Page 18 of The Cowboy Contract
“What I’m doing, is giving you one more chance to take the gift I’ve been trying to offer you.” He inched closer, his hold on her tightening. “Do you know how many women would kill to be with me?”
She gave him a sweet smile. “No. But I know how many would kill to get you to let them go.” Her hand tightened on the tray. “Because I’m one of them.”
8
Leland
FUCKING CARLTON.
Of all the nights for that prick to show up at the bar and give Paige shit, it would figure he’d choose this one. The one where Leland was already struggling to keep himself in line. Already unable to keep his distance.
Leland stood just inside the door of The Creekery for the second time today, rocking his head from side to side as he attempted to stretch out the tension collecting in his neck and shoulders. He’d gone home after his shift, fully intending to stay there, but all he’d ended up doing was pacing the floors until he finally gave up and got dressed.
The drive from his place to downtown Moss Creek took less time than it should have, and right now he was incredibly grateful for that. Because if he’d walked in even a few minutes later, he wouldn’t have been able to save Paige from the one guy in town who hadn’t figured out how to take no for an answer.
Probably because the fucker got off on the thrill of the hunt. The joys of manipulation and coercion.
Tonight that was going to end.
Unfortunately, given his chosen career path, he couldn’t do what he really wanted—punch Carlton right in his smug fucking face. He also couldn’t dish out threats or do anything else that could be seen as a violation of his duty.
And, considering Carlton already knew Leland and Paige were good friends, his presence alone wasn’t enough of a deterrent.
That left him with one option and one option only.
And he didn’t hate it.
Shouldering through the crowd, he cut the most direct path to where Carlton was holding Paige hostage, one meaty hand clamped at her elbow. The muscle in his jaw ticked as he watched the cowboy squeeze tighter. After so many failed attempts to get the attention of Moss Creek’s most eligible bachelorette, Carlton must’ve decided intimidation was the way to get Paige to do what he wanted.
Leland almost chuckled at that, because clearly the fucker didn’t know Paige at all. Intimidation would only piss her off. And significantly raise the chances Carlton was going to leave the bar tonight with only one testicle intact.
It would be one hell of a deserved outcome, but would also lead to a significant amount of paperwork. Paige likely wouldn’t get home until dawn. She was already running on not enough sleep—she always was—so if there was a way for him to get Carlton in line and Paige home, tucked in her bed, at a decent hour, that’s what he was going to ensure happened.
He reached Paige’s side just as her eyes started to narrow. A second later, and she would’ve been swinging. Not that it couldn’t still happen. His plan to get Carlton out of Paige’s life might just change who she was aiming at.
It would be worth it if he never had to see this asshole touch her again.
“Carlton.” He brought a hand down onto the shoulder of the arm gripping Paige. “I see you’re keeping an eye on my girl for me.” He waited for the second his words registered, using the surprise they brought to knock Carlton back a step with what could be perceived as a good-natured pat to his delt.
Unless you saw it for what it was—a shove.
The second Carlton let her go, Leland used his free arm to sweep Paige in tight at his side, positioning them so his body stood between her and the man who’d been a thorn in her side for years.
Carlton’s hardened gaze snapped from Paige to him then back to Paige. “Did he just call youhis girl?”
Leland shifted in his boots, the minor change in his positioning blocking Carlton’s view of Paige completely. He didn’t like that the fucker was still trying to talk to her. Still acting like he had any right to her attention.
Leaning closer, so Carlton couldn’t avoid him anymore, Leland met the man’s glare. “I did. I guess word hasn’t gotten around yet.”
It would now, though. And, in this moment, he couldn’t bring himself to be sorry for it.
Later though, he’d likely be kicking his own ass.
Carlton’s eyes narrowed further and his nostrils flared. “You’re fucking full of shit.”
Of everything that could’ve come out of Carlton’s mouth, that was not a response he was expecting. “Excuse me?”
Carlton stepped closer, almost like the dipshit planned to square up. “I said, you’re full of shit.” One accusing finger jabbed in Paige’s direction. “Everyone knows you’ve wanted her for years. If she wanted you back, she would’ve been your girl way before now.”
