Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“What I don’t want is to see two men trying to force themselves on a woman.” He took her hand in his, rubbed his thumb along her exposed skin before nudging her behind him. His pulse kicked up two notches at the initial contact but he didn’t take his eyes off the men before him. It didn’t make sense. He wore gloves, there was no reason that touching a woman should affect him in any way.
“Look away then. You’re dressed far too fancy to be familiar with these streets.” He wiped his hand under a red bulbous nose, smearing the yellowish substance resting there.
“My clothes mean nothing about how familiar I am with anything.” The woman behind him stepped back and Bryn tightened his hold on her before putting her hand on his coat, curving her fingers around the material. He wanted to know she was safe. But he also wasn’t foolish enough to think these men were going to simply allow them to amble away.
Falcon strolled around them, hands in his pockets, looking casual as he surveyed the four of them standing there. In that moment, Bryn could see the arrogance that wealthy men had when dealing with people they didn’t feel were their equals. He’d seen it enough on his grandfather’s face while he was growing up. And on his father’s face when he dealt with idiots.
But on this cold winter’s day, he could see it plain as day on Falcon’s face. Even though he wasn’t a member of peerage, Falcon had grown up around them and learned from the same men Bryn had. His nut-brown hair sat perfectly styled even though cold snow and wind whipped around. Fit from their bouts in the boxing ring, Falcon missed nothing with his dark gaze, and Bryn hadn’t ever trusted another man to have his back as he did this one.
“Don’ we know you?”
The men gave a bit of space between them, like they were expecting to fight and looked for more maneuvering room. Bryn wasn’t concerned for himself, or for Falcon. But the miss behind him, currently holding onto his wool coat, she worried him. For several different reasons. She was silent and he didn’t know if the men had done anything to her before he and Falcon had arrived. Other than his sister and the few close childhood friends he’d had growing up, most of the women he dealt with would be crying by now.
He didn’t hear anything coming from the one behind him and she hadn’t moved.
Good, she can take direction.
“Doubt it.”
The stranger behind him trembled and her hand loosened on his coat. Bryn scowled at the men before dismissing them and turning to face the woman behind him. He stared at her, suddenly unable to catch his breath.
Fire ran up his spine, setting every nerve ending aflame. He drowned in the big green eyes that only held his for a moment before she blushed and ducked her head.
No, that wasn’t going to do at all.
“Are you okay, milady?”
Comments from behind him had him narrowing his eyes but he took a deep breath and remained looking at the woman who’d had the sane effect from looking in his eyes as if she’d simply coldcocked him. He lost his train of thought for a moment there, everything blanked out. Willing her to lift that incredible gaze back to his.
Delectable.
She shivered as the wind swirled faster around them. He frowned as he noticed her coat wasn’t as thick as it should be. Without hesitation, he undid his and slid free. Then he wrapped it around her shoulders. She wasn’t skinny like a lot of girls, but had curves his hands itched to explore. To the point he had to release her and clench his fists to keep from doing just that.
Even so, his coat dwarfed her. He grunted.
Her head popped up, eyes wide, and those pillowy lips parted. He had to stop himself from dipping down to kiss them.
“What are you doing?” She shook her head. “I can’t take this.”
“We were just going to show the bitch a good time.”
Fury pulsed through him. Bryn grasped the sides of his coat and tugged them closer together. “Hold it here.”
She obeyed, and he smiled before holding up a finger. Then he spun around, not bothering to look at Falcon, who’d stepped back by Bryn’s mysterious woman the moment he’d turned. Three steps and he was back in front of the men. Already knowing which one had called her a bitch, he left his fist fly.
The crack reverberated through the morning and the large man dropped like a stone. Bryn didn’t even bother to shake out his hand, just turned a cold gaze to the other man. “Anything you’d like to say about the lady behind me?”
“No.” A violent shake of his head. “Didn’ mean no harm.”