Six

“Sorry for the intrusion there,” Arlin said, enjoying the way she felt in his arms and especially against his growing cock. “However, the situation appeared to be getting a little tense for this place. Besides, you really looked like you needed a dance.”

Her arms stiffened a little as she pushed back on him in a feeble attempt to put some distance between them, but he didn’t allow it, keeping a firm grip on her waist as he pressed her against him. Her frustration was quite evident on her face, but Arlin just smiled at her. “Do you always insert yourself into people’s lives like this?” she asked, giving up the struggle with a frustrated sigh. “First at my cabin and now here.”

“Insert? I didn’t insert myself anywhere. At your cabin, I wanted to make sure someone didn’t run you over due to the way you carelessly walked in the middle of the road.” She started to make a smartass comment, but he talked right over her. “And as for this dance, I’ll be more than happy to let you return to your table and whoever that is making a nuisance of himself if you’d like, just say the word.” He twirled her as she opened her mouth, and then jerked her back against him, his hand sliding lower down her back. He knew he wouldn’t let her go back to that table even if she wanted. His tiger would rip out of him and tear the place apart if he did, and that didn’t work out so well in Draven Falls. As it was, his tiger was hard to contain just witnessing the scene that took place at Eve’s table. It would only have made things worse for him and probably for her as well if he lost control. “Some people would think I was chivalrous,” he said, smiling.

She rolled her eyes, the gesture triggering his tiger’s urge to take her outside and have his way with her. Did she really not know how he felt about her? The mating call was instant and powerful, but she was clueless, even after living with shifters for however long. “Do I look like I need someone to be chivalrous for me?” Her body stiffened again in his arms, her frustration shifting to irritation. “Do all men insist on portraying the white knight of sappy romances? Women aren’t fragile creatures, you know. We can take care of ourselves.” Just then two guys helped a drunk female across the floor and toward the front door, the sagging woman blubbering about wanting just one more drink and how she could drive herself home. Eve blew out a disgusted breath. “Well, most of us can, at least.”

“A man being chivalrous has nothing to do with a woman being weak, and everything to do with him being a gentleman. It’s about respect and giving the lady honor.” He shrugged as they danced. “If anything, I think it elevates the woman in everyone’s eyes, especially his, not diminish her.”

A scuffle jerked their attention to the side, and Arlin watched as the man at the ladies’ table snatched his arm out of the deputy’s grip. The man turned and glared, first at Eve, and then at Arlin, who only smiled back, giving the man a wink as he did. “When a man doesn’t treat a woman with chivalry, then that’s what you get.”

“That’s what you get when the man is a class-A asshole.” She shook her head. “I need to get back there. They shouldn’t have to put up with him.”

“Looks like they can handle things pretty well,” he said, wanting to keep her in his arms. Of course, he would much rather have her in his bed, but he was willing to take what he could get for now. “Care to tell me what his problem is?”

“Outside of being a douche,” she said with a sigh, and he knew then he’d do whatever it took to keep that man away from her. He wasn’t sure what the deal with the guy was, but Arlin was damned sure going to protect her from him. She turned away from the scene at the table. “Kyle’s just someone from my past who doesn’t want to go away. He thinks me leaving somehow is a personal affront and can’t handle it. He lost, and he despises losing.”

They heard a crash and watched as Wes’s bouncer, a burly man with arms the size of Arlin’s thighs, grabbed Kyle by the arms and shoved him toward the front door. Kyle tried to turn back around, but the other man was taller, thicker, and quite a bit stronger. Even Arlin wouldn’t have wanted to go up against him. The man’s size didn’t seem to be deterrent enough for Kyle, however. He snarled some nasty comment Arlin couldn’t make out and then took a swing at the man. The bouncer ducked to the side, Kyle’s swing going wide and missing its target, causing Kyle to spin and fall into the man’s arms. People watching cheered as the bouncer grabbed Kyle by the nape of his neck and strong-armed him out the front door, shoving him into the parking lot. While it was fun to watch, Arlin knew it would just bring more trouble to Eve’s front doorstep eventually. Arlin needed to know more about this Kyle guy so he could keep catastrophe from chasing her.

