Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 106909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“He nearly kicked your ass for it too. By the pool … he was so furious.” I had pushed Ream in the pool after he’d been arguing with Crisis about me. He’d retaliated by picking me up, throwing me over his shoulder, and jumping back into the pool.
Crisis chuckled. “Yeah. Fuckhead doesn’t like me touching your fine ass, but, sugar, just so you know, I love touching your ass. It fuckin’ rocks. And it sucks I can’t do it anymore.” I smiled. “Don’t know what went down between you two, but I heard the shitty ass crap you’ve said to one another. If he didn’t care about you, he’d have treated you like any other chick.” He nodded to the dance floor. “He was practically fucking you from behind out there.”
“And it was wrong. I’m seeing someone else.”
“Sugar.” Crisis’ boyish smile dropped. “Don’t know the guy, but you need to dump his ass then get some real fucking.” He shrugged when I rolled my eyes. “Just saying.”
“Well, don’t. It doesn’t suit you being a matchmaker.” I pushed back my chair and stood. “I’m getting a drink.” I turned and crashed right into Ream, my palms landing on his chest.
“Let’s go.”
I balked. “What?”
“You heard me. We’re leaving.”
Umm, I was thinking that maybe I missed something because no one else looked like they were leaving. “I’m getting another drink.”
“You’ve had enough.”
“Excuse me? What are you my pimp?” From the corner of my eye, I saw Crisis grinning ear to ear. His chair squeaked as he leaned back, hands behind his head, watching.
Ream’s expression tightened and his eyes narrowed. His voice was strained and controlled as he said, “Say that again and I will throw you over my knee and spank that ass of yours right in front of everyone.”
It was a low move on my part to call him my pimp, but I was tipsy and angry and so friggin’ sexually frustrated.
“Jesus,” Ream swore beneath his breath shaking his head. “Babe, do you really want to start our shit right here?” A young girl, who looked too young to be in the bar, came up beside him and tried to pass him her pen. He shook his head and the devastation on her face nearly had me grabbing the pen from her and shoving it into Ream’s hand, except that there was a trend happening. A number of girls hovered near the table now, and I suddenly got why Ream wanted to leave.
“Then leave. Alone.”
Ream’s fingers caressed down my arm until they settled around my hand. “Kat.”
“Hey, Kat,” Brett shouted. “Molly says this is yours.” I pulled my hand out of his grasp and walked over to the bar. Brett pushed a shot glass of clear liquid toward me. “You and Ream an item now?”
I shook my head. “No. He’s just having issues taking no for an answer.”
Molly came up beside me, plopping her tray on the counter. “Tell your new guy. Maybe he’ll get Ream to leave you alone.”
I raised my shot glass to her in thanks for the drink, and she smiled.
“Another?” Brett asked.
I’d really had enough, and being stupid and drunk with Ream around was just plain … well, stupid. Brett stiffened and I noticed the easy, calm expression he always had about him vanish.
“Guess he might be able to look after the problem right now.”
“Oh, he’s here,” Molly said.
“What do you mean? Who’s here?” I looked in the direction Brett nodded and saw Lance walking toward me.
***
Lance’s long, lean body cut easily through the crowd. It was like everyone knew to get out of his way. It didn’t help that he was the only one wearing a suit. Frig, this was so not going to be good. Ream was talking to Crisis with his back to the bar. Okay, I could diffuse this.
“I’ll see you later, Molly, Brett. Tell Emily I got a ride with Lance.”
“Sure thing,” Brett said.
I met Lance halfway and his arm went around my shoulders and drew me in before he leaned down and kissed me. He tasted like he’d just brushed his teeth as his mouth, gentle and warm, slid over mine.
He was at least six foot two with an olive complexion, and I suspected he was part Asian. Smooth skin and defined, sculpted features with dark penetrating eyes. Definitely, he was in the hot category, and even more so that he was a master in Tae Kwon Do.
His kissed the tip of my nose while keeping his arm around me. “I thought I’d surprise you. I’ve wanted to meet your friends you’ve been talking so much about.”
I couldn’t recall talking about them that much. Actually, I’d probably mentioned Georgie and Emily and the band in general, but never the guys. “I was just heading to the condo.”
“Then we’ll be quick. One drink. Or are you trying to hide me from them?”
“Don’t be silly.” Okay, maybe this was good. Ream would have to get that we were over and I was seeing Lance now. “But you need to get that the band is close. Been friends for a long time. And I used to date … well sorta dated Ream, and he won’t like you so don’t take offense to—”
Lance chuckled. “I can look after myself, love. And I already know what you’re trying to warn me about because I see his eyes on us right now.”
I stiffened then glanced back over my shoulder to our table. Ream was standing beside Kite and Kite’s hand was on his shoulder. It wasn’t a friendly gesture; this was to hold Ream back. The fury in him made my stomach roll, and I didn’t like seeing it. Instead, I had the instinct to soothe it. What was wrong with me? I seriously had issues. I’d always been the strong one, the girl who knew exactly what she wanted and went after it. Now, suddenly, Ream was throwing it all out of balance and I was floundering. I hated floundering.
“We should just go.”
Lance looked down at me, put his finger under my chin, and kissed me again. This time it was hard and possessive as if he was making a point to everyone who was watching us. “You still interested in him, Kat?”