Free Exposed (Tropical Nights) by Emma Barron

pushed her roughly against the wall. “Tell me your name, sweetheart.”
                  “Let go of me,” Rachel said firmly.
                  “S’okay, I won’t bite…too hard.” He squeezed her arm.
                  “Ow, you’re—”
                  “Let. Her. Go.”
                  Rachel whipped her head up to see Leo standing a few feet from them. He had spoken in a low and controlled voice but there was no mistaking the threat underlying the command.
    The drunk en man immediately dropped his hands from Rachel and stepped back. “Hanlon,” he said in greeting, as if they were just two friends meeting for a chat. “I was just talking to your girl here about what she could do to sweet talk me into buying one of your planes.”
    “You are mistaken about who she is and the purpose of this party.” Leo reached into his suit coat and pulled out his cell phone.
    “Oh, I think I’ve got it just right. I —”
    “ Laniard,” Leo said into the phone, completely ignoring the drunken man. “Call Mr. Kelley’s driver and have him bring his car around. Then come collect Mr. Kelley and personally escort him out. We’re back near the bathroom.” He put the phone back in his coat.
    “Now wait just a minute! You can’t throw me out just because I chatted up some chick —”
    “You’re done here,” Leo said, his tone a clear warning to Kelley to be quiet and do as he was told.
    “I’m not going anywhere. You know who I am?” Kelley spoke in the whiny voice of a spoiled child being told he can’t have another cookie. “If you ever want my business I suggest you apologize and—”
    “Let’s get one thing clear. ” Leo spoke forcefully as he took a step toward Mr. Kelley, causing the man to shrink back. “Hanlon Enterprises does not want your business. You are not going to be buying a Hanlon jet. Not now. Not ever.”
    Kelley sputtered for a moment, clearly affronted yet too intimidated by Leo to actually say anything.
    “Ah, Mark, you’re here. ” The stormy expression clouding Leo’s face lifted as he talked to his friend. “Please escort Mr. Kelley from the building and make sure he leaves.”
    “Is there a problem here?” Mark Laniard looked from Rachel to Kelley to Leo.
    “No. Mr. Kelley has just had a bit too much to drink and needs to go home.”
    “Sure thing.” Mark put a hand firmly on Mr. Kelley’s elbow. “Let’s go.” Mr. Kelley looked for a moment like he wanted to protest, but after a glance at Mark and then Leo, he wisely thought the better of it and allowed himself to be led away.
    Leo watched them go and then turned to Rachel. “Are you okay?” His voice was soft and tender now, all traces of hardness gone. “Did he hurt you?” He touched her arm lightly where Kelley had grabbed her.
    “No,” Rachel said. “He didn’t hurt me. He was just drunk and annoying.”
    “I’m so sorry. Kelley’s always been an entitled ass, but I never thought he’d act like that.”
    “I’m fine , really. You didn’t need to kick him out though. It can’t be good for business to offend potential clients.”
    “Screw business,” Leo said . “After the way he treated you, Kelley’s lucky all I did was throw him out. If I’d acted on my first impulse, Mark would be calling an ambulance rather than Kelley’s driver.” Leo’s anger surprised Rachel. “Hey, are you sure you’re okay?” Leo put his thumb under her chin, concern softening his voice.
    “Y-yes. I’m okay. I think I’m just tired. I should probably go home.”
    Leo’s eyes narrowed with worry as he studied her for a moment. “Kelley’s gone, you don’t need to leave. I won’t move from your side if you want to stay a little longer.”
    Rachel shook her head. She truly didn’t want to stay, but it had nothing to do with Kelley. That man was nothing more than a drunken nuisance.
    It was Leo she wanted to get away from.
    She reacted to him so