Page 48 of Jack of Hearts
Lauren’s eyes widened. “No way. I told him I was hanging out with you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t lie to him.”
“Why would I? He doesn’t own me.” The doorbell rang, and Lauren clapped her hands. “Party time. Let’s go.” She grabbed Madison’s hand, pulling her downstairs.
“I can’t wait to see his face when he sees you.” Lauren opened the door.
“Your limo has arrived, ladies,” Alex said, his gaze sliding past Lauren, locking on Madison. Without saying a word, he brushed by Lauren, walking straight up to Madison. Leaning down, he put his mouth next to her ear. “Every drop of blood in my body just went south. What are you going to do about that?”
“I have a few ideas,” she whispered back.
“Thank God.” He took her hand, not letting go as they walked to his car, Lauren following.
Wearing black leather pants and a black Aces & Eights T-shirt with the jack of hearts card above the pocket, he looked pretty darn hot himself. After he opened the front passenger door for her and the back one for Lauren, he skirted around the hood.
“Wow, did you see his eyes? He wanted to eat you up the minute he saw you,” Lauren said.
“I might have let him if you hadn’t been standing two feet from us.”
Alex slid into the car, halting their conversation. “One thing about tonight, ladies. Don’t feed the animals.”
“What does that mean?” Madison asked, although she thought she knew, but she wanted to be sure Lauren understood.
“Some of our customers don’t recognize boundaries, and both you ladies are smokin’ hot.” His eyes slid to her as he said that, the heat in them making her stomach twitchy. “They’re a rough bunch, and any encouragement you give them could end up in me and my brothers having to fight them off you. While you’re in the bar area, never venture away from one of us.”
“No problem,” Madison said. Not wanting to cause Alex problems, much less have strange men hassling her, that was an easy promise to make.
“What if one of those animals is your brother?” Lauren muttered.
Madison leaned around the headrest. “What’s the deal between you and Court? He seemed nice enough to me.” Lauren’s attitude was embarrassing. Alex had arranged tonight as a favor, and it would be nice if Lauren were more appreciative.
“He’s a jerk.”
“Lauren!” Madison glanced at Alex to see his reaction.
He grinned. “Fireworks are grand, aren’t they?”
The amusement dancing in his eyes eased her concern that he was offended by Lauren’s declaration. Was he right? Were there sparks flying between Lauren and Court? If so, Lauren wouldn’t be happy about that since Nelson was still supposedly the love of her life. Tonight was going to be interesting.
“Sorry, Alex,” Lauren said, leaning forward and patting his shoulder. “No offense. I just don’t like him, okay?”
Alex glanced back at her, a smirk curving his lips. “You sure about that?”
“Without question.”
Madison gazed out the window, watching a sailboat as it approached the bridge they were traveling over. If she looked at Alex, she would burst out laughing. He’d nailed it. Lauren was attracted to Alex’s brother, and she wasn’t happy about it.
Back on the mainland, Alex turned right. She’d never asked where Aces & Eights was located, but it should have occurred to her that there were no biker bars in South Beach. She’d been to his condo, which wasn’t too far from the bookstore, so somehow she’d thought his bar was nearby. The area they were in wasn’t one she would want to travel into alone.
“Never come here without me,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. He took her hand and placed it on his thigh.
“That I can promise.” She loved touching him, and she squeezed her fingers into his leg. “Am I going to end up plastering myself against you, begging for your protection?” Lord, she loved flirting with him.
“All night long,” he answered, his voice changing into the rough sound she loved.
Lauren thumbed Alex on his head. “Hello. I’m feeling like a voyeur here, people.”
Alex chuckled. “Your roommate’s touchy.”
