“Stay and have a drink with me.” I take a step closer to her, my legs moving of their own accord. “With us, I mean. Dom’s brought his girl again.”
“Yeah, I saw Poppy in the other room. Did you know she was on Crimewatch TV?” She taps her cheek with her manicured nail.
I huff. “Yeah. She’s practically a celebrity.” I don’t need to ask Dom what he’s doing with her to know he’s protecting the lass. But it seems he has his own motives.
Lilly’s stunning silvery blue eyes widen as if having a lightbulb moment. “Then you know she was that dancer in the London casino?”
I close the distance, lean in and whisper, “Don’t say anything. I think she’s here under Dom’s protection.” Lingering against her neck for a beat too long, I inhale the sweet scent of honey and almond in her hair. My lips hover over her skin, wondering if she would taste as good as she smells.
The pulse in her neck throbs. Heat radiates between us. “Shane.”
I move my face inches from hers. My palm rests against the brick wall I’m holding her hostage against. “Yes?”
In my mind, my hand’s already underneath her jumper, fondling her heavy breasts. All I need is a hint that she wants me,and I’ll swoop in and claim her right here. Normally, I’m more restrained, but tonight, after a few beers, or maybe it’s the fact that her naked body is still fresh in my mind. Either way, my dick is charged like a taser from the electricity between us.
Her eyes sparkle reflecting the moon in the night’s sky.
“What is it, trouble?” I move the black strands of hair from her face and tuck them behind her ear, then my palm slides to her throat. Her pulse throbs wildly beneath my fingertips.
Her glossy lips part, those teeth bite down into the plump flesh. “My sister.” The words are barely a whisper, but nothing can deter me.
“She can join us if you like.” Under my fingertips, her pulse quickens. I’m minutes away from pinning her against the wall and taking what I need from her.
“That’s gross,” she croaks out the words, zapping away all the built up energy. “How much have you drank tonight?”
I stand back, deflating. My dick recoils. I’ve had a few beers, but not nearly enough as I need after her rejection. I let out a chuckle at my own fucking embarrassment. “I meant she can join us for a drink. What did you think I meant?”
She eyes me warily, chewing on her bottom lip. She knows as well as I do that’s not what I meant.
“Come and have a drink. Dom’s girl, Poppy, looks like she could use a friend.”
She gives me a small smile, as if choosing to believe my mishap. “Yeah, if he ever lets go of her.”
“If anyone can prise her away, it’s you.”
“I can stay for a little while, then I have to get home.”
“What for?” I dip my head to meet her gaze. I know exactly what she has to get home for, and I want to get home for that too, but she should be having fun at her age.
“I have studying to do, remember?” She bites into her lip as she avoids eye contact with me.
“Right. Maybe a night off will do you good.” I make a mental note to text her via the app, and tell her I can’t make our live tonight. Hopefully she can relax a little.
With my hand on her back, her long glossy hair beneath my palm, I guide her into the games room of the Black Crow. At least Lilly’s confirmed what I thought; there’ll never be anything between us other than this brother and sister relationship we have through my ex. It’s just as well as I don’t know if my heart could survive another Sinclair sister.
Kane’s already set up a game of pool as Dom and Poppy walk into the room. He holds her close to his side with a protective arm around her shoulder.
Lilly wastes no time in heading over to her. Reluctantly, Dom lets her go and the girls hijack the pool table Kane set up. A pint sits on the ledge against the wall, and I lift it to my lips, wishing it was something stronger after making a fool of myself.
I should have known better.
Dom leans on the ledge, his gaze never leaving the redhead.
“Heard your brother was back in town,” Kane says.
“He was, but he’s gone back to the city now. Dan’s working a job.” His tattooed hand scratches his short beard.
“Is that what this is?” Kane nods toward the redhead.
