A Holiday Temptation - Tiffany Patterson Page 0,28

you ask that?”

“’Cause only a douchebag would leave a woman to walk herself back to her car after sharing a meal. Especially when it’s gotten dark outside.” He motions his head toward the window.

Glancing up, I see it had indeed gotten darker in the two hours we’ve been sitting here. Though it’s not pitch black outside, I choose not to argue.

“Be right back.”

My time in the bathroom is quick since there isn’t a line, which I’m grateful for. Unfortunately, though, as I round the corner to walk back into the dining area, I find myself cornered by another one of the male patrons. I spotted him earlier as he entered the restaurant. He’d leered at me, licking his lips, but I ignored him.

“Excuse me.” I attempt to move around him, but he moves with me, effectively blocking me between his body and a wall.

Tilting my head upwards, I narrow my gaze on the man, obviously recognizing that he doesn’t plan to let me pass until he’s had his say so. Immediately, I become pissed off. It’s not the first time I’ve had my personal space impeded upon by a strange man. “Get out of my way,” I demand in a low tone, glaring at him directly in his ice blue eyes.

My statement only seems to egg him on as he licks his bottom lip and widens his smile. “You looked lonely.”

The smell of his breath singes my nose hairs.

“And you could use a fucking Tic Tac before getting in someone’s face.” I roll my eyes in disgust and attempt to move around him, but he braces his arm against the wall.

“I saw you as soon as I walked in. You’re fucking hot.”

“So is your breath.”

He chuckles. “Funny. Playing hard to get or—”

“Or B, you do as the lady asked the first time and get the fuck out of her way,” a very pissed off male voice says behind him.

I don’t need to look over the guy’s shoulder to identify the owner of that voice. The idiot standing before me does, however. He turns around and then drops his gaze. Another chuckle spills out of his mouth as he pushes himself off the wall and moves toward Mark.

My heart races as I realize this guy isn’t about to give up. He’s got cocky asshole written all over him. Those types don’t let shit drop. Plus, I know I smelled alcohol on his breath also. Just what we need, a drunk, cocky asshole.

“This your woman?” the asshole questions with a layer of disbelief covering his tone. “Yeah, I saw you sitting at the table with her. She appeared lonely coming out of the bathroom, so I figured she wanted a real man.” He moves to stand beside Mark and places his hand aggressively on his shoulder.

“You okay, Jackie?” Mark questions, seemingly unaware that the douchebag is touching him.

I nod to reassure him, but then start glancing around for a restaurant employee who can help. I take my eyes off Mark and the douchebag for all of two seconds before I hear …

“Ah, shit! Let me go.” Followed by a loud thud.

Flinching at what sounds like someone hitting the very hard, tiled flooring, I turn to face Mark and the guy, and my mouth falls open. Mark, somehow, has used the guy’s arm for leverage, causing him to fall to the ground. Not only that, he’s still holding onto the man’s twisted arm in what looks like a very painful wrist lock. I’m ashamed to say, but seeing the guy scream out in pain satisfies me just a tiny bit.

“Mark.”

“She asked you nicely the first time. Shame you couldn’t just fucking listen, shithead.”

“You’re breaking my arm,” the guy bellows.

Now, the waitstaff I’d been searching for seconds earlier seems to come out of the woodwork. Other patrons are starting to notice as well, although no one intervenes, either out of shock or fear.

“It’s not broken yet, but it will be if you don’t shut the hell up.”

“Okay, okay! Ah,” he yells again when Mark hikes his arm up higher, thus twisting it even more.

“Apologize to her.”

“I’m sorry,” he cries as he peers up at me.

I see the tears of pain and probably embarrassment welling up in his eyes and nod.

“Now, get the fuck out of here. And next time, listen when a woman tells you to back off.” Slowly, Mark releases the man.

For a moment, I think he might try to retaliate or something, but the pitiful expression on his face tells me he’s