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“That’s the only smart thing you’ve said all night,” Gavin replies.

“I’m going to sue your ass!” Mark screams.

“The cameras are broken,” the cashier says, giving Gavin a wink.

He is one of Papa Bill’s sons, and I’m glad that he’s on our side. It makes me love their pizza even more.

“And I didn’t see shit,” he adds.

“Whatever,” Mark mutters. “I’m fucking Lindsay you know.”

“That’s cool,” Gavin replies. “Just take a good, final look at Ashley, and I’m sure you can imagine how broken up I am about it. Enjoy my sloppy seconds, man. Now get the fuck out of my face before I change my mind about leaving you with the ability to walk out of here.”

Mark’s friends guide him out of the restaurant, but even though they’re glaring at us, none of them challenge Gavin. They leave without any additional fanfare.

Gavin returns to me as though nothing happened, resuming our position from before Mark started running his mouth.

“We’ll take two extra-large fully loaded pizzas,” Gavin says. “I guess that can include stupid green peppers.”

When the cashier gives Gavin the total, he passes him an extra hundred dollar bill.

“That’s to make up for the sale I just lost you,” he replies.

“Don’t sweat it, man. That guy is a dick. But thank you. I appreciate it.”

I’m shell-shocked and haven’t said a damn word, so Gavin cups my face, looking right into my eyes.

“You okay, babe? You’re not mad at me are you?”

“Mad at you?” I demand. “Jesus, that was so hot.”

“Hot?” he asks, with a laugh.

“Yeah,” I reply, pretending to fan myself. “It’s sexy when your man fights, especially over you. For you. Anything. Just keep throwing punches and I’ll keep putting out. What can I say? Why do you think women like hockey players so much?”

Gavin leans in close and asks a question against my lips so I feel his words more than hear them. “Is that what I am? Your man?”

“I hope so,” I whisper. “And remember what we talked about on the way over? You can expect double.”

“Fuck yeah, I’m punching out every punk I see if you’re gonna reward me with that pretty little mouth.”

“And rope,” I remind him, with a sweet smile.

His blue eyes darken dangerously, turning into a stormy ocean. “Don’t tempt me. I’ll do it right fucking now.”

“Your pizza is ready,” Papa Bill’s son says.

“Fuck,” Gavin replies. “Who wanted stupid fucking pizza anyway?”

Chapter 23

Gavin

Ashleyisjusttryingto torture me.

I mean, I like Papa Bill’s pizza as much as the next guy, but I like getting my dick sucked a whole hell of alotmore.

Even though she’s probably a hundred pounds soaking wet, she still manages to match me slice for slice. She sings along to Willie Nelson in between bites and asking me questions.