And I understood where Rhys was coming from. When I really thought about it, I realized how unnatural the three of us together were. But when I was with them, I realized how right it felt. I was conflicted.
My biggest issue was that I did not want to rush into something because they offered me a sense of purpose, of belonging. Of security. Most importantly, I didn’t want to be dependent on them. I wanted to live my life, be who I wanted to be. And it was true, they hadn’t tried to change me, but I knew they wanted to wrap me in cotton and protect me from the world.
“Here you go,” Reagan said, passing over the beers. “Give the girl some breathin’ room, Wolfe.”
I took the three beers over to the men, leaning in and setting them on the table.
When a firm hand landed on my backside, I straightened suddenly.
“Sorry, sweet thang,” the man who’d asked for the beers said. “Hard to keep my hands from wanderin’ to somethin’ that fine.”
“Well, you better find a way to keep ’em to yourself before I rip them from your fuckin’ body.”
The rough rumble of Wolfe’s voice from behind me had me taking one step back from the group.
“Ah, hell, Caine. Why didn’t you say somethin’? If I’d known you were sweet on the girl, I wouldn’t’ve touched.”
“Shouldn’t be touchin’ anyway,” Reagan called from the table next to us, where she was grabbing two empties. “Why do you dumb cowboys think we want your filthy hands all up on us?”
Reagan sounded as though she was teasing, but I had to wonder.
“Keep your fuckin’ hands off my girl,” Wolfe demanded, then steered me back to the bar.
His girl?
For whatever reason, there was a churning in my belly. The sweet kind. The kind that made me want to jump on Wolfe, to kiss him right there in front of everyone. I'd never thought I'd feel that way about anyone who wanted to claim me. But when Wolfe said it…
“My girl,” he declared again. “And the whole fuckin’ bar should know that.”
I let out a squeal when Wolfe pulled me into his arms and crushed his mouth to mine. I tried to resist him at first, but I gave in quickly. The man’s mouth could do wicked things to me, make me forget my manners or where I was.
When he finally pulled back—after a couple of catcalls and whistles—we were both breathing hard.
“Well,” I huffed, stepping back. “I think you effectively staked your claim.”
“I’d say so,” Reagan said with a laugh.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get back to work. You can sit right there and watch.”
“Oh, darlin’, you know how I like to watch.”
Heat infused me. Yeah, watching was one of the things Wolfe did enjoy. And I had to admit, I liked it, too. Especially when…
I shook off the thought before my mind went directly into the gutter. I was at work and did not need to be thinking about all the deliciously dirty things Rhys and Wolfe had done to me over the past week.
Feeling slightly guilty for letting my mind wander, I peered up at Wolfe. He was watching me. A crooked smile tilted his lips and he winked.
I sighed.
What else could I do?
Rhys
“Sheriff Trevino, my name is Joanna Tannenbaum. I’m a detective with the Houston Police Department. I’d like to speak to you about a missing person I’ve been personally looking into. When you get this, please give me a call back.”
I jotted down the phone number the detective rattled off, a nervous tension tightening my gut. After disconnecting from the voicemail, I dialed the number.
“Joanna Tannenbaum,” the woman greeted, her tone curt, professional.
