Meagan (I Dare You Book 3) by Jennifer Labelle Read Free Book Online Page B

said through a clenched jaw. Now she was annoyed, and obviously he wasn’t taking the hint. Since she couldn’t step around him, she decided she might try to back away instead. She plastered on a fake smile and slowly walked backwards, hoping he wouldn’t notice the gradual retreat. “Enjoy your night, Greg.”
    “Wait a minute.” The minute she turned her back, he grabbed her again, and spun her around to face him. “I wasn’t done. I’ve been watching you all night.” He exhaled, permeating his drunken stench again, and then his grip got tighter and she flinched. She was getting desperate to be released, but he pulled her so that she was pressed against him. “What do you say you and me get outta here and—”
    “I’d say I’m not interested and I think you should go home and sleep this off.” Megan pushed against him. “I’d also say that if you don’t let me go now, I may have to hurt you.”
    “Oh, so you’re one of those.” Greg chuckled but tightened his grip. “I’d like to see you try, bitch.”
    “She won’t have to.” Coop growled. “If you don’t let her go now, I’ll have to make you.” His massive six-foot-three muscular frame met Greg’s slightly slimmer, slightly shorter one. He reached out to grab her by her belt loop and drag her against him where she felt safe, and she finally let out a ragged breath now that there was some distance between herself and the very drunk Greg. She looked around and blushed, hating being the center of attention, especially unwanted attention at that. Brett and Dave flanked Coop on either side and cracked their knuckles, ready to pounce if they had to.
    “Come on, Coop, don’t be like that. I was just asking her out, that’s all.”
    “That’s not all. You don’t ever grab a lady like that in my presence, and especially not in my bar. She also told you that she wasn’t interested, so I suggest you take her advice and sleep it off. She’s my employee, and therefore I look out for what’s mine, you got it? I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt because I haven’t had problems with you before, but this shit better not happen again. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Crystal.” Greg narrowed his eyes when he looked at her again. Brett and Dave stepped forward to escort him to the door, and she hoped that was the end of it.
    “Are you okay?”
    “A little embarrassed again.” She smiled shyly once she faced him and nodded. “But yeah, I’m good. Thank you for stepping in. I mean, I could have handled it, but I’m glad you got here when you did.”
    “I’m glad, too.” He shook his head. “Meagan, Meagan, Meagan, what am I going to do with you? It seems you embarrass easily, yet I kind of like it.” He winked. “But I meant what I said. I don’t tolerate that kind of BS, and I hope it hasn’t scared you off. We get the occasional flirting here and there, but it’s rare that problems occur.”
    “I don’t scare very easily, but thanks.”
    “So you’ve said.” He smiled. “And you’re welcome. I think I’m going to like having you around.”
    “Good, because I kind of like being around,” she said in a teasing tone before she left him standing there so she could finish up.
    * * * *
    “Okay pony up.” Ashley jumped up on the stool next to Meagan, and Coop watched them giggle. It was nice to see the two of them get along so well. He’d watched Meagan almost all night to make sure she was making out okay. Hell, he’d been watching her as much as he could since she had walked into his life on Tuesday night. God only knew how he’d picked her out in the crowded bar, but as he’d stood there performing, he had felt a pull as soon as she’d walked through his door.
    She was exotic, beautiful, sweet as hell, and she had this almost innocent quality that he wanted to corrupt. Okay, maybe that wasn’t the right word, but he definitely wouldn’t mind showing her a thing or two. She was the total package. He was prepared to