I shrug. “Your loss.”
In truth, it’s my loss. Lila would make a sensational backpack. Imagining those thighs pressing against me is enough to make me hard as granite if I think about it too long.
Surprisingly, we agree on a restaurant without any fuss and head out. Fifteen minutes later, our trio is led to a booth at a cozy tap house with a full menu. Lila takes the spot next to Kenzie, leaving me alone on the other side of the table. Unfortunately.
Over the top of my menu, I glance at Lila, catching her looking at me. Instantly, she thrusts her eyes down. What I can see of her cheeks grows ruddy.
When the server drops off our beverages, Kenzie offers me a casual smile. “Reed, how’s the FBI treating you? Do you stay in town mostly? Or travel?”
“Occasionally, I’m taken out of the state, but Florida’s got enough to keep our team busy. You know what they say? Come on vacation, leave on probation, then return on violation.”
Lila giggles adorably, but Kenzie shakes her head at me and offers an indulgent one-note chuckle.
“What kind of cases do you work?” Lila asks.
“I’m working violent crimes now. Bit of a step up from my last assignment.”
Her face blanches. “Sounds dangerous.”
Kenzie puckers her lips at Lila in a mocking fashion. “Aww, are you worried about my big brother?”
Bingo. There it is.That’swhat I fucking hate about their relationship. My sister is forever mocking Lila under the guise of friendly ribbing.
“No. Not at all,” Lila lies through her pretty polished teeth. “Just making conversation. I’m sure Reed is perfectly capable of keeping himself safe. I’d imagine they have very thorough training.”
I press my hand to my sternum in jest. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m sure it’s only fifty percent sarcasm.”
Her silky hair cascades down her shoulders as she tilts her head dramatically. “It’s seventy-five percent, actually.”
We lock eyes for the briefest of moments, and for the first time in a while, I don’t see open hostility reflecting. It’s something far warmer, reminding me of how she looked at me before that night we shared about five years ago.
That perfect fucking night I relive in my wettest dreams. Try as I might, I can't erase those memories.
The sound of her shocked gasp when I touched that special spot deep inside her. The quickening of her breath in my ear when she was approaching her climax. How fiercely she gripped my shoulders when I slid inside her delectable pussy. The way her soft, supple body cradled me perfectly. And the beautiful sounds that exploded from her when she came, all her screams and pleasure-filled cries cushioned by my name.
If only the days that followed gave us more of the same instead of the bomb that blew us to pieces.
My sister downs her beer like she’s pledging a fraternity, quickly flagging down our server to order another.
When it doesn’t instantly materialize, she huffs and whips her head toward the bar. “Where’s that fucking guy? How long does it take to pour sixteen ounces into a damn mug?”
Lila leans close to my sister, keeping her voice low. “He’s busy. I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten.”
“He better not, or he can kiss his tip goodbye.”
Such class and grace.
The server appears a few moments later with her beer. “I’ll be right back with your appetizer.”
Lila flashes her candy-coated smile at him. “Thank you. No rush.”
Immediately, Kenzie goes to work on her beer. She’s more like Dad than she cares to admit.
I tsk at her. “Thirsty, sis?”
With a showy huff, she lowers the mug to the table. “Cut me some slack. I’ve had a rough few days.”
The flippant comment reminds me of what I’m supposed to be doing here—investigating. No reason to only pump Lila for info when Kenzie is probably involved too.More than likely, she’s the one who dragged Lila into a mess.
