And there she is.
My mouth—yeah, it fucking grins. Wide.
Because Caroline is standing in the doorway.
Her hair is in loose waves, sun-kissed and messy in the sexiest way. She's in a white, off-shoulder tie-front top and high-waisted denim shorts showing off miles of legs.
And God... she looks lethal.
Hot.
Not trying.
Not competing.
Just effortlessly, stupidly, catastrophically beautiful.
My brain short-circuits.
The red-bikini girl could be naked right now and I wouldn't notice—Caroline walks in wearing a sweater and shorts and looks like every fantasy I've ever had.
She steps toward us with the kind of slow, lethal confidence that makes men reevaluate their entire life choices.
The bikini girl's fake smile falters.
Caroline steps toward us—slow, deliberate, predatory—her eyes locked on the girl like she's choosing which bone to break first. When she reaches me, she slides her hand around my forearm, fingers wrapping in a claiming grip that says:mine.
I automatically hook an arm around her waist, pulling her snug against me.
Then she turns to the girl with the kind of smile cheerleaders give right before they push someone off the pyramid.
"Oh honey," she purrs, "I'm guessing you don't go to Ridgewater, right?"
The girl blinks. "H-How'd you know?"
Caroline tilts her head, lashes low, dangerous.
"Because if you did? You'd know this man—" she jerks her chin toward me, still pressed to her side "—the one you've been practically trying to flash your tits at? IS MINE."
Her voice dips dangerously sweet.
"And trust me—nobody is 'stealing' him from me. Ever."
The girl tries to muster a smirk, but Caroline keeps going, even cooler, even deadlier:
"You said you don't see his girlfriend around?" She tilts her head. "Well... open your eyes. I'm right here. And I don't leave him 'unattended,' sweetheart. I just don't see threats where there aren't any."
Then — because she's going to be the death of me — Caroline drags her hand slowly across my wet chest, fingers gliding over every line of muscle.
Heat punches straight through me.
Great. Fantastic. I'm absolutely getting a boner right here. Not my fault. Not at all.
Caroline's gaze snaps back to the girl, razor-sharp.
"So unless you're here to say 'excuse me,' move. You're in our way."
The girl finally steps aside—muttering under her breath—and Caroline tugs me with her as we walk toward the doors.
