Page 67 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

It felt wrong to admit that out loud.

“You’re not just saying that, are you?”

I wish I was. “Unfortunately, no.”

“Okay, I can live with that for now.” He nodded and looked over at Gio. “But if he hurts you…”

We both knew that was going to happen.

“How about we just concentrate on getting home, and you can play world’s worst bodyguard later.”

Memphis rolled his eyes as I looped my arm in his and pulled him across the parking lot.

The closer we got to my truck, the more I could feel Gio’s stare boring into me. That was fine. He could give me all the glares he wanted. I would take a page out of his book and walk right past him as if he wasn’t there. At least, that was my plan. Apparently, Gio had other ideas.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I cocked a brow at his growly tone.

“Well, my truck is right there, and I have keys in my hands.” I held them up and gave them a jingle. “So, I guess I’m going home.”

Atlee and Darry stared like a couple of creeps while Gio crossed his arms.

“Did I give you permission to touch another man?” His eyes dropped down to the arm I had looped in Memphis’s.

“You can’t be serious?”

“Do I look fucking serious?”

Yes. Yes, he did.

Memphis and I exchanged a look, after which I cocked a brow at Gio. “I don’t need your permission.”

“You need my permission for everything.”

Like hell I did. He could take his permission and shove it right up his ass. Especially when it came to Memphis. He was my best friend. We’d slept in the same bed, ate from the same spoon, and swam naked in the same pool when we were kids. There was no way I was going to stop touching him because Gio said so. Fuck him.

To prove that point, I strutted right past Gio and walked Memphis up to the passenger door, while making sure my arm stayed locked in his until the second he climbed in the truck.

Needless to say, Gio was not impressed, which only increased my mood. I almost smiled at him when I moved to go around to the driver’s side. There was nothing like the smell of victory.

“Touch him again and I’ll break his arm.”

Except, of course, for the scent of defeat.

Gio would follow through. There was no doubt in my mind about that. That didn’t mean I was going to just bow down.

“You seem to be forgetting about my boyfriend.” I shot Atlee a wink and added, “I touch him all the time.”

That probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do. I could tell that from the angry way he pushed off his Range Rover and stood up.

“What the fuck did you just say?”

Luckily for me, Atlee also enjoyed pushing his buttons.

He gave me a sly wink and sang, “You have the sweetest lips I’ve ever tasted.”

And just like that, Gio’s anger was diverted.

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