Intensity Read Online Free PDF Page B

the bar. I’ll buy you a drink?” A raspy, sexy response came out as bile rose in my throat. I hoped the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants method worked, because I wanted the heck out of this position and ill-fitting nook.
    He captured my wrists and twisted, smashing them against the wall. Our bodies sealed together chest to knee. “You want it. I tip real well.” His hardshaft shoved forward, he rubbed up and down between my clenched thighs.
    Oh, gross.
    “Get off her. Now.” Linc’s bellowing growl made me jump.
    The inebriated fool paid no attention. He bent his head back and laughed, blowing fumes up my nostrils that could get me drunk.
    Linc’s stranglehold on the guy’s barely-there neck unleashed a squeal so high he could’ve alerted a neighborhood fifty miles away. His hands dropped from mine when Linc hurled him backward, pitching him at least ten feet. His unsteady body hit a wall and smashed face down.
    Ouch.
    Mesmerized by the crumpled man, I flinched when feather-light fingertips brushed my face from temple to chin and settled on my neck. Transfixed in Linc’s searching eyes, I murmured a hollow and head spinning “Hi.”
    He rubbed my arms, up and down, the warmth lessening shivers I couldn’t control. “You okay?” he whispered.
    Reality set in and I grabbed his elbows, pulling him against me. My cheek lying on his shoulder, I sucked in a deep breath, inhaling his natural fragrance and calming my heart- pounding nerves. He drew me into a reassuring hug and rocked me in a gentle sway. “You want to go back to my apartment? You could lie down and relax.”
    I squeezed his waist and looked up at him. “Thank you…for helping me.”
    He held my face in his hands and announced, “You don’t need to worry about him or that happening again. I’ll make sure of it.”
    Comfort needed wherever I could find it, I leaned against him and dropped my forehead to his chin. Thoughts of what could have happened in this dark alcove had me swallowing several times and willing a blood-rushing headache to go away.
    His fingers kneaded my shoulders as he murmured, “I promise, no one will bother you again.” The sincerity and gentleness in his voice eased some of my anxiety. “Come on, I’ll walk you to my apartment.” He took a step sideways, but I gripped his arms, stopping him.
    The dim space made it difficult to see his concerned face, but I studied it anyway. “I’m not gonna leave the girls short-handed. I’ll be okay.” To lighten the mood I said with a forced smile, “Besides it’s my first night. I don’t want to disappoint my boss.”
    He stroked a thumb across my cheek and examined my better-be-disguised-face. “You sure? It’s okay to call it a night.”
    I shook my head and stood up straighter, determined to show him I could handle this job. “No, thank you though.”
    He linked our fingers together in a sure and comforting grip, and escorted me back to a jam-packed bar. Two hours from close, I jumped in and put on the performance of my life. My personal, protective shadow never out of sight.

    Flames flickering in the fireplace mesmerized me. A glass of red wine in hand, I twirled it while resting my head along the couch. After an exhausting evening, Linc led me to his apartment. Radiant heat from the fire warmed my feet propped up on the couch, creating a cozy atmosphere and a comfortable place to collapse.
    Without much thought given to the drunk or the fact I hadn’t seen him again, the evening flew by. The rote method of taking orders, preparing drinks, and serving one person after another kept my mind occupied. Now that I had a chance to think about it, the whole thing happened so fast. A year of self-defense training in high school didn’t make a bit of difference. What an idiot. I could have handled it so much better. I should have laid him flat on his ass. The number of times I’d done that in class couldn’t be counted.
    Linc’s long fingers enclosed mine and pulled the full