Cora tries to ignore me, but I’m not letting up. Care Bear is like a sister to me, and it just wouldn’t be very brotherly of me if I let her and her friends go out unchaperoned. There are too many unsavory types of people out there. I ignore the looks from Rhett and Seth, keeping my eyes trained on Cora. I’m going with them, but it’ll be nice if she agrees so she doesn’t question us when we show up.
“No. Not happening. Girls’ night means girls only. None of you are girls.”
“I dunno,” Rhett cuts in, “Kash could maybe go for one. After all, he’s got the pecs and the bun.”
Seth starts laughing as Rhett tries to fuck with my hair when I stand up, which he knows I hate. It took me forever to grow it out on top. Plus, it gives the ladies something to hold onto.
“Do not touch my hair. Or my pecs, for that matter. I feel so objectified.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I pretend to pout. I give it another two or three minutes until Atlas comes from the back and bursts her little ‘I’m not letting the guys come with us’bubble. I know he comes off as gruff, and grumpy, but there’s a heart of gold in his chest.
From what I do know of our collective pasts, I can honestly say that losing my dad and being abandoned by my mom, while world ending for me, pales in comparison to the way the rest of the guys suffered. Atlas deserves something good. They all do.
“Why would Atlas have an opinion?” Cora’s question cuts through my thoughts.
“Oh, that’s cute, Care Bear.” Looping my arm around her shoulder, I lean in close to whisper, “Let me tell you a secret. Atlas?—”
“Do you want to explain what thefuckyou’re doing, Kash?” I turn to find my brother’s dark gaze locked on me and my proximity to his girl. Out of respect, I quickly drop my arm and back away. Atlas is territorial over Cora, and I pity any poor bastard who tries to get between them. That type of shit isn’t for me.
I love the ladies and they love me. After living through the aftermath of my dad’s death, I realized relationships aren’t worth it. There is no point in allowing yourself to be open to someone. Sure, they may say they love you, and a relationship might work for a while, but ultimately, when it gets tough, someone’s going to cut out. Losing my dad wasn’t easy, and I can’t imagine how my mom felt considering how much it sucked for me, but watching her move on so quickly made me realize love isn’t real.
Lust is real. Lust is what men really fight wars for. Lust and attraction are two sides of the same coin. Love has no place with lust. Love makes you weak. Love allows people to hurt you. My dad loved my mom, and I loved her as well, but apparently neither of our loves were enough to make her stay.
I don’t do relationships. It’s hookups or nothing. I’m a giver, just not of myself. The girls I’ve been with know that from the beginning; plus, it’s not like I sleep witheveryoneI meet. I’m a flirt, but I’m still selective. I just don’t always make good choices. Sleeping with our ex-receptionist Bri was a big fucking bad choice. It was only once, but then she started being rude to female customers, and was practically picking out wedding china. She got crazy and eventually quit in a rage fit, and honestly, I hope she’s moved on.
Judging by the way she came in here recently, screaming at Cora and causing a scene, I’m guessing maybe not. Yet another reason I’ll never have a relationship. I don’t need someone getting attached to me. I wouldn’t be able to give them what they need.
A musical chime sounds throughout the shop. Looking to the source of the arrival, I pray it’s not a walk-in. There isn’t time formuch of anything outside of a piercing. I’m about to greet them but then stop.
Every thought evaporates from my brain except for:Mine. Wife. Mine.
“So… what’s going on in here?” the newcomer asks. Standing side by side are two women who I can only assume are the twins, but I no longer care aboutbothof them. There’s onlyoneI’m interested in. The one who won’t meet my gaze, and keeps her light brown eyes averted from mine.
The one who I know is going to be my wife. Don’t get me wrong, thirty-seven seconds ago I was adamantly against the whole relationship thing, but staring at the girl in front of me, well that rule flew out the window faster than someone driving away from a tornado with their windows down.
Her light brown hair cascades over her shoulders in loose wavy curls that I want to sink my hands into. I want to run my fingertips through her scalp. That’s not weird, right?
I can tell she has a sweetness to her, and I want to taste it. Running my eyes down her body, I love that she’s smaller than me. Honestly, it doesn’t take much because I’m six-four, but she’s got to be maybe five feet five. She’s about as tall as Cora, but my girl has curves. Her breasts are a perfect handful, and they lead down to her flared hips—hips I want to dig my fingers into while fucking her.
“I’m in love.” It comes out barely a whisper, but it feels right. If I’d known she existed sooner, I would have waited for her. Actually, no, scratch that. I would have hunted her down like a heat-seeking missile heading toward a volcano.
I know Cora said she was talking to Mara, but the girl standing in front of me doesn’t feel like she’s Mara. That name has to belong to the tough-as-nails girl standing next to my future wife. Twins or not, they aren’t much alike. I’m suddenly a million times more excited now. I get to spend the evening with my girl, and once I get to talk to her a bit, maybe I can convince her to move in with me.
Atlas has Cora pulled off to the side, having their ownlittle conversation, but I’m not leaving anything to chance. “It’s girls’ night!” I shout. “We’re all going out, bitches.”
Future Wife turns those light eyes my way and looks me up and down.
Do you like what you see, Sunshine?
“I don’t think you were invited. Pretty sure you have a penis, pretty boy. That automatically gets you uninvited.”
“But it’s such a nice penis,” I offer in a low voice. I’m ready to show her what I can do with it, too.
Taking in the way she rolls her eyes, I smirk. She’s feisty. I like that. I like that a lot.
Atlas and Cora seem to be done with their little pow wow and while she looks irritated, he looks content, so I have no doubt my boy got his way. Perfect.
“Whoop! Hear that, Rhett? You and Seth better have brought your dancing shoes because we’re heading out!”
I ignore the way the girls groan. We’ll make sure they have a good time. I cut into their bickering, “Let’s get this old girl closed up, boys. It’s Friday night, and we’ve got places to be and ladies to take out.” Wiggling my eyebrows, I notice the way her lips lift in a slight smile.
