“You’re early.” She opened it and then paused, still inserting a diamond earring into one lobe. “Oh, hi, Rory.”
Her hazel gaze reached past him to Bosco. Was that relief in her pretty eyes? “Bosco. You’re safe. I’m glad.”
He nodded, turning for her apartment and trying not to drool at the formfitting red dress that crisscrossed on her chest to wrap around her throat. The waist was tiny with a wide band, and the soft material fell to right above her knees, showcasing shapely legs and four-inch fuck-me black heels.
His dick went hard as a rock, and he fought to keep his brain somewhat in charge. Where the hell was she going dressed like that on a Sunday night—like his best dream ever? “Hi. Rory wanted to beg for dinner.”
She chuckled and turned away toward a small table.
The sound he made had his brother snorting away a laugh. The dress was backless. Completely. It fell in a V-shape to just above her curvy ass. He’d never seen anything so sexy. He swallowed.
She secured a silvery handbag and reached for her coat from the closet.
“Got a date?” Rory asked helpfully.
“Yeah.” She patted her hair, which was up in a wild and curly mass that screamedsex. “It’s a Christmas party at McDougal’s Accounting Firm.” She looked down at her dress. “I hope this is okay.”
“You look gorgeous,” Rory assured her. “Right, Bosco?”
Bosco nodded, shooting his brother a look that reminded him that he knew how to break a guy’s neck with minimal effort. Of course, so did Rory. “Beautiful, Marlie. But it’s cold outside.” He reached for her heavy wool coat to bundle her in before he did something crazy like proposed. Or kidnapped her.
“The party will be inside,” she said wryly, letting him fix the buttons. “But thanks.”
A knock on the opened door had them all shifting.
“Turner,” Marlie said, warmth in her voice.
“Hi.” Turner was around six feet tall with lightish blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a square jaw that could probably take a punch. He wore a black suit and handed over a bouquet of yellow roses. “I went for yellow. Red seemed too cliché.”
Delight danced across her features. She blushed and accepted the flowers. “They’re beautiful. Thank you. I’ll go put them in a vase.” She gestured toward Bosco. “This is my neighbor, Bosco Albertini, and his brother, Rory.” She moved easily on those killer heels to the kitchen.
Turner’s gaze dropped to the shoes, and he swallowed audibly.
Bosco hated him. Full on, full force, right there. The woman had only been in town a damn week, and she was already going on dates? “Bosco. Theneighbor.” He reached out and shook hands, almost keeping his squeeze casual.
Turner had a decent grip, as well. “Turner Johnson. It’s nice to meet you.” He also shook hands with Rory.
“What time do you think you’ll have her back tonight?” Bosco asked.
Amusement lit Rory’s eyes, but he kept his expression merely curious.
Marlie caught the comment as she returned. “Don’t wait up,Dad.”
The woman was two seconds from being tossed into a closet. Yeah, Bosco knew he had no right to even be thinking like that. “Darlin’, you’re new to town. I don’t know Turner.” He lowered his chin and met Turner’s knowing gaze. “Now, I do.” In the Albertini family, if somebody didn’t have a family to watch out for them, they suddenlydid. “Got me?”
Turner almost smiled. “Oh, I’ve got you.”
Yeah, Bosco didn’t like that connotation.
Rory threw an arm over his shoulder. “You kids have fun tonight.” Then he pulled Bosco out the door toward his apartment, his grip tight. Once he had him inside, he shut the door and let go. “Dude.”
“What?”
Rory pushed him even farther into the lonely and silent apartment, away from the keyhole. “Make up your mind.”
“Already have.” Bosco prowled across the living room to the tall handmade bar gifted to him by his Uncle Sean in order to pour two healthy shots of whiskey.
Rory sighed. “Rough mission? You’re home earlier than I thought.”
