Complicated Relationships (The Southern Devotion Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

overnight guest that had to be babysat by security until they awoke feeling crappy the next day. We would send them off the next morning with a bottle of water and a dose of ibuprofen.
    “What would you like to drink?” I asked Lanie when I returned to her end of the bar.
    “Beer please, whatever your favorite is. I’m trying new things.” I reached into the cooler and picked out my favorite brand, popped a bottle cap off then slid it down the bar to her. She brought the cool bottle up to her plush pink lips and took a long taste.
    “How was it?”
    She pulled the bottle away, placed her hand against her mouth to catch a drop that slipped down her chin. My body reacted and I wanted to capture the drop with my lips. There’s a definite attraction to this woman. “It’s good.” 
    “Did you have another bad date, is this your bad date getaway now?” 
    She grinned, “No. I like this bar. I love that you do so much to make sure people get home safely.”
    “My bosses father was killed not long ago by a drunk driver. And I mean bosses, plural. The owners are brothers. After his death, they spent extra money investing in a sober ride business. They wanted to make sure they weren't responsible for anyone else losing a loved one. We do our best to keep an eye out on people who are leaving here to make sure they aren’t driving. We’ve even had to call the cops on a few of our customers that got behind the wheel wasted.”
    “Wow, that’s very responsible.” 
    Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a guy rough handling a woman. “Excuse me a moment,” I said to Lanie before turning and yelling, “Hey Marcus! Keep an eye on the bar!” Pushing my way through the crowd, I tapped the guy on the shoulder.
    He turned around angrily, “What?”
    “You need to keep your hands off the lady or get out of the club.” 
    With a step towards me, he puts his nose against mine, “Who’s going to make me?”
    A hand slammed down on his shoulder, and a gruff voice said, “That would be me.”  When the man turned around, he looked up at my friend (and boss) Ashton. I’m no scrawny guy, believe me. However, Ashton was over six foot five and solid muscle. I know he’s complete mush inside, but he is intimidating to look at nonetheless. “This is my club. Ma’am, are you with this guy?”  She shook her head no. “Good. That means that you’re bothering my customers, which means you’re bothering me. You can leave her alone, or you can just leave. Make a choice. If I see you manhandle anyone else in here, I’ll call the police. You got it?” The only response received was a grunt before he stalked away.
    “Thanks,” the woman said, batting her eyes at Ashton. She ran her hand along his bicep and said, “Can I repay you?”
    Politely, he moved her hand from his arm and replied, “I’m flattered, but I’m a very happily married man. My friend Tristan here is single though.” 
    She went from hurt by rejection to checking me out for a moment. Before she answered, I pointed toward the bar and said, “I have to get back to my station. I’ll be behind the bar if you need me.”
    It wasn’t that I didn’t think she was cute, but she seemed to want any guy she could get and I’m the point I want something more substantial. Plus, I wanted to get back to the auburn beauty at the bar. Lanie wasn’t sitting where I left her. After a glance around the room, I spotted her dancing with a guy. It stirred something inside me that I’d felt before, jealousy. It was the same thing I felt when I first saw Mary Jane and Derrick together. I barely knew Lanie, but I knew that I didn’t like that guy having his hands on her.
    My eyes fixated on her. I couldn’t stop watching the way she moved. The way her hips swayed back and forth they were hypnotizing me. Her dance partner moved his hand down her sides and began to lift her dress up her thighs. Anger boiled inside me; I was ready to pounce. I strapped on my metaphorical