Really?
His eyes met mine again. The scar down the side of his face made him look extra sinister in the twinkly Christmas lights, and the cranberry sauce and meat in my belly congealed into a brick ofdread.
Sweet Jesus.I’d been so worried about my mom doing something horrific, I hadn’t even seenthiscoming.
“Noticed they got a decent kitchen counter in this place. Wonder if it’s seen any actionlately.”
Holy.Fuck.
Did he just say that tome?
His face was pretty close to mine, and there was really no mistaking it. The words. The tone. Theinference.
Was he actually coming on tome?
Or was he testing me? Checking to see if I’d actually screw him at this dinnerparty?
And screw over hisbrother?
I sipped my drink, just trying to stuff down the ugly anger and humiliation that was broiling up in me, sickening andquick.
No. He wouldn’t screw Jude likethat.
I was pretty damn sure aboutthat.
Which meant he was definitely testingme.
Or maybe Jude was testingme?
I glanced over at Jude. Was there any chance that he’d asked Piper to do this? Put me on the spot like this and testme?
Jude was staring at me, and he did not look happy. The volume of the noise around the table had risen as people gradually finished eating and started drinking more. I had no idea if he’d heard every word Piper just said to me ornot.
“You want,” Piper said, right close to me, “we can go check it out. If memory serves, you were all too willing lasttime.”
“Pipe. Shut the fuckup.”
That wasJude.
“Just askin’, brother,” Piper said, returning his brother’s dead-eye look. “Can’t fault a guy foraskin’.”
“Stop,” Judegrowled.
“Stop what? Just makin’ conversation with yourgirl.”
“Stop talkin’ to Roni if you can’t showrespect.”
“Guys…” Jessesaid.
“Didn’t realize I needed your permission to talk to her,brother.”
“Maybe you guys want to discuss this outside,” Brody saidevenly.
“Yeah. Fighting over a woman at the dinner table is so… gauche,” Ash said, and threw back anothershot.
“Said the man wearing the shirt that saysJingle My Bells for a White Christmas,” Elle saiddryly.
“Not another word,” Jude growled at his brother. “Or you canleave.”
