Hear that? It’s the sound of your plan backfiring. Twice.
Doing his best to appear unconcerned at Hogan’s sudden arrival, Bowen watched Sera’s face as she processed her boss’s words. His last name and everything that came along with it. Why did he feel a surge of pride when she didn’t even flinch? He could pile it right on top of every other insane reaction he’d had to her since walking into Rush, because he sure as hell didn’t have a fucking clue. While he might not understand the fierce urge to protect a virtual stranger, one thing had become instantly clear. He wasn’t leaving her there to fend for herself. Not a chance.
When they’d briefed him at police headquarters, he’d told them he would do this his own way or not at all. It would be a cold day in hell before he took orders from the police, so they would have to trust him to handle it.
When Newsom had balked at this condition, he’d managed to convince him that the closer the cops came to Sera, the more danger she would be in. He’d meant it, too. Everyone in this neighborhood knew one another. They craved the familiar.
It was one of the reasons he knew Sera’s time was limited.
Already, the idea of her being harmed had him by the throat. She’d had him by the damn throat since the moment he’d arrived. After seeing the photograph of her, he’d expected to walk in and find a wide-eyed Girl Scout seconds from her death. Only half of that expectation had come true. There was innocence, so much innocence, but she’d done a bang-up job hiding it underneath skintight jeans and a crop top. Rich brown hair, drizzled with a honey color, brushed where he knew her nipples would be if he lifted her shirt. Just enough makeup to fit in without looking unnatural, like most of the girls who frequented Rush.
No spray tan, no glittery eye goop, just a rosy glow that made his hands itch to touch her skin. On sight, she’d affected him so much it hurt to look at her, while at the same time it hurt worse to look away. Then her lips parted and that husky voice had come out, stroking over every inch of his body.
At that moment, his game plan had changed from simply making her casual acquaintance to daring anyone to come within ten feet of her. And the quickest way to ensure her safety, in his mind, had been to put a stamp of ownership on her. Right there in the middle of Rush.
Which is about when his plan had gone to shit. Anyone who knew him was aware that Bowen’s relationships ended as quickly as they started. Usually within the same night. It only took a few whispered words and a nod toward the door to convince a girl to leave with him. He sure as hell didn’t dry-hump them in plain view of the dining room, keeping his mouth locked to theirs until his brain forced him to breathe. Like he’d done with Sera, right in front of several neighborhood lifers who were no doubt more curious about her than before his ass had ever walked through the door. So, yeah. Now instead of Bowen’s latest hookup , she’d become a possible target.
B u t Christ. She’d tasted so damn good. With her perfection pressed up against him, her eager tongue tangling with his, he’d lost his cool. That kiss had complicated the shit out of everything. A virgin. She hadn’t needed to say it out loud; he’d seen the answer in her eyes, the surprised noise she made when he’d shoved up between her legs.
No time to think about that now, though. He was the only thing standing between her and possible death. Time for damage control. He adopted his best shit-eating grin and faced Hogan. As he’d anticipated, the man looked suspicious. “Someone’s got to keep the waitresses in line when you’re not around, right?” Bowen put his hand out and after a slight hesitation, Hogan shook it. “I came by to talk. Guess I got a little distracted.”
Hogan still appeared dubious, but he nodded once. “Can’t say I blame you.
She’s quite the little distraction.”
It took every ounce of Bowen’s control not to grab Hogan by the throat when he gave Sera a lustful once-over.
“Why don’t we let her get back to work?” Hogan’s features tightened at Bowen’s
not-so-subtle
command,
warning him to reel back his obvious interest in Sera. “I’ll buy you a drink.”
Hogan very deliberately rubbed his jaw. “All right, Driscol.” He turned his hard gaze on Sera. “Enough standing around. You’re downstairs to serve drinks.”