Cash Ryan was scoring points by the second, and each word that left his mouth felt genuine.
I was standing before a gorgeous, God-like guy who looked like every girl's wet dream. He was genuinely interested in me and my past and hadn’t cringed at my scars. I had known him for a while when we were at high school together, and now through Hudson, and had always thought he’d be perfect first boyfriend material.
But how could I give my heart to anyone new when I had already given it to someone else? And that is when I cast a glance over my shoulder, and my eyesfell on Phoenix. He was still standing beside Storm and Reed. Reed’s hand was curled around his forearm, and he was speaking into his ear.
Phoenix was dressed in gray shorts and a white wife-beater, and the way he held himself showed me exactly what I had wanted to see.
He was pissed off, and the only reason he hadn’t stormed over was due to whatever Reed was feeding him. I knew it would be to stop his brother from making a scene. But when it came to those types of situations, Phoenix was the master.
Turning back to Cash, a slow, satisfied smile spread across my face.
He wasn’t stupid; he’d seen the antagonistic look between Phoenix and me. Well, I may have given Nix my heart, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t take it back when he’d given me nothing in return.
“Problem?” Cash said with a flick of his head at his gym buddy and friend.
Taking a drink from my water, I smiled and gave him my reply.
“Not anymore.”
SEVEN
PHOENIX
You’ve got to befuckingkidding me.
Did Cash Ryan have a death wish? It appeared so.
Cocksucker.
Possessiveness flared to life in the pit of my stomach, and I wanted to throw back my head and howl like the alpha I was.
I was standing in the shade of a large willow tree, surrounded by entitled motherfuckers schmoozing over their Pimm’s. Reed was takingagesto fetch us some beers, and my throat was like sandpaper. I needed a drink after witnessing the scene I’d been forced to endure the minute I’d entered the garden.
I couldn’t curb that relentless need to hit something—orsomeone.
Cash Ryan, Josh Sanderson, and Michael Dexter were all over Harper when I arrived with Reed. It pissed me off. They were all in college, and so why the hell were they outrageously hitting on a high school girl? Plus, rumour had it that Cash was still involved with Tate. Tate Parker used to be besties with Storm in high school. They were both mean bitches. I’d heard Tate moved to France and was studying art or some shit like that. Reed said they had a long-distance thing going, so I assumed that meant phone sex. In my view, that meant they were still involved.
Anxiety bubbled in my gut as I glared at the boys and Harper. They had their tops off and were puffing out their chests, all wearing similar RVCA boardshorts. Fricking sheep. And then it got worse when Sanderson and Dexterfinallywent to the bar, and Harper started taking off her clothes—right in front of a salivating Cash.
What the actual hell? I almost had a coronary on the spot.
The sexy way she undressed was like she was putting on a sex show. When I saw what she was wearing beneath those tiny shorts and top, I was surprised the vein in my neck didn't explode. I hadneverseen Harper in a bikini. She had always been self-conscious about her burns, so why now? And for Cash fucking Ryan ofallpeople?
Man, the girl was stunning. I couldn’t look away as I watched her smooth that fiery red hair over her shoulders. It was like a curtain of thick silk—shiny and soft. It always carried a scent of coconuts and something else exotic. Harper had worn it loose to cover her back, not that it mattered; the scarring on her left shoulder and top of her spine didn’t even register. She shone from all angles, regardless of the marks she had on her skin.
Although small and on the slender side, Harper’s body was smoking hot, the tiny gold shred of material only just covering those essential parts. My eyes skated from the column of her slender throat, past her perky little tits, and down to where her hip bones jutted out slightly above the strings of those bikini bottoms. A picture of my hands holding her there whilst I fucked her from behind, mixed in with my jealousy. Her petite stature and the innocence that had always radiated from her brought out both my predator and protector instincts.
I needed to get a grip. So, what? She was in her bikini, which was no different from what most of the girls were wearing. But they didn't look half as good as Harper did in hers, and that was the problem,rightthere.
Every curve was highlighted as the sun kissed her pale skin. Harper’s body had always been unique, and the entire surface was smattered with cute little freckles. The urge to count every single one with my fingertips powered through me.
My eyes narrowed as I saw Hudson and Molly on the loungers with the others behind her. Why did I suddenly feel like my brother had betrayed me? Then I remembered his warning about someone elsegetting there first. Surely, he hadn’tmeant Cash Ryan? I hated it when he spoke in code. He should have just given it to me straight. Yes, they were friends, but Hudson and I were family.
In my endeavornotto storm over there and drown my brother in the pool, I turned my back.
Fortunately, Reed appeared in front of me with two cold beers.
“About fucking time,” I grunted moodily.
