I should have kept walking. The thought occurred to me for the tenth time as I watched her toss her golden blonde hair. Corsica stood too close to her ex-boyfriend, her eyes bright with excitement over whatever news he was sharing. I rubbed my chest and cursed myself. When would I learn?
Women like Corsica, prim and perfect, were dangerous. Anyone who spent all their time polishing a perfect facade disgusted me.
Except, disgust was the wrong word for my reaction to her. Attraction wasn't even a strong enough word. I could feel her pumping through my veins and, for the life of me, I couldn't look away.
There was some comfort in the way her sky-blue eyes kept coming back to me, even as her catalog-model boyfriend talked. I winked, and she frowned.
Corsica had already made it clear that I was not her type. I tugged at my beard. My careless clothes and my tattoos were not a disguise, they were me, but I had always been glad my look deterred women like her. One whiff of my bank accounts would turn her into a heartless, husband-hunting machine. Then, she would want to change me, outfit me like her perfect ex-boyfriend, and parade me around town.
I ground my teeth and turned back to the bar.
Corsica's friend, a tiny pixie of a woman, leaned next to me. "They aren't dating anymore, thank god," Ginny said.
"You really don't like him?" I was surprised.
"Oh, Joshua's fine, really. He means well. I just hate how he's got Corsica on this straight and narrow path."
I watched Corsica glance back at the stage. The microphone seemed to call to her. "And that path doesn't lead to singing?"
Ginny snorted. "Joshua has never encouraged Corsica to sing. Even though they met at open mic night at his parents' inn."
"His parents' inn?"
"Yeah. His parents own one of those fancy inns down in Santa Cruz. You know, the ones with the white linen tablecloths and seven-course dinners."
I chuckled. "What's wrong with that?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "It's just that he plans to turn Corsica into the perfect hostess. I don't want to see her stuck in a dress suit and pearls, kissing the ass of every rich couple that walks through the doors."
"And what does she want?" I asked, glancing at Corsica again.
Ginny gave a dark frown. "Doesn't matter. She'd never admit to it. Corsica's too determined to get ahead."
That was it. That was my cue to turn my back and forget about her. I should have kept walking the moment I met Corsica. With self-preservation in mind, I glanced at my phone for a distraction. Unfortunately, the only thing there was a text message from my father. I scowled, thinking how impressed my father would be with Corsica's ex-boyfriend. If anyone appreciated careful presentation and impeccable self-grooming, it was my father.
If there was one thing that Xavier Templeton loved, it was a polished image. My father looked down at the world from his towering command over Silicon Valley. He was every inch the legacy billionaire, from his custom, Italian shoes to his obscenely expensive haircuts. My father was just the man that people like Joshua and Corsica hoped to meet.
I, on the other hand, was pissed off at the idea of seeing him. I'd only come to town because my father's summons seemed so dire. We hadn't spoken in years, so plain curiosity was enough justification for me to come to San Francisco. It was becoming clearer and clearer that coming to the city was a mistake.
I read the text message again. My father was running late and wanted me to meet him at his house. As if that if that multi-level monstrosity of a mansion on Telegraph Hill could be called a house.
It was only minutes away, so I raised my hand to order another drink. Then, I saw Corsica gathering up her purse. She was going to leave with that blond, Polo-shirted asshole. My throat burned, and I decided to skip another drink. Besides, I could piss off my father by getting into his aged Scotch while I waited.
"You're leaving?" Ginny asked.
"Seems like the thing to do," I said. "Nice to meet you. And your friend."
I didn't like the way Ginny studied my face, or the way Corsica glanced over as soon as I stood up. What was I doing letting myself get tangled up? I'd spent my life untangling myself from other people's expectations and going my own way. Why did I care if she left the club with another man? It was stupid to stay another minute.
Still, I took my time making the rounds and saying goodbye to my friends that worked at the club. I was still chatting with the bouncer out front when Corsica appeared with her ex-boyfriend. Ginny trailed after them with a frustrated look.
"Why you giving him the evil eye?" the bouncer Allen asked me.
"Am I?" I shrugged. "There's just something about him I don't like."
"Or something about her that you do like?" Allen elbowed me in the ribs.
Corsica was hesitating, leaning towards going back inside with her friend. Joshua frowned and explained what she should be doing with an arrogant expression.
I felt the acid in my stomach sizzle. "I think he reminds me of my father," I spat.
Allen frowned and checked out Joshua again. "You think he's an alcoholic? Should I stop him from driving?"
I waved away the bad memories and called Allen off. I was overreacting and it was totally out of character. If Corsica was so determined to hitch her wagon to someone like Joshua, who was I to try to change her mind?
"Shame she's not going back in," Allen said. "I heard she has the voice of a sultry angel."
I couldn't answer. Joshua grabbed Corsica's elbow so tight I could see the pain on her face. He pulled her towards his car and something in my brain snapped. I had seen my father grab my mother like that, the rest of the memories coated in helpless, black anguish.
The next thing I knew, Allen was pulling me back. He positioned his mountainous body between me and Joshua as the gasping crowd outside the club stepped back.
"What the hell, man? Penn, get a hold of yourself." Allen shoved me back another step.
I stopped pushing and held up my hands. "I'm fine. I got this."
"What you got is that crazy look in your eyes," he said. "You better think about what you're doing, man. Do you really want to butt in?"
"He grabbed her, Allen. I'm not going to just stand here and let him bully her. What's going to happen if she goes home with him?"
I knew my panic was unfounded. I knew nothing about Joshua or Corsica, but my muscles jumped with the desire to shield her. The thought of her getting hurt the way my mother once did was enough to have me stepping forward again.
Allen saw it. He knew. So, he stepped back.
Corsica had wrenched her elbow free and was fighting to keep Joshua from getting another hold. "Just give me a minute to think about it. I came out with Ginny, and we want to celebrate. My resume can wait until morning."
"I don't think you get it," Joshua said. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I'm not going to let you miss it."
He lunged forward to catch her upper arm, but caught my hand, instead. "I know you heard her," I growled.
Joshua took one step back and brushed his pristine Polo shirt as if I had soiled it. "This doesn't concern you. Don't you have tables to clear or trash to take out?"
Allen loomed up behind me. "Watch yourself, pretty boy. Don't you know who he is?"