Page 30 of Manhattan Bossholes

She was an enigma I didn’t think I’d ever be able to figure out. Every time she opened her mouth, she was just as likely to annoy the hell out of me as to charm me, yet by the end of the previous night, I’d had to fight with myself to keep from pulling her into my arms and kissing her until she was breathless. The way she looked up at me outside her apartment with those big brown eyes sure felt like an invitation—right up until her roommate texted and she backed away. But today was a new day, and there was no telling what might happen.

I sipped a perfect cup of coffee and strolled through the market trying to memorize the fresh scents all around me. I was always on the lookout for new fragrance combinations, so it was highly likely my little errand run could influence Summit’s direction. I paused in a booth full of fresh produce. We’d never tried a cucumber-based fragrance, but maybe it was about time? And could I credit Piper with introducing me to the idea, since she was the reason why I was here in the first place?

I looked around at the other shoppers and smiled automatically when I saw a familiar blonde mop on the other side of an artisanal bread stall.

I started to head her way but paused when I saw that she was talking to a guy in black-rimmed glasses and a beanie. It was pushing seventy degrees, so the hat was clearly a hipster affectation.

Which I hated.

Was Piper into him? I studied them to try to read what was going on between them. The guy was clearly trying to make something happen because he kept moving closer to Piper as he spoke. There was a familiarity between them, but Piper didn’t look happy to be talking to him.

Which made me happy.

She couldn’t frown any harder at him, but the guy didn’t seem to be taking the hint. I considered interrupting, but there was a chance I was misreading the interaction. Maybe Piper was playing hard to get? The guy would probably be considered decent looking, if you liked that sort of stylized, overly self-aware look. I glanced down at what I’d thrown on. Did my black joggers and t-shirt make me look like I didn’t care?

It should, because I didn’t.

I refocused on Piper and the hipster. Yeah, she definitely wasn’t enjoying the interaction. So why wasn’t she using the firepower I knew she had?

I frowned. There was something off between them, and I was through standing on the sidelines and letting it happen. I trusted my instincts that Piper needed backup as I marched over and slid my arm around her shoulder. She tensed, glanced up at my face, then sank against me with relief, curling her arm around my waist in turn.

It felt shockingly familiar and unnerving at the same time. Piper somehow kept coming up with new ways to throw my body off balance.

“Babe, you disappeared on me,” I complained, smiling at her and then shifting my focus to the guy. “I was starting to get worried.”

“Yeah, I was catching up with, uh, my friend.”

I could tell by the way she said the word “friend” that he was anything but. My hackles went up at the thought that he was making her uncomfortable.

“Hey,” I said, gesturing with my coffee cup in lieu of reaching out for a handshake. “I’m Vincent Forde.”

He stood a little straighter. Perhaps he recognized my name? “Hey, I’m Matthew Burns.” He shifted his attention back to Piper. “You didn’t mention you were dating someone.”

“You didn’t ask,” she said in a strained voice. “You were too busy telling me about your job, remember? I was waiting for you to take a breath.”

She said it with a smile, but the barbs were there. Attagirl.

“Hey, babe, I think we should go take a look at the artisanal soaps and massage oils I just passed,” I said. I squeezed Piper closer and gave Matthew a devilish look. “Big plans for this afternoon, if you know what I mean.”

Piper giggled, and Matthew shifted uncomfortably.

“Of course, I don’t want to keep you two,” he said sheepishly. “Piper, I’ll catch you later. It was good to see you. It’s been too long.”

He glanced at me before he walked away, a deferential bro-code moment to signify that he knew he’d overstepped with Piper. I didn’t nod back at him, so he knew I was not okay with his familiarity with her.

I tried to get a handle on my feelings as we walked away, but seeing Piper unsettled put me on high alert. It felt like she was truly mine and I needed to protect her—even though I was fully aware that doing so would probably make her haul off and punch me. I knew firsthand that the woman could stick up her herself, but in spite of that, I found myself feeling protective of her.

Yes, she could take care of herself, but why should she have to? It didn’t seem right for her to feel that she had to be strong all the time. Not when I was there, more than willing to help. Determined to, actually, because like hell was I going to let any little prick get away with upsetting her. Not on my watch.

Once Matthew was out of earshot she let her head drop back and heaved a sigh.

“Oh my god, thank you! You totally rescued me.”

“From?” I asked.

I noticed she stayed close, matching her stride to mine as we navigated the crowd. It strangely felt natural to have her pressed up against me. I stole the moment to glance down at her and study her face. Her eyebrows were drawn as she watched the guy’s retreating form.

Piper waved her hand like she was trying to clear the air, frowning. “Long story. He’s a pain in my ass, that’s all.”