Chapter 11

Isit at the bar, never taking my eyes off Paisley as she works. I'm not the only one that watches her. I'm thankful that the night is almost over. I don't think I could take much more of this without laying someone out.

Her skirt isn't helping. I thought those jean shorts she had on the other night were bad. I couldn't have been more wrong. That tiny piece of cloth she's wearing tonight is a damn nightmare.

All the fucking thoughts I've had since she came out of the bedroom with it on, ready for work, have kept my dick hard for hours. I didn't know that was possible, but that seems to be the case about a lot of things when it comes to myself. That was until this little princess came along. She's bringing a lot of things to light for me.

I swear the thought of locking her in my house has crossed my mind more times than I'm comfortable admitting. That line of thinking is completely irrational and unhinged, but there's no stopping it.

"You sure you don't need a drink?" Cole asks from behind the bar. I could use one but not tonight. Not when I'm watching her.

"My water is fine." Cole chuckles. I want to punch him in the throat, but I control myself. I know my irritation isn't for him. It's for the other fucks in the bar.

"Not going to lie. We've gotten some new regulars since Paisley started working here. I think the boys over at the Army base must be telling everyone we got a new server." I swear it's like Cole has a fucking death wish.

I grit my teeth. I need to find her another damn job. Not sure how I'm going to go about that. I guess I could make one up. I do have a company. That's not a terrible idea. Then I could keep her tucked away in my home. Away from all these little fucks.

"The one in the light blue polo with shaggy hair?" I've had my eyes on him all night. He's shifty.

"He's one of them," Cole confirms for me.

Paisley makes her way back over to the bar to place the orders for last call. She slides up next to me, her body brushing against mine.

"You hungry, princess?" Without thinking, I reach out and put my arm around her, my hand going to her hip. She leans into me.

"You don't have to keep feeding me, Jackson. You've already done so much." If she only knew just how much I've done to make sure she ended up in my house, she would probably be running for the hills.

"What if I like feeding you?" She tilts her head towards me, peeking at me through her lashes as Cole fills her tray with drinks. Her fair skin makes it easy to see her blush, and damn do I love making her do it. It's not hard.

I got her to spend the day with me. I took her out on the gator and showed her around. I was curious about what she would think. Paisley has spent her life in the city. I might have money, but her world is another level. It isn't only about money. Her family carries an impressive pedigree. They would lose their minds if they knew what I was up to. It is the opposite of what they hired me to do.

"Need to get back to it." She gives me one of those shy smiles of hers before she lifts the tray up and saunters off. My eyes are glued to her. I fight the urge to physically follow her around table to table. Just so these assholes know she's not available.

I grip the bar so that I don't. I've been hovering over her since I locked my eyes on her. I'm not sure how much she notices.

"Fuck." I jump from my seat when Paisley's foot catches the leg of a chair that someone left pushed out. Her tray goes flying. Thankfully she doesn't fall with it. The shot glasses hit the floor, shattering all over the place. "Hey." I put my hand on her back. She turns toward me, her face flushed. This isn't the kind of blush I enjoy seeing on her beautiful face.

A few people clap, pissing me off. I'd say something, but right now my focus is her.

"I got it," I tell her. I cup her cheek when I see tears form in her eyes. Shit. There is no way I'll survive her crying. The thought of her being sad is enough to kill me.

"I always make a mess," she whispers, I think more to herself, but I catch the words. I sense they go a whole lot deeper than some broken shot glasses. Someone has said that shit to her.

"It's no big deal." I can't stop myself. I lean in and brush a soft kiss against her lips. She lets out a small gasp. I pull back, knowing I can't take it further right now. I wouldn't be able to stop. "I'll clean this up. Cole is already making them again."

"Okay." She licks her lips. "I'm going to the bathroom real quick." I drop my hand and let her flee.

I place the big chunks of glass on the tray. The other girl serving tonight delivers the fresh drinks as Cole comes over with a broom and towel.

"I got it," I hear him say as I glance toward the hallway that goes to the bathroom before I run my eyes across the bar. It's a habit. They stop when they land on an empty chair.

Where the fuck did blue polo boy go?

I'll fucking kill him.