Got ya, Sunshine. You just don’t know it yet.
Locking up the shop doesn’t take long, and before I know it, the boys and I are heading across town to theGravel Pit. As far as hangouts go, it’s not my top pick, but the girls chose it, so here we are. It’s known for fights and having some sketchy people, so I’mnotletting my girl out of my sight.
Finding a parking space the furthest away from everyone, I pray no one hits my baby. Ever since my dad was killed, I take safety seriously. I didn’t choose a high-risk career path, and I research everything before I purchase it, especially cars. I wanted to beat Rhett for messing with the seats on the drive over, but I know he does it just to annoy me.Jerk.
Walking into theGravel Pit, the boys head over to grab a table, as I opt for the bar to grab a round. We don’t really drink a lot to begin with, so I pick up sodas to start, and a beer for myself. By the time I have our drinks, I see the girls have made it in.
God, she’s so fucking beautiful. She’s a ray of sunshine in this dark space. The lighting is low, and the music is so loud I can feel it through the floorboards, but my eyes are drawn to her. She’s laughing at something with Cora, and damn if I don’t want in on the joke. I want to be the reason she laughs.
She changed her clothes but still looks just as beautiful. Dressed in dark wash jeans, and black heeled boots that trail up her legs, I have to bite back a groan. The boots end right below her knee and a red shirt with the back cut out in a crisscrossed pattern lays across her chest.Fuck me sideways.Stalking back toward the table, I juggle the drinks and kick myself for not getting her something as well.
That’s an easy fix. As I approach, I hear Atlas putting his foot in his mouth. If he keeps this up, I’ll never win the bet. He doesn’t look happy that Cora is all dressed up. He should be appreciating this moment. Don’t get me wrong, Sunshine is all I see, but even I know Cora doesn’t look like her normal self.
“I think what Atlas means is that you look lovely,” I interject on his behalf.Dude, shut up and compliment her, I silently demand. Looking at my Sunshine, I apologize, “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, but I can happily get you anything.Anythingyou want.” Meanie Mara makes a gagging sound, but I ignore her.
Mara shoves my girl out of the booth, and they walk off in search of drinks. Swinging my gaze back to my brothers, I’m ready to lay into Atlas when Rhett beats me to it. While they argue, I keep my gaze onthe bar. My girl looks too good to be left unattended, and much like my brother, I take notice of the wandering eyes around here. I need him to buck up.
Deciding I’ve had enough, I opt to egg Atlas on. “It’s not funny to say Cora looks as delicious as a hot fudge sundae on a summer day, but what do I know?”
I swear his eyeball twitches, and there might be a new vein on his neck. He’s so twisted up about her; I’d find it funny, if my gaze wasn’t locked across the room on my girl again. Turning back to the guys briefly, I freeze when I hear Seth’s voice.
“I know I’m going to regret this, but while you’re stewing over all the ways we’re calling your girl attractive, that guy over there is ready to do something about it.”
Oh hell no. Where Cora is, my girl is, and that just won’t do. I’m already across the bar before Atlas can even make it out of the booth. I easily cut through the crowd. Being a big guy comes in handy sometimes. If either of the guys walking toward them lay a single finger on my Sunshine, I can’t be held responsible for what happens next.
Chapter Six
Mila
Fucking hell. So much for a girls’ night out. I’m currently fuming, standing in the parking lot with Mara, Seth, and Kash. Rhett went back in for Atlas and Cora, and I don’t even know where to start.
Cora and I were dancing with a couple of guys, and even though I wasn’t exactly into it, I didn’t want to leave her by herself. Of course, Atlas bulldozed his way in, and then Kash shoved me behind him and whaled on the other guy.
I felt his eyes on me the entire time I was at the bar with them. The way he watches me isn’t natural. I’ve never felt more on display than when I’m under his gaze. His brown eyes tracked my every movement, and he acts like he’s interested, but I know better. The only person Kash is interested in is himself.
Objectively, he’s attractive, like,reallyattractive. Damn it,fine. He’s hot. I didn’t know men like him existed in real life. Kash is stupid tall and has this muscular chest that somehow still looks comfortable. I'm assuming tattoos cover his body, judging by the ones I see creeping up his neck, and on his scalp, but it’s his face that gets me. Despite beating up a guy ten minutes ago, Kash has this happy demeanor about him. His cognac-colored eyes feel playful, and his smile is devastating. It’s no wonder women are drawn to him.
Cora told me about how he hit on her when she first started working at the tattoo shop. I honestly don’t know why she does it. She’s explained it to me before, but I would be quitting first thing in the morning if I were her.
Apparently Kash is familiar with the majority of the female population in the tri county area, and I don’t feel like being another notch on his bedpost, even if he is absolutely gorgeous. It’s reallyunfair. Though I doubt I’m his type anyway given that I have brown hair and eyes, plus curves. As a baker, you have to make sure your treats are done right.
As if he can sense my gaze on him, Kash turns his lazy smirk into a full-blown grin.
“You see something you like, Sunshine?” He moves toward me. It’s gotten chilly, and as soon as Cora gets out here, we’re gone.
Holding up my hand, I stop him in his tracks. “I did see something I liked—you know, the inside of the bar Iwasenjoying with my friends, until your friends decided to start a fight.”
“Brothers.”
“What?”
“Brothers. They aren’t my friends. They’re my brothers, Sunshine, and when one of us is in some shit, we’re all in it. No one gets left behind, or out.”
“So, if one of you starts a freaking bar fight…” I trail off.
“Then we all fight,” he finishes with a smile. “Don't worry, though, I can protect you.” Looking behind him, he watches Seth standing with Mara and shakes his head.
“I don’t need protecting, Kash.”
