Page 3 of The Vigilante's Heart

“Have you seen the hunk of prime meat we have visiting us today?”

I frown up at her, wondering what on earth she’s talking about. “The man outside,” she says as she flicks her head towards the window. “He’s on his second cup and might just be the best looking man I’ve ever had the fortune of laying my eyes on.” My gaze automatically darts to the outside seating area, which is just the other side of the glass from where I’m sitting. “Dark hair, about six-five, and insanely gorgeous… Maybe a little older than you’d normally go for.”

I can’t quite see him from the angle I’m sitting at, it doesn’t matter, though, I don’t have time to date at the moment, and that’s exactly what Sandra is getting at. I’m knee deep in my first year of residency and it is kicking my ass. I don’t need distractions.

“No,” I say turning back to face her.

“You can’t just work, Peyton. You’ve got to enjoy yourself as well. Don’t waste the good years, you’ll only regret it as you get older.” I’m thankfully saved from more of a lecture due to the queue building up and the barista she has working today calling for backup.

I take a sip of my coffee and moan as the delicious flavors hit my tongue. A couple gets up from one of the tables outside, clearing my view and my gaze drifts to the man Sandra was talking about, we both look up at the same time, our eyes locking on each other.

Fuck me.

Sandra was right, he is insanely good looking, and tall — much taller than my five-foot-two.

Chapter Three

Bennett

Who the fuck is that?Nothing, and I mean nothing showed up in her file to hint at a boyfriend. Yet, there she sits at her local bar across from a very average looking man. I’m furious, but I don’t understand why. I don’t date. I don’twantto date. I fuck. Regularly. Without strings. Without repeats. I don’t form attachments, not to anyone; it’s not what I want, it’s not what I’ve wanted in ten years. Nevertheless, here I sit at a table in the corner out of eyesight from Peyton, getting jealous because a woman I’ve never spoken to is having a drink with another man. I’m stalking her, but that’s for her safety, and yes, she’s piqued my interest, but it doesn’t mean I have any intention of forming a relationship with her. So why the fuck am I jealous? I don’tunderstand what’s going on right now, I just know I want her away from him. Now.

Peyton

I’ve laughed more tonight than I thought possible after the way my day started, but that’s Harry for you. You can’t be anything but happy around him. I don’t know what I’d do without him. Luckily, it doesn’t seem like I’m going to find out any time soon, seeing as he’s decided he’s moving in with me until we get to the bottom of my creepy note giver.

“Darling girl, my gaydar is not ringing so he can only be looking at you, and let me tell you, you want him to do more than look.”

“Who?” I ask as I go to turn on my bar stool.

“Don’t you dare turn to look. Have I not taught you anything? For fucks sake, Peyton. Be subtle!”

I can’t help but laugh at his dramatics; he really should have gone to theater school. Instead, he teaches kindergarteners, although maybe that’s where his flair for the theatrics has come from — five-year-olds sure can be dramatic.

“I want to see who you’re talking about.”

“I’m going to use the restroom, and I have a feeling he’s going to take that opportunity to come over here.”

“What? No, he wouldn’t. I’m sitting with you, he doesn’t know you’re gay. We could be married!”

“Darling girl, that man does not care. He has ‘take what I want’ written all over him.” With that he gets up and heads to the men’s room.

I feel him before I see him, it’s the same feeling I had at the coffee shop this morning. So it’s not a real surprise when the same man appears at the side of my barstool.

“I don’t know who the fuck he is, but he can goddamn well move along.” His deep, gravelly voice is a low-pitched rasp that leaves goosebumps across my skin. That is until his words register. He cannot be serious? Who says shit like that?

“Excuse me?” I splutter, shocked at the audacity of this man. Screw the fact that he is the sexiest man I’ve ever met. You don’t just walk up to a complete stranger and say something like that.

“You can do better than him.”

“You mean you?” I play along.

“I’ll gladly trade places.”

“Too bad I’m not looking for a replacement,” I smile sweetly at him.

“Oh sweetheart, I wasn’t asking,” he smirks at me.

“I think you should go back to wherever you were sitting. I’m not interested.”