“Laken,” Duncan said warningly. “Do we have to have a chat?”
Laken screwed up her nose.
“You can just say it, Duncan,” Shaw called out. “We all know a ‘chat’ is code for spanking.”
“Shaw Jones!” Laken said growing bright red. “Don’t say that in front of our new friend.”
Shaw walked over looking far better than he had in weeks. And the tension in Kellan started to drain. For the first time he really thought that his brother was going to be all right.
Thank God.
Shaw just chuckled as he hugged Arabella. Then he slid his arm around her waist.
Kellan didn’t care how close they were. That was a step too far.
“Mine.” He drew Arabella to his other side, away from Shaw who gaped at him in surprise.
All of his brothers were staring now and silent.
“Actually, she’s ours,” Eli said.
Kellan nodded. Good point. “Ours. Not yours.”
“Kellan, he was just hugging me,” Arabella said quietly, resting one hand on his chest. “Everyone knows I belong to you and Eli.”
Turning his gaze to her, he realized he was acting like an idiot. He’d never had someone he considered his. That he’d wanted this much.
“Fuck. Sorry.”
She smiled up at him. She really did have a beautiful smile.
“That’s all right.”
“Come on, come meet everyone and have a cocktail that Shaw made,” Laken said. “I’m only allowed mocktails, but they’re still good.”
“Oh, I don’t really drink,” she said.
“You don’t?” Laken asked. “That’s cool you can drink mocktails with me.”
“I remember you ordered an orange juice that time we met. Do you not like the taste of alcohol?” Shaw asked.
“Oh, well, my father drunk heavily so it never really appealed. Although the idea of a cocktail does sound nice. Maybe I could have one. I don’t want to drink and make a fool of myself.”
Kellan didn’t like the way she said that. “You could never make a fool of yourself.” He cupped her chin and tilted her head back so she was staring up at him. “Drink as much or as little as you like, Butterfly. I’ll take care of you.”
His girl was drunk.
Eli had to grin as she giggled at something Joe said. She, Laken, Shaw, and Joe were huddled up together, talking about something.
She leaned her head back and roared with laughter before snorting.
Damn.
That was so cute. And totally uninhibited. When they’d arrived, she’d had her mask up. She’d been stiff. Careful with what she said and did. But now she was relaxed.
And snorting.
Adorable.
