JASON
I’ve been watching this asshole all night. Watching as he ogles Fallon and adjusts himself under the bar repeatedly. It’s fucking disgusting. When he goes from watching her to striding over to her table with what appears to be the swagger of an overconfident frat boy, I stand, making my way closer to the table.
I’m pretty sure she can hold her own, but that doesn’t mean I want this guy anywhere near her. Some guys can’t take no for an answer, and I want to give her some backup.
I catch her refusing his offer for a drink, and when he continues to try again, I’m ready to pop him in the jaw. He tries one last time, this time not giving her a choice, telling her when she’s done with her meeting he’ll buy her a drink, and I’m done.
“Really, I’m not interested,” she says, and I watch as he bends down so he’s at eye level. Fallon visibly grimaces, and her friend notices me approaching.
“Come on, sweet cheeks. You know you want to. Ditch your friend. I can show you the time of your life. I’m sure good dick is hard for you to come by, and all you need to dois get a drink with me,” he slurs, giving me even more of a sign that her telling him no isn’t going to be enough. He needs an outside force to get him away.
“What part of no don’t you understand?” I say, my voice low in my irritation. The man’s eyes widen as he looks up, taking me in as I stand behind Fallon. “You alright, sunshine?” I ask, bending down to press a kiss to Fallon’s temple.
She stiffens, and I realize my actions might be over the top, but I’m feeling protective, and okay, maybe alittlepossessive of her right now. Even I’m surprised by my own actions. Was it another man showing interest in her, someone I have been feeling so back and forth with that set me off?
I don’t have time to process it right now though, and I focus my attention back to the situation. Fallon nods, her eyes wide as she takes me in. I step up so I’m chest to chest with this asshole.
“I think it’s time for you to leave my girl alone, don’t you think?” Those two words,my girl,slip out before I can think better of it, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me apprehensive.
The man glances between Fallon and me, eyes wide. “Hey bro,” he says, holding up his arms in surrender. “I didn’t know she had a man. I was offering her a drink.”
“Still doesn’t make it okay that you don’t understand what the word no means.”
He steps away from me, but I follow, keeping myself close to him. “Leave them alone, and maybe do a little research into consent.”
The man frantically nods, turning on his heel and stumbling back to the bar. He throws a few twenties on the counter next to his drink, and leaves in a rush. Withhim gone, I turn my focus back to Fallon. “You okay?” I ask.
Fallon glances up to me, and her eyes are dazed, from the alcohol, or the situation, I’m not sure. “Thanks. I was about ready to punch him in the jaw. Saved my hand from some bruising.”
I offer a small laugh, all while internally relieved that the situation has been diffused. “As much as I would have liked to see that, I’m glad you didn’t have to punch him,” I admit. This entire weekend has given me whiplash. I don’t want anything to do with women, relationships or drama, and yet, here I am protecting Fallon, calling her mine, and giving her a nickname.
“Me too,” she says. She looks back to her friend. “Penny, this is Jason, he owns Blue Ox Brewery. Jason, this is Penny.”
I lean over, shaking Penny’s hand. “Sorry to interrupt your evening. I’ll leave you to it.” I point over at my table. “I’ll be over there if you need me, but I’ll probably head back to the room soon.”
“Could you…” Fallon hesitates. “Could you wait? After that, I’m not really sure I want to walk up to the room alone. I don’t think we will be much longer.”
“No problem.” I’m thankful she asked, because I wasn’t really wanting to leave her alone anyway.
“Thanks,” she murmurs.
“Take your time,” I say, and wave goodbye to her and Penny, telling her it was nice to meet her. As I walk away, I hear a small gasp and shriek from Penny.
I sit down at my table and watch as Penny talks to Fallon animatedly, and keeps glancing over at me. It’s hilarious, because I know they’re talking about me. I keep thinking through the last ten minutes, trying to justify myactions to myself that I was doing what any man should do, protect the woman who is saying no to someone that won’t listen, but yet, I can’t. My mind is spiraling, telling me that really, there’s something more between us, something I’ve been fighting and telling myself is nothing.
Not long later, they’re paying their bill and hugging goodbye. Fallon walks over to my table, and sits in the seat across from me. She looks as beautiful as ever, with her hair in loose waves and the light makeup on her face. She has such a natural beauty. It’s one of the things that attracted me to her all those years ago. Some girls looked like they were ready to walk down a runway with how much makeup they’d slathered on their face for an eight a.m. economics class, but not Fallon. There were days it looked like she rolled out of bed minutes before she had to be in the lecture hall. It was adorable, and while her job requires her to be dressed more professionally now, it’s nice to see she hasn’t changed all that much.
“Ready?” I ask, my insides quaking with nerves that everything is suddenly changing, I’m losing my grip on my self control.
She nods. When I stand, she does too, and I can’t help but place my hand at the small of her back as we exit the restaurant. She’s warm and leans into me as we make our way to the elevator.
“Thanks again for earlier. I didn’t know what else to do to get him to take a hint. He was kind of an asshole.”
“No thanks necessary,” I reply. “Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t punch him. It was a close one.”
“Can I ask you something?” she says, her cheeks pinkening as I press the button to call the elevator.
The elevator dings its arrival. “Of course,” I respond.
