at him again. I’ve never been less interested in a man than I am in him right now, and my vagina is as dry as the Sahara desert.
“I hope you have a good birthday. I’m going to head home. I’ll see you at work.” I stand up, throwing a twenty on the bar, and get the hell out of there. I’m cursing myself that I walked here from work and contemplate just calling an Uber to take me home.
But Cole follows me out and grabs my arm, stopping me from moving. He digs his fingers into my skin, and pulls me to the corner of the building, pushing me into the wall. I look around, but we’re hidden from the entrance. The hairs on the back of my neck stand and I try to remember every self-defense move I was ever taught. He towers over me, stepping into my personal space. His arms cage me in and he brings his face right up to mine.
“You’re kidding me right? I know you want me. And now, on my birthday, I’m finally giving you the chance and you’re going to turn me down? Is this you playing hard to get?”
I tell myself to maintain my composure and not show any fear. I channel every woman who raised me, including my sister. I narrow my eyes at him and stand up a bit straighter. “Again, so just because I checked you out a few times, I’m obligated to fuck you? Get your hands off me, Cole. Right now. My answer is no.”
“You little cock tease—”
I look at his throat, knowing exactly where I’m about to strike.
Suddenly Cole is thrown against the wall next to me with Atlas’s hand on his neck. The veins in Atlas’s forearm throb as he chokes him.
“I believe the lady said no,” Atlas seethes.
Cole’s face turns bright red as he gulps for air. Air that the bastard doesn’t deserve. Still, I don’t want Atlas to have to get in any trouble over this.
“Let him go,” I say gently, touching Atlas’s arm.
He lets go instantly, with Cole falling to the ground. He gets up and backs away from Atlas, who is a few inches taller than him. “Do you know who you’re messing with? I will put you away for this!”
“You can try,” I say as I step in front of Atlas. “But you’ll join him after I tell the police and our boss that you assaulted me. There’s camera footage everywhere on this street; I bet there’s one right on us now. I wonder what the California State Bar will have to say about that?”
Atlas replies in a quiet, yet menacing tone. “He’d have to be alive for you to do that, though.”
Cole pales, takes a few more steps back and then starts running away, like the little coward he is.