But I search his expression anyway, only he’s not looking at me.All I see are the tips of his lashes, a full bottom lip, and a square jaw line framed by broad shoulders.I can’t tell if he’s making sure I’m going so Gen feels comfortable, or if he wants me there.Which is stupid.It doesn’t matter whether he wants me there or not.Gen’s the available one.
Why the hell am I thinking about this at all?“We get off at three.What time do you want to meet?”
Jaeger shoves his chips into his pocket—and I’m staring at the corded muscles along his forearms again.
Dammit!Can’t the guy wear something other than flesh-baring T-shirts?What is this, a strip club?
“I’ll pick you up at the front entrance at three thirty.”
I force my gaze up.
“Wear something comfortable.”His eyes dip, only for a moment—a glance that takes in my polyester uniform as ifitwere revealing.
My uniform is the same one every dealer wears—unisexed—and it’s not attractive.But that glance was proprietary.And hot.Shit.
Jaeger merges with the crowd, and my pit boss hands me a new stack of cards.I force myself to focus on my kickass riffle shuffle, and not the beautiful man striding away from my table.
ChapterFour
“Fishing?You’re taking usfishing?”
In the time it took us to grab food before the “sunrise tradition,” the sky turned from black to dark blue, shedding light on the back of Jaeger’s truck.Four fishing poles glint like spears from his truck bed.
I scratch my head, trying to figure out what the hell these guys are thinking.This is not my idea of a good time.Was this Mason’s idea, or Jaeger’s?I’m adjusting my assessment of their seduction skills by the second.
It’s getting close to five in the morning and we’re on a beach north of Stateline that I’ve never been to.Small rowboats are moored at a narrow dock.
Hello?Anyone ever hear of boats with engines?What are we, in the sixteenth century?
My mood is pissy, but I’m freaking tired.And it’s cold out here.
Jaeger lifts a box I assume contains tackle and grabs the fishing poles.I’ve seen people fish.I understand the requisite accoutrements.I just never thought I’d be using them in this lifetime.There’s a time and place to acquire fish—laid out on ice in the meat section of the grocery store is my preference.
“Scared?”Mason raises a brow, his dimple in effect.He’s goading me?
I cross my arms.“How hard can it be?”
Jaeger is wholly focused on putting together the fishing gear.He’s not saying anything, but I think he’s aware I’m not excited about this.Could be the extreme animosity I’m giving off.
Jaeger was vague when he invited me, and the two of them have kept the details of our adventure a secret until now.Very cunning of them.
They walk to the water’s edge and untie the twin drowning contraptions from the dock, then drag the boats to shore.I glance at Gen, who’s watching intently.She shrugs and heads for the boats.
Great.How am I going to find her a good guy if she doesn’t have the natural instincts to know when she’s being properly wooed?The Last Stop for a quick bite and a fishing trip are not what I consider wining and dining.
“Have you done this before?”Gen asks after I reluctantly join her, her face alight with excitement.
Am I the only one who doesn’t find the idea of fishing at five in the morning the least bit entertaining?“No.You?”
She peers out longingly at the water.“I used to go with my grandfather when I was a kid, but I haven’t been in a long time.This is going to be fun.”She wraps her arm around my shoulders and squeezes the blood from my limbs.
Oh God.My headache is returning.I glance at the truck.Is it too late to back out?There’s something about luring innocent fish and then manhandling their slimy bodies until they die that makes me want to hide beneath a rock.
Mason turns around.“Gen, you and I are together.Hop in from here.It’s easier than from the dock.”
Wait, what?I’m going with Jaeger?Alone?
“Shouldn’t Gen and I go together?”I say.“She’s fished before.She can help me out.”
