Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
“Another round of Crown?”
They laugh and nod, and I get to pouring.
Drew comes back in, stepping up beside me, and slips the limes over the rims while I cash them out.
“You didn’t tell me my wifey was coming tonight.”
My head snaps his way, and I follow his line of sight to the edge of the crowd Davis has just pushed through.
She pauses, looking back, and I wait for her friend to step around the guy who shoved his way through behind her, but she faces forward then.
Walks forward, the tall, lean blond at her side.
“Or that she was bringing a date.”
Date?
I frown, my eyes locked on her approaching form.
Willie slides up then. “Uh-oh.”
Julius is next. “Well, well, Davis the Virgin has herself a friend.”
She reaches the bar with a smile, says hello to all my boys, and likely looks to me, but I can’t be sure. My attention is locked on the person smiling at her side.
“This is my friend, Jess,” she says, and something in me boils.
Jess.
This is Jess?
Jess isn’t short for Jessica.
Jess is simply fucking Jess.
Her friend.
Her male friend.
Her tall, trim, preppy-looking fucker of a friend.
Hot pink-ass jewelry…
A wall slams over me, and I glare at the SOB who sticks his hand out to me. Slowly, my head turns, my eyes locking on hers.
You fucking serious, Sweets?
Davis
Is he serious?
He’s just going to stand there and stare with crazy eyes?
“Willie.”
I look over, catching the quick wink Willie tosses my way as he offers Jess his hand.
Jess visibly relaxes, accepting the handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
Relief washes over me, and I smile, glancing from Jess to Willie.
“Thanks for bringing Davis.” Willie nods as he leans forward. “You can go now.”
My head snaps his way, expecting a grin to curve his lips, but Willie simply stares, one arm bent on the bar top, the other stretched out wide, palm flat against it.
What the hell?!
“Such a joker.” I force a chuckle, gripping Jess’s arm and tugging him backward with a big-fat fake smile. “We’re going to try and find a table so—”
“Sit here.”
My eyes snap to Crew’s.
“Right here.” There’s a warning in his gaze, one that flicks from my face to my hand on Jess and back.
I wish I had a pie to smash in his perfect face. A hot one.
Willie nods from his right.
Julius appears on his left.
And not a second later, Drew wedges his way in, presses his forearms to the bar top, and stares.
They all stare.
A sudden anxious laugh breaks from my throat before I can stop it because…
Seriously, what the hell is happening?
“You know what, I have an early day tomorrow.” Jess turns to me, his smile soft. “I’m going to head home, but if you want to ride back with me now, you can.”
I open my mouth to speak, but then an arm wraps around my shoulder, and I look over to find the third and final brother.
“She’s in real good hands here.” Xavier grins wide. “But hey, maybe she’ll call you later or you know, not.”
My tongue is officially swallowed, and just like that, Jess nods as he takes a few steps away.
“Thanks for today,” I rush out. “And I will call you later.”
Jess grins then, his eyes flicking toward the bar before he leaves.
The arm on my shoulder is shoved off and mine is gripped between long, firm fingers.
Before I know what’s happening, Crew is steering me off the floor with swift strides, curling us around the bar and up the short set of stairs leading to the office.
Two feet in, he whips around to face me, but I snap first.
“What is your issue?”
“That’s Jess?”
Eyes wide with mockery, I nod. Duh.
His jaw tics. “The Jess you went to the street fair with today, the one you make desserts for, have a weekly dinner with… drank with the other night?”
“I only have one friend named Jess, so yeah.” I shake my head.
What is his problem?
Crew glares. “He’s a dude.”
My mouth opens and closes.
“Yeah…” I drag out. “I’m aware.”
“You came home buzzed and hard up, horny as hell.”
“I was not!”
“You started asking about how and why a man holds you, then ran your hands all over my body. You were so desperate for something.” His tone is hard. Short.
“I was not desperate!”
He pushes into my space. “Your straps were down your shoulders when you came in. He push them there?”
“Oh my god! No!”
“Do not lie to me, Baby Franco.” He speaks low, lethally calm.
“Why would I lie, and again, what is your issue?!”
Crew scoffs, running his hand down his face as he jerks back with a low growl. “You’re unbelievable, swear to God.”
He looks at me, an incredulous expression tightening his features. “Is all this bullshit about you needing help and what-the-fuck-not your way of trying to become brave enough to climb on that motherfucker’s cock?”
I blink. Hard. And then I shout, “What?!”