She frowns but doesn’t get a chance to say more before we hear my name.
Turning, I spot Shane standing in the kitchen doorway. Physically, he looks like his grandfather, my great uncle Joe. Shane’s six-four and solid with sharp green eyes. His hair is darker blond than mine, like it started to turn brown but never committed.
Shane hands me a beer as Reynolds hooks her arm through mine to escort me into the kitchen.
Shane’s gaze drops to our linked arms and then back up to my face. I know exactly what he’s thinking. Heyworth will take issue with his girl’s hand being on another guy.
Not my problem.
My gaze shifts in the direction of the library. This is the second time tonight a pretty woman has put her hands on me. Although, Arya touching me while cutting my hair provoked a very different reaction. That, I liked. I had to resist the urge to carry her to the couch. Because I really wanted to feel her hands on my neck while her body was beneath me.
When I cross the threshold into the kitchen with Reynolds, Declan’s eyes do exactly the same drop Shane’s did. His gaze turns to stone the second he sees her arm hooked around mine.
Declan sets down his beer, runs a hand through his black hair, and strides over. Without a word, he takes her free arm and pulls her to him. Lowering his head, he kisses her. Then he lifts her off the floor and literally carries her away.
“Come on,” she admonishes when she finally gets her mouth free. “I need to talk to Briggs about drinks. You’ll make me forget.”
Declan sets her on the bench seat behind the kitchen table and pushes her over, so he’s on the end. “Briggs, Camrynn needs to tell you something.”
“Yes, cher?” Briggs says while plating some sausage puffs on a platter. The chef wears his brown hair in a bun like a hipster, but his bleach-white apron is fit for a Michelin-star restaurant. In the kitchen, he’s serious business.
Reynolds discusses drinks for the female guests, and the chef nods and moves the tray to the end of the counter for us to devour.
A chime signals there are guests at the front gate.
“That’ll be Eden and Tavi,” Reynolds says, giving Declan’s arm a push. “I’ll go.”
Heyworth doesn’t move to let her out. “Shane, would you mind?”
“No,” Shane says with a wink at Reynolds. He turns and strolls down the hall to answer the buzzer.
“The pack mentality… just like wolves,” Reynolds murmurs with an eye-roll.
Declan’s hand slides under her blond ponytail to stroke her neck. “You sure you don’t want to try a spiked cocoa like your friends?”
“No, I want a clear head when I come upstairs for the meeting.”
Declan shakes his head.
“If you don’t let me, Erik and I will have to have a whole other meeting ourselves. Which would leave you out of the loop, Declan. Because there are things I haven’t even gotten the chance to tell you yet.”
“You didn’t tell me everything this afternoon?” he asks.
“No. I figured I could tell all three of you at once.”
All three of us? Has Declan told her Shane, Declan and I are Dark Knights? No, unlikely. Either way, she’s smart for withholding information as leverage to get into our meeting.
“You think I should come upstairs, right, Erik?” she asks, looking hopeful.
“We’re partners,” I say with a shrug.
I don’t actually care whether Reynolds is allowed to join the meeting or not, but I do enjoy the furious look on Declan’s face when I support her bid. It would’ve been easier for him if I’d said no, so he could blame me for barring her.
I eat another appetizer.
“I’d prefer your hosting the group in the library,” Heyworth says to her.
“They don’t need me,” Reynolds says quickly. “Briggs will make sure they have everything they need. The way he always does when you have guests.”
