26
BOBBY
She untangles from my hold and pushes off me so fast my head spins when she lands on her feet.
“I’m not his girlfriend. It’s a misunderstanding.”
My arm snakes around her, and I pull her back against me. My other hand lands on her stomach. She’s bare there, and I’m lightheaded from the shock of finally touching her skin again after weeks of thinking about the feel of her flawless soft flesh beneath my fingertips.
“Sweetness, baby, you feel so fucking good,” I whisper near her ear before nipping on her earlobe.
Her body trembles one minute, and the next, I’m rammed in the gut with her sharp elbow. I wince but don’t let go. She feels good and right in my arms.
Slate rubs his chin and looks us up and down, then zones his sight on Ever’s face. “Doesn’t look like a misunderstanding when you’re wrapped tight around his body like it’s the only place you want to be, darling.”
Darling? What the fuck? And he never uses endearments with a woman. Slate says endearments are for pussies. I beg to differ.
I glare. He smirks. I nip whatever the fuck is going on in his thick head in the bud and issue a warning. “Call her that again and I’ll tell my source I’m pulling my name out of the bid for the limited-edition Lego you’ve been salivating over.” I have leverage on everyone I employ.
He scowls. “You can’t, man. I don’t have the funds you do or the connections, and that piece will complete my set.”
“Then stand down, bro, and don’t call my girl anything but her name.”
Ever’s shoulders shake. I squeeze her hip. She glances up at me with a smile. “And here I thought you’d threaten him with a beating.”
I lower my head to hers. “I’d never threaten bodily harm on the man who saved my life,” I say for her ears only.
“He saved your life?” she asks in a soft voice.
I tell her something I’ve never told a woman. “In Libya.”
Her eyes widen, and I resist the urge to kiss the fuck out of her. We have an audience.
“You served in the military?”
“Marines.”
“Tell me more later?”
“Depends on your answer.”
“To what?”
I turn her to me with my hands on her small shoulders. “Whether you’re my girl or not.”
It’s a shitty card to deal, but I’m ruthless to the core. I get my way no matter the cost.
She avoids my eyes and stares at her feet. I slide a finger under her chin and tip her head. Fear slips across her face before she hides it with a one-shoulder shrug.
“I meant what I said, Ever. I will slay your fears until there’s nothing left.” I lean in close enough for us to share a breath. “I protect what’s mine.”
“Bobby.”
Her lips part. Her face softens. She is so goddamn beautiful when she puts her trust in me.
I can’t resist her pull any longer. I claim her mouth and kiss the fuck out of her until she goes lax in my arms and moans her need in my mouth. I hate giving the guys a show, but they have to understand Ever is mine.
Casual and my rules won’t do with a sweet, loyal woman like Ever Moretti.
