Page 25

She leans across the table, giving my arm a patronizing pat. “Relax, urban cowboy. It was for your benefit since you hadn’t figured out what was staring you in the face.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” My voice rises, earning a few curious glances from nearby diners.

“Word on the ranch is that you can’t stop making googly eyes at our girl.” She smirks.

I blink, my mouth falling open, but nothing comes out. My first instinct is to deny Charlie’s claim, but images of Briar over the past few days flood my mind. Whenever I see her, I’m unable to look away, mesmerized by how damn beautiful she is.

“Who told you that?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Charlie shrugs. “A lady never reveals her sources, but you didn’t deny it, and that says a lot. Now, shh.” She presses a finger to her lips. “We’re supposed to be flying under the radar here.”

“Your wardrobe isn’t doing us any favors,” I mutter.

“I heard that,” she says, sipping her drink. “You should be nice, considering I know where you sleep.”

“God, you’re terrifying.”

She grins. “Thank you.”

I roll my eyes. “It wasn’t a compliment.”

We’re so caught up in our conversation that I almost miss Briar’s date setting down his menu and reaching for her hand across the table.

I grit my teeth, bracing for the possibility that she might be receptive.

But before he can touch her, she lifts her glass, taking a drink of water and offers him a tight smile.

“Thank god,” I mutter under my breath .

She obviously isn’t interested in his attempt at physical contact and that makes me breathe easier.

Just when I think that’s the end of it, the hotshot lawyer moves his hand under the table, leaning forward to rest it on Briar’s leg.

She stills, her smile faltering as her mouth forms the word “no.” But when she tries to move away, he chuckles, tightening his grip and ignoring her protest as if he’s entitled to her personal space without permission.

“That motherfucker,” Charlie hisses.

She’s halfway out of the booth, ready to raise hell, when I slide out first and step in her way, blocking her from getting out.

“I’ll handle this,” I say firmly.

I storm toward Briar’s table, my fists clenched at my sides with retribution on my mind. I’m usually a level-headed person, but when a man crosses a boundary with a woman, all bets are off. Especially when he dares to touch the person who’s become important to me.

“Give him hell, urban cowboy,” Charlie calls out behind me.

I plan to.

My focus is locked on the lawyer, his hand still gripping Briar’s leg. She shifts, angling her body away from him the best she can. With each step I take, the anger in my chest intensifies. As I approach, the asshole finally notices me, his smug expression starting to slip.

“You’re at the wrong table, buddy.” He scoffs.

“Take your hand off Briar.”

Confusion flashes across her face when she hears my voice, but the tension in her shoulders eases when our eyes meet.

“Mind your own damn business,” the lawyer snaps.

“Move. Your. Hand. I won’t ask again,” I warn, taking one step closer.

My threat works, and he yanks his hand back, planting both on the tabletop. But it’s a little too late .

I glare at the jerk, silently promising consequences before turning to Briar. “You alright?”

Her brows knit together. “What are you doing here?”

I run my hand down her arm, my knuckles grazing her skin. “Tell me you’re okay.”

She smiles faintly, nodding. “Yeah, I’m fine. Are you?”

“I’d feel better if you got up from the table.”

Briar doesn’t argue and is quick to stand. The second she’s beside me, I slip an arm around her waist, guiding her behind me, away from the lawyer’s leering gaze.

“Who the hell do you think you are interrupting our date?” he demands.

My shoulders stiffen as I turn back to him, thrusting a finger into his chest. “I’m the guy making sure she’s safe from pieces of shit like you,” I spit in his face. “‘No’ is a full sentence.”

He recoils, eyes narrowing. “Whatever. She’s not worth the hassle anyway.”

The last thread of my patience snaps, and I step forward, grabbing the asshole by the collar of his shirt.

“Wrong. Any man with half a brain would see she’s a fucking catch.

You’re just too foolish to see it.” I tighten my grip, smirking when he grips my wrist trying to break free.

“You’re a fucking coward who threw away his shot with a woman who’s smart, beautiful, and kind.

She deserves respect, and I’m the one who’ll make sure she gets it. ”

“You better let me go, or I’ll make sure you never—” He doesn’t get the chance to finish before a splash of water hits his face.

It splatters across my arm, but I couldn’t care less. I’m satisfied as I watch the spineless coward gasping for air, his smugness finally wiped clean.

I glance over at Charlie, who’s now standing beside me with one hand on her hip, the other holding an empty water glass. “No one touches my friend without permission,” she snaps. “I should have known that a man who wears skinny jeans can’t be trusted.”

She has that right.

I give the lawyer’s collar another tug before releasing him. “If you ever touch Briar or any of her friends for that matter, you’ll have me and her brothers to answer to.” I’m one second away from throwing a punch when Briar’s fingers brush my shoulder.

I look back to find her watching me with cheeks flushed and a soft smile. “Why don’t we get out of here?”

Her words snap me out of my rage, and I nod, leaning over to grab her purse hanging from her chair. I place my hand on Briar’s back, ushering her to the exit with Charlie following us close. My sole focus is on getting her as far away from the jackass lawyer as possible.

Once we get to the entrance area, Briar pulls away. Folding her arms she looks between Charlie and me. “Would you like to explain what the two of you are doing here?”

“I was just minding my own business, staking out to make sure your date wasn’t a serial killer, when the next thing I know, urban cowboy here showed up all frustrated and territorial about you going out with someone else.

” Charlie waves a hand toward me. “The audacity of him, right? But thank god he showed up when he did, or I might’ve ended up getting arrested for roughing up that idiot for touching you without permission. ”

One thing is for sure. Charlie’s not subtle, but her heart’s in the right place. I’m glad Briar has a friend so fiercely in her corner, and who doesn’t hesitate to protect her.

Briar turns to me, concern etched in her features. “Where’s Caleb? Is he alright?”

“He’s fine,” I assure her. “He’s at the cottage with Heath and Walker but should still be asleep.”

“Ten bucks he’s not when you get home,” Charlie teases .

Briar shoots her a playful glare. “You’re not off the hook, sister. We’ll talk later.”

Charlie grins. “If it weren’t for me, urban cowboy wouldn’t have rescued you from Mr. Grabby Hand. Just saying.”

Briar chuckles, pulling her into a hug. “You might have a flair for dramatics, but I’m grateful you were here.”

“Love you, babe.”

“Love you more.”

Charlie steps back with a smile. “Alright, that’s enough drama for one night. Go be with your man and check on the little guy.”

Briar shoots her a pointed look.

Charlie holds out her hands. “Hey, just saying. Have fun, lovebirds,” she hollers as she steps outside, causing everyone waiting to be seated to look in our direction.

Before Briar and I follow, I crane my neck, getting one last look at the pathetic lawyer. He’s still standing by the table soaking wet, now arguing with the server. Let that be a lesson for trying to touch what’s mine.