5 Sep

ancisco (Uncle

– Me

hat I don

usly pleadi

ds full of women draped over him tr

al emerald eyes, my brain firi

judge his affairs? Do I

h the female species do make for a very convincing closing argument. You could claim I don't have all the facts ... and

rt.

net at least once a week - every time with

here

patt

lways. Very m

defini

spiky black eyelashes. He has a hint of stu

n't be so

n. And standing there - eyes sharp, temper leashed but straining -

love-'em-and-leave-'em deviltry. Twice." I lift two fingers. "So, Your Honor, the

ng, heart-breaking smile ever.

not defiance - but something quieter. Regret. Hurt.

the

e, drowning in each other's gazes. We

cked Witch - to be precise. I would know cause I painted my dresser t

my favorite green happens t

balls!" Logan yells, strolling

d my waist from behind.

brown eyes. Eyes that do

t

color I'd ever paint

e, sorry

rdens instantly - cold

ds me of that talking pig movie, and whi

htens her grip on Damion's arm, fl

her postbox-red lipstick might crack

in, tall and curvy. And very committed to the color r

rs?" she chirps, eyes s

of that enormous spider Jackson

at Damion. "Ren's friend from school and ..." She paus

. F

stretched eyes, but his face

lly going t

chest. I bite my lip hard, blinki

"Hey, man. I'm Ren - M

'm pretty sure he stretche

is own eyes darkening, fire flaring behind them. He pulls free f

hangs there

more. If her face gets an

ike that -

, his friendliness will for sure drive me to alcohol, man

ow you knew

" Ren shrugs. "But he has a rep

women lining up like it's a clearance sale. Not that Damion needs he

s? Not

ackson. Enrique.

and Chloe can get to know each other. Wh

le sw

Har

and head for another fruity drink - emphasis on another. How Ren tolerates

atter. She's still hovering

ot goi

ately. For emotional suppor

Nothing. Mayb

odge a flailing elbow, and s

here

mi

Shooti

me?" I accuse, p

d. "I can ask you the same

t's genetically engine

When he leans over to take a shot, they ride low - just enough to reve

ale. Dis

ou seen

t her k

to jail one day, and

l neatly into th

stumbles in, clutching the wal

so

nds - and several blink

raight. He doesn't succeed. Instead, he pitches forward,

ng happe

s - and suddenly Jason is airborne. He sl

us now. Solid.

hol sloshing together. He point

." He slurs his words and, with drunken

n't move.

me what (hic) .... what to do ..

punch. Damion ducks

One punch. Cl

of regrets, sliding do

le

it the pool tab

st, steadying me. Pulli

hed him! Not that I didn't enjoy it - be

ram

ower. Darker. Fully

knows exactly how my body reacts

creams run. My body

ing that

. And those damn vampire eyes ... m

It might work on other gi

gly dev

looks amused

eryone thinks

lying. That knowledge unsett

urs. "I'll add that to

s me closer.

ware of every point of contact - of my heartbe

pool table, hips shifting just

is what I've

control. Sparks snapp

it have t

- and it's terrifying and intoxicating all at once. H

tears t

fore I can stop it.

y, forehead rest

," he murmurs. "You just fucking

cuts in from the do

leases me

did. I stumble, gripping the edge of the pool table

ing like a faul

kissed

euphoric, wrecked ...

ypotha

One look at Jason slumped against the wall l

ions. N

s without a word, his energ

e collides wit

rabs Ren by the colla

de," Ren snaps, though his

lets go slowly, almost politely, brushing imaginary dust from

pats Ren's cheek a few t

rambles

have no idea what 'it' is, but Axel saying that u

ll was that?

yes locked on me. I'm still gripping the pool table like it'

ing at Jason with a grim half-s

en snaps, grabbing my arms, his voice shrill with le

in his eyes makes

get to order me around - but

ay away from," Jackson growls, stepp

like that again ..." He doesn't finish, b

Drops his hands

at the beauty in his arms as if he d

ouncing it to the room. The redhead in his

us?" s

t answer. If she knew him at all, she'd know jealousy isn'

best-looking men alive." She flicks her gaze over my bro

only

out," the redhead says thoughtfully. "The ones you know you should avoid

Acc

"Damn, girl - you might no

owns. "Thanks

ckson, like always, must stir the pot even if

y pulse spikes. Rage

e. Fudge

settling, like a serial killer

myself for being this affected, and very much at Damio

vious follow-ups like - Why do you care so much

rain dump an entire hormone

lf on the way - "I don't know what

uttons, getting under my skin, watching me unr

headfirst onto every dick." Not that I've actually se

The barman stares at me a

shut. I've been humiliated enou

drink. I

in my chest. Ren steps closer and pulls me into him. His arms are solid, familiar. Safe.

uld give hi

en for sport. At least he doesn't look like he collects broken hearts like trophies, crushes

Dam

that man," Ren murmurs, his fi

uld ca

anger just tighte

?" I snap, pushin

now him," he

I know him

right in

ng told what to do. My mouth opens,

is voice drops. That stops me cold. I shov

didn't think he

eyes now. Almost

u beli

made it up. To scare guys off. To make sure no one ever came near you

s hit li

n did

suddenly remembered urgent homework whenever I smile

l ME I don't know what I'm doi

rse," I whisper,

ry," Ren says, puffing up slig

," I mutter, w

but my attention h

l and unfairly beautiful. The brunette is hanging off his ar

away with zero effort. She fights

treating her like a

looks straight at us and win

Boyish smile, my ass. There

e with him?" Re

nswer way

own at me,

add, defensively

hormones didn't RSVP to the hatred party. My mind says

he wall and disappe

needs to check on

alone, breathi

to remember how