“Shall we get back to discussing whether you can handle my cock?” Gage asked as he leaned onto the island beside me.
“Excuse me?!” I shot off my stool. “You don't get to speak to me like that. Garret just raced out of the room for getting possessive with me and then you follow it up with talking to me like that? What the hell is wrong with you?”
Gage jerked back upright. “Uh, but, you, uh, you started it.”
“That was a blurted exclamation that I couldn't control. We were having an adult conversation about a possible intimate relationship. We were not getting nasty. At least, I wasn't. Just because I'm speaking about sex with you, it doesn't make me a coarse woman. Youwilltreat me like a lady!” I pointed at him.
“Yes, ma'am,” Gage said and hung his head. “Sorry, ma'am.”
I inhaled, taking myself up to my full five feet and six inches, then nodded. “Forgiven. We haven't established a foundation for our relationship yet. Until we do, we're all figuring things out. I understand. But please do not speak to me like that again. Not unless we get intimate enough that naughty words are acceptable.”
Gage lifted a brow. “So, you're into that then?”
“Ugh!” I tossed up my hands and left the room.
“She's into it,” Gage said. “Did you smell that? She's so into it.”
“I heard that!” I shouted.
“You're so not getting into it,” Gideon declared, then laughed his ass off.
“I don't know why you're laughing,” Gage said. “If I don't get her, neither do you.”
The laughter ended.
Chapter Seventeen
For lunch, we went to a place called the Mediterranean Grill. I was so happy to see food that wasn't fried or in a bun. Everything was fresh and flavorful. We sat inside the restaurant but near a window, and that worked for me. It was too cold outside for me to enjoy a meal there. And yet, the outdoor dining area was full, with people eating at tables set under broad umbrellas. I looked from all those people to the hounds. Despite being inside, I was worried that Silas had somehow followed us and was standing nearby, invisible.
“You can relax,” Garret said. “Even if Silas is here, all he can do is watch. He'd never dare to grab you in front of all these witnesses.”
“Then why were you three so intent on getting me back to your house last night?” I asked.
“She's got you there,” Gage said. To me, he said, “We're better prepared now and there are more people here. That parking lot was empty. It was the perfect place for them to do a snatch and run.”
“I think it's called snatch and grab,” I murmured as I put another kebab on my plate.
“Those words mean the same thing.”
I looked up and found Gage smirking at me. And the first thought that entered my head was an image of his erection bulging against his pants. I had to replace it with something gross before I reacted. Damn. Did men have to live like this? It was stressful. But at least they could hide their erections when they were sitting.
“You're going to need some clothes,” Garret said.
“I've done more clothes shopping lately than I have my entire life.”
“Not much of a shopper?” Gideon asked.
I shrugged. “I've had to be frugal.”
The men exchanged looks.
“Don't do that,” I said. “I'm not some sad little thing you have to take care of.”
“Oh?” Gage lifted a brow. “So, you can buy your own clothes, Beyoncé?”
“Not cool, Gage,” Garret said. “You know she had to leave everything behind when she ran. I'm sure she would buy her own things if she could.”
I covered my face with my hands and rubbed my forehead. “Maybe I should just go home.”