Turning her, Arlin smiled down at her, relishing how lost he could get in her pretty golden eyes. “Let’s go join your friends and get another drink, shall we?”

She only nodded as she let him guide her off the dance floor and back to her table. He flagged down the waitress as they walked and ordered another round for the table. While he knew the alcohol did nothing for the others unless they were really determined to get plastered, Eve could use it to help calm her nerves.

“That man is an ass,” Lainie said as they approached.

Arlin noticed Alanna stared at Eve with sympathy and care. “Are you ready to tell us the story now?” Alanna asked. “I don’t think this is something you can keep quiet anymore. First, your cabin is ransacked—and I’d guess we’re pretty sure we now know who did it—and now that ass shows up at Everglades to stir up trouble. I’ll say that shows he’s following you.”

Adira reached out and placed a hand on Eve’s, patting it sympathetically. “It’s okay, sweetie. We all have reasons for being here. We just want to help.”

Arlin decided to allow the women to talk Eve into sharing her story, while he just stood there and waited, hoping they would forget he was there until he had the information he needed. Luck was not on his side, however. All three women turned to him with questioning, suspicious eyes. He just stood there, smiling innocently.

“And who are you again?” Lainie asked, her eyes narrowed as she leaned on the table, staring at him with a deputy’s intense glare.

Alanna cocked her head to the side as she stared at him. “That’s twice now you’ve shown up right after something has happened to Eve. You wouldn’t know about Kyle and what he’s planning, would you? Perhaps his scout of sorts?”

Adira placed her palms on the table, blue sparks bursting from her fingers. She didn’t need to say anything else.

Arlin held his hands up in surrender, just as the waitress brought over the round of drinks he ordered and set them on the table. “I’m the guy buying this round?” Smile, Arlin boy, or they’re going to have that bouncer toss you out on your ass as well. “I’m Arlin Landry. I worked for Jed Hawkins at Shades back in Draven Falls, and I’m on vacation, staying at my brother’s cabin.”

“Nathan Landry’s your brother?” Alanna asked, her gaze still saying she was suspicious.

“You came to Bull Creek for a vacation?” Lanie snorted a burst of laughter. “You didn’t have high hopes, did you?”

He glanced at Eve, his smile genuine as he felt the stirrings of his tiger wanting to take her in his arms again right there. “I don’t know. The place seems to have everything going for it so far—adventure, intrigue, pretty ladies. What else could you really ask for?”

“Some peace and quiet,” Alanna said. “Thanks for the drinks and all, and trust me when I say I understand the urges your animal is feeling, but this is ladies night.” She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Time for the male to leave.”

He kept his gaze on Eve. “Do you want me to leave?” God, he hoped she said no.

However, she disappointed him, and he knew he would have a hard time getting his tiger to just walk away. “Thanks,” she said, “but the four of us need to talk. I appreciate the distraction and the dance.”

“And the beer,” Adira said, holding up the bottle with a smirk.

Eve gave a soft laugh that was music to Arlin’s ears. Still, she didn’t change her mind. “Perhaps we can have drinks another time,” she offered.

He nodded, not letting his smile slip, even though he felt more like growling. He lifted Eve’s hand to his lips, kissing the back of her knuckles softly. “As you wish,” he said, gazing up into her eyes. “You know where I’m staying if you need anything, or if that idiot comes back.” He then said goodbye to the others and left, leaving money on the table for the drinks.

He fought the urge to look back as he reached the door, his tiger growling inside at the thought of leaving her unprotected. Yet, Arlin knew she was far from unprotected. She was surrounded by shifters and a witch. She had more protection than anyone else in the bar. No, he felt all right leaving her, and to be honest, he had something else on his mind that he needed to do before Eve returned home. He needed to make sure her cabin was secure enough for her return. She didn’t need a reminder of the destruction that shattered her life earlier. While he might not be able to stand guard over her right then, he sure as hell could make sure her place was presentable for when she came home and not a reminder of what had happened.