Page 44 of Tempting Irish

He rounds back on me, and the next thing I know, my back is against the stone wall, a hand wrapped tightly around mythroat.

“Disrespectful,bitch-”

The man doesn’t have a chance to finish his sentence before he’s pulled back and a fist slams into his face. Despite the blond’s size, the man drops with a singleblow.

“Get yer friend, and get out of here.” Owen growls at the other two men who stumble to help the blondstand.

They don’t argue, eyes wild and full of fear. They shuffle back, tripping over each other. It would be almost comical if the man hadn’t just assaultedme.

Owen’s back heaves as he watches the men disappear around thecorner.

Shane is beside me, talking to me, but I don’t hear him. Blood pounds in my ears. My adrenaline is spiked. It’s been a long time since anyone’s put their hands on me likethat.

I misjudged the danger of the situation, something I haven’t done in a long time,either.

Pinpricks of cold race across myskin.

“Ye okay?” Shane’s voice filters through the rush of noises inside my head. “Bree?”

I flinch when my cousin touches me. “I...”

Owen and Shane exchange a look, one that I can’tinterpret.

“I’ll get the car,” Shane says through afrown.

I don’t move.Can’t.

“Bree?” Owen says, as if expecting ananswer.

“What?”

He exhales, his nostrils flaring as he reaches out and touches my neck. “I asked if ye’re allright.”

“Yeah. Fine.” I’m not. I hate how weak I feel. How vulnerable. Not just because of those assholes, but because of him. Because ofOwen.

“Why do men dothat?”

“What?” His hand still rests on my neck, his thumb gently caressing the area that will no doubt be bruisedtomorrow.

“Think they can use their strength tocontrol.”

His lips pull tight. “Not all men are likethat.”

“Maybe. But they’re alljerks.”

His mouth twitches slightly. “That, I can agreeon.”

When I shiver, he wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me against his chest, holding me. I breathe him in, inhaling his heady scent, trying to quell the hammer knocking against myribs.

His posture softens as he draws me closer, wrapping me in his secure arms. My head drops to his chest, my fingers playing along the buttons of hisshirt.

I should pull away. But I don’t want to. I take his strength, allowing it to refill myown.

God, I’m pathetic. Wanting a man who just said in clear terms that he doesn’t wantme.

“Car’s here,” he mumbles against the top of my head, before pulling back and leading me to where Shaneawaits.

Owen opens the back door, surprising me when he slides in next to me and takes myhand.

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