Someone touching my hair, tucking it behind my ear, brings me out of my musings. Looking up, I’m met with crystal blue eyes. The man before me is handsome enough and his confidence makes him all the more attractive. He’s tall with broad shoulders, and the build of a working man. His blonde hair is not long but definitely shaggy. Any other time, I’d be ready to turn on the charm.

“Hello, beautiful.” He speaks breaking into a grin that shows his perfectly straight teeth.

Before I can respond, he’s being yanked backwards away from me. I watch as Tripp lets the stranger loose.

“She’s taken fucker.” Tripp shoves the guy.

“No ring on her finger, she didn’t tell me to leave.” The men are eyeing each other.

“I’m telling you she’s fuckin’ taken. Walk away while you can still manage to walk.” Something in Tripp’s tone let me and the man know this isn’t an idle threat.

With one last look over his shoulder at me, the stranger walks away. Tripp slides in beside me, draping his arm around my shoulders like nothing happened.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask, pissed off at his macho display of ownership.

“He had no business over here. It’s been handled. Moving on,” Tripp says looking at me with what I see to be a mix of possessiveness and pride.

“I’m capable of sending someone away, Tripp.” Knowing I’m playing with fire, but too irritated to care, I add, “or giving him my phone number.”

Leaning in, Tripp whispers, “Last night, was my cock not the one filling your pussy so deep you could feel it from your head to your toes? Is it not my name you call out as you come? You think he’s man enough to give you what you need? Darlin’, do you think that fucker could handle having your nails rake his skin to the point you draw blood? All because you’re so lost in the sensation, you can’t stop yourself. Then, by all means, go give him your number.”

My expression is one of heated desire and surprise as he moves out of the booth waving a gesture of come on. Thinking about the waterfall scratches down Tripp’s back, I begin to realize Tripp causes me to get lost in him every time we’re together. I’ve never been so consumed in passion that I’ve scratched someone hard enough to mark their skin.

He’s challenging me. In case he hasn’t figured it out, this bitch doesn’t back down, fucker. Time to learn that real quick. Sliding out of the booth, I’m standing up. I take two steps before Tripp reaches out to grab me.

“Think about what you’re doing. I don’t play fuckin’ games. You want him, go get him. I don’t share, Doll. You go after him, we’re done.” He releases me. His stare is one of loss and a new distance between us.

Once again, Tripp has me on a rollercoaster of emotions. On one hand, it’s nice that he says I’m taken. On the other, we’ve made no commitments to one another. I’m perfectly capable to send someone away on my own, that was my point. I never intended for it to be such a serious matter.