Free Cade Creek 11 - Race Against Time by Stormy Glenn Page A

but he wasn’t going to admit that. “From the way you sauntered in here like your shit don’t stink, I’d say you were an asshole.”
    When Race gasped, Vinnie reached under the table and gave his thigh a reassuring pat. He was not intimidated by Terrence Flannery. He didn’t want Race to be intimidated either, but considering the condition the man was in, he had reason to be.
    Terrence gave Vinnie a hard look, his lip curling as if disgusted by what he saw. “I could buy and sell you before I even had my morning coffee.”
    “Probably.” Vinnie was a fireman, not Midas. “But Race is out on a date with us, not you.”
    Vinnie had to bite his lip, when Ari said in a singsong voice, “We win.” There were times when he loved Ari’s quick wit and sharp tongue, usually when it was aimed at someone besides him.
    Vinnie made a shooing motion with his hand. “Now, shoo, go away. You’re interrupting our evening.”
    Terrence’s gasp was pure outrage.
    Vinnie ignored him and turned to Race, turning on the charm. “Joey’s about to go onstage. Would you like to dance?”
    Eyes wide, Race slowly nodded.
    “Great.” Vinnie stood and held out his hand.
    Race shot Terrence a look before taking Vinnie’s hand and climbing to his feet. Vinnie used the hand held in his to draw Race into his arms. Race’s wide eyes grew rounder when Vinnie tipped Race’s mouth up with one finger under his chin to brush the gorgeous man’s mouth with his.
    Race’s barely audible exhale was music to Vinnie’s ears. The wonder in his beautiful green eyes made Vinnie feel like a king. Despite the crowded bar and the man sputtering with outrage just feet from him, Vinnie drew Race in for another kiss, a deeper kiss.
    Vinnie recaptured Race’s mouth, more demanding this time. He traced the soft fullness of Race’s lips with his tongue, stroking across them a second time, and then a third. When those luscious lips parted, Vinnie swept inside the warm, wet cavern with his tongue to leisurely entwine with Race’s own slick muscle.
    Raising his lips from Race’s, Vinnie’s gazed into his eyes. His entire body tingled with desire. The soft flush on Race’s face said he felt the same. When Vinnie smiled, Race’s lips followed, curving into his own smile.
    “My turn,” Ari growled.
    Vinnie chuckled when Ari grabbed Race, spun him around, and leaned in to plunder Race’s kiss-swollen lips just as Vinnie had done. Ari seemed to be doing his level best to keep that dreamy-eyed look in Race’s eyes.
    The enraged howl from his right made Vinnie tense. He turned just in time to see Terrence reach for the edge of the table and flip it up. Vinnie dove for Race, pushing him and Ari out of the way and the table crashed onto its side.
    “You are mine!” Terrence snarled. His eyes flashed with outrage as he glared at Race. “How dare you—”
    “What in the hell is going on here?” Harvey James asked as he walked up, the crowd instantly parting for the large man. Harvey was a badass. In his bar, no one stepped out of line unless they wanted to deal with him. Vinnie had heard he once tossed a customer out the front window. Looking at the anger on the man’s face, he believed it.
    “They attacked my lover!” Terrence shouted as he pointed at Vinnie and Ari. “I want them arrested.”
    Vinnie’s jaw dropped. “Are you fucking serious?”
    “I have witnesses,” Terrence said when Harvey just stood there. He gestured to the two men standing behind him. “They saw the whole thing and will swear out a statement to the police if you would be so kind as to call them.”
    The two goons nodded.
    Harvey crossed his muscled and tattooed arms over his massive chest. His eyebrow cocked up as he turned to look at Vinnie and Ari. “Starting fires now, are we, boys?”
    Vinnie rolled his eyes. “Mr. Flannery has taken issue with Ari and I taking Race out for a date.”
    “Ari and you?”
    Vinnie felt his face flush at the shock on Harvey’s face.