Page 38 of Kiss of Deceit

“What are you doing?” I snapped. “Miles is more than capable of getting my drink.”

He tsked, shaking his head. “You’re smart, Dani. You should know better than to trust anyone with your drink. What if he spiked it?”

I gritted my teeth. He wasn’t doing this because he was worried Miles was a bad guy. I actually wasn’t exactly sure why he was doing this other than to get under my skin.

“And I can trust you?” I snarked.

With a gruff chuckle, he pushed off the bar and grabbed a clean glass, setting it in front of me. Reaching under the counter, he scooped some ice, dumping it into the cup, before pouring vodka and cranberry juice. He stirred it, nodding to the bucket of small straws next to me.

“Always watch your bartender make your drinks.” The warning in his voice shot a shiver down my spine. “Even in small towns like this.”

“Why?” I tossed out. “You think it’s dangerous here?”

We were both thinking of Lucas’s death and the theft at the butcher shop, even though neither of us voiced it. What would he think if he knew I was the one who killed Lucas? I might not trust him, but after living with the man for more than two weeks, he didn’t seem like one of the bad ones.

If he knew what I was, he’d turn me in immediately.

Which meant I had to be very careful in how I interacted with him.

Digging in my purse, I pulled out my debit card only for Kole to shake his head.

“It’s on the house,” he said. “You still need to buy a new pan after catching my oven on fire.”

I grabbed my drink, getting ready to go back to my table. “Next time you’re bored, leave me out of it.”

Before I could move, he grabbed my arm, his fingers curling around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. My eyes flicked to his as I stayed absolutely still. He rubbed the inside of my wrist with his thumb, the small move shooting heat through my stomach.

“Then stop coming into my bar,” he growled roughly. “Because when I see you in here, I want to drag you back to the storage room and finish what we started.”

My lips parted in shock, and his gaze fell to my mouth. His fingers were still tight around my wrist, and for a second, I nearly let my emotions take over my actions. I needed to find a new place to live before I made a mistake and fell into bed with this man.

“If I remember correctly, I did finish that night.” I gave him a smug grin. “Thanks for that.”

I tugged out of his hold, making sure not to spill my drink as I turned around.

“Stay away from Riggs.”

His demand had me freezing in my tracks before I spun around to face him again. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me, Dani.” His eyes bore into mine as he crossed his arms.

I cocked my head. “Why?”

“Because I know the people in this town. And him? He’s not worth your time.”

“I can judge people for myself,” I bit out. “And he hasn’t done anything wrong. Unlike someone who followed me in the dark. Yet, here I am talking to you.”

Someone called Kole’s name, asking for a refill, and I scurried away, feeling the heat of his stare. Maybe I should avoid his bar for a while. Even if I didn’t trust him, he still managed to get under my skin in ways no man had done before. I looked at the table, seeing Miles and Lexi staring at me.

“Are you okay?” Miles asked, jumping to his feet once I got close. “I can’t believe he grabbed you like that.”

“I’m fine,” I promised as I sat down. “He was just messing around.”

“Didn’t look like it,” Lexi mused. “It seems like you two know each other.”

“I say we tell the sheriff how the bartender in his town is a handsy asshole,” Miles huffed out, looking ready to walk to the police station now.

"Don’t.” I sighed. “I do know him.”