Page 63 of Ethan's Sky

We’ve been called back to church again. I would’ve rather stayed in bed and finished dreaming about the night I had with one very sexy red head. Well, her wig is red. But that’s just a minor detail. Hair color doesn’t really matter. I’ve learned the real color, and everything else I can after last night.

I still have no clue what made Scarlet change her mind about giving me a private dance. I don’t really fucking care. I wasn’t expecting anything, a dance maybe, but this was all her doing. I was just along for the ride. Andfuck me, what a ride it was.

I didn’t go into the Pearl thinking I was going to fuck her. I might havewanted to,but I’ve wanted to have her since the first time I saw her. But after having her? I’m fucking addicted.

There was something about her, I can’t quite put my finger on. I mean, she didn’t talk. She didn’t ask for anything from me. Hell, she took everything she wanted, and I was all too happy to give it to her. But there was something familiar about her. Something in the way she said my name. I can’t put my finger on it, but I think I know her from somewhere. I’ve been racking my damn brain all night trying to figure out if she’s someone I pass every day in my gym. Or maybe we went to school together? Maybe…we’ve hooked up before, but I don’t usually pay that close of attention to one-night stands. I do what I need to and broom them quick. And I never go back for seconds. So, towantto go back for another round is a new feeling for me. I haven’t wanted to fuck a girl more than once since…

Nope.

Skyler passes through the common area without making eye contact with anyone heading straight through the kitchen doors.

“What’d you do to piss her off?” I ask Cash since he’s the only one I know who’s been with her lately.

“I don’t know what’s going on with her. She’s been quiet all morning. Hasn’t said not one word to anyone.” He provides. “Well, that’s not true. She did say ‘fine’ when I asked if she was okay this morning. But that’s about it.”

“Oh, shit! Abandon ships my friend!” Hawk yells. “When a woman says she’s fine, she is anything but and your ass needs to vacate as fast as possible, or you’ll be on the receiving end of her wrath when she finally snaps.”

“You’re an idiot.” He looks at me and smiles wide, shrugging me off.

“That may be, but I know this. A woman who says she’s fine, rarely ever is.”

“Hey fellas.” Candi greets sweetly as she, Rachel, and Drea make their way into the room. “What’s the occasion?” She leans in, running her fingers over my arm with that saccharine smile of hers.

I step out of her reach. Something about it doesn’t quite have the same appeal anymore. Not after feeling Scarlet’s hands on my skin.

“Church!” Mack bellows from the sanctuary.

“Is it just me, or does Mack seem to be spending a lot more time at home lately?”

“Jake says his Pop’s planning to retire sometime this summer. Maybe he’s starting to transition things now. It won’t be easy to replace him, after working for West Enterprise for sixteen years. Maybe he’s spending time away to give his replacement time to screw up while he’s still around to fix it.” Hawk suggests.

“You don’t have high hopes for his replacement huh?”

“Nah. Those are some large shoes to fill, brother.”

“Get your seats. We’ve got shit to discuss.” Gabe slams his hand on the table.

“I was hoping to talk to you and my Pres about something.” Cash’s voice pulls me back away from Hawk’s conversation. He’s addressing Gabe.

“I’d like to stay in town for a little while longer, after my Pres and the guys head back home. Sky still needs someone to stay with her, and she’s got a list of shit she wants to do to the house while she’s there. I’d like to stay around and help her if it’s all right with you, Gabe. You too, Pres.”

Fixing the house? No. No. No. This shit can’t happen.

“She’s going to need some help fixing up the summer place. She’s talking about revamping her dad’s old house too. I haven’t let her in there since the place was ransacked. Been keeping her focused on the list of shit this place needs done. Looks like George got the outside updated, but the inside has some issues that need tending to before she can list it for sale. I offered to stay and do whatever I can for her.”

“She’s selling the houses?” I ask, thinking this is good news. She doesn’t need to settle if she’s selling the house. She can take the money and leave, which would make both our lives better.

“Not sure about both of them. One of them, maybe. She hasn’t decided, but either way, she wants to make some improvements.” Cash seems okay with whatever Skyler wants to do, so long as he gets to stay with her.

I don’t like that at all.

Gabe looks to Eli who nods. “I’ve got a couple of guys watching over The Bare Trap. I can spare him for a little while if you don’t mind putting up with him for a bit.” The Bare Trap is a two-sided Bar. The front bar is for locals and bikers passing through. The backside of the bar is a private strip club. One building, two functions both sides making money hand over fist. Can’t go wrong with booze and pussy.

“I don’t have an issue with it.” Gabe agrees. “You need your room stocked? I can get one of the girls on it for you.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ve haven’t really used the room here. I’ve been crashing at her place since we got here. She’s not fond of the prospects being there overnight and you said you didn’t want her alone. She’s used to me being in her space.”

Say what now?I tamp down the growl growing in my chest, not liking what I’m hearing. I mean I knew he was staying with her, but I didn’t think about prospects staying the night when hewasn’tthere. And now I’m picturing what they could’ve been doing alone…in the house.

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