Page 4 of More than Enough
With a final disgusted glare at the two men attempting to move away, Blade dismissed them and turned his back, the ultimate insult in his mind, meaning they weren’t worth his time or concern. The waitress stood still, her gaze fixed on him, whites of her eyes revealing the terror still coursing through her system. Blade lifted a hand, inordinately pleased when she didn’t flinch from his touch, gentle against the ill-used column of her neck.
“Are you okay?” Blade curled his lips at the inane question. “I mean, of course. Of course you aren’t okay. Not after that.” He leaned closer and caught the scent of her perfume, light and summery, and it left him unexpectedly wanting to experience more of her. “Did they hurt you?”
“No.” The wince when she swallowed put the lie to her statement. “I’m okay.” Her eyes dipped closed, lines of her face deepening as she fought with something. “Your timing was impeccable. I don’t think they would have taken it much further, but I’m glad you helped put a stop to it.” Lashes quivering against the swell of her cheek, the waitress—he caught sight of her nametag and tried the word out mentally:Jenn—lost the fight for a moment, a single tear escaping to trail a wet track down her face. “Thank you.”
The muscles of her throat moved under his hand, making Blade aware he still touched her. Instead of dropping his hold, he curled his fingers around the back of her neck and swayed the tiniest bit closer. “You sure? You’re not hurt?”
Jenn’s eyes flashed open, and he sucked in a breath when he saw the wide, dark circles of her pupils. Aroused, not frightened. Not anymore.
Staring into her eyes, Blade felt an inexorable pull he knew he needed to fight. She’d just been traumatized, had suffered through being intimidated by men who hadn’t been as far into her personal space as he was already. He wet his lips, and his heart skipped a beat when her gaze dropped to his mouth, her tongue coming out and sweeping a matching stripe along her bottom lip.
Gravel crunched along the side of the building, and he blinked, breaking free from the spell holding him captive. Jenn’s lashes fluttered and she arched towards him as Blade stepped backwards, putting distance between them. Another slow blink and he watched as barriers fell into place, Jenn walling herself off from him, making Blade immediately miss the surprising tenderness of the previous moments.
“Yeah.” She breathed the word, and he cocked his head, confused. “I’m sure. I’m okay.” She shook her head, straightening and stepping sideways, adding more space to what he’d already given. “Like I said, thanks for your help.” Another sideways step. “I need to get back inside.” Her gaze darted past him, and fear crawled across her features. He turned to see Wolf and Neptune walking towards them. “Thanks for stopping by.”
She was at the door, fingers wrapped around the handle, by the time he turned back to her. He realized that in another moment she’d be gone, and no matter if he raced around and met her inside, it wouldn’t be the same. “Jenn.” On impulse, he called her name and waited. Body stiff, she angled her head to look at him. “I’m Blade.”And you’re way out of my league.
Gazes locked together, they stood like that for a breath. Then she nodded, and he saw her lips move, mouthing the sounds of his name.
Blade.
Four
Jenn
Inside the kitchen, surrounded by the familiar smells and rushing energy of orders being prepared, Jenn took a moment to slump back against the door, pulling in a long, slow breath. Eyes closed, she tried to focus on the lakeshore in her mind, giving it up as a failed attempt only seconds into the exercise.
She jolted when a hand landed on her arm. Twisting away with a cry, Jenn opened her eyes to find Rose standing in front of her, a frightened expression on her face.
“Jenn? What happened?”
Pulling herself together, she took in a deep breath and gave Rose a brusque headshake. “I’m okay. Couple of guys approached me outside, but it’s nothing.”
“You sure?”
With a laugh, she nodded. “Sure, I’m sure. Sorry about disappearing on you like that. Took a minute to shake free of them.” Dusting her palms together, she found them covered with grit from being pressed against the outside wall. She stepped to the utility sink and scrubbed her hands briskly, asking over her shoulder, “Need me to cover any of your tables?”
“No, they’re almost done.” Rose hesitated, then asked again, “Are you really sure?”
“Yeah. I’m good.” She grabbed the last of the paper towels off the roll to dry her hands, only then recalling what she’d gone outside for. Deep in her belly, her stomach did a sickening flip and roll, the remembered fear as the two men had boxed her in threatening to swallow her for an instant.
The sound levels rose in the dining room; men were shouting, their voices sounding angry. Chair legs scraped the floor, sounding like a wild herd of buffalo stampeding towards the kitchen.
“What now?” Jenn turned to the swinging door, feeling Rose crowd in behind her.
The older man she’d served earlier walked through, stiff-arming the door so it swung wide; behind him were two men. Disappointment threaded through her when she saw neither of them was Blade. The grizzled look shading the man’s beard and hair didn’t lessen the impact of how angry he was, and Jenn stiffened her spine as he strode directly to her, stopping nearly toe-to-toe, black biker boots next to her sensible rubber-soled shoes.
“Are you okay?” The question wasn’t quiet, and she could feel the anger rolling off him in waves. Jenn nodded, but he shook his head, chin dipping until he stared directly into her eyes. “Put words to it, darlin’.”
Jenn struggled to speak, her throat closing tight as tears sprang to life in her eyes.
He studied her for a moment, then whirled a stride away, roaring, “Fuck.” As fast as he’d turned from her, he spun back, crowding closer with a shouted, “Are you fuckin’ okay?”
A familiar frame appeared in front of her and Jenn took a step back, unsurprised when Blade matched the movement, staying close to her. He’d shoved himself between the president and Jenn. Leaning forwards, he yelled, those same odd pauses between his words, “Back. The fuck. Off. You’re scaring, scaring her worse, man.”
Then, just as he had outside, he turned his back on the man, his worried eyes studying her intently. Close enough to feel his breath, she didn’t startle when he gripped her wrist, pulling her even closer.
“Jenn.” That flip and roll was back in her belly, but it wasn’t fear this time. She hadn’t feared him earlier, either, her gut telling her this man was honorable and trustworthy. “You’re safe. Okay? You know that, right? You’re safe.”
