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She gave a cute shrug. “It does sound like fun.”
He propped his elbow on the pillow, examining her a little harder now. She clearly wasn’t thinking this through entirely, but he was. He would not have a repeat of what happened last night at the bar. “Are you sure that you want to do this?” he asked.
“Do I want to go to a bonfire?” At Shep’s nod, she frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”
He tucked her hair behind her ear, responding gently, “Last night, you were upset that people would perceive us in a relationship.” He hesitated as she glanced away, looking down at the duvet, though he quickly reached for her chin, drawing her attention back to him. “I’m not saying this to throw that in your face, or try to make you feel bad about it or anything like that, but we need honesty here, Emma, because of what you’ve been through.”
Her eyes softened, as did her voice. “Okay, but I’m not sure why going to a bonfire has anything to do with last night?”
He reached for her hand, twining his fingers with hers. “What worries me is that you’ll back away in the same way you did last night, because you’re being rushed into something you’re not ready for.” Laying it all on the line was the only option now. “I’m all for small steps. We don’t need to label or rush anything.”
“So, then what’s the problem?”
“Nash and Chase are my brothers,” he explained. “They are going to treat you like my girlfriend, likely call you that if anyone asks, because in their eyes you’re untouchable, even if you think otherwise.”
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Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. “Ew. I wouldn’t date either of them.”
“Well, good.” He tapped her mouth shut. “But what I meant was, with other men. We’re a protective family. They will treat you like you are mine, and to be honest, I would want them to.”
She began to frown. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“It means that if any other man got close when I was not with you, they would step in to ensure he backed away.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s silly. I can handle myself.”
Shep made his move, sliding on top of her, settling between her thighs, earning a sexy gasp of surprise. “I do not doubt you could handle yourself.” He hovered over her, nose-to-nose. “Regardless, we are possessive sons of bitches. What’s ours is ours, and no one comes between our family.” Which, of course, only reminded him of his father’s desire to sell the land, and why Nash was so furious. Hell, why he was so furious too. “All I’m saying is that before we go tonight, you need to be sure that you’re okay with what I’ve said. They will look at you like we’re together. If one of Nash’s friends is there, he will introduce you as my girl. That’s just how it will be.” He paused, then lowered his voice. “I can handle that look of fear you gave me last night once, not twice.”
She hesitated, eyes searching his, then she gave a sweet smile. “I’m okay with being . . . your girl.”
His mouth dropped to hers before she could say anything more. He cupped her nape with one hand, lowering the other to slide under her bottom while her legs hugged his thighs.
When he deepened the kiss, she gasped, breaking away. “Wait. What about the bonfire?”
“We’ll go, I promise, but later.” He rubbed his bare cock against her slit, finding her wet and ready for him again. “You’ve just told me that you are mine.” She arched her back and moaned, and as he entered her again, he growled in her ear, “I want what’s mine.”
Chapter 14
An hour later, beyond satisfied, and wide awake now, Emma found herself being led by Shep toward a quaint, one-story log house not far from Shep’s place. Evergreen trees surrounded the front of the house and the porch light was on, showing off the stonework on either side of the red-painted front door. “Nash’s house?” She took a guess, sliding her gaze to Shep.
He shook his head. “Chase.”
Interesting. Emma studied the house again, reassessing. The fact that Chase could build himself a huge house but kept to a simple one said a lot about him. Emma couldn’t help but think that for men who grew up with money, the Blackshaw brothers all seemed to live with less materialism than some people she knew in New York City. Hell, she had known people who were mortgaged up to their eyeballs, with their credit cards maxed, all to keep up with the appearance they were wealthy. She liked that about River Rock. Money didn’t seem to matter as much there. Though all the same, she figured Blackshaw wasn’t only a good name in River Rock because of the wealth behind it, but more so because of the integrity of the family.
Shep didn’t lead her up to the house; he went around back. The closer they got, the more the fiery scent of the bonfire drifted through the air. The darkness in the sky flickered with an orange hue, and when they finally made it to the backyard, she saw why. A huge bonfire burned brightly, with Adirondack chairs stationed around the fire pit.
She recognized Chase and Nash sitting in these chairs, but she didn’t know the girl sitting on Nash’s lap, and she’d also never met the guy next to Chase. Though when her gaze continued right, she caught someone sitting next to the stranger and smiled. “Harper,” she called.
Harper squeaked and was on her feet a second later, running toward her. “Yah! You’re finally here.” She threw her arms around Emma, giving a tight hug. When she leaned away, she said to Shep, “Thanks for the invite.”
Emma glanced at Shep, not knowing he’d done that.
He gave Emma a smile, kissed her forehead. “I’ll grab us some beers.” To Harper, he asked, “Do you need one?”
She held up her cup. “I’m all about vodka and Coke tonight, but thanks anyway.”
Shep gave her a nod then set those sexy eyes on Emma again, the side of his mouth arching before he headed toward his brothers.
