Page 58 of Son of a Preacher Man

It was the dress, after all. The very one she was wearing the night they met.

“I’m rather impressed.” Her bottom lip disappearing behind her teeth, Kelly smoothed the lapels of his jacket. “Didn’t think you’d notice.”

“You should know by now. Nothing slips by me, Snicks.” Threading his fingers in her hair, Kodiak brought her close. “Especially when it comes to you.”

Her lips were right there. His for the taking. Tasting strawberry champagne on her tongue, he kissed her.

“Now, do you want to tell me why you’re down here all alone?” he asked, surveying the cavernous two-story lobby. “Where is everyone?”

“Upstairs, I guess.” Pursing her lips to the side, Kelly shrugged. “I ditched them.”

Drawing his brows together, his voice took on a serious tone, “Why?”

“Just because.” She tipped her head. “Besides, I wanted to wait for you.”

Bullshit.

But he wouldn’t press her. For now, anyway.

“I don’t want you wandering around here without someone with you,” he said, clasping her shoulders so she knew he meant it. “Understand?”

Kelly nodded.

“Say the words.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Thank you.” Slipping his arm around her waist, Kodiak squeezed her hip. He tipped his chin to Axel, walking her up the stairs to VIP.

With half their usual crew not here, the private space felt rather empty. Matt, Kit, and Sloan were the only ones sitting on the big purple couch—for the moment, at least. Before too long a harem of eager females—model types, starstruck wannabes living off Daddy’s trust fund—would come sniffing around.

Dillon stared out at nothing, sipping whiskey at the bar. Taking hold of Kelly’s hand, Kodiak went over. “Happy birthday, Dillweed.”

“Just another day, Klondike.” He poured himself another shot and kicked it back. “But thanks.”

“What’s going on with you, brother?” Kodiak turned Dillon to face him, Kelly slipping around them to get to Katie. “I promised Linnea you’d have a good time tonight and she’s going to hold me to it.”

“That’s the thing, man.” He slammed his hand on the bar top. “I can’t. ‘Cause I want her.”

Seeming startled that he’d said the words out loud, Dillon’s head shot up. He plowed his fingers through his hair, and picking up the bottle of Glenlivet, refilled his empty glass.

Kodiak already knew that, of course. And he’d known it for a very long time, not that Dillon ever said as much. He didn’t have to. From the day he carried Linnea out of his apartment all those years ago, he’d known it. Saw it. Understood it. With every cell in his body, just as he did, Dillon loved Linnea. And yeah, he was more than good with that.

“Easy, man,” Kodiak warned him. At this rate, he was going to drink himself to death before the clock struck twelve.

From the other side of him, Kelly tapped on Dillon’s shoulder. “You wouldn’t want to miss out on all your birthday kisses, would you?”

Raising his brow, he glared at her. “No kisses.”

“Isn’t that a rule?” Kelly retorted.

The look on her face said it all. Pure ice. There’s my queen.

Getting Dillon out of the line of fire, Brendan stepped in between them, while Kodiak pulled Kelly away from the bar. “What is it with you two?”

She shrugged, her gaze cast down to the floor.

“Why are you always tossing jabs at him? Did something happen I’m not aware of?”

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