Former cop turned bar owner Sebastian Jones is known for his charm—not his commitment. Until his friend’s much younger sister moves to Vegas. She’s a petite fireball of trouble who summons his protective side and his primitive side. Soon, she challenges everything he thought he wanted.
Needing a job, Elena Vargas begs the hot British import she can’t stop thinking about for one. She knows better than to get involved with him, though. He’s the ultimate player, and she’s just recovered from a broken heart. But it doesn’t take long before she realizes waitressing is not her forte, and keeping things platonic with her boss is no longer a life goal.
With their hands-off rule becoming hands-on, things quickly heat up. When Elena makes a career shift to burlesque dancing, she attracts the wrong guy’s attention. Now, Sebastian will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
EXCERPT
It could have been a trick of the lighting, but Sebastian didn’t question the flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and simply ducked.
Beer and glass flew everywhere a split second later, as the half pint of lager smashed into the bar behind him.
“You son of a bitch!”
Well maybe he was, but crazy bitch seemed a good fit for the skinny blonde in front of him. That was if they were going to hand out labels and all.
Blimey.
He’d rather come out of this without any more physical scars than he already had. Keeping his testicles intact would be lovely too.
Which meant he needed to smooth over some feathers, and quickly.
“Tawny, luv, you know it’s nothing personal.”
At least the upside was that Dante’s Place—the bar he co-owned—had closed for the night. Which meant he was alone for this showdown with Tawny.
Scratch that, it was probably a downside. Because there’d be no witnesses if she took his head off with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s.
“Not personal? Seriously?”
He pulled out his most charming smile and lifted both his palms up. “Look, I told you up front, I’m not a bloke looking for a relationship right now. No need to get all riled up because you hoped to change me.”
He glanced around in dismay and then chided himself for not cleaning up before having that ‘let’s part ways’ chat.
Look at all that unintentional ammunition.
Half-full beer glasses, a basket full of fries loaded with ketchup. Shite, was that a steak knife sitting on the counter?
He should’ve known better than to get involved with her, but who the hell would’ve thought the blonde would go crazy after a few times shagging?
“You think this is riled up? Oh, no.” Tawny’s eyes bugged as she reached for another half-full pint glass. “I will show you riled up, you British bastard.”
Sebastian bit back a groan and cast a glance toward the back office. It was highly unlikely he could he make it there before she took another shot at him.
Tawny wound her arm back, gripping the glass.
Christ this is going to hurt if it connects.
He braced himself to duck again when the front door to the bar opened. Tawny’s focus momentarily slipped from causing him physical harm as she turned to look.
Sebastian used the welcome diversion to jump the counter and wrestle the glass from her hand.
“Wow, this is exciting.” Elena Vargas strolled inside.
Not completely surprising to see her here, because her older brother co-owned the bar.
She lifted an eyebrow as she took in the scene. “What’s going on?”
“None of your business,” Tawny snapped. “The bar is closed.”
“Oh damn, really?” Elena looked around, a faux innocent expression on her face. “That explains why the parking was so good.”
“Get out,” Tawny hollered, while possibly looking around for another weapon.
Elena’s amused gaze met his and she lifted a brow. “Am I interrupting? Maybe I should come back later?”
He bit back a scowl. Of course the little chit would find humor in this.
Like bloody hell was he letting her walk back out that door when she was clearly the perfect diversion.
“Actually, you’ve come at the right time. Tawny was just leaving.”
“I’m not leaving.” Tawny’s head swiveled back to Elena in irritation. “Who the hell are you anyway?”
She was trouble, that’s who she was.
But Sebastian didn’t add his two cents, instead he watched in amusement as Elena strode calmly up to the other woman.
“Take a deep breath, blondie. You’re getting a little worked up here. And to be clear, I’m none of your concern.”
Elena was at least five inches shorter than Tawny, but every muscle in her body screamed she was ready to fight back if Tawny tried anything.
Like an adorable little purse dog.
His lips twisted and he kept his mouth shut because he kind of loved that Tawny had turned her attention from him to Elena. There was no guilt because he knew the younger woman could hold her own.
Tawny stepped closer. “You’re seriously talking to me like this?”
“Would metaphorically work better for you?”
Tawny blinked, clearly confused now. “What?”
“I know, it’s a big word. Look, it’s time to go.” Elena folded her arms across her chest. “If Sebastian says you’re leaving, then I’d suggest you get your ass out of here. Or I might have to haul in my six-foot-five, muscled boyfriend who’s waiting outside. He’ll make you leave.”
“Six-foot-five?” Tawny’s mouth gaped as she slid her gaze over Elena’s short frame from head to toe. “How does that even work?”
Elena tilted her head and hardened her tone. “Don’t make me ask again.”
Tawny’s mouth flapped and her cheeks went red. She looked as if she was about to argue, but when Elena took another step forward, she grabbed her purse off the bar and made a beeline for the door.
