Page 29 of Hit and Run
“What are we talking about? Texas Hold ‘Em? Blackjack? I’m pretty good at all of them, so I’d say the odds are in my favor.” He winks at me.
I prop a hand on my hip. “You sure are a cocky bastard, ya know that?” I give him a flirty smile.
He takes a step so he’s right in my space. “Not cocky, confident.” He leans in to kiss me when the front door opens.
“Hey! We’re here,” Wren shouts. Shade jumps back and I focus on getting dinner started.
“We’re in the kitchen,” Shade calls out to her. I’m not looking forward to spending any more time with Zack, but I know this is important to Wren— which is the only reason I even agreed to this. I might actually cut Zack if he acts any bit the douchebag he was the other night. I probably won’t get the chance too with Shade here. The two of us might end up fighting over who gets to fuck Zack up. I giggle to myself and Shade gives me a questioning look. I shake my head, telling him it’s nothing, just as Wren and Zack walk in.
“Bubba, this is my boyfriend Zack,” Wren introduces them. “Zack, this is my brother, Shade.”
“Nice to meet you,” Zack says. Shade holds his hand out to shake Zack’s and Zack hesitates for a beat too long before taking Shade’s hand. I notice a hint of irritation in Shade’s eye.
“Yeah, you too.” Shade drops his hand.
“Oh my gosh! Are you making your chicken alfredo,” Wren asks, excitement lacing her voice.
“I am,” I reply.
“Sienna makes the best chicken alfredo,” Wren tells Zack.
“Will there be any salad,” Zack asks.
“Nope,” I respond, popping the p and not looking at Zack. That prick thinks he can control what Wren eats again, he’s got another thing coming.
“Do you need any help prepping,” Wren asks me.
“No, Shade already offered to help. Y’all go hang out in the living room,” I tell Wren.
“Sounds good. Just let us know when it’s ready.” She smiles at me before grabbing Zack’s arm and walking out of the kitchen. Shade is staring at me.
“What the hell was that about,” he asks when they’re out of earshot.
“What was what about,” I ask him, turning the stovetop on. While the pan is heating up, I prep the chicken. Shade moves next to me, leaning a hip against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off him.
“You telling Wren that I offered to help. Not that I mind. I’m just curious,” he tells me.
“I guess I really didn’t think about it,” I admit. He leans in toward my face with that sexy smirk of his, pausing mere inches away.
“Can I . . . oh,” Zack says walking into the kitchen. Shade straightens and I turn to face Zack. He’s got a sinister look in his eye. “I’m sorry. Was I interrupting something?”
“What do you need, Zack?” I turn back around to the stove.
“Does Wren know about the two of you,” he asks with disgust.
“There’s nothing to know because there was nothing happening.” Shade’s voice has a seriousness to it I haven’t heard before. His words weren’t directed at me yet I still felt intimidated.
“Right,” Zack responds as if he doesn’t believe Shade. “Can I have a glass of water?”
Shade grabs a cup out of a cabinet, fills it with water and gives it to Zack. Once Zack leaves the kitchen Shade moves to my side again.
“I don’t like him,” he says in a soft voice as if Zack could still be listening. “Also, what the fuck was up with him asking about a salad?”
“He ordered a salad for Wren at dinner the other night. Said something about her needing to eat healthy or something,” I explain to him.
“So he controls what she eats?”
I shrug. “She didn’t seem bothered or surprised by it. Maybe she’s just conscious about what she eats in front of him. Some girls are like that.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I know it sounds dumb. By the look on Shade’s face, he thinks so too.
