Page 150 of Deacon

Blue gave him a look that promised consequences later, but she took it. Apparently this was what grown men did with jealousy when punching people would be frowned upon. We redistributed beverages.

Mason cleared his throat. “Things are looking really good. I’m looking forward to working here.” His gaze returned to Lila. “Looking forward to us working together again.”

Lila drifted half a step closer to me without seeming to notice. I noticed. So did my dick, apparently, because the quiet little choice had my jeans tightening before I could do a damn thing about it.

“You’re a good doctor,” she said, polite enough to put a full room between them. “We need good doctors to provide top-notch care, so we’re happy you’re on staff.”

Something tightened briefly around Mason’s smile before the easy version returned. “Well,” he said, “I’m off to keep apartment hunting. Next stop is Tide Lofts. I heard they have some beautiful units available.”

Beside me, Evan’s breath caught.

Priest cleared his throat. “I’m pretty sure they don’t have any available apartments right now.”

Mason frowned. “I saw some availability online this morning.”

Priest scratched his jaw with the solemn concentration of a man lying through his teeth. “Hmm. Maybe I was wrong. Thought I heard they were full up.”

Mason looked between us, suspicion beginning to replace confusion. “You know anyone over there? Somebody who could maybe put in a good word?”

Priest answered before anybody else had the chance. “Nope. Can’t say we do.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. Beside me, Evan suddenly found the unfinished ceiling fascinating.

Mason’s smile thinned. “Huh. Okay. Well. You all have a good rest of your day.”

We gave him some version of goodbye. The second he was far enough away, Priest pulled out his phone.

I didn’t ask who he was messaging. Mason would reach Tide Lofts to discover every available unit suffering a mysterious and deeply unfortunate bout of unavailability

Childish? Absolutely.

Effective? Also absolutely.

I put my hand at the small of Lila’s back and guided her down one of the framed hallways before she could decide whether I had permission. We passed exposed studs and wrapped materials until the noise behind us softened.

Then I turned her toward an unfinished wall and braced my hands on either side of her head. “Got somethin’ you wanna tell me, Princess?”

She smirked. Actually smirked at me. “Can’t think of anything I need to tell you.”

A growl worked its way out of me before I kissed her. Her breath caught under mine, and her hands fisted in my cut before I pulled back enough to speak. “Now. Wanna tell me who that doctor is and what the deal is between the two of you?”

She exhaled, palms flattening against my chest. “I need a little space before I can explain.”

Every possessive instinct in me objected, but I stepped back anyway.

Lila drew in a breath and held my eyes. “Mason and I used to sleep together.”

The words hit like somebody had planted a fist square in my sternum. I knew she hadn’t spent seventeen years untouched. I wasn’t stupid enough to expect it. Knowing there had been men and hearing one of their names attached to her body were two very different experiences.

She saw exactly what the admission did to me.

“For me, it was no strings attached. Coworkers with benefits. Something quick. Something physical.” She folded her arms. “On-call room kind of thing. Scratch the itch and move on.”

My hands curled at my sides.

Her eyes narrowed immediately. “Jackson, don’t get all high and mighty and possessive with me. I know damn well you are not going to stand there and tell me you stayed celibate for seventeen years and pined after me. You don’t get to expect me to.”

Fair. Didn’t mean I had to enjoy it.