Forbidden Love

“Company policy. We don’t date customers,” he ground through his teeth.

"Or douche bags," I muttered, earning myself a frigid glare from Haven.

“It’s also company policy not to knock up your coworkers. No offence to Teeny but don’t be a jackass. I can ‘date’ anyone I please.

Did she just fuckin’ air quote?

“Like hell.” Trip was in such a mood, it wasn’t smart for anyone to poke the cranky beast, but she was Haven, and that was what Haven liked to do.

“Dylan, I’d love to go to dinner with you. “ She smiled brightly at the moron. “How’s tomorrow night at eight?” Trip fumed beside her while I ground my teeth and Teeny sat on the sofa watching on like there was a blockbuster movie playing out.

“It’s a date, darlin’,” Dylan drawled, handing her one of the same business cards he’d given me earlier in the day. “Call me later.” With that, he turned around and slithered out the door like a snake.

Trip chose that moment to blow his top, yelling like his daughter had just told him she wasn’t a virgin anymore.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Are you kidding me?” Trip’s voice bounced off the walls, sounding furious.

The front door swung open and in walked Mace followed by Scarlett. Scarlett looked around and strolled over to take a seat beside Teeny while Mace stood statue, still staring through me.

“What the fuck is going on here?” he boomed.

The entire room went silent. This was a position I didn’t want to be in. The middle of World War Three.

“I was just leaving. Trip will fill you in, but I’ll be by later. We need to talk.” I started toward the door, feigning strength because I knew Mace could very well lay my ass out on the lobby floor.

“Damn straight you were just leaving. Don’t let me see your sorry ass in here again.” Mace’s arms crossed his chest and he moved to the side so I could pass. His shoulder knocked mine as I pushed through the door.

Maybe this wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.

Haven

“Dammit!” I cursed, reaching for another cotton ball. I flicked my eyes over to the clock on the wall 7.40 pm. I was going to be late for my date with Dylan if I didn’t get my backside moving. I’d messed my eyeliner up three times already. Releasing a long, steady breath, I tried to stop my hand from shaking. I told myself it was nerves and not another attack. I had been doing fairly well not having problems with that for a little while. I decided it was definitely nerves. Why the hell was I so nervous all of a sudden? I felt like I was doing something wrong. I sighed in frustration. I knew I was doing something wrong. I was going out with another man to spite the one I was in love with. I should have canceled, call Dylan and tell him I couldn’t go, but then I remembered the way Jude had passed right over me. He gave up. He was a coward who’d all but told me I wasn’t worth the hassle of standing up to my brothers.

Screw Jude and his bullshit!

I slammed the eyeliner pencil down on my bathroom vanity and stormed toward the front door, snatching up my black clutch as I went. Shoving my keys into my bag after I locked my door, I made quick work of the dimly lit stairwell that led down to the lobby from my fourth-floor apartment. It wasn’t anything fancy but it was a clean place to rest my head at night.

Lucky for me, the bar I was meeting Dylan at was right across the road from my apartment. I breezed inside and stopped at the bar. I’d not even finished ordering my drink when I felt a warm body close behind mine. I turned my head slightly to find a well-dressed cowboy in jeans, a nice button-up shirt with his sleeves rolled midway up his forearms, topped off with a beaming smile that showed off his stark white teeth.

He lifted his black Stetson. “Evenin’, pretty lady.”

The way his words rolled off his tongue had my nerves settle some. He was definitely charming and that charm would make it so much easier to forget about everything else and just enjoy his company.

“Well, hi again.” I smiled. “Twice in one day makes me a lucky girl.”

“Pretty certain I’m the lucky one here, sugar.” He placed one hand on my lower back and maneuvered in to lean over the bar, ordering a beer for himself just as my Long Island Iced Tea slid in front of me.

"This is a pretty small town. I've never seen you before. Where have you been hiding?" I asked him curiously he seemed somewhat reluctant to answer, but I just put that down to being shy, so pressed on.

" So, tell me about yourself. What brings you to town. No offense, but you kinda stick out like a sore thumb." I peered at Dylan through my lashes, shyness a new feeling I wasn’t used to My hand absently curled my hair behind my ear.

He chuckled. "Am I that obvious? Here I thought I fit in pretty darn well."

He took a swig of his beer, and watched me as I in turn sucked my drink dry.

Whoa, slow down, Haven.

"Yeah, you fit in just fine." I smiled. "Everyone wears cowboy hats, big buckles, and boots." I stirred my straw, clinking the ice cubes around in the glass.

My smile broadened. "I like it though. You’re refreshing, and I like the hat."

He flashed his perfect pearly whites, pretending to tip the hat that wasn't even on his head.

Such a gentleman.

"Well, I'm looking to start fresh. This place seems as good as any. And you, sugar, are a like a tall glass of water. Do you even realize how beautiful you are?" His voice lowered and his eyes darkened.