Her office now.
Billy settled his head back against the cool wall.He was so damn happy for her, it hurt a little.She belonged now.It was all she’d ever wanted, but somehow, he hadn’t been able to make her feel that way.
He slammed the rest of his beer and grabbed another from a passing tray.
Shit.Why did he keep doing this to himself?Why did he keep coming back here?Was he some kind of masochist?He’d managed to stay away longer this time, but the pull always got to him.He’d show up, knowing he shouldn’t.She always left him in worse shape than she found him, but he couldn’t get over his addiction to her.She was like his drug.From time to time, he needed a fix.
That kiss they’d shared had only given him a taste.He wanted more.Hell, he needed it.
But that probably wasn’t happening tonight—not with the way those two goons were still watching him.
He jerked his chin towards them.“Do I need to watch out for the boyfriends?”
Skeeter turned to follow his look.“Cam and Zac?They’re okay.”
Yet they were giving him the stink-eye.It was cute how they thought they were protecting her.If they didn’t know that Roxie could take care of herself, they didn’t know her very well.
Billy’s jaw set.Did they really think they could intimidate him?He was used to being the new kid, the outsider.Hell, who were they to judge?They’d only achieved boyfriend status.He’d married his triplet.
Although…
Shit.
He ran his thumb across the edge of the label on his beer.“Is Roxie seeing anyone?”
He knew the question opened him up, but he hadn’t been pulling one over on the bouncer anyway.And hell, the idea that Roxie might have a boyfriend of her own stung more than the fall he’d taken on his ass.He needed to know the answer before that caught him by surprise, too.He knew she wasn’t a nun, but he really, really didn’t want some guy to appear and be all lovey-dovey with her tonight.
Although lovey-dovey really wasn’t Roxie’s style.
“Nah,” Skeeter said with a shrug.“She’s been doing the bachelorette thing for a while.”
Good to hear.
When Billy took another drink, it went down a bit more easily.Yes, definitely good to hear.
Movement from the back booth caught his attention.His teeth clenched, but he couldn’t help but stare like some kind of peeping Tom.He was like a freaking homing pigeon when it came to her.
Homing pigeon… Well, now wasn’t that just the turn of phrase?This hadn’t been his home for a very long time.
He planted his foot flat against the wall, grounding himself.
That didn’t mean he could stop watching.One-by-one, different versions of the woman he’d loved popped out of the corner booth like clowns coming out of a circus car.Hooking his thumb in his pocket, he drummed his fingers against his thigh.When he’d first stepped into the joint, he hadn’t even known it was possible that he wouldn’t recognize her.
Now that he knew there were others, he could see the differences.
The first one wore jeans, but the blazer and pricey leather boots were a dead giveaway that she was trying to dress down.Lexie, was it?She was classy, but she hadn’t seemed snotty.With that face and body, though, she could get away with a lot.
The second one had him tilting his head in consideration.Now that was sugar and spice all wrapped up in one.Sister Two was wearing a cute little number with a short skirt that wasn’t too short.The black ankle boots looked new and maybe a bit painful.A good girl was taking a careful trip on the wild side.
The cop at the bar straightened when he spotted her coming his way.With him around, she could dress however she wanted.Nobody would dare make a move.
Finally, long legs swung out of the back booth, and Billy felt his mouth start to water.This one was the real deal.Roxie.
Those leggings of hers were something else.They fit her like a glove, showing off all her sleek lines and sexy curves.Her boots were well-lived in, but that walk of hers.Dayum!He almost swallowed his tongue when she balanced expertly atop them and began to strut.
Those hips of hers were born to swivel.
“You planning on getting back in on the action?”Skeeter asked.
