In a flash, Robert’s expression changed. His eyes narrowed as his mouth compressed into a grim line with hard descending lines at the corners. “Just who do you think you are? You put on a pretty dress and curl your hair and think you’re too good for me? Have you lost your mind? You won’t find anyone else to love you.”
The first tear rolled down Scarlett’s face as if it were the physical manifestation of the shame she felt at having believed such comments in the past. Thank God she hadn’t married this bully. Her nostrils flared and she trembled as she stood with her balled up fists at her sides. “Get out of my sight! I hate you!”
“There we go.” Robert grabbed Scarlett’s wrist. “I knew you still cared. Now let’s go inside.”
She lifted her free hand, placing her palm on Robert’s chest to hold him back while she tried to wiggle her wrist away from him. Her eyes widened and her mouth contracted nervously while a squeezing sensation in her chest seemed to take her breath. Robert was an intimidator but this was the first time he had ever laid hands on her.
“Let go.” She pulled back against his strength.
Robert laughed while glaring at her menacingly. Chilled to the bone, Scarlett shivered, but a familiar, Appalachian twang broke the tension.
“You heard the lady; let go!”
Davis! Relief flooded Scarlett’s senses and she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. As Robert loosened his grip, she snatched her wrist away from him.
After whipping around in Davis’s direction, Robert asked, “Who the hell are you?”
“The fellow who’s gonna break your jaw if you ever put your hands on my girl again.”
Scarlett’s heart skipped a beat and she silently thanked God that Davis hadn’t called her his littlefilly in front of Robert.
After turning his head toward Scarlett, Robert glared, his eyes flashing with fury. “You’re busting my chops for cheating, and you’re fucking this guy?”
Before she could respond, Davis pushed his massive form between her and Robert.
As if he finally understood his predicament, Robert took a step back, looking up at Davis, who stood just a few inches taller than Robert but dwarfed him in upper-body musculature. Scarlett peeped from around Davis’s shoulder, watching as Robert’s gaze swept down over Davis’s well-chiseled physique. All the confidence and bravado her ex had when he was in her face seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon.
Robert held up his hands in front of him as he said, “I don’t have any beef with you. This is between me and her.”
“Nope,” Davis shook his head. “I take exception to a man putting his hands on any woman but you touched mine. Trust me…we got beef.”
Robert’s face flushed and his nostrils flared but his shoulders slumped. He obviously knew he was outclassed. His pride was done. His gaze darted over to Scarlett and he narrowed his eyes. “Fine, I was about done with her fat ass, anyway.”
As if a rattler had struck, Davis’s hand shot out, and he grabbed Robert by the collar. “What was that?”
Robert’s jaw clenched rebelliously. He stood on his tiptoes, his arms flailing as he attempted at first to push Davis away and then to grab at his arm while trying to wriggle away. “Let go of me!”
“I will as soon as you apologize to the beautiful woman I heard you begging to come back to you not five minutes ago.”
All the color seemed to drain from Robert’s face as he muttered, “Sorry.”
Davis released Robert’s shirt. “Now get!”
Robert didn’t spare Scarlett another look as she turned and stomped down the steps. While watching Robert get into his car, Davis stood at the edge of the porch, exuding confidence and so much sex appeal that if Scarlett had been wearing panties, they would have been sopping wet.
After Robert’s headlights disappeared, Davis turned toward Scarlett and slipped his hands around her waist, pulling her to his firm chest. “You okay, lil’ filly?”
Despite herself, Scarlett couldn’t help but snicker as the term of endearment slipped out of Davis’s mouth. “Yeah, I’m good, my great, big stallion.” She laughed again, embarrassed and ashamed by how lame she sounded.
Davis laughed and hugged her tight.
Scarlett closed her eyes, breathing in his intoxicating scent. A chill shot up her spine and she quivered as the area between her legs begged her for some attention.
“Oh, baby, you’re shivering. Let’s step in so you can warm up.”
Happy to oblige, Scarlett stepped to the side and waved toward the foyer. He followed her in and then shut the door behind him.
“Welcome to my home.”
She barely got the words out before Davis pulled her close and dropped a kiss on her lips. As they parted, she looked up into his seafoam-colored eyes, her heart pounding. She wanted more!
“You look real pretty tonight.” He nodded toward her dress.
As he stepped back to look at her, she gave him a once-over in the light.
He looked terrific but he had clearly stepped out of his style comfort zone, trading his casual duds for a dress shirt and trousers. Still, he was a little less pulled together than she would have expected. His shirt was untucked, and he had rolled up the sleeves to his elbows. His light-brown hair was mussed as if he’d been running, and he had missed a belt loop. She’d have to fix him up a little, but his clumsy cluelessness was kind of sweet.
“Well, thanks, you clean up nice too.” She lightly rubbed a finger across his chin. “Look at you…all clean shaven.”
He looked down bashfully, his cheeks flushing a tad. “Aw, come on now, don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing. You look great if a little uncomfortable.”
“You
