I counted my tips. Fifty bucks so far. Dammit. It was a slow night for everyone, blustery cold outside. But I couldn’t afford slow nights.

I needed every penny to afford a new place and another crack at school. I had to get out of this damn town before I turned into what they thought I was.

A tramp.

Because I was inches away from giving in to Gabe.

Then what would I be? The girl from the wrong side of the tracks who tumbled into bed with the star quarterback. The war hero who would move on to greener pastures as soon as he was healed. All he'd have to do was snap his fingers at this point. I was that close.

And I would be stuck here, with nothing. Fair game for all the other jerks. The ones who didn't make my heart race or my stomach flutter.

I stuffed the money in my apron and froze.

Dark green eyes were staring at me from across the bar. Piercing eyes that went straight through me. My heart started to pound.

Gabe was here. He was sitting by himself at the end of the bar. I frowned. How the hell did he get up into that chair? He could have hurt himself!

I was across the bar before I thought about what people might think.

Gabe wasn't even trying to hide that he was watching me. He had a dark look on his face and a pint in his hand.

"What are you doing here?"

He took a sip of his beer.

"It's a bar. I'm drinking."

I took a step back. He was acting weird. Like he didn't like me. Not even a little.

Maybe he didn't.

I had told him I was leaving.

"How did you get into the stool- you shouldn't have done that."

"Why not?"

"You could have hurt yourself- your leg-"

He smirked at me suggestively.

"It's just one leg Tabby. The rest of my body works just fine. Believe me."

I took another step back, feeling uncertain. I realized people were staring at us. We were bordering on making a scene. I shook my head and went back to work.

I tried not to look over at him. He was surrounded by the local guys almost immediately. I noticed that everyone was trying to impress him. It was just like high school.

He was in the center of it all. Just like usual.

And I was on the outskirts.

I kept my head down, stealing a glance at him now and then. He looked so handsome it made my insides twist. And I thought I caught him looking at me a few times.

Was he here to see me? Like he'd said in his text?

If he was here to see me, then why was he ignoring me?

I went into the stockroom as it got late to start setting up for the morning shift. I bent over to grab a stack of napkins. That's when I heard it.

The heavy metal door creaked and slammed shut behind me.

Gabe sat there in his chair. He didn’t say anything. He just watched me. He reached up and locked the door behind him.

Then he smiled. It was not a nice smile. It was a dangerous smile.

"What are you doing?"

"I told you. I wanted to talk."

"Not now, Gabe. I'm working."

He crossed his arms.

"It's not busy. All the other waitresses are sitting on their asses at the bar counting tips. But not you."

I raised my chin. If he was angry at me- if he wanted a confrontation- I had to be ready for it.

I had to be strong.

"No, not me."

He laughed. It sounded bitter. I wondered if he'd had too much to drink.

"You work harder than anyone I know. Not just at the job. At keeping people away."

I blinked.

"Your drunk."

He wheeled closer and I backed up until my shoulders were against the metal shelves that were bolted to the wall. He reached out and traced his finger along the top of my apron. I shivered from the feeling of his hand through my clothes.

"Just a little buzzed."

My eyes got wide as he reached for me. No- not for me. He reached past me.

He grunted as he used the metal bars to hoist himself to his feet. I was afraid to move. Afraid I would hurt him.

Afraid of what was about to happen.

He stood over me, inches away. He was so big... I'd forgotten how tall he was. How wide his shoulders were. He dwarfed me. I couldn't see anything but him.

"You're not quitting."

I lifted my chin and stared him right in the eye. It was hard, but I made myself do it.

"I am."

"I won't let you." His lips quirked. "I need you."

My heart did a little flip flop. I looked to the side, trying to ignore how his closeness was affecting me. I felt hot and cold and-

His fingertips brushed my cheek.

"Tabitha..."

Then he was gripping my face, turning me to face him. I realized what he was doing right before his lips caught mine. He kissed me firmly. He moaned as he tasted me, like I tasted delicious. I let out a little whimper as he leaned closer, his chest brushing mine.

Then everything changed. He growled and pulled me against him with one arm. I was wrapped in his strength as he forced my lips apart. His tongue was in my mouth, taking what he wanted. There was no teasing this time. No playfulness.

Just raw, primal hunger.

And so help me God, I kissed him right back.

Gabe kept on touching me, stroking my back and sides. I leaned into his touch like a cat. Wanting more- wanting- I didn't even know what it was I wanted.

But Gabe did.

His hand slid lower and I let him guide my leg up so that he could get even closer. I felt his hardness against me and gasped. He was huge and he was burning hot. Even through his jeans.

It woke me out of the stupor I was in.

I shook my head wildly.

"No! Gabe- stop!"

He stopped and stared down at me, his jaw ticking. He looked so different from the charming, sweet man I knew during daylight hours. This man looked desperate. Angry.

Starving.

"Please stop."

He swallowed and stepped back slightly.

I felt the cold air rush between us. Like we'd created a vacuum where our bodies had pressed together. There had been heat and touch and now there was nothing.

"Tabby... why won't you let me in?"

I couldn't look at him.

"In what? My pants?"

"That's not what I meant." He smirked. "But yeah, I want that too."

"I'm not a tramp. I'm not what- everyone says."

He gripped my chin and made me look at him. I didn't want to. I was so afraid of what I'd see.

His eyes were burning. Fierce.

"I know."

I exhaled in a whoosh. He meant it. He wasn't just trying to get off with the town slut. At least I thought that's what I saw in his eyes.

Bang bang bang!

"TJ! You in there? We're closing up."

"Be right out!"

I looked at Gabe. He hadn't moved.

"Gabe, I need to go."

He cursed.

"Fine. But we are continuing this conversation."

"What's the point?"

He growled and yanked me against him. He kissed me hard, his body unyielding, his tongue pushing into my mouth. I realized my feet were dangling off the floor. Even injured, the man could lift me without breaking a sweat.

He set me down and looked at me.

"That's the point."

Then he lowered himself into his chair and wheeled away.