Sebastian winced as it slammed shut behind her.
Elena sighed and climbed onto a barstool. “It’s always a party with you, huh, Sebastian?”
Christ, how ridiculous was this? His best mate’s little sis was now his protector.
“You don’t actually have a six-foot-five boyfriend out there, do you?” He scowled. “Is it that bass player in your band? I was hoping you’d listen to me when I said it was a bad idea to keep dating guys in the band.”
Elena rolled her eyes and made a little snort. “No, I’m not involved with him. I was just messing with her head a bit.”
“I see. Well, thank you. The way she was clutching that glass,” he mock shuddered, “I swear she was about to launch a full toss at the stumps in the Final over at Lord’s.”
Elena blinked. “I know that was English, but was that like British English? Because I literally have no idea what you just said.”
“It’s Cricket.”
“And I’m going to assume that’s a sport and not an insect.”
“Yes. Christ, it’s amazing how you bloody Americans don’t know proper sports,” he grumbled, but more out of amusement.
“Well, you’re one of us now, Sebastian. So try and get into baseball instead or something.”
She was right, he’d been here a while now. Five years.
His lips tilted in amusement. “I’ll make it a life goal.”
“Good. And I think you at least owe me a beer for that little rescue mission.”
“I can’t give you a beer. We’re closed.”
“When have you ever followed the rules?” She propped her elbows on the counter and gave a sweet smile that flashed her perfect white teeth. “Also, my brother owns the place so surely that counts for something?”
He faltered, a little distracted with just how lovely her smile was. He really hadn’t noticed before.
“Co-owns, you cheeky lass.”
“Fine, but I just saved your butt.”
“You were like a little fly buzzing around her head. Annoying and distracting her so I could easily remove the weapon from her hand.”
“Okay, I’m going to pretend you didn’t just call me an annoying fly and take that as a thank-you.”
“Do what you must.”
Since the day he’d met Elena Vargas five months ago, he’d known instantly she was trouble. And it hadn’t been just because of the bar fight she’d indirectly caused at Dante’s Place. A bar fight he’d been all too quick to jump into when her then-boyfriend insulted her.
Which was about the time he’d realized how easily she sparked the protective instinct in him. She’d endeared herself further to him when he’d taken her home that night.
The memory flared up and he quickly kicked it to the back of his head.
Don’t think about what happened in your SUV.
Elena Vargas was definitely not in the category of women he wanted to shag, and he intended to keep it that way.
“I think I was handling things all right with Tawny.” He went to find the broom to clean up the broken glass.
“Of course. If your definition of all right means nearly getting stitches in your head. Que penedejo.” She frowned as she hopped off the stool and came back behind the bar with him.
From the corner of his eye, he saw her grab something and then heard the water turn on.
“Do you even realize you’re bleeding, Sebastian?”
“It depends on your definition of bleeding.”
“Red stuff seeping out of a slice in your skin.”
“Ah, and here I thought it was just my tears from crying over how things ended with that charming lass.”
She snorted. A moment later, she stood in front of him with an irritated scowl on her face. When she lifted herself onto her toes and reached up to touch his face, Sebastian reared back instinctively.
He was wary of anyone going near the scar there. It was already a thing he was hugely self-conscious about.
Exasperation flashed in her eyes. “Hold still, I’m trying to help you.”
After a ten-hour shift, he was knackered, and knowing how much energy it would take to fight her on this, he stood still.
Being this close to her, though, sharpened his focus. He breathed in the scent of her perfume—something soft and powdery that didn’t really fit with her image, but he liked it.
She was barely over five feet, almost scrawny in her usual baggy cargo pants and T-shirt, but she had the protective instinct of a mama bear. There was an air of invincibility about her. Then again, she was young and that came with the territory.
“I think you might actually have a piece of glass in here.” She pursed her lips before her blue-painted nails pinched his skin as she worked it out. “Got it. Let me clean this area for you now.”
He grunted as she cleaned up what must’ve been a tiny wound on his cheek.
The feel of her tiny, soft fingers against his skin had his pulse quickening in a way he didn’t want to analyze. He focused on why she was here.
“So what brings you out, Elena? Are you using your brother’s place, seeing he’s out of town?”
She dabbed at his face with the wet paper napkin and tossed her nearly waist-length black hair over her shoulder.
“No, I’m not staying at Marco’s.”
Was she up here with her band? He knew Bitches Brew sometimes gigged in Vegas, but usually Marco mentioned it when Elena was in town.
“Hmm. If not with Marco, then who are you staying with?”
“A friend.” She dropped the napkin in the garbage and leaned back against the bar. “Now, about that beer.”
“It’s almost three in the morning, luv. It’s a bit late, don’t you think?”
“I know what time it is. Are you working early or something?”
He bit back a sigh. She really didn’t give up.
