Page 10 of Kissing Her Rescuer

But Tommy dropped down his four bills.

Dewey moved. He couldn't keep still. Staying on the outside of the pool room, he took his second beer and walked to the far left wall. When Tommy bent over to shoot, Eliza looked toward the bar. A quick frown brought her eyebrows down tight.

So, she did notice when he wasn't around. She scanned the wall until her eyes met his for a quick second before pulling her focus back to Tommy and her circus routine of flirting. Did she learn her little routine from Zach?

Not surprising, Eliza won that game. Barely. Tommy gave her a high-five and then hugged her.

Dewey knew he must have made some noise when someone nearby shifted away from him with a wary glance. But Tommy's hands lingered too long on her waist. On her skin.

Jealousy pulled hard at his control.

Dewey crossed his arms, holding back his impulse to leap across the bar and stop her from counting the money and then laying it all back down on the edge of the table. Tommy dug out more bills and laid them down with it.

Double or nothing.

Eliza kept up the chatter. What could she possibly talk about with him? She laughed. Touched his arm. Let him touch her as she passed by. This might have been how she survived with Zach, but she didn't have to do this any longer. She had a job. Two jobs. Her dad’s help. Hell, if she'd let Dewey, he'd take care of her.

Why do this?

The game went quick, Eliza winning easily, slipping all the winnings into her pocket, and grabbing her keys off the side table.

Tommy's hand gripped her wrist.

Dewey set his beer down. Waiting.

Eliza's sweet look turned cool. She said something to him. But instead of backing up, he crowded closer to her, his other hand touching her hip like he had a right to grab her.

She twisted her arm, making him release her. As she walked out, Tommy took one last pull of his beer.

And then he made a horrible mistake.

He followed her outside.

Dewey right behind him.

Tommy raised his voice, his words slightly slurred. “Come on back, little girl. You have to let me win my money back if you're going to hustle me that way.”

“I didn't hustle you.” She walked backward a moment, her focus not straying from Tommy even though Dewey walked silently behind him. “You were the one that offered to make a bet, Tommy.”

“I bet a go in my bed, sugar, not money.”

“Sorry if I don't see how I'd win anything with that offer.” She turned around. Another mistake.

Tommy rushed forward. “Give me back my money or earn it.” He slammed his hand on her door before she opened it.

Dewey was there, his restraint pushed to the max. His shadow fell over them.

Eliza backed away from her car and Tommy until her back bumped into Dewey's chest.

His arm wrapped around her waist, hugging her tight against his body. He'd think about how good it felt later. Right now, he needed to know she was safe. “Is there a problem, Tommy?” He asked.

“Deputy Mitchell?” He looked between the two of them. “Did Becky send you out here to harass me again?”

“It looks like you're the only one out here harassing people. And a woman. I think you need to go home.” He narrowed his eyes. “Call a cab.”

Eliza's hands rested on top of his arm, slowly stroking his skin. Was it to calm him down?

“I want my money back. Why are you even here? Is this some kind of Sheriff Department sanctioned gambling? Did you put her up to it?” He barked out a laugh. “I knew you were crooked, but c'mon...”

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