Page 16 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Pike pulled at the collar of his plaid shirt like it was choking him. “I’m not afraid of your sister, bro. Besides, my intentions are honorable … ish.”

“Of the two Winters’ sisters, Holly should scare you,” Declan said dryly. “And I can say that ’cause I love her.”

“Regardless of how scary Holly is, I am willing to face her wrath to possess such an exquisite creature. ”

Anthony’s jaw clenched. “She’ll be back in those graphic tees tomorrow.”

“It’s like I was telling you earlier, bro,” Pike said, adjusting his bow tie. “Our dating pool is getting thinner and it’s obvious we’ve all been sleeping on Delilah Gill. I’m getting in the water before someone else does.”

Pike took off before anyone could respond, heading straight for Delilah and Holly.

“What in the hell was in that shot?” Anthony asked.

Nick laughed. “Love potion?”

Declan picked up the last shot on the tray, licking his lips before he said, “I guess some men need a wake-up call to recognize what’s right in front of them.”

“She doesn’t look that different,” Anthony muttered.

“Why does it bother you?” Clark asked, studying him.

Because she was the same woman Pike had ignored for fourteen years. Once he realized that, he’d get bored, and Delilah would get hurt. Besides, he’d just referred to being with her as taking a bullet, and that didn’t sit well with Anthony.

Anthony spotted Pike trudging his way back to the table and plopping back in a chair.

“Struck out?” Declan chuckled.

“Didn’t even get close to her before the hordes descended.”

Anthony realized he was smiling over his friend’s failure and fixed his face before anyone noticed.

“Son of a bitch,” Nick said. “Look who’s at the front of the crowd?”

Every man at the table followed Nick’s line of vision, and Anthony spotted the large, dark-haired man leaning on the bar next to Delilah. When she tipped her head back and laughed, Anthony’s hand clamped around his beer bottle painfully.

“Hey, man,” Pike asked, pointing, “Isn’t that your brother?”

Chapter Five

You want another, beautiful?”

Whether it was the two glasses of wine at her house or the blue drink she’d slurped down upon arrival, Delilah regretted not pacing herself as the room swayed like the deck of a ship when she shook her head.

“I think I’ll stick with water for now.”

“Coming up.” Grant held a hand up to get the bartender’s attention, and Delilah caught Holly’s gleeful expression. When they’d sat down, several men approached them, offering to buy their drinks. Although Holly politely informed them she was taken, Grant had focused all his attention on Delilah. He was a big man in his thirties with dark hair and hazel eyes. His cheeks and chin were covered in a dark shadow of whiskers, and his boyish smile was vaguely familiar, making Delilah relax the minute he’d flashed it at her.

“So, Grant,” Holly asked, swirling her straw in her empty glass, making the ice hit the sides with a clink. “What do you do for work?”

“I’m a truck driver. I took a little detour on my way to Boise and thought I’d grab a drink.” His gaze swept over Delilah, lingering on her mouth. “Sure am glad I did.”

Her cheeks warmed at his apparent interest, and when Ricki, the bartender, came over with her water, she took it with a trembling hand. She’d never gone home with someone she didn’t know. Every man she’d ever hooked up with had been an acquaintance at least. She knew nothing about this man except he was a truck driver passing through.

You wanted to attract the attention of a sex-god, and this guy is giving off those vibes in spades.

“Where do you call home?” Delilah asked, wanting to know more about him.

“If you’re asking about a city, Boise would be it, but I’m all over the place. My truck has everything I need.” He dropped his mouth close to her ear and murmured, “Well, almost.”