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Automatically, he positioned his body to keep Trinny in his sights. She stood at the grill, biting her lip in concentration as she watched over the rest of the burgers on the grill.
Casey’s love, Emersyn, bounced up beside her. They spoke for a moment and the woman pointed at Casey. Jaren watched Trinny absorbing yet more names of the people in Jaren’s world.
Clay Lexis eased around a couple guys who were talking shop and folded his arms as he followed Jaren’s stare. “She seems to be holding up with this crowd.”
“She’s nervous,” he blurted out.
Lexis’s eyes raked over the scene. Trinny, Emersyn and Casey were all engaged in some discussion. “I see that.”
“We haven’t been here long and already I can tell she doesn’t like being stuck here.”
“So take her somewhere else.”
What if he made the wrong move? Like that night with the congressman’s daughter?
Hell, why was he questioning his decisions this way? He usually barreled forward with total confidence.
It’s Trinny. She’s making me question my instincts.
He met Lexis’s gaze, mulling over his suggestion. “You’re right. I should take her to the ranch. She loves horses.”
Lexis unfolded his arms to thump him on the shoulder. “Better rescue those burgers. I see smoke rollin’ out of the grill.”
The prospect of Trinny burning the food made Jaren laugh. He broke away from his buddy and hurried to the grill. Trinny was so busy talking with Casey and Emersyn about horses that she didn’t seem to notice the smoke.
He walked up to her and plucked the spatula from her hand. Her eyes went round.
He quickly scooped the burgers onto a platter. As soon as the food hit the table, the group descended like vultures. He barely snagged some for Trinny and himself.
“I’m going to grab a plate. I’d love to hear more about that,” Emersyn was saying as Jaren cupped Trinny’s elbow and steered her through the crowd, balancing the plate of burgers in one hand.
They reached a couple vacant seats and he set the plate in front of her. “Got one for each of us.”
“One plate?” Her eyes darted to the dish.
“I promise not to give you my cooties.” He picked up his food and took a big bite.
She watched him chew with an intensity that had heat snaking through him. “How is it?”
“Despite being left on the grill a little too long, it’s just the way I like it—a little crispy around the edges and juicy inside.” He cocked a brow at her.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not talking about the burger?”
His smile widened.
She rolled her eyes and reached for the sandwich. When she bit into it, he had to stifle his groan. God, just seeing those sweet lips pursed around anything made him want her.
After she swallowed, she said, “Emersyn is nice.”
“Yes.”
“Ari too.”
“Yup.”
“Ari and I look an awful lot alike, don’t you think?”
Lowering his burger, he sent a sideways look at his brother’s girl. “Similar hair color, I guess. Yours is prettier.”
