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The girls immediately jump into conversation. It’s easy to follow along and keep up, even with several side topics ricocheting around the group. Every few minutes, a man comes over to refill drinks and check in.
Eventually, the entire crowd migrates to the area. I don’t know how much time passes, but as the night goes on, the party gets rowdier. My cheeks and sides ache from laughing.
“Sparkle, are we expecting anyone else?” Declan’s eyebrows furrow together as he studies his phone.
“Tripp and Reese are coming.”
“Got it, I’ll let them in.” He disappears inside the house, with Cooper following.
“Sometimes that front gate annoys me. It’s a necessity, but I prefer for family and friends to come and go easily,” Raven says to no one in particular.
“I’m ready to give up my title as the hottest eligible rocker in this world for you. Just say the word,” Nate flirts shamelessly, drawing attention our way.
“She has a boyfriend, Nate,” Raven informs him.
“Boyfriends don’t scare me, Rave.”
“He’s a Marine,” Ember chirps.
“Hmm.” Nate rubs his hand over his chin, rolling his teeth through his lips. “That’s problematic, but I’m not discouraged.”
Mike clears his throat at the same time Nate continues. “We would make beautiful babies and live out the world’s greatest love story.”
At this, I lose it, doubling over in a howl. “I’m flattered… r-r-r-eally flattered,” I sputter, “but I’m already—”
“Taken,” a rough voice finishes for me and I whip around to find Achilles standing beside a highly amused Declan.
All the laughter dies. He’s changed out of his uniform and into my favorite jeans and a black shirt with MNPD stretched across his chest. With his hands propped on his hips, his tattoos snake out from the sleeves. My stomach dives and flips at the look of possessiveness on his features.
“I’m guessing Five-O isn’t here about a noise complaint.” Robbie chuckles under his breath.
“No! No way! I’m losing out to a cop?” Nate cries out in mock disbelief.
“The way he’s glaring, you’re lucky he isn’t carrying his gun,” Mike chuckles.
I go to him, wrapping my arms around his stomach and tipping up to kiss the underside of his jaw. “Hey, sweetie.”
His arms circle me, and he lowers his mouth to mine, licking along my lips before a quick kiss. “You taste like lemonade.”
“Isn’t it awesome?”
His eyes glitter in the dim lights, and his lips tip at the edges. “It’s awesome.”
I twist to the crowd, who’s silently watching intently. “Guys, this is my boyfriend, Achilles. But he goes by A—”
“Ace.” Max weaves around the fire pit, stopping in front of us with a huge smile. “Ace motherfucking Kingston. Can’t fucking believe this.”
They’ve obviously met before.
Robbie and Finn are instantly at his side with their own grins.
“Max? What the hell, man?” Achilles holds out a hand, which Max tugs, and I’m smashed in their man hug.
Max releases him and glances between his two friends. “You got to remember this guy.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
Robbie and Finn repeat the same greeting, and I try not to flip as all these hot guys crush me with their bodies.
This is definitely a story for Jewls.
“Can’t believe this shit. What are the chances?” Max goes on.
“Wild, man. Was in almost ten, moved back, graduated the academy, work on the force. Aiming for SWAT.” Achilles covers the high points of his life in man-speak.
“Ford, Major, and Talon?”
“Same.”
“Out of the Marines?”
“Signed to the Reserves.”
There’s something in the tone of his voice that sends the same look across the three men’s faces.
An understanding, a non-verbal explanation. It’s a split-second, but I don’t miss their reaction to this news. Luckily, the powwow is broken up by Raven.
“Hi, I’m Raven, and I think you met my husband at the gate.”
“Sorry to bust in on your birthday party,” he apologizes politely, but not sincerely. “I got off shift and Harley wasn’t home yet.”
“You’re not busting in on anything. We’re about to jam. How about a beer?” Declan offers, and Achilles juts his chin.
“Excuse me, can we all meet the extremely hot cop that has dashed all of Nate’s dreams?” Charlie waves from her perch in Blake’s lap.
I glance up at him, wrapping my hand around his neck. “Extremely hot cop doesn’t do you justice.”
“How badly do you want to stay?” His gruff question takes me off-guard.
“Are you mad? Nate is harmless.”
“Nate, the guy who told you that the two of you would make beautiful babies?”
“He’s harmless,” I repeat.
“This has nothing to do with Nate. Looking as gorgeous as you do and tasting the sweetness on your lips—I want you on my bike.”
“You brought the bike?” I love his motorcycle. We’ve only been riding once, but I was hooked. The power, holding him tight, feeling the wind whipping around us. At first, it was terrifying, but then it was exhilarating.
“I did, and right now, I want to drive you to our property and fuck you on it.”
