Protecting Jessyka (SEAL of Protection) (Volume 6) Read Free Page B

getting drinks to patrons and collecting money. The more Benny thought about it, the more he was bothered by her clothes as well. All waitresses knew in order to increase tips, it was good to wear clothes that showed a little skin. Benny couldn’t see any skin on Jess except for her face and hands.
    Benny knew Jess was uncomfortable with him being there, but he didn’t let it stop him. He joked with the bartender and rebuffed every woman who approached him. He was here for Jess, nothing else. He wasn’t even tempted by any of the ladies that came on to him. In the past, he probably would’ve jumped at the chance to spend a sexually charged night with any of the women that were there, but not tonight. He was completely focused on Jess.
    Benny watched as two o’clock came and Jess cashed out. She shoved her tips into the front pocket of her jeans and disappeared down the hall where the office was. She came back a moment later with her purse over her shoulder and headed for the door, without looking around for him.
    Benny quickly followed her and gave a chin lift to the bouncer. “I’ve got it. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
    The bouncer nodded, he knew Benny, had seen him around and knew he was a SEAL.
    Benny came up next to Jess as she walked into the parking lot. “Can I take you home?”
    Jess stopped in the middle of the lot and turned to Kason. “Why are you following me?”
    “We’ve already been over this, but I can rehash it if you need me to.”
    Jess shook her head impatiently, at the end of her rope. “Look, Kason, I’ve had a bad week. Hell, a bad month, and I don’t need you fucking with me. I’ve seen your friends. I’m too young for all of you. I don’t do one-night stands. I’m not looking for a military guy. I’m broke, crippled, and too tired to deal with whatever it is you want out of me tonight. So just back off and let me go. Okay?”
    As if he didn’t hear a word she said, Kason simply said, “Let me take you home.”
    Jess sighed and looked down at the ground. She looked back at the bar then turned to Kason. “I usually take the bus.”
    “Please.”
    “Fuck. All right, Kason. You can take me home.”
    Benny took Jess’s elbow in his and steered her the other way to his car. He clicked the locks as they were walking up and opened the door for her. He waited until she was seated before closing the door and walking around to the other side. Still without a word, he started the engine and pulled out of the lot.
    “Where to?”
    Jess startled. Duh, of course he didn’t know where she lived. “I live in the Pinehurst townhouses over on Sunshine Way. Do you know them?” Jess watched as he nodded.
    “Put your head back and close your eyes, gorgeous. Relax. I got this.”
    Jess blew out a half laugh and did as Kason said. It wasn’t because he ordered it, it was because she was exhausted. She hurt. She was tired. She was stressed. The small break to let down her guard was unexpected, but appreciated.
    Jess felt the car slow after a while, then stop. She opened her eyes and started in surprise. They weren’t at her place.
    “Where the hell are we?” She demanded.
    Benny turned in his seat so he was facing Jess. He’d driven to a local park that he knew wasn’t too seedy, and parked the car. He was going to talk to her whether she wanted to or not.
    “I know we don’t really know each other, but you need a friend, Jess, and I’m it. I’m not fucking with you. You aren’t too young for me. Hell, we’re probably only like five years apart in age. I’m not looking for a one-night stand with you, I don’t give a damn how much money you have and you aren’t fucking crippled. If I hear you say that about yourself one more time, I’m gonna take you over my knee. And you’ll never be too tired to let me be a sympathetic ear for you. That’s what I want. Now talk.”
    Jess just looked at Kason for a beat, thinking back to what she’d said to him in the parking lot of the