“I’m covering for Marco, so I need to be here at eleven tomorrow. I’ve been pulling doubles more than I’d like lately.”
“Sounds like you need that beer as much as I do.”
He caved. “Fine, have a seat, and I’ll pour you a lager.”
For some reason or another, Elena had shown up at Dante’s Place in the wee hours of the morning. Who knew her purpose, but it was second nature for him to look past the surface of any situation.
Not many people were aware but before Sebastian had moved to America, he’d been a proud employee of the Durham Constabulary. Then had a brief stint in law enforcement here.
“I’d prefer a stout, actually.” She plopped herself back down on the barstool and watched him.
“Would you now?” He arched a brow and went to pour her a pint. “Not too bitter for you?”
“I like it with a bite.”
“I’ll just bet you do, you saucy minx.”He immediately gave a rueful grin.“Sorry, luv. Sometimes, I go on auto mode.”
There was no shock in her eyes but a hint of laughter that reassured him he was in the clear.
Sebastian slid the beer her way, then watched as she lifted it to her mouth and took a small sip. His attention caught as her tongue slid out to snag the bit of foam on her upper lip.
The simple movement was hardly seductive, yet his pulse stuttered.
He sighed and directed his attention elsewhere. This was why he didn’t have many female friends. It was all too easy to imagine shagging them.
Fortunately, Elena wasn’t really a temptation. She was much too young, his mate’s little sis, and not remotely his type. And though she talked tough, the lass clearly had a vulnerable streak a mile wide.
Which meant he was bad news for her.
“Did you have other plans tonight?” she asked without glancing up from the beer.
“Yes. I intended to get pissed on beer and give myself a nachos hangover.” He scowled. “That did not go as planned. Instead, I ended up picking chunks of shrapnel from a pint glass out of my face.”
“So I know it was like two whole minutes ago, but I actually did that part.”
Maybe pouring himself a pint as well wasn’t such a bad idea. He poured a stout to match hers and then came around the bar to grab a seat on the stool beside her.
“So you were dumping her?”
“We were parting ways.”
“Well, by your choice, obviously.”
He smirked. “Was it obvious?”
She sighed. “What if she was half in love and hoping to capture your heart?”
He bit back a snort. “We were only sleeping together for two bloody weeks. If that chit was after my heart, it was probably because she was selling organs on the black market.”
Elena laughed, but her expression turned thoughtful. “But don’t you want to get married someday, Sebastian? Have children? Or are you a bachelor for life?”
Pain lanced through him, so quick and sharp, like being grazed by a knife. Enough to momentarily take his breath away but then fade to a slight ache. She’d taken him off guard with her innocent question—ripped off a bandage on a wound he’d thought had begun to heal.
Family. Marriage.
Once, long ago, it had been his dream. His potential future. But it was gone now.
“Why the bloody hell would I get married?” Despite trying to keep his tone light, he heard the tightness in it. “I just got divorced less than a year ago.”
Elena’s mouth parted, and shock reflected in her dark eyes. “Wait… you were married? For how long?”
She really hadn’t known?
“Seven years.”
“Oh wow. How did I not know this about you?”
As if he ran around telling everyone about his failed marriage. His mood darkened, and he tipped back the glass for another sip.
“No clue. I’m surprised Marco didn’t tell you.”
“Well, no. He never said a word.”
“It’s water under the bridge now.” He flashed a smile, trying to regain the air of light casualness people expected from him. “And now I’m a born-again bachelor and intend to stay that way.”
She rolled her eyes and then took another drink of her stout. “It’s gotta be hard for the girls. I mean, some must get pretty attached to the guys.”
The sudden hitch in her voice had him sliding another glance at her. Was she thinking about his love life or her own?
The bar fight he’d jumped into months ago had been because of her then-boyfriend. He didn’t know all the details but had gotten the gist that it had something to do with him cheating.
“You’re not still pining for that drummer boy, are you?”
“Phil?” Elena wrinkled her nose. “Oh, hell no. That piece of shit is gone from my life for good.”
“Good to hear because you deserve better.”
“You’re still getting to know me, Sebastian. I could be a total raving bitch who deserves an equally asshole guy.”
Sebastian smirked. “I know you well enough. You’re charming and sweet, perhaps a bit aggressive, but that’s not such a bad thing.”
“You think I’m sweet? My plan to sucker you worked.” She smiled along with him. “But no, I’m not still pining for him. I’ve moved on from Phil.”
Sebastian’s amusement quickly faded at the way she’d phrased that. Did that mean she was sleeping with someone else?
He shoved aside the slight tightening in his chest that had pricked him. It’d been nearly half a year since she’d ditched the guy. She was young and likely bound to have moved on to someone else. Besides, what the hell business was it of his?
He was just worried about her, he told himself. Of course, that would make sense. Marco was in L.A. with his fiancée Brandy for a bit, so he was understandably shouldering some of the mental responsibility of watching over Elena.
