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I was almost one of those women once.
And it was the man in front of me who almost made me a notch on the Rake-a-teer bedpost.
Brock Steel is a hunk, no doubt.
All dark, gorgeous, muscular, and he can turn any woman’s knees to mush.
As I gaze at him now, though—his incredible height, his thick dark hair, his searing black eyes, and his beefy broad shoulders—I think only of one man.
And it’s not him.
“You coming out or what?” Brock smiles deviously. “Or I could join you in there. It’s a big closet.”
I step out. My phone died earlier, or I’d have texted Rory or Maddie to see if it was safe to emerge. “What time is it, anyway?”
“It’s nearing eight.”
My jaw drops. Seriously? I’ve been waiting in this closet for almost an hour? I’ll kill Donny Steel.
“Seriously”—he chuckles at his own word—“what are you doing in there?”
“Nothing, clearly.” I head toward the door, glancing around quickly for my socks. They seem to have disappeared. Just as well. I don’t want to field the questions they’ll produce from Brock. “Any food left?”
“Aunt Jade and Aunt Marj always make sure there’s enough for at least a thousand people. You won’t go hungry.”
“I’m not hungry,” I say, more to myself than to Brock.
Nope. Not hungry. Just angry.
I just got fucked in more ways than one.
Though I’m tempted to march out with smoke unfurling out of my ears, I decide on an alternate strategy. I link my arm through Brock’s.
“Let’s go. I’m ready to party.”
“Now those are fighting words, Callie. I’m your man. Let’s get you a drink.”
We stroll together through the house and out onto the deck. The party is in full swing, and Jesse and his band are tuning up on stage.
Brock steps up to the redwood bar. “What’s your pleasure?”
“Diet C—” I stop. “Screwdriver. Heavy on the screw.”
Brock smiles at my double entendre and mixes me a drink while I scan the crowd, looking for one blond head in particular. I find him with his brother and Ashley. A beautiful older woman stands with them. Willow. Ashley’s mother, who was widowed such a short time ago.
My cheeks warm when he turns my way and meets my gaze.
So when Brock hands me the drink, I can’t help but look up at him admiringly and grab his arm with my free hand.
Donny’s full lips purse into a thin line.
Really, though, what does he expect? He freaking left me in a closet. Half-clothed. Not knowing whether it was safe to come out. For all I knew, Jade and Talon could have been right outside the door of the library. Or any number of others who would wonder why the heck I was in the Steel library by myself while a party’s going on.
“Let’s get you some dinner,” Brock says.
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I’m not hungry. Unless you want to eat.”
“I’ve had two plates full,” he laughs.
“Good. Then let’s mingle a little.”
“Your wish is my command, gorgeous.” He leads me off the deck and into the swarm of people.
We head toward the stage, where Rory is working on the sound system.
“Hey, sis,” I say.
“Cal, Brock.” She looks around. “Where’ve you been, anyway?”
“Long story.” I roll my eyes.
“Which she’s keeping mum about,” Brock adds.
Dark-haired and blue-eyed David Simpson joins us then. The silky dark hair is from his mother, Marjorie, and the blue eyes from his father, Bryce Simpson. And of course, he’s gorgeous as all get-out, just like everyone with Steel blood.
“Callie Pike,” he says jovially, “what are you doing with this moron?”
“I saw her first, dude,” Brock returns.
“I think the lady is the one who gets to choose,” Dave retorts.
I take a sip of my screwdriver and smile in what I hope is a flirtatious way. “The lady isn’t up for grabs, guys.”
Though having two of the Rake-a-teers attending to me isn’t such a bad thing. I’ve never been one to play games, but Donny Steel is on my list at the moment.
And the sad thing is?
If he came up to me right now and dragged me back into that library to fuck, I’d go.
It was that amazing.
“We’ll see about that before the night is over,” Dave says. “I get first dance.”
“Uh…the lady’s with me.” Brock smiles.
“Tell you what.” I try the flirtatious grin again. “Jess never starts with a slow song, so you can both have the first dance.”
“Baby, we don’t share,” Dave says.
“Except that one time,” Brock replies.
I stop my mouth from dropping open. They shared a woman? A threesome? I can’t decide if I’m grossed out or turned on.
Rory, who witnessed the exchange, is laughing her ass off. I give her a stink eye.
Jesse takes the mic then. “Hey, everyone! Who’s ready for some rock and roll!”
Cheers galore.
“We’re going to start with a few covers and then move into our original stuff. Most of you know the band, but I’ll introduce them to you anyway. My cousin Cage on bass, Dragon Locke on drums—and yeah, his name’s so cool we named the band after him—and Jake Michaels on lead guitar. I’m Jesse Pike, vocals and second guitar, and tonight we have a treat for you. I’ve managed to talk my amazingly talented sister Rory into joining us with her pipes. You may know her as an operatic mezzo, but the girl can also rock!”
