Page 101 of Lucky Shot
“No way, Red.”
I’m surprised by his hesitation. “Why not? You like it when I watch you, what’s a few more people?”
“I want to watchyourreaction as you come. He wants everyone to watch as he makes her come.”
My stomach flips and core tightens. There are too many hours between now and getting naked with him. “Acceptable, I suppose.”
His chest rises and falls with a short, quiet chuckle.
I peek over at Danny again. They really don’t seem to care who watches.
“Come on, Red.” He sits up, taking me with him.
“Are we going to show them our moves?”
He laughs and tugs me to him. “Let’s take a swim.”
He dives in, and I, much more carefully, lower myself into the lake. I wrap myself around him and he treads water and kisses me until my lips hurt. I could make out with him forever.
When we climb back onto the boat, there are even more people on board. There’s a small dance party happening. I take Nick’s hand with the intention of dragging him in the middle of it, but I come up short when I spot Conrad.
He’s still lying on one of the benches by himself, but he’s pulled out a paperback. The image makes my book nerd heart smile until my brain catches up to the cover that has me freezing in my tracks.
I swivel around, nearly colliding into Nick’s hard chest.
“Woah.” He steadies me with a laugh. I think I smile up at him, but whatever he sees on my face has his expression instantly tensing.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, voice harsh but tender all at once.
“Nothing.”
I turn back around so I won’t have to look at him. He steps in front of me, blocking me from everyone else with his big body. “Ruby.”
Hesitantly, I look up at him. Tears well in my eyes and I fight to keep them at bay. Today has been amazing and I cannot believe I’m still letting that asshole get to me like this.
“Really,” I say. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie to me. You were laughing and smiling thirty seconds ago and now you look really upset.”
I force my mouth into a smile that does not convince him at all. He stares, unwavering, at me for an explanation.
“My ex.”
His brows furrow. “Your ex is here?”
I shake my head, then point.
Nick turns, looks around like he’s trying to make sense of my words. When his gaze drops to Conrad and the book in his hand, his body goes rigid.
“Your ex is Matthew Rose?”
I nod. God this is so embarrassing. A few of the guys shoot concerned glances in our direction. I do my best to look like everything is fine.
His jaw flexes and I’m transported back to the grumpy Nick version.
“It’s okay. Honest. That book is everywhere, but sometimes it catches me off guard.”
I’m not even sure he’s hearing me. He’s still glaring hard. I reach out and take his hand. He glances down at the contact and his shoulders relax slightly before he pulls me into him. He smells like sunscreen and sunshine, and I breathe him in as he cradles me against his chest.
