Page 29 of Waiting for Sunshine

“Whoa, down boy,” Tucker says from his seat. I don’t really care what Tucker thinks right now. I don’t like this guy or the way he and his little friends are looking at Shane. Or her friends.

“Look, this guy was in here a couple of weeks ago and started getting handsy with Shane, it made her really uncomfortable. I’m just making sure he doesn’t cross a line.” I explain.

“A line you’re about to leap over like a gazelle?” My statement seems to have Tucker honing in on them as well. Though it doesn’t keep him from giving me shit about it. I start to move around the bar, keeping a close eye on what is happening as I cross my arms over my chest trying to assess the situation.

All of these guys have spiked hair in various colors and wear button-up shirts and khaki pants. They look like absolute douchebags. When the blonde-headed one leans in to whisper in Shane’s ear my jaw clenches.

She leans away from him with an uncomfortable look on her face. I feel a growl come from my chest, but when he grabs her by the arm I can’t keep my feet planted if I wanted to. This dude clearly thinks he’s going to get some kind of action from her.

I think the fuck not.

Before I know it I am rushing through the dance floor. When I get a little closer I hear Shane’s voice.

“Look, can you please just let go.” She says, in the sweetest tone. This dickwad does not deserve even an ounce of the kindness she is giving him. I remove his hand from her arm and give him a small shove, making him step back a couple of feet.

“I suggest you take that hand off of her if you want to keep it.” I demand, coming between this asshole and Shane. The guy scoffs, turning to his friends with awhat’s he gonna dolook on his face. I take a step closer to him, to let him know he is seconds away from finding the fuck out. He waves a hand in front of him as if to dismiss me before he and his friends made a hasty exit from the dance floor. I turn to face Shane and the girls, and they all look a variation of annoyed, intrigued and confused. I nod to her friends then take her by the arm.

“Come with me.” I growl. Nodding Tucker over to make sure the other girls are okay.

* * *

SHANE

I stand there watching Max come between me, my friends, and the guys from last week who’d requested me to wait on them. The girls and I had been dancing and laughing at the comment Lauren made about how we were being stared at by some creepy accountants in the corner when the very same “creepy accountants” ended up coming over in their sad attempt to hit on us. Max turns around from threatening the guy and grabs me by the arm.

“Come with me.” He growls. The way Max has his hand on my arm is gentle but firm enough to not lose me in the crowd. It is sending heat throughout my entire body, but I am still confused as to why he is currently dragging me across the room.

“Max, what the hell are you doing?” I pointlessly ask, as he ignores me.

I follow his line of sight to Tucker sitting at the bar. He nods, directing him toward my friends, and Tuck nods back before heading to the dance floor.

I look behind me to my friends who are standing there with their eyes wide and mouths hanging open.

When Tucker approaches them he smiles first at Taylor then greets Leah and Lauren as well. So much less aggressive than the way Max had just pulledmefrom the floor.

Before I can protest his barbaric actions, I am being pushed up against a door. My eyes dart around to see where we are, having had my focus on my friends during the brisk trip here. I quickly realize by my surroundings that we are in his office.

“What the hell is your problem?” I ask him. Looking up as he is towering over me.

“I wanted to check on you.” He says in his deep, gravely voice.

“So you had to drag me into your office to do that?” I push his chest, trying to put some space between us. “Well I appreciate it, but I’m fine, can I go now?” I say, not hiding my irritation. I cross my arms over my chest, awaiting his response. He looks at me and furrows his brow.

“Sure. Just stay off the dance floor tonight.” Was this guy serious right now?

“I’m sorry.” I scoff. “I missed the part where I am supposed to just follow your every instruction. I’m not on the clock, so what I do is none of your business.” I huff and point my finger to his chest.

He takes a step closer to me, grabbing my wrist to move my finger from his chest, backing me into the door, once again. He puts his hands on either side of my head on the door, caging me in. How do I keep finding myself in this position with him? I look up at him with a fire in my eyes, and a warmth in my chest; sparking a desire for him I haven’t felt before.

“That may be true, Sunshine. But I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. And I sure as hell don’t want anyone else’s hands on you. So if you could stay at your table tonight so I don’t have to take out some asshole who thinks he can touch you, well that would make my night a whole lot better.” He says.

His voice is eerily steady – proving he means every single word. His eyes scan my face, his gaze landing on my lips. When his tongue swipes out to wet his bottom lip I think everything above my neck stops working. Why doesn’t he want anyoneelse’shands on me? Does that mean that his hands being on me is okay? He seems adamant about no one else touching me.

“Max,” I say, a little more breathy than intended.

“Hmm.” He growls in response.

“Do you want to kiss me?” It’s bold of me to ask, but I am tired of wondering. The way he is looking at me right now, the way his gaze lands on my lips has me wondering if maybe the idea isn’t so crazy.

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