The Lawson Boys: Marty by Angela Verdenius Read Free Book Online

park of an old, two story brick building.
Music thumped out and people milled around.
    Opening the car
door, Belle got out and glanced around. Pubs were more the places
she was used to when going out, fancy clubs no. Marty came up
beside her, his hand on the small of her back easing her aside so
that he could shut the door. He pressed a button on the remote
attached to the key and the locks engaged, the headlights flashing
once to show that the car was now alarmed.
    Belle was
startled when he took hold of her hand as he started walking,
threading through the cars and leading her around the crush of
people, his tall, muscular frame making a pathway for her to
follow. Not once did he release her hand, not even as he nodded and
called back cheerful greetings and several times a laughing
insult.
    Okay, she had
to admit, his warm grasp felt comforting, his stance between her
and the crowd almost protective, and when he stopped and she bumped
into the back of him, his other hand came back to brush against her
hip as he glanced back over his shoulder. “All right?”
    It wasn’t just
a casual glance but one that swept over her face searchingly.
    Unsure in the
face of this unexpected chivalry, she nodded. The heat from his
body so close against her own was…delicious.
    And she, Belle
decided, must be delirious. He was just a man, for Pete’s sake.
    Okay, a
protective man.
    And a man who
knew his way around women, she reminded herself as one giggling
woman called his name and waved. She couldn’t afford to forget that
little fact, not after having just been badly burned.
    The timely
reminder had her stepping back from him, but when his hand
tightened reflectively around hers, she didn’t struggle.
    Okay, she was
weak. The warmth of his hand holding hers was welcome. Call it a
moment’s weakness, but damned if she was going to pull away.
Besides, she’d probably get lost in the crowd.
    Marty greeted
the bouncer at the doorway as they entered, and once inside he
stepped to the left and pulled Belle up beside him, his arm going
around her shoulders as he glanced around. His head was bobbing
along to the music and he was totally relaxed in the rowdy pub. He
was even humming along to the music.
    Leaning down,
he placed his mouth to her ear. “We’re going upstairs to the
dinning area where we can hear our own thoughts and talk without
yelling.”
    Nodding, she
half expected him to take her hand once more and lead her to the
staircase on the other side of the room, but instead he moved to
her other side and slid his arm once more around her shoulders,
holding her close as he manoeuvred them along the wall, ensuring
that she was between him and the wall.
    The man sure
knew how to make a girl feel protected.
    The dining area
on the second floor had an old world charm. The wooden floor was
scratched from countless shoes and boots, and the tables and chairs
were all wooden with worn cushions. There was another bar along the
far wall but it was definitely quieter up here, though not a
genteel quietness. More of a happy, relaxed atmosphere.
    Stopping at a
table next to the wide window, Marty waited until she’d sat down
before taking the chair opposite. They’d barely sat down when the
barmaid arrived.
    “Hey, Marty,”
she greeted him.
    “Bronwyn.” He
nodded to her. “How goes it?”
    “Same old, same
old. You know the drill.”
    “Work, work,
and more work?”
    “That’s about
it.” Bronwyn flashed Belle a smile. “Ready for drinks?”
    “I’ll have a
Diet Coke, thanks,” Belle answered.
    “Make mine a
light beer,” Marty added.
    “Be back soon.”
Bronwyn gestured to the menus in the stand on the middle of the
table. “I’ll get your food orders then as well, unless you’re ready
now?”
    “We’ll check
out the menu,” Marty replied. “Thanks, Bron.”
    Looking around,
Belle doubted that any of these customers would have been to
Trevor’s wedding. She was safe here.
    Several young
couples held hands over