Page 38 of The Little Black Book

“Sam,” Zoey says, giving me a bright smile.

I can tell by her pupils and overly loud exclamation she’s a bit tipsy, and my anger spikes again. That fucker Branson has another thing coming if he thinks I’m going to let him take advantage of my girl when she’s been drinking.

Wait. What? No. Not my girl. Myfriend.

“Hey, Sam,” Sophie says, grinning. “What’s up?”

She has a devilish gleam in her eye, one that tells me she’s on to me. I must reek of jealousy and possessiveness, but there’s no taming the wild emotions. Not until I know Zoey is making therightdecision.

“What’s up?” I repeat back to her lightly, and Sophie’s mouth quirks up on one side.

I give her a dark look, and her smile grows wider. “I just introduced Zoey to Branson Childs. I thought they might hit it off.”

I meet Zoey’s eyes. “And did you?”

Laughter peals out of her and she shakes her head. “That guy is a real piece of work. He barely even said hello before he propositioned me. He actually said, and I quote,‘I’d really like to fuck your brains out right now. Meet me in my room in ten minutes, and I’ll introduce you to God.’”

Mother fucking son of a bitch bastard. I’ll fucking kill him.

“James,” Zoey calls out to the bartender, pulling me from my murderous internal dialogue.

“Hey, Zoey. What can I get you?”

“I’m good,” she says, “but can you please make sure this is returned to Mr. Childs?”

She hands over the key card, and James takes it with a knowing grin. He tucks it into the pocket of his half-apron, and a sense of calm relief washes over me. I still want to kill Branson Childs, but the immediacy has lessened, allowing me to think a little more clearly.

“Can you believe that guy?” she asks, turning her gaze back to me.

“If you would’ve asked me, I could’ve warned you.”

“I swear,” Sophie cuts in, her palms in the air, “Jared never told me the guy was a womanizing asshole. He’s only ever been polite and respectful when I’ve spoken to him.”

“That’s because he knows he doesn’t have a chance to fuck you,” I grit out angrily before I can stop myself.

“Woah, guy,” Ava says, her eyes wide. “Someone has an alpha side we never knew existed. It’s pretty hot.”

Her teasing knocks the anger right out of me, and I turn back to Zoey with a sheepish expression. An apology rests on my tongue, but I swallow it back when I see the look on her face.

Her expression is filled with awe, and…hunger? Her face goes blank in an instant, and she averts her eyes while taking a sip of her cocktail. When she looks back at me, she appears completely normal.

I must’ve imagined it. Of course, I did.

I chat with the ladies for a few more minutes, keeping things as casual as possible. We studiously avoid any mention of Branson and my reaction to his dealings with Zoey. When my break is over, I give them each a hug. And though I’d like to say I didn’t hold Zoey a little longer and slightly tighter, I can’t.

Because I did.

And if I’m being totally honest with myself, I didn’t want to let go of her. Ever.

Chapter15

Duck-Face Selfies and Life-Altering Kisses

Zoey

This whole wing-woman thing is getting old a lot faster than I expected it to. I’m just not feeling it tonight, and I’m sick and fucking tired of men approaching me, asking to buy me a drink when I’m so obviously broadcasting that I want to be left alone.

Sure, I’m alone at a bar. But that doesn’t mean I’m on the prowl, dickheads.

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