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I want to go to her and shake her. I want to command her to stay as easily as I ordered her onto her knees last night. But I know I can’t. I don’t control her, and her points are more valid than mine. A few weeks of friendship and a night together doesn’t give me a say in what she does.
Instead of all the possible propositions and wants, I jerk my chin up. “Go on. I’ll text you later to check in.”
“Okay.” She stops with her hand on the doorknob. “And thank you. I had a really great night with you.” This time, the smile stretching her swollen lips is full and genuine.
“Me too.”
The click of the door behind her is deafening. I walk to the bed and shake the comforters back into place as best as I can. It’s not like Tommy is going to care or know the difference. As I round the second bed, I trip on something. Peeking out from beneath the platform is a red, plush dog toy. If I hurry, I can get it to her before she drives away.
The elevator ride wastes another two minutes of my time before Nora’s arrival. As soon as the doors open, I sprint across the empty lobby and through the revolving door. I’m brought up short by the scene in front of me. Evie loads Ghost into the passenger seat of her car and shuts the door just as a tall, blond male blocks her from walking back around the front.
I see fucking red. The damn toy in my hand squeaks because I clench it so hard. Before I can think through any consequences, I’m striding across the lot on a direct trajectory to this motherfucker.
They don’t see me before I reach them. I don’t stop moving. Just grab him by the shoulder and send him flying in the opposite direction.
“Who the fuck are you?” I snarl. I slap the toy into Evie’s stunned hands as I pass by and stalk the guy straightening from a crouch. He caught himself before hitting the ground, but next time, he won’t be so lucky.
The guy stands to his full height with a weirdly protective smirk. “I should be asking you that.”
“Wrong.” I plant myself between Evie and this douche and cross my arms over my chest.
“Look, I don’t know who you think you are, but you aren’t part of this conversation.”
Guys, stop!” Evie shouts and moves closer, but I throw out an arm to hold her back.
“If it involves her, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t know who you are, but you need to back the fuck away from my sister.” He sheds the amused attitude and switches to a protective one. My possessiveness cools as his words register.
“This is your brother?” I ask Evie as she moves cautiously between us.
The horrified expression on her face has me wanting to wrap her in my arms and whisk her back inside the safety of our room.
“Yep. This is Eric. Eric, this is my friend Rhett.”
I don’t miss the emphasis.
Evie gives me big eyes. “Don’t you have to go?”
Shit. I do. A quick scan around the parking lot doesn’t reveal Nora’s Mercedes, but she should be here any minute.
“Call me later.” I squeeze Evie’s shoulder and jog back across the lot, leaving the siblings to face off.
I don’t bother returning to my room. Nora should be here any minute. Though I use the time waiting to order a soda from the bar across the lobby. My mouth remains dry from last night’s activities. The sip of Coke washes away the parched feeling in my throat. After chugging half the can, I survey the lobby.
Nora stands near the fountain with a critical look on her face. I want to deliver false apologies for keeping her waiting, but I swallow them as easily as I drank my Coke. As I cross the room, I check the revolving door for signs of Evie. My distraction doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Are you looking for somebody?”
“Nope, just checking the weather,” I lie.
17
Evie
I guess I don’t have to wonder about whether or not my brother knows about my sexual activity. After that little caveman display, he’s well up to speed on who exactly Rhett is to me. Shame pinkens my cheeks during our walk together back into the hotel after arguing in the parking lot. More secrets than I wanted to disclose were exposed in broad daylight.
When we step into the lobby, I'm thankful that Rhett, his ex, and his son are nowhere to be found. Running into the trio would be the absolute icing on this shit-tastic cake.
