Page 71 of Conflict
A twinkle in her eyes lets me know she’s only kidding. Trying to get a rise out of Andi, Cohen’s significant other.
The fiery redhead does not disappoint. “Grandma Kate, would you kindly please stop trying to pimp my boyfriend out? I have no desire to get into a fistfight with the bride’s maid-of-honor on the eve of her wedding, but I will if you take her even one step towards Cohen. God, it’s like you’re getting senile in your old age. You’re like a child. Better seen, not heard.”
Charlie’s eyes widen at the same time mine do. There’s an uncomfortable silence until Grandma Kate’s laughter pierces through.
“Ah, Andi, my girl, you’re so easy to rile. It’s why you’re so much fun to have around. You keep this old girl young.”
“Fistfight?” I ask Charlie after Grandma Kate loops her arm through Andi’s and they walk toward Cohen.
Charlie grins at me. “Don’t worry. Andi’s all bark and no bite. Grandma Kate knows it, so she messes with her. Aunt Amelia says it’s a rite of passage for the women who marry into the family, since Kate never had any girls of her own.” She frowns slightly. “She went easy on Ariana and me because, according to Amelia, she was just so grateful they found women she didn’t want to risk scaring them away. Which I suppose is a good thing, because if she’d tried to pimp Knox out, I’d probably have had the same reaction as Andi.”
I smile, both grateful Ari’s marrying into such a tight-knit family and a bit jealous at the same time. “Ah, the Wellingtons. Love fiercely, fight anyone who attempts to get in the way.”
“You know, I hear you Covingtons can be the same way,” she said.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
A gleam forms in her eye. “Did Ariana ever tell you about the time she bitch-slapped Branson’s ex-wife?”
My mouth drops open in surprise. My sister—sweet, angelic Ariana—slapped someone? It’s unheard of. “No way.”
She nods, delight apparent on her face. “And since Branson’s ex-wife was Knox’s high school sweetheart, it made Ariana and me friends for life.”
I blink twice, at a complete loss for words. I know a little bit of the history with Branson’s ex, but more along the lines that all she cared about was how much Branson could pad her bank account. I had no idea the webs in the family were that intertwined. Ariana has definitely held out on me.
It’s not my business, yet it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask for the whole juicy story. I’m saved, however, when Knox crosses the room, sweeps his wife up, and pretty much carries her out the same way Branson did with my sister.
Wellington beasts, indeed.
Now, where’s mine?
As if he read my mind, he doesn’t wait long. Goosebumps tingle on the back of my neck as I feel him approach. I don’t turn to face him, though it’s difficult to fight the urge to do just that. My neck, however, slightly tilts on its own accord.
“God, sunshine, you’re gorgeous. I’ve never seen you more stunning than you are right fucking now.”
The hedonic, low whispered words send shivers down my spine. Shane’s breath, hot against my skin, shoots waves of pleasure across the expanse of my neck. As if he noticed my movement. As if he knows precisely what I want with one simple tilt of my neck.
I close my eyes, allowing myself two seconds of bliss, long enough for his scent to wash over me. Soap and spice. Masculine with pheromones clearly made for me. Hell, I’d forgotten how good he smells. It takes me back to that night on the beach and I can’t get enough. No wonder I threw myself at him and practically ordered him to take me to bed. Hell, I have half a mind to do it again.
Get a grip, girl, I tell myself.
Hoping my bitch face is in place, I perform a stiff about-face. Bitch face melts away at the sight of deep blue eyes, heavy-lidded and mesmerizing, gazing into my own.
Bitch face, bitch face, I remind myself.
I swallow, doing what I’m sure is a miserable job of glaring.
“Considering you’ve seen me all of four times, that’s not saying much. Especially since one of those times I was naked. I’m not sure whether I should be insulted or not,” I remind him, placing my hands on my hips even though they’re dying to sink into that dark hair.
His eyes flare with the heat of remembrance. That heat shoots through my veins, sending desire pooling low between my thighs. Sigh. I didn’t count on wet panties tonight.
Ariana once told me never bet against a Wellington. I should’ve listened.
Shane must notice the way I’m staring. His lips curve up, and he steps forward. He reaches out, his fingertips just grazing my own. “It’s been so long, Alyssa. I think I need a refresher.” He leans closer, his breath tickling my lips. “Perhaps you’d like to give me another peek.”
Thwack!
And suddenly, just as I’m about to swoon and fall into his arms, I’m saved by Grandma Kate.
