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His two friends chuckled. A tall shaggy redhead who resembled the missing link patted Baldy on the shoulder. “Hey, Axe, it looks like this guy’s got a set on him after all. I’d be shaking in my boots if I were you.”

“Shut up, Red. I can handle this guy,” Axe spat, and then glared at Matt. “If you want to keep your teeth, I’d suggest you hand over your wallet. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of the lady.” Dark eyes raked insolently over London’s body.

It was on the tip of his tongue to say something when London spoke up. “Leave him alone!”

“London, stay out of this,” Matt hissed through gritted teeth. The last thing he wanted was for any harm to come to her.

“I’m not going to let him pick on you like this. He owes you an apology, and I demand that he do it right now.” She walked overto Axe and poked him in the chest. “You are rude and ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

“Look, guys, the little dude has his woman fighting his battles.” Axe laughed.

Matt grabbed her arm and pushed her behind him. He didn’t know what these three were capable of. They could do what they wanted to him, but he’d die before he let them harm a hair on her beautiful head. “London, you’re not helping.”

“But he can’t talk to you like this,” she protested.

“Just be quiet and leave it to me,” he shot back.

“Maybe I’ll let you off easy if I can get a kiss from the babe. I like my women feisty, and I heard black chicks are wild in the sack.” Axe grinned, revealing grimy teeth.

“Leave her alone.”

The tallest of the three grabbed London by the arm and pulled her against him. “I think I should get a kiss too.”

“And me.” The one called Red grinned.

Instead of screaming, she elbowed her assailant in the stomach. “How dare you touch me!”

Red doubled over, releasing his grip on her. “You black whore!”

That was the final straw. Matt pushed London out of the way and sent a blow to the side of Red’s head. The man hit the ground.

Axe’s nostrils flared. “Why, you little shit, you’re going to pay for that.”

Matt just managed to miss the punch sent flying his way, before kneeing his attacker in the stomach. The wind knocked out of him Axe bent over, and Matt gave him a quick knuckle punch to the throat followed by a knee to Axe’s nose.

London’s scream alerted him to more danger. The tall one charged at him. Matt served him a roundhouse kick to the chest. When all three men were disabled he grabbed a stunned Londonby the hand and ran to his truck with her. “Hurry up and get in. There’s no telling when those men will recover and they may have weapons.”

He didn’t feel completely safe until they were back on the main highway. There was always a chance that the big goons could chase them on their motorcycles. “Matt, that was amazing,” London said in awe.

“It was nothing,” he muttered, his heart still racing. He’d never really had to use his fighting skills before besides at the dojo for practice. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins.

“Yes, it was. That was… I mean I’ve never seen anything like that before. You took those bullies down.”

“Well, I couldn’t let them disrespect you like that. They shouldn’t have touched you.”

She smiled at him, unbuckling her belt and sliding closer to him. He nearly swerved off the road when she pressed her lips against his cheek. “Jesus, London. Don’t do that.”

“I was only trying to thank you. That was so brave and exciting.”

He knew he had to get out of this vehicle before he pulled over and fucked her senseless. “You have to buckle up, it’s the law,” he said softly, trying to get his breathing under control. His cock strained against his jeans and if London looked down, she’d notice too.

She pouted sliding back to her side of the cab. He dearly wanted to hold her, but wouldn’t let her make an advance on him out of gratitude. They drove without saying a word for an hour. Matt purposely turned up the radio to discourage any conversation.

When they finally pulled into a hotel, just outside of Memphis, he paid for two separate rooms. It was just safer thatway. London didn’t look happy when he handed her the key to her own room.

“Matt, why can’t we just share a room? You said we’d talk about it.” Her eyes were glistening with what looked like unshed tears.

He stilled himself against the look she was giving him. “I gave it some thought and decided it would be best. Look, our rooms are next to each other so if you have any problems just knock, or give me a call on the phone. Okay?”