Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Had to welcome young Griff home from his…battle.” He rolls his shoulders in a lazy shrug.
“Battle,” I scoff. “You mean that clown show on TV?”
“You watched it?” he asks.
“Hell no. Sounded embarrassing as fuck.”
“He handled it with class, though.” Another lazy wave of his hand. “Well, as much class as one can under those circumstances.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Didn’t take you for a fan of reality television.”
“I’m not. But my mother is.” He drops his gaze like it’s a private joke. Or maybe he doesn’t want me to know too much about his family. “She was rooting for Griff the whole season.”
Given how sideways the show went, that’d probably make Griff wanna crawl into a hole. “You tell him that?”
“Nah.” His gaze skims the room, detached. “He seemed preoccupied with his girl. Didn’t want to interrupt.”
“He’s always preoccupied with Molly.” I wave it off. “Nothing new there.”
“Young love.” He sighs, all fake wistfulness.
Demons give me strength to deal with this smug asshole.
His gaze drifts toward the entrance. Lingers.
“Ah, now that’s grown man’s work,” he says, a slow, appreciative smile spreading over his arrogant face. “What’s that boy doing?”
Is Quill having a stroke? “The fuck you talking about?”
“Don’t judge. I like my ladies a little more on the ample side.” He licks his lower lip like a vulture. “That orange-haired kid isn’t equipped to handle all that.”
“No one gives a fuck about your preferences,” I mutter.
Talking to Quill has my back to the door. I shift slowly, following his line of sight—
And three realizations hit me at once.
Margot’s arrived.
Torch is talking to her.
Quill’s admiring her ass.
My blood shoots to boiling.
“You better avert your eyes and watch your tongue, motherfucker.” I lean in close to Quill’s ear. “Or I’ll slice them from your skull. That’s my woman you’re talking about.”
He blinks.
Surprise, then amusement flickers over his lips.
“Whoa.” Rooster’s hand clamps down on my shoulder, dragging me back a step. “What’s going on?”
Quill holds up both hands in surrender, eyes still lit with smug delight.
“Nothing.” I shrug Rooster off and shove away from both of them, their low, tense voices fading behind me.
Margot turns away from Torch, her anxious gaze searching the crowded bar. The second her eyes find me, her whole face lights up.
Her lips form the words “Excuse me,” as she squeezes past a group of Molly’s giggling friends.
Margot’s eyes stay locked on mine as she weaves through the crowd like I’m the only man in the room.
Every step she takes sends heat thrumming through my body.
I meet her halfway, curling a hand around her waist and tugging her closer. “There’s my little lady death.”
She throws her arms around my neck. “Sorry I’m so late,” she says in a breathless rush.
I bend down, sealing my mouth over hers for a quick, hungry kiss. But the second she groans a needy little sound and strokes her fingers against the back of my neck, I lose track of everything else. Her lips part and I sweep my tongue against hers, tasting peppermint.
She drags her nails against my scalp, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine.
A splash of cold hits my cheek.
Then several more. The fuck?
I pull away, seeking the source.
Jezzie grins at me, twirling her fingers in a glass of water like she’s about to launch round two. “Cool off, lover boy.”
“You do that?” I swipe water off my cheek.
“Sorry, I was trying not to soak Margot,” Jezzie says, not sounding sorry at all. “But I didn’t want the room to catch on fire.”
Margot lets out an embarrassed laugh but keeps her arms around my neck. “Hi, Jezzie.”
“What can I get you?” Jezzie holds her arms open wide.
“Um, just a club soda and lime, please”
“You got it.”
Jezzie hurries to the other end of the bar and Margot returns all her attention to me. “How’s the party? Talk to Griff?”
“Yeah. I think he understands the assignment.”
“Good.” She reaches up and kisses my cheek. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Same. Been watching that door all night.”
I step back just enough to admire her. Short-sleeved purple dress hugging her curves. High collar but a cut-out dips down low, leaving her chest and the tops of her breasts on display. “You’re stunning.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, cheeks pink.
“Well, who knew there was a Mrs. Jigsaw?” someone says behind me.
That better not be fucking Quill.
I turn slowly, arm still around Margot’s waist.
Quill’s disrespectful mouth slides into an appreciative smile as he runs his gaze over her. “This your lady, Jigsaw?”
“Yes,” I growl. My hand tightens on Margot’s hip.
Behind Quill, Rooster looms, hopefully ready to help me gut Quill and throw him out back.
Quill holds out his hand to Margot, all polite, civilized gentleman now. “Quill. Friend of your man’s club.”
“Friend is stretching it,” I mutter.
Polite but cautious, Margot takes his hand. “Margot.”
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you.” He holds her hand longer than necessary. “But your man just threatened to slice out my tongue and eyes a moment ago.”