Chapter 3

Trace

I watched Embry as she worked, taking in her juicy curves and room-brightening smile. Damn it, but Embry was perfect in the way that she looked and her sassy little attitude. I didn’t think she realized just how hot she was. Even with her tough front, she screamed innocence, and that made her even more desirable to me.

Her big blue eyes met my gaze a few times, and I got hard underneath my shorts as I sighed slowly. The way that she looked at me and that full lower lip made me crazy, and I wanted to bend her over that bar and claim her as mine.

Her grandpa, Joe, stopped by to greet us, clapping me on the back as he asked how my time away had gone. I told him that it was great, keeping an eye on his sweet granddaughter the entire time. She gazed longingly in my direction. He was a good man and served his time in the Navy as well, bonding us.

Joe laughed at something that Bryan said, and I glanced at the bar to see a new group of guys gathered at the end of it. I watched as she tried to leave the bar and one of the guys grabbed her ass, making Embry jump back as she glared at him.

I got to me feet so quickly I sent my chair clattering across the room behind me. “Get your fucking hands off her,” I growled.

Embry looked at me, and the room went silent. The guy gave me a challenging look, although, his eyes widened when he noticed how big I was.

“Sorry. I didn’t know she was yours.” He held up his hands and stepped away from her. I stalked toward him, rage filling my veins.

Joe laughed. “My granddaughter doesn’t belong to anybody,” he declared. “Get the hell out of my bar.”

“Fuck you, old man,” the kid snarled.

Embry stepped forward to grab the kid’s arm to shove him out of the bar. The kid looked back down at her and grabbed her around the waist. He tugged her body toward his and asked her if she’d changed his mind.

I grabbed the kid’s shoulder, and Embry backed away from him. I spun the little fucker around and looked into his wide eyes.

I reached my arm back and clenched my fist.

“You piece of shit,” growled.

I hit him square in the jaw. His head snapped back violently, and I hit him again before he had time to recover. The stupid kid crumpled to the ground, and his friends scattered. But I wasn’t finished yet.

I leaned over and picked him up under the arms. I dragged him to the front door and kicked it open.

“Stay the fuck out of here.” I literally tossed him out the door and glared darkly at him before I turned around to go inside.

I could hear Joe’s voice, but I scanned the room for Embry. I wasn’t sure how she was doing after what just happened, and I considered going back out there to kick the guy’s ass even more.

“Where is she?” I asked Brandon. He pointed to the back where there was a private hallway. “Thanks.” I walked back there to see Embry leaning against the wall in the corner, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned forward.

Shit. Was she crying?

“Embry, are you okay?” I asked. She glanced up at me, her eyes wide and scared. I slipped my hands around her slim waist and pulled her against me, searching her face. “Embry, did he hurt you?”

“No, I’m okay. He was just so aggressive.” Her voice trembled, and I lifted a hand to stroke her cheek gently.

“He’s lucky that I didn’t kick his ass for touching you,” I said.

She stared into my eyes. My body was hot with desire, and I watched as she licked her lips slowly.

“These guys get worse all the time, Trace. I’m so sick of it. My attitude usually makes it clear that I’m not interested, but he just got too grabby. Brandon and the others are quick to protect me.” She stared at me with awe in her big eyes. “What did you do to him?”

“Hopefully, I broke his jaw. But I tossed him outside on his ass for good measure. His friends can clean up from there. If I see his face again, I’ll kill that fucker.” Something softened in her face, and she pressed her hands against my chest. I watched her press her lips together.

“You protected me,” Embry said softly.

I nodded. “Hell, yes. Nobody gets to touch you like that unless you want their hands on you.” I kept my arms wrapped around her body, waiting for her to push me away. The heat grew between us as she slipped her hand up to touch my face. I swallowed thickly. “Do you want my hands on you, Embry?”

She nodded her head, and I smiled slowly, stroking her side before I traced her lips with my finger. Desire flooded her baby blues, and I felt her press against me. Her breath hitched in her throat. I wanted her and my cock grew, pressing against her stomach.

She gasped. “Trace,” she said in a shaky voice.

I pulled her closer. Her full chest pressed against me as she wrapped her arms around my neck.