Page 94 of Summer Tease
“Jimmy,” says his girlfriend warningly.
He pokes a finger into my sternum, and I smack it away forcefully as Xena barks.
The guy’s face screws up as Xena takes off, running away.
Before I can turn to see where she’s going, Jimmy shoves me.
I stumble back, trying to find my footing, but the edge of the top stair is all I get, and I pitch backward, bracing for impact.
Two arms hook under me, and impact never comes. I hesitate, then open my clenched eyes, but the smell of Beau hits me before the sight of him does.
He helps me to my feet, his breath coming quickly, his nostrils flared. He turns me toward him, looking at me intently and ignoring Xena crowding his feet. “Are you okay?” His fingers brush through the hair near my temple.
I nod quickly. His hand shifts down to my cheek, and his eyes search mine like they’re trying to confirm my answer.
“I’m fine,” I reassure him, even though adrenaline and his sudden appearance have my heart racing.
He nods, then turns to Jimmy, his jaw hardening. I’ve never seen him look this intent, this…angry. My skin prickles.
Jimmy’s breathing hard too. Apparently, pushing around smaller women is straining for a 6’3” man in his prime.
“What?” Jimmy says, taking another gulp from his cup as he comes down the steps. “You got a problem, man?” His girlfriendstands behind him, her eyes wide and wary. I can’t imagine she’ll risk telling him to calm down now that she’s seen what he did to me.
“I’m a police officer, sir,” Beau says, not moving as Jimmy approaches. “I need you to take a step back.”
Jimmy snickers. “Right. You’re a cop. And I’m Aquaman. Woooo!” He makes a quick movement with his Solo cup and splashes beer all over Beau’s T-shirt, grinning like a fool.
Beau doesn’t budge, though the muscles in his jaw shift.
Jimmy’s eyes flit to me, amused under their heavy lids. “Oops. Forgot to give your grandma some to help loosen her up.” He tries to toss the rest of his cup’s contents, but before I know what’s happening, it’s knocked to the ground and Beau’s got the front of Jimmy’s shirt by the fists.
I can see the struggle in the white of his knuckles and the rise and fall of his chest. He stares at Jimmy for a few seconds, then reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his badge, putting it right in front of Jimmy’s nose. Then he slips it back into his pocket. “Unless you want to add to your assault and battery charges, step back inside and turn down the music.”
Jimmy’s eyes fix on the badge, and for the first time, he looks uncertain.
“Now,” Beau says through gritted teeth.
Jimmy puts his hands up. “Okay, okay. Chill, dude. I hear you.”
“Good,” Beau says, letting go of his shirt.
Jimmy backs up toward the stairs, then turns his body while keeping his eyes on Beau.
The girl grabs Jimmy’s arm and pulls him toward the door.
“I’ll wait,” Beau says.
The girl nods and guides Jimmy inside. Ten seconds later, the music volume plummets until it’s appropriate for hot yoga or a breathing class.
Beau hurries back to me, his hands grabbing my upper arms as he looks at me intently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,”I say.A little hot and bothered from watchingyou lay down the law, but otherwise fine.
He wraps his arms around me, and I hold on to him tightly, embarrassed when the backs of my eyes start to burn.
“What were you thinking?” He buries a hand in my hair, cradling the back of my head. “When I asked you to keep an eye on things, this wasn’t what I meant.”
“I promise I didn’t come here guns blazing,” I say, my head swimming with his scent—now mixed with Jimmy’s beer. “I tried to channel you and be nice, but…”
