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Cannon Colter was Rowdy’s newest hire, as well as an MMA fighter He was in his early twenties, unassueous face and quiet coo had seen hiht’ve been interested in hiain, he worked at Rowdy’s bar, and that close association e

Suddenly, under the table, Dash’s hand slid over her thigh She blinked at hihts?

"Can I estion?" Dash asked of everyone at the table "Maybe it’d make more sense for Rowdy to coordinate with Cannon and then share with Margo their collective info"

"I can do that," Rowdy said "No problerees to rinned "No"

She waved her hand "Fine Then have at it But understand me, Rowdy You will not overstep You will not break any laws on et yourself into risky situations"

After saluting her, he stood and picked up Avery in his aro from her hairline to her injured ar the source of concern "Yes, it’ll be fine"

His dark gaze moved over her "And your head and the rest of those bruises?"

Backbone stiffening, she assured him, "I’ll be back to full speed in no tis, okay?" He set Avery back on her feet but kept an ar Dash help out"

Oh, the way Dash had helped

"If you need anything," Avery told her, "please let us know"

It was another couple of oodbyes and they were finally alone again

Dash closed the door, set Oliver down to the floor and gripped her shoulders "Was I quiet enough?" His thu her tension "Did I stay properly in the background?"

"Is that what you were doing?" She wondered why he’d been so quiet

"As much as I know you don’t need it, as impressed as I a you was tough Mostly because I enjoy it so entlest of kisses on her forehead "I see these bruises on you and I’d like to hold you the same way Rowdy held Avery"

The sa a protective male? "You were very restrainedexcept for that initial kiss" Which had felt so incredibly intiertip down her injured arm to the splint "It’s so hard to see you like this and not be able to do anything"

"You did so" She’d slept like the dead after he’d left her so utterly replete

His s "Anytime I can be of service, letelse if that won’t hurt your pride too much"

So he understood it was her pride?

"This steel backbone of yours is admirable, honey" His hand went down her back to her behind, then up again "Leaning on --and seductive She knew she shouldn’t, but Margo rested against his strong chest, her forehead on his sternum "Want to tell me why you did it?"

"That kiss?" When she nodded, he said, "Just et me"

As if she could after the incredible way he’d "

He hugged her a little closer "I would never do anything to embarrass you"

"It’s not that you embarrass me exactly"

"You want to keep your private life private I get it"

More like she wanted to keep her sexual preferences private, but she wouldn’t nitpick

"As long as you don’t shuthand enda today?" And just to make it more difficult, he put his lips near her ear and whispered, "Wantelse?"

Yes Definitely yes Right now, she could use another dose of his special brand of painkiller But preferences aside, she had to take care of business Still "What exactly did you have in ue touched her ear, his breath arm, soft "Just know that you won’t be disappointed In fact, I’ I’llbut rest--as the doctor ordered"

She believed him And she was so te with awareness, with eagerness

But it was because she believed hiet to her, that she had to decline "Sorry We should put that off for later I have too ements to make, and I can’t make them if I’m numb"

CHAPTER EIGHT

SHE HADN’T REFUSED hi, the breathiness in her voice A, but it seemed they both stay pri like it before

The near violent way he wanted her, to fk her, to talk with her, just to be with her, was fast beco familiar