“Let’s go,” I tell him, my voice firm, final.
We turn to leave—but Trouble pauses. Turns back just enough to look Harrison in the eyes.
“Looks to me like you had your chance…” He tips his hat, all slow and laid back.“Real shame you didn’t know what to do with it.”
One sentence and suddenly I don’t feel small anymore. I feelseen. And damnit, because the more this man defends me, the harder it’s gonna be to keep my walls up.
We make our way out—me in my boots, him with that crooked smile—and Harrison sitting there, simmering.
And it hits me, that whatever this thing with Trouble started as, whatever neat little box I tried to stuff it in, I don’t care anymore. Seeing Harrison again only proves it. I want Trouble. Not for the benefits, not just to get back at Harrison. I want him for me. And I’m done pretending otherwise.
twenty-six
Trouble
She shouldn’t be looking at me like that.
Not with him ten feet away watching her every move.
Sawyer half-turns, already one foot out the door when she pauses.
“I shouldn’t ask you to come with me just to piss him off.”
I take a slow step forward. “But you’re going to anyway.”
“I definitely shouldn’t use you like this.”
I smirk—just enough to pull her in. “Who says I mind being used?”
She tries to play it cool, but I know that look. She’s spiraling—and she likes it.
“This is a bad idea,” she whispers, leaning in anyway.
“Most of mine are,” I say.
Then—
“Pick me up and carry me to your truck,” she orders urgently.
I blink. “You serious right now?”
She grabs a fistful of my shirt, tugging me closer. “Dead serious. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
A slow grin pulls at my mouth. “Bossy little thing, aren’t you?”
“Less talking, more carrying,” she shoots back, but there’s a smile tugging at her lips.
I glance around. My brothers are watching, suspiciously. The Ken doll in the suit is getting more angry by the minute. If I do this, there’s no going back. No way to deny it to my brothers.
“Well,” I sigh dramatically, sliding a toothpick between my teeth as my hands find her waist, “guess I better give the lady what she wants.”
Before she can answer, I scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder. She squeals, laughing.
“Tristan!” she giggles, swatting at my back. “You could’ve given me some warning.”
I cock a brow, keeping my voice low so only she can hear. “Darlin’, you told me to pick you up. You didn’t say how.”
She reaches low to pinch my ass. “Show-off.”
