Free Bad Boy's Heart: A Firemen in Love Series Novella by Amy Starling

it because I promised I'd pay him a share.”
    “Do you seriously believe that?”
    He and the redhead seemed to be getting along far too well for my liking. I contemplated striding over there and tossing my drink in her face.
    “Hey there. You two ladies up for a game of pool?”
    The man's voice made both of us jump. Behind us stood a a good-looking guy with warm hazel eyes and a disarming smile. He rolled a couple of balls from hand to hand.
    Dana immediately pounced on him. “We'd love to. I'm a pool champion, though, so you know.”
    “Is that right?” He gestured to another man waiting by the tables. “Just so happens we're betting men. What do you say to a little wager?”
    “Let's hear what you have in mind.”
    “If we win, you'll give us your numbers.” His gaze shifted to me. “And if you win, we'll get you both drinks.”
    “Sounds like you two win either way,” Dana flirted back. “C'mon, Alicia. Forget about Carter. He's a big boy. He'll be fine without you.”
    I spotted him at the bar as Dana dragged me away. The redhead was talking his ear off, but he didn't take his eyes off me.
    His jaw clenched. I could see that he disapproved.
    You know what? Too bad. If he could screw around, so could I. Maybe he'd at least understand how I felt for once.
    The men introduced themselves as Robert and Tim. Both were handsome and charming, and it felt good to flirt with someone new after the shit Andy put me through.
    Between shots at the pool table, Tim relentlessly hit on Dana. It wasn't long before he had his arm around her waist.
    Robert offered his critique on my game technique. “See, you're holding the stick wrong. You'd sink more shots with better posture.”
    “You think so?”
    “Definitely. Let me show you.” He stood behind me, just a little too close, and adjusted my arms. “Try it like that.”
    He was so warm, and smelled so good, and I was halfway to drunk. I decided I wouldn't mind too much if he asked me to go someplace private.
    Across the room, Carter was fuming. The redhead had moved on; other girls kept trying to get his attention – but the only woman he'd look at was me.
    “Ooh, another miss,” Robert teased. “Keep this up, and you'll be handing over your number for sure.”
    “Where's Dana?” I looked around for her. “It's her turn.”
    I spotted her in a dark corner, making out with Tim as she sat in his lap. Well, then. I knew she moved fast, but jeez.
    “I think they've forfeit the game.” He looked me over with a lick of his lips. “We can keep playing by ourselves, or –”
    “Allie, there you are.”
    Carter's voice was tinged with annoyance. He came up and threw his arm around my shoulders like I was a piece of property he owned.
    I glared at him. Robert, taken aback by his intrusion, just stared.
    “It's getting late. We've got to go.”
    I wrenched away. “Go if you want. I'm having a good time, so I'll get a ride back with Dana.”
    “Hang on a minute,” Robert cried. “Who the hell are you?”
    “I'm her husband.”
    He said it while looking squarely into my eyes, and a sudden chill came over me – followed by anger. How dare he? Who did he think he was?
    “ What? You didn't tell me you were married.” Robert backed away from us, muttering excuses for why he had to go, and vanished into the crowd.
    Carter was triumphant, but I hit him in the chest.
    “Why can't you just let me have fun for once, huh? You're not my keeper, Carter. Stop chasing away every guy who comes on to me.”
    He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I'm looking out for you. Don't wanna see you get hurt again.”
    “Bullshit! I've already been hurt – by you.”
    I could see that he didn't understand, and I wasn't in the mood for explaining.
    “I don't get it. It's all right for you to whore yourself out to any woman in the bar, but not okay for me?”
    His brow furrowed. “But... But that's different.”
    “No it's not. ”
    Suddenly, it all seemed to dawn on him. He tried