Page 28 of Cowboy’s Last Stand (His to Protect #1)

“He’s been following you,” he said in a low voice. “He threatened you.”

She could tell she wasn’t going to win this argument.

“Don’t tell me your safety isn’t worth getting upset over.”

“It’s not worth getting shot over.”

“That depends on the circumstances.”

She threw up her hands in defeat. “I’m going inside.”

“I have to borrow your car.”

“The keys are in it,” she said over her shoulder. She entered the house and let the door slam behind her.

Marcus, who’d helped himself to a bowl of ice cream, startled at the sound.

“That’s not a healthy snack,” she said.

He hunched over the bowl protectively, but she didn’t bother to take it away.

She had to pick her battles with him. London could deal with his sugar rush.

Natalie made a plate of cheese and crackers for herself, even though she didn’t feel like eating.

She was too wound up from her fight with Jason.

“Where’s my slingshot?” Marcus asked.

“Jason has it.”

“I want it back,” Marcus said. “I’m going to slingshot the firecracker man in the eye until blood comes out and he dies.”

Natalie pushed her plate aside. She felt sick. Jason wasn’t responsible for her son’s fascination with weapons or combat. Marcus had been interested in these things before Jason entered the picture. Jason was to blame for ranting about Billy in her front yard, however.

“If you try to hurt someone with that toy, I’ll take it away for good.”

Marcus’s lower lip trembled. “You can’t take it away. You didn’t buy it!”

She ignored this outburst. “Are you going to finish your ice cream?”

“I’m full.”

“Go to your room for quiet time until London gets here.”

“I like London better than you!”

She waited for him to leave the table. She wanted to lay her head down on the cluttered surface and cry.

Instead, she cleared away the dishes and went into her room to change.

Breaking down was a luxury she couldn’t afford.

Angry tears pricked her eyes as she yanked clothes from her closet.

She chose tight jeans and a fire engine red top, with bold lipstick to match. She left her hair loose and untamed.

London arrived early, for once. She did a double-take when she saw Natalie on the porch. “I don’t know what’s going on around here, but I approve of that outfit.”

Natalie glanced past her. Jason was leaning against the hood of her car.

“Your boyfriend is in a mood .”

“So is Marcus. Watch out.”

“If I leave at ten, who’s going to pay me?”

Natalie dug some money out of her purse and handed it to her. London lingered near the front door, like she wanted to watch the drama unfold. After Natalie gave her a pointed look, she disappeared inside the house.

Jason straightened as she made her approach. His gaze cruised over her body, but he made no comment on her appearance. “I’ll take you to work. I can fix the tire after Wade stops by.”

“Are you going to pick me up too?”

“Yes.”

She understood that he wanted to drive her to and from the bar for safety reasons, as well as for his own convenience. She climbed into the passenger seat as Jason got behind the wheel. His tall, rangy form wasn’t suited for the cramped space. They made the trip in silence.

“Marcus wants to kill Billy with his slingshot,” she said after he parked.

“He told you that?”

“Yes.”

He arched a brow. “He’ll have to improve his aim first.”

“It’s not funny. He heard us arguing.”

“We can’t always agree.”

“We can discuss things calmly, without threats of violence.”

He mulled over her criticism with a cool expression. She expected him to see the light and apologize. He didn’t. “I think my response was warranted.”

“Do you?”

“I’m not going to sugarcoat everything. People argue, sometimes passionately. It’s not a crime for me to feel protective toward you.”

“It is a crime to kill someone over a flat tire.”

His hands clenched around the steering wheel. “I didn’t say I’d kill him.”

“You said he wouldn’t walk away.”

“You’re worried about what I said. I’m worried about what he’ll do .”

“I’m worried about my son, who wants to be exactly like you!” she cried.

Jason went quiet, his brows drawn together.

It was clear that he didn’t want to have a heated discussion in the bar parking lot.

He glanced around to confirm they were alone.

“I’ll talk to Marcus,” he said finally. “I’ll make sure he understands the concept of saying something in the heat of the moment. ”

She gave him a doubtful look. She’d heard him threaten Billy with bodily harm twice now, and he’d sounded serious both times. “Does that mean you’re not going to Billy’s house to break his legs?”

He sighed heavily. “I suppose that would be too extreme.”

She was relieved by this admission, though his wistful tone concerned her. He had a violent side, and he seemed eager to unleash it. He’d been able to control himself—so far. But what about next time? Billy might continue his small-town terror campaign.

“I know you’d rather avoid conflict, but we can’t let this slide,” Jason said. “It sends the wrong message. I warned him to stay away from you.”

“I’m not letting it slide,” she returned. “I’m reporting him to the police.”

“His brother.”

“Yes.”

Jason stared stonily into the distance.

“Just promise me you won’t go after him tonight,” Natalie said.

“I won’t go after him tonight,” Jason agreed. “But you should realize something. If I’m going to be your man, you have to let me take care of you.”

They exchanged a weighted glance. His eyes were dark and sincere, his features chiseled. Dangerous or not, he was devastatingly handsome. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of him being her man.

“I don’t need a caretaker, and I definitely don’t need a vigilante.”

A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Fine.”

She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Tell me what you need, and I’ll give it to you.”

Her mind raced with possibilities, but she wasn’t ready to answer the question.

She hadn’t decided what to do with him yet.

If she slept with him, the relationship would escalate from casual to serious.

He wasn’t steady boyfriend material, however.

He had serious issues. He might not stay in Texas.

The problem was they were already spending every spare moment together.

She wouldn’t be able to guard her heart much longer.

“Time,” she said. “I need time.”

“All right,” he said easily. His gaze traveled from her painted mouth to her red tank top. Then he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “You look nice.”

Some of her reservations about him melted away because he’d demonstrated respect for her boundaries—and her lipstick.

His protective instincts didn’t make him a bad person.

He’d been gentle with her and Marcus. His feather-light kiss sent tingles of warmth down her spine.

She didn’t want to argue with him anymore.

She wanted to crawl into his lap and stop talking. Stop thinking.

The consequences of this affair would be disastrous. She couldn’t stay numb with him. His touch brought feelings she couldn’t control, feelings that scared her. But maybe the risk was worth the reward, in his case. She slid from the passenger seat, her body humming with sensation.

“The bar closes at two,” she said.

“I’ll see you then.”

A thrill raced through her, wild and unbidden, as she slammed the door.