"I'm buying this one."

You looked up from the bar at a man who had taken a seat beside you. You recognized him from Alpha Team, a sergeant, if you recalled, but weren't perfectly familiar with him.

"Thank you for the offer," you said. "But I can afford my own drink." You smiled and looked back at the bartender as he made your drink.

But he wasn't about to take that for an answer. He slid some cash to the bartender and returned his gaze to you. "C'mon now, let a man treat you right." He tilted his head back and looked at you. "So, what's a pretty thing like you doin' in a bar by herself?"

You set your brows. "Sir," you started. "I appreciate the compliment, but if you're over here trying to pick me up, I'm not interested."

He laughed. "Oh, no need to be defensive, I just wanna get to know you."

"Well, I don't care to know you, so kindly back off, mate," you said.

You could feel someone else across the bar watching you, too, but didn't turn around to see who it was. Was this guy working alone, or did he have friends? You could take him alone, but if he wasn't, taking on more than one person was going to be a challenge.

He laughed. "Relax, I'm just treating you to a drink... What's your name, pretty girl?"

As your drink arrived, you passed it down the bar to the man seated beside you. "Keep your damn drink. I'm out." You stood and walked away, and the man didn't seem even slightly discouraged. He rose from his place and came after you, following you outside.

It was then that you wished you hadn't walked there. He came around you and stood in your way. "Come on, there's no hard feelings, just have a drink with me." You took a step back and he stepped with you. "Maybe we'll have some fun."

You bristled when you backed into someone, who seemed to have stepped out of the shadows of the bar. Before you could react, you noticed the man seemed equally anxious.

"I believe the nice lady told you to back off, mate..." Price was standing there, his head tilted down just slightly to look the man in the eyes, wearing a slight, intimidating smile. The dark tone in his voice sent a chill through both you and the other man, though perhaps for different reasons.

The man cleared his throat and looked away. "Apologies, Captain. No offense meant." He looked at you and dipped his head before walking away.

"And don't let me catch you following her home, either, sergeant," called the Captain after him.

You were both silent and unmoving until the man finally disappeared, and you let out a tense breath. He thought you might faint and grabbed your shoulders. "You alright, (Y/N)?" he asked, the tone in his voice warm and gentle this time.

You nodded. "Yeah... It just kind of freaked me out," you admitted. "I couldn't get him to leave me alone."

"I could tell. When he followed you outside, I wasn't going to see if you could handle your own anymore." He could feel the pulse in your neck from where he was holding you, and he turned you around to wrap you in a hug. "It's okay, you're safe," he murmured. Price tilted your head up to look at you. "Why don't I drive you home?"

You smiled. "Thank you... I'd like that."

When you arrived at your house, Price walked you to the door. You opened the door and turned back to him. "Thank you for rescuing me," you purred, kissing his cheek. Before you could walk away he grabbed your hand abs pulled you back fire a real kiss, tilting your jaw up with his finger tips. You put your hands on his chest, feeling his taught muscles through the thin fabric. God, he was handsome, and after him coming to protect you earlier, he was even more attractive.

He released you with a soft breath. "I'm glad you're okay," he murmured.

You smiled. "Me, too." Your eyes scanned hook up and down. "You wanna come inside for a bit..?"