Page 5 of Pucking Bad Boys

The third douchebag, who probably isn’t as wasted as his two friends, understands that I mean business.

“Ok, ok. Sheesh. No need to get aggro. We’ll go. If we had known you had a boyfriend,” he says in her direction. “We wouldn’t have even tried to invite you to our room.”

As if being single were a justification for their behavior.

“Get the fuck out before I change my mind and kick your asses, anyway.” I curl my fingers, itching to teach them some fucking manners.

I stand there, next to her, as the most sober of the trio of douches opens his wallet and drops a Benjamin on the table.

Chapter 2

Insta Crush

TALIA

Relief floods me as the three drunk assholes leave in a hurry.

I shudder at the thought of what those three wanted to do to me in exchange for much less than the hundred bucks they left on the table.

A part of me doesn’t even want to touch that money as it feels tainted. But beggars can’t be choosers. The owner will definitely take the money for the broken glasses out of my paycheck, and these days, I have to save every cent if I want to make it to graduation.

My favorite customer of the night—I know his name isn’t Beavis—is standing by my side. His blue eyes flit from me to the money.

Maybe he wants his cut since there’s no way those three would have left a hundred bucks if he hadn’t scared them to death.

It’s only fair, so I offer. “If you want half of that, you need to wait until I get the rest of the night’s tips, and I’ll give you your cut.”

His blue eyes widen and he shakes his head. “That was so not what I expected you to say to me.”

“No?” My curiosity is peaked about what he thought I was going to say.

“I thought you were about to yell at me for stepping in when you clearly had the situation under control.” His big, strong hand flies to the back of his neck, and he blushes again.

My pulse quickens just a little at the way his biceps bulge, straining against the sleeve of his shirt with the movement.

“What?” I gasp. “Absolutely not. Sure, I had the situation under control, but there’s no way to tell what those fuckers would have done if you hadn’t been here.”

The tension in his shoulders eases at my words. “Good. I just wanted to help because I hate when men behave a certain way just because they think they could easily overpower a woman. I promise it wasn’t a judgement on your ability to handle yourself. I’m actually quite impressed.”

I smile for the first time since the three drunk fuckers whistled to get my attention. “Really? You’re impressed?”

He smiles back, revealing perfect white teeth. I really like the way the corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles.

“Really. I have a little sister, and I’ve been trying to teach her how to protect herself when I’m not there to kick ass and takenames if someone acts like those three acted with you. I hope she’d react the way you just did. It was fucking awesome.”

Heat floods my face at the compliment. “Well, I grew up with four brothers. I had to learn how to make them respect me since they’re all bigger than me, even the younger ones. I’m not a damsel, but I also know that there were three of them and just one of me. None of my buff co-workers are on shift tonight, so I’m grateful for your help.”

“Good.” He nods. “I didn’t want you to think I was dismissing you just because you’re a woman.”

“I didn’t. So do you want fifty bucks?” I ask, pointing at the money on the table.

He immediately turns down my offer. “Are you kidding? You earned that money and more. I wish I could have shaken down those asshats for more.”

With the money safely tucked in my pocket, there’s nothing more to do than clean the mess of broken glass on the floor.

My two colleagues who are still here are probably already cleaning in the back, so I better get on with it. I crouch down and begin to collect the broken glass. Hot Beavis begins to help me.

“Shit.” He cuts himself with a sharp shard.