CHAPTER ONE
This wasnothow he expected his evening to go. Not that Ryden had any grand plans other than hanging out with friends and coworkers to celebrate the grand opening of Val’s tavern. Still, he hadn’t expected to end up annoyed.
The Red Ax Tavern was packed with folks drinking and having a good time, some far more than others. Ryden grunted into his glass as he took a sip of his soda. As if being annoyed by Jay wasn’t enough, he was annoyed at himself for being annoyed. It’s not like he hadn’t known Jay would be here tonight, or that wherever Jay went, an entourage of admirers was bound to follow. It was ridiculous. Did the guy always have to be the center of attention?
“What’s the scuttlebutt, Marine?”
Ryden gave a start and glared at Saint. “What the hell ya sneakin’ up on people for?”
“Since when does anyone sneak up on you?”
Damn.He got you there, pal.Ryden eyed his best friend. Saint was genuinely surprised. “Fair point.” He sipped his drink, unable to stop his gaze from returning to the rowdy table across the room. Saint followed his line of sight.
Jay sat on one of the tables, dressed in a loud blue paisley vest with matching pants and bow tie, and a blinding fuchsia button-down shirt underneath with the sleeves rolled to the elbows. His blond hair was perfectly styled, and his face was flushed. Probably winded from all that hot air he was letting out. The guy hadn’t taken a breath since he’d arrived.
“Look at him. He’s such a diva.”
Saint shrugged. “He’s just having a conversation.”
“Oh, bless your heart. Saint, those three men right there are what we call bears, and that in the middle is a sweet little pot of honey for those bears.”
“I know what a bear is,” Saint said, amused.
Three large, bearded, muscular men sat around Jay, practically drooling. They wanted to devour him, and one or more would probably try to. How could Jay not see it? Like they gave a shit what was coming out of his mouth. They were only interested in what they could put in it. Probably picturing him on his knees or face down, ass in the air. Was Jay that oblivious? Did he ever consider the consequences of his actions?
“Why don’t you just tell him?” Saint asked, snatching up the stool next to Ryden.
“Tell him what?” Ryden frowned. What the hell was Saint going on about? As if Ryden had anything to say to His Highness.
“That you’re interested in him.”
“But I’m not.” Ryden narrowed his gaze. “He’s annoying.” So fucking annoying, and pretentious and prissy, like the whole fucking world revolved around him. Why else would he dress like he did if it wasn’t for attention? Ryden was already blind in one eye; he didn’t need Jay’s shirt to finish off the other one. Talk about a shit sense of self-preservation. Ryden stood. “I’m going to say something.”
“Oh, great! It’s about time.”
“I’m gonna tell him he needs to stop before he gets himself into trouble.” Did Jay think someone would always be there to bail him out? That he could do and say whatever he wanted and not worry about what came after because he had a small army of Snake Eaters wrapped around his little finger? Fuckthat. Jay needed to wake the hell up.
“Oh, no. No, no, no. Please don’t do that,” Saint said, hurrying after Ryden.
Ryden moved through the crowd, and Saint followed. His best friend didn’t see what he did. Probably because of that fucking pink shirt. Who the hell wore fuchsia and paisley? Looked like a damn flower garden threw up on him.
“Excuse us, fellas,” Ryden said, stopping in front of Jay. “But I need to have a word withGleeover here.”
The three men glanced up at Ryden but didn’t move until Ryden dropped his gaze to one of the guys.Fuck with me and find out.They practically fell over themselves to get gone.
Jay folded his arms over his chest and arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him. “Do you live to torment me? Do you get up every morning and think of all the ways to make my life miserable?”
“Yes, it’s my favorite hobby, along with getting my balls waxed and chest hair plucked. My sole purpose in life is to annoy you.” Talk about ego. Did he think Ryden had nothing better to do? Nothing better to think about? Like, he woke up in the morning, and his first thought was Jay? Was there ever a time when Jay didn’t expect to get his way? He sure as hell wasn’t going to get it with Ryden.
Jay sighed. “Delightful.”
“This ain’t the place.”
Ryden ignored Saint’s groan. His friend meant well, and Ryden appreciated the concern, but sometimes, Saint was clueless about these things. Someone needed to knock Jay off hisrainbow unicorn. Jay narrowed his gaze. Ryden had seen plenty of fellas run for the hills after being on the receiving end of that stare, but he wasn’t going anywhere. Unlike most people, Ryden wasn’t a sucker for those big blue eyes and pouty lips. He wasn’t wrapped around Jay’s little finger the way everyone else seemed to be.
“Place for what? Talking?”
Ryden didn’t care for Jay’s tone. “Pickin’ up men.”
