I t’s as if this violent beast breaks free inside of me. I see that little asshole reach out and touch Jenny. The very thought of him putting his hands on my woman has this territorial need inside me rising up. I want to beat his fucking ass. I want him to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she is mine .

I see Jenny‘s eyes widen, see her body straighten. I have no doubt she notices a change in me, probably wondering what in the hell I’m doing barreling toward her and that little prick. He still has his hands on my girl, oblivious to the fact I’m coming right for him. I see Jenny‘s mouth open and close, but she is still staring at me. I doubt she said anything to him. I doubt she’s warned him .

I doubt she knows what’s going to happen… But she will .

And then I’m right beside the table. I’m seeing red, can’t focus on anything but how I feel in this moment. Possessiveness swirls inside of me, makes me a fiend. I find myself reaching out and grabbing his arm, pulling it away from where his hand is touching Jenny. It’s as if I’m in someone else’s body, not able to control myself with rationalization .

He looks over at me, the confusion on his face clear. And then I’m hauling him out of the booth. I can hear Jenny’s voice but can’t make out what she’s saying. I’m too pissed in this moment .

“Don’t ever fucking touch what’s mine.” I hear the growl in my words, and my focus is trained right on the asshole. The guy is nothing to be threatened over, but that doesn’t mean I want him touching Jenny .

“Carson?” I look over at her then, the shock in her voice clear. Jenny’s eyes are as wide as saucers and I realize what I said out loud. But I want her to know anyway. It’s just I didn’t envision the revelation going this way .

I look back at the guy I’m holding by the collar and narrow my eyes at him. “Do you understand what I’m saying ?”

The guy nods and I can see the fear in his eyes. Good. I let go of him and he stumbles back, landing on his ass in the booth. I turn and look at Jenny for a suspended second, then reach out and take her hand in mine. I’m not oblivious to the fact that people are staring at us, or that the cops have probably already been called .

I haul her out of there and once we are outside I head straight for my truck. My heart is thundering and the blood is rushing through my veins. The feel of Jenny tugging her hand from mine has me stopping and turning to face her .

“What the hell, Carson?” She’s breathing hard, and I can see she’s confused and flustered. I hate that I’m the one who’s made her feel this way .

I exhale roughly and run a hand through my hair. I was like a caveman in there, which isn’t how I typically act. I am easy-going, and don’t let shit bother me. But when it comes to Jenny I can’t let it go. I can’t let the fact she is with another guy roll off my shoulders .

“We have a lot of shit to talk about.” I finally say the words and stare in her eyes. She doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even move .

“Yeah, we really do,” she finally says and closes her eyes. I can see her take a deep breath in. She glances back at the restaurant and I wonder if she’s thinking about going back in there and making sure the little asshole is okay .

I wouldn’t blame her .

But I could have done a hell of a lot more damage to him. As it is, I’m pretty fucking proud of myself for restraining from beating the shit out of him .

“You can’t attack people like that for no reason .”

Oh, I had a good reason .

If she wants to go in there I can’t stop her, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go back in there for her .

She finally looks at me again and exhales. “I have some stuff I need to talk to you about too .”

All I want to do is pull her in and kiss her, tell her that she’s mine, that she’s been mine for a long time. But instead I curl my fingers into my palms until the pain lances up my arms. First I’ll tell her how I feel, and then if she doesn’t run from me, or slap me across the face, then I’ll pull her into my lap and claim her as mine .

Because at the end of the day Virginia is mine, and no one will tell me any differently .