Page 51 of Serial Love

“But—”

“No buts, honey. I’ve seen them come to the rescue of a woman they’ve never met before who was bein’ bothered by some asshole. And with a woman they’ve claimed? Oh, lordy, they’ll really go all out for someone they care about.”

As the Saints returned to their table, each of them casting their eyes toward Bethany with a head jerk, she watched them warily.

“Remember girl. There’s a man who’ll control just for kicks and a man who’ll control to make your world better. That’s the kind of man Jack is.”

Seeing Jack turn and walk back toward her, his face still full of anger, she whispered, “I don’t know what to do with that.”

Trudie flashed her huge grin and said, “Girl, you hang on for the ride and enjoy every minute. That man’ll work to make sure you’re safe and as happy as you can be.” With a pat on her arm, Trudie headed back to the bar, shouting, “All right, folks. Show’s over, now get back to drinkin’!”

Bethany could not take her eyes off Jack as he approached, leaning her head back as he came closer and closer. He did not stop until his boots were directly in front of her shoes. She sucked in her lips, nervous as she wondered what she should say.

“You okay, babe?” he asked, his voice gentle considering the anger that was still pouring off him.

She nodded.

He lifted his large hand and cupped her jaw, sliding his fingers through her hair at the back of her neck. Leaning down, he touched his lips to hers. Gentle at first and then with a little more possessiveness.

She knew he was making a statement. To the others in the bar…and to her. And now was not the time to question his motives, not when his lips on hers had her melting into his body.

Moving back to the table, she noticed the looks of approval from the other men and wondered why.Another thing to ask Jack when we’re alone.Deciding to put the event behind her for now, she settled back into his embrace and continued to enjoy the company.

On the drive home, she pondered how to ask the questions swirling through her mind. Before she could get a word out, Jack took over.

“Babe, whatever you’re mulling over in your mind, just get it out.”

Sparing a glance sideways at his strong profile in the shadows of the night and the dashboard lights, she sighed. “I…I’ve just never been with anyone who…um…took charge like that. It was kind of scary.”

He reached his hand across the console and took hers, pulling it over to his lap. Giving her fingers a little squeeze, he said, “Not having someone put their hands on you. Not having some punk-ass do that to any unwilling woman, but sure as hell not to mine.”

She nodded quietly.

He continued, “You get what being with me is like, don’t you?”

He looked sideways, seeing her questioning expression, he explained, “My work, babe. My job. Career. Hell, my life. It’s always been about doing whatever I have to do to keep others safe. I did that when the Army needed me and now when I’m contracted. But you must understand that it’s not just what I do. It’s who I am. And any man that puts his hands on an unwilling woman, especially my unwilling woman, is not going to be tolerated.”

Seeing her turn in her seat to face him, her face concentrating on his, gave him the encouragement to continue. “I know you’re the most independent woman I’ve ever met, other than my mom. You get out and tackle whatever needs to be done and don’t worry about breaking a nail or messing up your clothes.” Chuckling, he said, “And I have to tell you, that’s a real turn on for me. I’ve always known I couldn’t deal with a woman that couldn’t do for themselves or whined every time I didn’t get something done when they wanted. But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t mine to care for and protect. And babe, I’ll do that in any way I see fit. I can tell you didn’t think that punk-ass college kid was too serious, but I’m a man and I’ll tell you straight up, any man that manhandles an unwilling woman will not think anything about continuing to do that…to you or anyone else. My response to him was immediate and may have seemed over the top, but I’ll tell you right now, he’ll think twice before trying that with someone else.”

Understanding, she nodded as she gave his hand a return squeeze. “Thank you, Jack,” she whispered, her words hitting him both in the heart and the dick.

“Damn, girl.”

“But don’t you think as big and bad as you are, you made your point? Why did the others join in?” she asked.

“Someone move you backward?” he asked.

“Um, yeah. Chad moved me back away from you all.”

“He did that ‘cause he knew my attention was on the punks in front and my men wanted you out of the way in case things got ugly.”

“Ugly?”

“Yeah, babe. He didn’t give me the response I was looking for, I’d a taken him outside and we woulda had aCome to Jesus Meeting, where my fist would have made him see the error of his ways.”

At Jack’s description, a giggle erupted from Bethany’s lips.

“And in all things, my men have my back, just like I have theirs. And now that includes you. Protecting you is now a priority of theirs as well.”

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