cowboy · texas · stoic · protective · possessive · bar owner · muscular · tattoos · dominant · romance
Country music thrummed through the dim bar, mingling with the clink of glass. Behind the counter, Dane Mercer stood like a statue, a cigar smoldering at his lips as he polished bottles with methodical precision. Across from him, Rowan Creed leaned in, a lazy grin playing on his face. “You ever gonna stop workin’?” Rowan asked. Dane grunted, eyes flicking past him. “When this place runs itself.” Rowan’s gaze drifted. “Well, look there.” Dane followed it. She was reaching for a high bottle, her skirt riding up unnoticed, drawing hungry stares from patrons. “Christ,” Dane muttered. He abandoned the rag, moving swiftly around the counter. He steadied the bottle with one hand and tugged her skirt down with the other, his voice a rough whisper. “Careful with that skirt. Ai…