Page 43 of Highest Bid

“Thank you,” she said demurely. “What’s the occasion?”

He pushed her seat in before taking his own. Leaning over to take her hand, he murmured, “We’re celebrating your first day as a wedding event coordinator.”

She giggled. “You make every day a celebration.”

He brushed his thumb along her knuckles even as he grinned and said, “I think I’d like my brothers to hear you say that.”

“Do you think they’d doubt it?”

“I know they would. I’m the older brother, the boring, ancient dude.”

She leaned closer and said in an undertone, “You’re so not boring in the bedroom.”

His chuckle was deliciously dark, his clasp tightening on her hand. “I’m seriously beginning to think you have the ability to read my mind.”

“You’d be shocked if you read mine.”

His chuckle deepened. “I wish I could, firecracker. Because I’m certain I would have taken you to my bedroom a whole lot sooner.”

She swallowed hard, her womb clenching. Her voice cracked. “I hope I’ve been worth the wait.”

“Without a doubt,” he said softly, decisively.

A throat cleared from behind her, and Layla jumped a little. In that moment she and Galan had been the only ones in the room. When Galan’s eyes lifted and hardened, she withdrew her hand from his and turned in her seat to look up at Billy.

Billy smiled at her. “Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to stop by and wish you both the best.” He nodded at Galan. “Anyone can see you two are happy and in love. And though I’m a little envious, I’m glad things worked out.”

Galan nodded back. “I appreciate that.”

Short and to the point. Layla hid a wry smile. Galan was most definitely the alpha and wasn’t above letting the other man know it.

Billy shrugged. “I should probably have upped my game sooner.” He barked out a laugh at Galan’s tight expression, and put his hands up before taking a step back. “Hey, my loss is your gain.”

Layla softened. “You’ll find a woman who is perfect for you, Billy.”

“Maybe.” He gestured to a stool at the bar. “In the meantime, I think I’ll order a drink or three.”

A waitress approached as Billy left. Layla looked up, surprised to see Colleen. “What can I get you guys?” Colleen asked in a flat voice.

Sympathy welled up within Layla. Colleen still looked wrung out. But then she’d been used and discarded; it couldn’t have been a nice experience. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Colleen’s smile was forced. “Would you like to order any drinks?”

“That would be great, thanks,” Layla said, scanning the drinks menu before selecting a fruity mocktail. Once Galan had ordered his usual light beer, Layla handed Colleen their drinks menu and said, “I didn’t realize you were working today.”

Colleen rolled her eyes. “Someone had to cover your shift.”

Galan visibly stiffened, his voice soft and all the more dangerous. “Are you rude to all the customers here, Colleen, or just Layla?”

Colleen paled. “I wasn’t being rude. And Layla’s hardly a customer.”

“You weren’t being polite, either,” he bit out. “And while Layla is sitting at one of the tables, she’s a customer, and I expect her to be treated as nothing less than a VIP.”

Colleen blinked rapidly, before she nodded, turned away and made her escape.

“Bloody hell,” Galan muttered, before pushing a hand over his face. “I think one of my brothers needs to intervene now before her attitude gets her fired.”

“Actually I have a feeling you won’t need to bother them,” Layla said, as Billy pushed to his feet and headed their way.

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