Page 5 of Five Days to Be Mine

Ryder leans forward, and I twist my hand out of his, shaking my head.

“No, Ryder, not interested. Leave me alone.”

“Aww babe, don’t be like this. Come with me. We can get a start on that play.”

“The beautiful woman said no. I suggest you leave now,” the commanding tone belongs to Evan Brennon.

I hadn’t even noticed he approached our table. His expression is stern, fury clear on his face.

Ryder glares at him. “This isn’t any of your business.”

“This is my business. This establishment is mine. I won’t let consent violations go unchecked. She has said no more times than she needed to. Javier will escort you out.”

A bulky man with a shaved head appeared on Evan’s right.

“No, I’m good, thanks.”

Javier claps a thick hand on Ryder’s neck. “Let’s go, buddy.”

“Come on, this is ridiculous.”

“You’re not welcome at Sinful Bites again,” Evan says.

“Mara, tell them it’s a mistake!” Ryder shouts.

I feel the eyes of the room on us and shrink back in my chair as far as my fat body will let me.

“Look at me,” Evan’s voice is sharp and cool. His tone sends a shiver of heat down my spine.

I meet his rich brown gaze. He raises an eyebrow.

“No, it wasn’t a mistake.”

Javier grunts and leads Ryder away.

Evan leans down and squeezes my arm. “Good girl. May I join you?”

The warmth in his tone as he gave the praise has my heart racing.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and shrug. “It’s your place.”

“That’s not what I asked. I asked your consent to join you.”

He stares at me so intently that I can’t look away from his gaze, even if I want to.

“I think I would like that,” I say.

“Good. Evan Brennon.” He holds out his hand.

“Mara Cotter.”

“So, how’s your night been?”

I laugh at the smirk on his face.

“It just got better.”

2 EVAN

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