Page 26 of Better Not Pout
“Cool. We can’t wait. Oh, Collin’s here. Gonna go say hi and eat all of these in front of him.” He waggles his eyebrows and winks at Rosalie before walking across the bar to hug my best friend.
When he’s out of earshot, Rosalie’s entire body deflates, and a long sigh bursts out of her as if she spent that entire time holding her breath.
“Okay, that was a bit terrifying.”
I laugh, turning toward her. “Couldn’t tell. You were great. Plus, he’s got the attention span of a toddler. He’s the most gullible one of the family, trust me.”
She laughs softly, and the low, sultry sound bounces off the empty walls of the bar, drawing the attention of the group of guys working on painting the far wall of the bar.
I can see the appreciation in their gazes as they stare at her, and it causes something strangely… possessive to erupt in my chest.
Even though, realistically, I know that I have absolutely no right to feel this way, I still do.
Like none of them has any right to look at what’s mine.
Who gives a shit if it’s fake.
No one knows that butus.
To everyone else… Rosalie is my girl.
Which means every man in this room… no, every man in thistownneeds to keep their eyes to themselves, or we’re going to have a real big problem.
The hard warning glare I send their way has everyone scurrying back to their jobs. You know, what I pay them to do. Not gawking at Rosalie.
Her fingers brush along mine as she steps closer, angling toward me. “So, I guess we’re going to Mistletoe Magic this weekend, it seems. I almost had a heart attack when I realized he was your brother,” she murmurs, arching a brow. “Good thing I’m being a goodgirlfriendand dropping off some sweet treats for my man.”
“Good thing.”
“Mhmm. Already slaying the whole ‘dating’ thing.”
My gaze drops to her plump lips, which part, her tongue peeking out to drag along her bottom lip as she peers up at me with those dark brown eyes that seem to melt right before me.
It’s innocent yet still causes my dick to stir in my pants.
I step even closer until the front of my boots hits hers. “If she was arealgood girl, she’d give her man a kiss,” I rasp, telling myself that it has everything to do with our audience, whichincludes my brother, who’s undoubtedly watching right now. Not that I actually want to kiss the fuck out of her.
Like I haven’t been thinking of kissing her for fucking days.
I’ve been attracted to this woman since the moment she first stomped into my bar, hell-bent on tearing me a new one for stealing that damn letter. But I didn’t have this wild desire to haul her against me and kiss the absolute shit out of her, not then anyway. But now, after that night at my house, all I want to do is taste her.
Kiss her until she’s putty in my hands.
“Oh?” Her throat bobs as her gaze darts across the room to where Collin, Zander, and the rest of the guys are. Is she wondering the same thing I am?
If I’m asking for the benefit of everyone watching… or because I can’t help myself.
We’re supposed to be performing now. But part of me couldn’t give a shit whether they’re watching or not. The part I can’t voice out loud or examine too closely. Because this is temporary. Fake. There’s an expiration date.
So I chuckle lowly and dip my head closer to hers, whispering where only she can hear. “Yeah, Sugar. I think everyone here needs to know that you’re mine.”
Even saying that out loud for the first time sounds better than it should. Clearly, I’m losing my damn mind, and I know without a doubt, she’s the reason for it.
“Hmmm,” she hums, those pretty eyes shining bright with curiosity as she brings her palms to the front of my shirt, toying with the small buttons along my chest.
I fight the urge to shiver at her touch, like I’m a goddamn teenager and not a grown-ass man.
“That might be a possibility. But… only if you tell me why it is that you’re calling meSugar.”
