“Gustavo, do you know who he’s working with?” someone asked. I was pretty sure it was Brian.
“Not yet.”
“Denim has been talking to the Southside Creepers. Their leader, Chris Vargas, is putting out feelers among the gangs.” That was definitely Duke’s voice.
“For now, enjoy your holiday. We’ll be in touch,” Gustavo said.
After a few seconds of silence, I stayed perfectly still, waiting to see if I could hear more.
“If you need my help, I’m in,” Brian said.
“Nah, Vince will handle it with me,” Duke said. “I don’t want you involved. Besides, Fran’s home.”
“I’m available if things go south at any point,” Brian said.
“Appreciate it. We should join the others.”
The doorknob to the man cave clicked, and I sprang into action. I hurried into the bathroom and over to the sink to busy myself then realized that I hadn’t shut the door.
Footsteps echoed in the hall.
“Joy?” Duke’s voice was gritty and sexy. “Don’t you close the door when you use the bathroom?”
Brian laughed. “I’ll leave you two.”
I turned off the faucet, grabbed a monogram towel, and wiped my hands, guilt keeping me from making eye contact.
“You showed,” he said.
“It was hard to say no to Grace.”
The heels of his shoes scuffed along the floor. “You seem nervous.” He took the towel from me. “The Harts don’t bite.”
A jittery laugh barreled out as I focused on his shiny loafers. “Are you sure about that? Grace is sinking her teeth into setting us up.”
He placed a knuckle underneath my chin. “Look at me.”
The second we locked eyes, butterflies decided to flutter inside me. We stared at one another as the room began to fade, my heart started to beat faster, and the rate of my breathing increased.
He blinked, lowering his gaze to my lips then my eyes then my lips again.
If he kisses me, I might rip his clothes off this time.
15
DUKE
Fuck the war brewing with the cartel. I had one battling in my head. To kiss her or not. Walk away or not. I couldn’t shake her. I closed my eyes at night, and she was the star of my dreams. I woke up in the morning, and I was jerking off in the shower to images of her full lips on my dick or those big hazel eyes that were yanking me to her like a horse drawn to water.
My fingers danced along her soft cheek, through her hair, and over her ear until my hand was seated at the base of her head.
The other night, she tasted like sugar and mint and oh, so fucking delicious.
My mouth watered at the thought of taking her right here on the sink or in the shower. Hell, there were three bedrooms in the suite, and one of them had our names on it.
She tucked her fingers into the waist of my pants as her chest rose and fell.
My heart was beating furiously, and my dick… Well, it was throbbing as fast as my pulse.
