Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
He made a clicking sound with his tongue. “No, no, it’s too early for that, and this bothersome trip just got interesting. If I’d known that the female we were coming to help had a face like this one”—he brushed a thumb over my chin—“I’d have been happy to come.”
O-kay. He was flirting. What did I do with this?
“Come outside with me. It’s a younger crowd out there,” he said. “Less intense.”
My gaze swung back to the windows to see Forge was still dancing with the blonde. Did I want to go out there? I’d have to watch him flirt with her. That wasn’t going to be easy.
“My sister has found her entertainment for the night. We can watch her seduce Forge while we get to know each other. Any chance you can two-step?”
His sister? Fantastic. A gorgeous blonde who was a member of the family. Perfect match for Forge. He sure seemed to think so by the way he was touching her as they spun around out there. It was like a scene from Urban Cowboy, and I was about to turn into Sissy on them if I didn’t get myself together. Forge was not mine. He was a friend, and this surge of jealousy had to stop.
“Sure,” I agreed, thinking the best way to deal with this was to face it head-on.
God knew I’d had this happen to me numerous times over the years with Calvin. I was a pro at covering up my envy and pain. I could do it this time too. Besides, I wasn’t in love with Forge Savelle.
Twenty-Five
Forge
The sight of Kash happy was good for my soul. Even if, at times, I envied him. I also owed him one for coming out here. Being alone with Lula Mae wasn’t what I’d signed up for, but then did I ever get to choose my jobs? That would be a big fuck no.
“I need a drink,” Lula Mae said with a breathless laugh.
I dropped my hands from her waist and started to turn toward the drink cooler we kept stocked out here when the door opened again. I glanced back, expecting to see someone coming to rescue me since I had more than done my entertaining duty with the Louisiana branch’s princess.
It wasn’t.
I stilled at the sight of Elsie, followed entirely too closely by Wayon Davidson.
“Don’t let us interrupt. We were coming to watch,” Wayon said, then placed a hand on Elsie’s lower back, “or join.”
It was as if ice had begun crawling up my spine. Both fists clenched at my sides as my focus darted from his touch to her face. The tense way she was holding her shoulders and the uneasy expression on her face were all it took to get me moving again.
I was in front of her in seconds. Her eyes went wide as she stared up at me. Taking her wrist in one hand, I tugged her away from his fucking hand, then shot him a warning glare.
“She doesn’t like to be touched,” I informed him through clenched teeth.
I didn’t know that for sure, but I did read her well, and she hadn’t been happy about it. That was all I needed to know.
“I’m sorry,” he replied, sounding concerned. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
I tucked her slightly behind me. “She doesn’t know you.” I stated the obvious.
“Well, I had brought her out here to change that.”
This fucker was pushing it.
“It’s okay,” Elsie said behind me.
No, it wasn’t okay. Like hell it was okay.
“Forge”—Lula Mae laughed, but it was fake as shit—“I know Than might have issues with Wayon, but he is a good guy. It’s fine. Get me a drink, and let’s go for a swim.”
I’d been tasked with keeping her happy and out of the way. I didn’t see why Locke couldn’t do it. I’d been waiting on him to come take my place, thinking we were doing this in shifts. Gathe would love to keep her busy, but his ass wasn’t here. Where was the playboy when you needed him?
“We aren’t in our swimsuits,” I told her, not moving or taking my eyes off Wayon.
A fingernail ran up my arm, and I hadn’t realized Lula Mae had made her way over to me.
“We don’t need them,” she said in a sultry voice, leaning closer to my ear. The heels she was wearing gave her more height.
I shrugged her off, not liking the way she was talking to me … in front of Elsie. I’d dissect that shit later. Right now, I had to get her away from Wayon without causing a problem. As much as I hated it, we needed the Davidsons to get to Telos. We needed Lula Mae to get to him. Dammit.
Wayon’s gaze dropped to witness my action, then looked to the side of me, where I was still holding Elsie’s wrist.