Barclay

“What did he do to you?” I ask Tessa, my grip on Trevor’s arm tightening as I imagine the possibilities.

“I didn’t touch her. Cousin,” Trevor spits the last word out like a venomous snake. He tries to jerk his arm away, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting go of him yet.

“Cousin?” Tessa whispers, eyes wide in disbelief. I nod my head, though I wish I could deny it. Her beautiful pink lips form a perfect circle.

“Where’s Caroline?” It’s my turn to spit at Trevor, my voice laced with accusation.

“We’re taking a break.” He avoids my eyes as he speaks, lying his ass off. His girlfriend deserves better, and I hope she figures that out soon.

“Get the hell out of here.” I release Trevor’s arm in disgust. If we weren’t in a public place that carries my last name, I’d clock him for whatever he did to make Tessa douse him with her drink. She’s feisty, but not violent. He must’ve crossed the line. It’s his M.O. with women.

“You might out rank me at Hammond, but you can’t order me around here,” he jeers, his chin held high.

“Let’s call Caroline and see what she thinks.” I dig my phone out of my back pocket, press my passcode into the screen, and wave it in front of Trevor. I narrow my eyes at him and wait, seeing if he’ll call my bluff.

“Okay, fine,” he says, lowering his shoulders in defeat. He grabs a few cocktail napkins off the bar and wipes off his face, then his shirt.

Trevor begins to walk away, but stops in his tracks after a few paces. He spins around to face Tessa and me. I wrap my arm around her small waist and pull her into my side.

“Until next time, Tessa,” Trevor says in a seductive tone. When our eyes meet, a mocking smile slides across his face.

“There won’t be a fucking next time. You understand me?” I hiss at him.

“I understand way more than you,” he laughs while looking at Tessa. Feeling her stiffen in my arms, I glance down at her and find her gaze focused on the floor. What the hell is up?

Trevor shakes his head. “See you later, cousin,” he mocks, and turns to leave the bar. Good riddance.

“Are you all right?” I ask Tessa, inspecting her from head to toe. She’s stunning in her high heels and tight jeans, and doesn’t show any obvious signs of harm.

“Yeah, I’m good.” She gazes up at me through her lashes like I saved her from a predator. But I feel like I’m the dangerous one right now as adrenaline races through my veins.

Her innocent beauty and the feel of her curves under my fingertips do crazy things to me. I want throw her over my shoulder, take her upstairs, and fuck her senseless.

Christ, help me.

I call the bartender over to order a drink, but he beats me to the punch and sets a tall shot of bourbon down in front of me.

“Thought you’d need this,” he says.

I release my right arm from around Tessa and throw back the amber liquid. The bartender refills my shot glass, and I drink its contents down even faster.

“Are you okay, Barclay?” Tessa says, standing next to me, eyes filled with worry. She places a hand on my forearm in an effort to comfort me. She has no idea how dangerous I could be to her.

When I passed by the restaurant and recognized Tessa standing at the bar alongside my asshole cousin, my vision turned red and I nearly ran to her side.

Yes, sweetheart, I’m anything but okay. I’ve lost a battle of control. With myself.

I sit down on a barstool and reach for her hands. She gasps as I pull her between my legs, our faces close together. She stares at me with big blue eyes full of hope and desire. I pray I’ve made the right decision.

“I tried to stay away from you.” I trace her cheek and the line of her jaw with the slightest touch. “But as you can see, it’s become impossible.”

“I’m glad,” she whispers, leaning in to my touch, a slight shiver running over her skin.

“We’ll see,” I say in warning. Her full lips curve in a teasing smile, inducing visions of her kneeling before me. My cock presses against the zipper of my jeans, and it hurts so damn good.

All these dirty thoughts of her running through my head make one thing pretty damn clear: I could totally ruin her before she heads back to Alabama in a few days. Hell, even if she does find a job here, I’m not the man for her. I’m too old and she’s too chaste. Not to mention, she’s definitely not the kind of woman to fuck and toss away. She’s a keeper. I just wish I had the privilege of making her mine.