Ezra smiles and adjusts his glasses, which have fogged with the heat. “Sometimes I miss England.”
I dip below the surface, putting an end to the conversation. He’s trying to relate, but he doesn’t get it. Wanting to return to Scotland isn’t just a passing fancy or wild whim. It’s a need that claws at me. It’s never having felt at home here. No matter where I stop to rest, I never feel like I’ve found my place.
When I surface again, they’re already laughing about something else. I turn my attention back to Quinn. She and the girls have swapped the loungers for the pool steps. She sits on the top stair, her arms draped over the shiny metal railing that runs through the center. Smiles and laughter come easily for her among the women, and it lightens my heart a bit to see her so relaxed.
My light heart lasts only until a dark shadow falls over the women. Two men approach them, and I recognize them from the popcorn tent. It’s that skinny guy and the bulky older man. The one who might be Desmond.
I nudge Ezra with my foot to get him to turn around and look at what’s happening behind him.
His brows screw up, and he scoots away from my outstretched toe. “I don’t care if a man wants to love another man, but I don’t wish to play footsie, Aven.”
I roll my eyes and grit my teeth. “No, you numpty. Look behind you.”
All four men turn and look. Bennett springs out of the water the moment his gaze lands on the men, but Ezra grabs his wrist and snatches him down again.
“Sorry, old man,” Ezra says to me. “We don’t know you all that well, so I wasn’t?—”
“You can apologize for assuming his sexuality later,” Bennett growls. “Right now, I want to know why those two jackoffs think they have any right to talk to our women.”
Maverick clears his throat. “Probably because the women aren’t our property and can speak to whomever they please. If they want those guys to fuck off, they’ll tell them. Frankie isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said.”
“Neither is Kindra,” Ezra says with a shudder.
“I cannae hear anything over this damned jabbering,” I say.
All four of us shut up and lean toward the pool, trying our best to listen to whatever they’re saying.
“Just wanted to see if any of you ladies wanted to join us for a drink at the rooftop bar tonight,” the smooth-talking older bloke says. Then he flashes a smile that’s all charm and zero threat. The threat lies in his eyes.
Kindra holds up a hand, showing off her ring, and the other women give their excuses as well. Relationship, relationship, lesbian...silence. Quinn doesn’t have a ready excuse, and now she’s staring at him as he waits for her reply.
I rise out of the hot tub, and no hands reach out to stop me. That’s wise of the men. I’d just drag them with me, all the way to those pool stairs. Nothing will stop me from getting this creep away from Quinn.
“Hey, pal. Anything I can help you with?” I say as I approach.
He and the women turn toward my voice. The girls look relieved, but the hulking asshole just looks annoyed. He holds his hand toward me as his skinny friend takes a step back.
“The name’s Nathaniel Graves. My friends just call me Graves, though.” His hand waits in the air, held toward me like an olive branch.
I accept it, squeezing with all my might as I give it a shake. “Pleasure, Nathaniel. My name’s Aven Slade.”
“What do your friends call you?” the skinny guy asks with a laugh.
“Don’t have any.” I pin him with a smile. “But back to what I was saying. Is there anything you men need that I can assist with?”
“We were simply seeking a little female companionship, but I fear these women are unavailable. I apologize if I’ve stepped on any toes.” The older man shoves his hands into his khaki pockets. “This is my first time at one of these events, and I’m unaware of the customs.”
“It was an honest mistake,” Quinn says, and my hackles rise. What is she doing? Why is she coming to his aid? “I’m technically available, but I have plans tonight. If you want a drink with me, you’ll have to bid at the auction.”
Everyone’s head turns toward her, including mine, because what does she mean byauction?
“Not sure if you saw my show last night, but it will be similar to that. Just tune in after dinner for all the details if you want a chance to spend some time with me.” Quinn nibbles her bottom lip. “Privately.”
The man smiles down at her. “After dinner, you say? I just might do that.”
She gives him a little wave, and he and his friend head toward the hotel. I’m all but forgotten as the girls start gushing about her cam-girl career. Meanwhile, the gaggle of empty-headed ninnies has completely forgotten we’re talking about a practical Normie spending the night with a Sinner.
“I hate to spoil your excitement, but do you think this is wise, Quinn?” I pin the lot of them with a glare.
