It takes me a good minute before I physically react. Taking in a ragged breath, I brush the now damp hair from my face as I collect my thoughts. My hands shake so much that it's difficult to hold my cell. I know I should feel weird that he’s clearly watching me, and that he’s dictating what I do. But strangely, it’s almost comforting to have someone looking out for me. Oh my God, that sounds so fucked up.
I am so fucked up.
Lost in my own mind, my phone’s melodic notification brings me back to myrestroom stall.
Nodding in obedience as if he was standing directly in front of me, my trembling fingers type out a reply before I follow his orders. This will probably be either the greatest decision of my life, or the worst. God, I hope it’s not the worst.
CHAPTER eight
sutton
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this annoyed at someone.
Not necessarily with Dolly mind you; although she will most certainly be getting a tongue lashing when I see her. No, my annoyance lies with the disrespectful son-of-a-bitch sitting at the table in the front of the cafe. The one currently getting the number of the waitress while my Princess hides in the restroom.
He’s lucky that we’re in a crowded restaurant. My interaction with him will have to be civil. It’s taking all my willpower to not walk over to him and sucker punch him in the throat. I can almost guarantee that the cocksucker has never been in an actual fight, taking him down would be too easy. That will have to wait for another time, though. I shouldn’t get into a physical altercation on the Lord’s Day.
Clenching my jaw, my narrow eyes glance to the phonein my hand as it vibrates. It’s another text from my Dolly.
Nodding my head, I ease the nagging tension harbored in my body. I’m pleased thatshe answered me as she should have. I know I’ve said this before, but it truly is rare to find someone so naturally submissive. I suppose I shouldn’t be too shocked, though. God made her specifically for me.
Not needing to reply, I wait patiently for her to exit the restroom. Making good on her word, she emerges a few seconds later. Tipping my chin downward, I purposefully cover my face with the bill of my Yetis hat, so she doesn’t recognize me. Though if she did look my way, she might wonder why I was wearing a rival hockey team’s hat in Stars country.
This is the only time I will ever be thankful she has more alcohol in her system than she should. It helps distract her as she heads straight over to her dumbass roommate. I boldly lift my gaze and watch as the busty waitress sheepishly steps away. Standing next to Sam, Dolly bends down and says something close to his ear. His face morphs from one emotion to the next as he listens: first surprise, next confusion, and then finally irritation. He starts to say something back, but shesilences him with a shake of her head. He tries yet again, attempting to reach for her hand this time. She moves out of his greedy reach just before he can capture it. I watch her mouth as she speaks, but her lips move so quickly that I can’t make out her words for the life of me. Whatever she says must be cutting, as it causes his entire body to freeze.
A defeated look passes over his masculine features; he nods once and watches in livid disbelief as she leaves the cafe. I can’t help but grin at his vexation. It must be killing him that he wasn’t able to charm her like he probably does the other women that get caught in his trap.
Poor douchebag.
Toggling my gaze from Sam to my phone, a tiny wave of relief falls over me as I receive a notification from the Uber driver. Dolly has entered his vehicle and should arrive home safely within the next twenty minutes. I hate that I had to use that particular driving service, but I wasn’t expecting her to be downing alcohol at eleven forty-five in the morning. There is no way I could allow her to drive herself home.
Why didn’t I drive her myself, you ask? Well, it was never my intention to alert her to the fact that I followed her to brunch. I merely wanted to observe her in a relaxed environment, to learn her habits as every good hunter does. True, the gentlemanly thing would have been for me to have driven her home, but then I wouldn’t have the chance to have a little chat with Sam.
Standing from my bistro chair, I casually step over to the sulking gym rat. Focused only on the phone in his hand, he doesn’t pay me any mind as I make my way towards Dolly’s empty chair. His fingers glide over the glass with lightning speed, typing a series of angry words. I notice the picture of my girl on the top of his screen as I purposefully brush into his personal space.
This motherfucker.
Pushing out a sigh, I yank out the chair opposite him and take a seat. Hardening my features, I keep my body language rigid as I lean my torso in. Preoccupied with his one-sided text exchange, he doesn’t realize that I’m a mere two feet away from him. It isn’t until I growl in abject annoyance that he pulls his eyes away from his phone’s screen.
“Uh, excuse me? Why the fuck are you sitting at my table?” he asks, his tone thick with attitude.
Anger flashes behind his eyes as he stares at me, but it’s nowhere near the simmering rage that’s behind mine. I can almost feel the snap of his skin on my knuckles as I slam my fist into his cheekbone. It sends the smallest shivers to race down my spine.
“I’m only going to say this once, I need you to listen,” I begin, lowering my voice so that only he can hear. “You are to never text, call, speak, or see Dolly Dixon ever again.”
Huffing a laugh, amusement peppers his features.Straightening his posture, he squares his shoulders in a pathetic display of machismo. I keep my expression sharp, but inside I’m laughing alongside him. The little cocksucker doesn’t see me as a threat. He will though, soon enough.
“What the fuck are you talking about? Who are you to tell me I can’t see Dolly?”
Not immediately replying, I allow his question to marinate in his tiny, underdeveloped brain. It takes him a couple of seconds, but finally his face brightens with the look of recognition.
“Ohh...you’re Sutton fuckingDouglas,” he says, wagging his index finger at me. “You know, I should be saying the same thing to you!”
Leaning in towards me, he pulls his lips back into a sneer.
“You might be richer than Jesus, and that might impress Dolly, but I don’t give a fuck! I will kick your pretty boy ass! Dolly ismine,she always has been!Youwill stay away fromher,got it?” he hisses.
Clenching my jaw, the outside corner of my left eye ticks. Pent up rage settles into the pit of my stomach as I silently seethe. I know I can’t kill him, not yet at least, but I will tear that smirk from his face. Keeping my voice low, I hiss an ominous command.
