Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
“I haven’t gotten a really good look at those yet,” TJ admitted. “I saw them briefly in the compound, and I almost had that sucker off her when your dad walked in. Can you keep a leash on him? He’s wrecking my suddenly important sex life.”
“TJ,” she hissed under her breath.
He gave her a heart-stopping grin and crossed the space between them. “There’s no bullshit with this family. You should know that. We’re not polite. We’re not circumspect. When we’re in love, we’re pretty much ruthless as fuck, and then when we get what we want, we’re the absolute best partners in the world.”
Good for whoever he ended up with. “We’re not partners.”
“Yet. But that’s where the ruthless part comes in. Up until now you’ve dealt with a man who loved our friendship so much he was unwilling to risk it. Now I am, and you’ll see the other side of me. Come sit on my lap.”
“Is there a reason Dad’s dry heaving?” Tasha asked as she walked in followed by Zach and Cooper.
“What did you two do?” Cooper slid in beside Kala without even looking for another seat.
“I am not sitting on your lap.” That was a terrible idea. They were supposed to be professional.
“It’s a nice lap, and there aren’t enough chairs,” he pointed out. “My parents are on their way in, and Dad’s back isn’t what it used to be. I think we should take one for the team.” He leaned over. “I might be able to slide my hand under those panties of yours and make this meeting more fun, if you know what I mean.”
The words sent a shock of arousal through her system.
“Zach, you need to find an extra chair or my dad is going to pop a couple of blood vessels in his eyes,” Tash said with a frown. “I’m not joking. I don’t think he can take much more of this.”
“Like he’s never walked in on you and Dare.” TJ simply slid that big, gorgeous body of his onto the seat next to hers, sliding an arm around the back. Possessively. Like she was his and it was a foregone conclusion that he would get his way.
Tasha’s eyes narrowed even as Zach went off to find that chair that would apparently save Big Tag. “Not even once. Dare respects my father’s boundaries, and so do I.”
TJ and Kala snorted at the same time.
“I was not aware the man had boundaries until today,” Kenzie remarked with an eye roll. “He should understand that when Ben Parker and I finally have our epic happily ever after, we’re doing it all over the house. Everywhere. No place is untouched, and that is for Mr. Bear, who got stuck under my parents and was ruined for all of time.”
“You did swear you would avenge him, sis.” Kala gave her twin a quick fist bump. “But as for TJ, well, I’m watching you. Ruthless, my ass.”
“I don’t need for her to believe me,” TJ promised, leaning in again. “Honestly, it might be better if you don’t believe me. I’m just your friend TJ. The same sweet guy you’ve always known. You can indulge me because there’s no way I would trap you and tie you down and fuck you until you can’t remember any man except me. Sweet TJ would never do that. I’m sure we’ll be watching movies and petting puppies in no time at all because sweet TJ won’t be thinking of every single way he could have you. Every minute of every day.”
Who the fuck was he and why were her panties wet again?
“I can still hear you, and now I kind of want to vomit,” Kala complained.
“I’m actually thinking of betting for him now.” Kenzie was looking at TJ with new respect.
“We are not doing that.” Lou needed to shut that shit down or she and TJ would be at the center of The Hideout’s infamous betting book.
The whole stupid thing had been her idea because she’d read way too many romances set in the Regency where all the finest clubs had betting books. It was mostly dumb stuff like whether or not Sally Sub could take three hours of foot tickling—she couldn’t. Or who would punch hardest. She’d modified a punching bag with sensors to register the strength of a punch, converting the power to joules and then to pounds-force. Zach’s punch was the equivalent of being hit by a refrigerator dropped from a second-story window.
But Kala’s was almost as bad.
Lately, their dumb bets had taken on relationships and how fast certain people would hit the sheets.
“I say she holds out until TJ comes to his senses,” Tasha said.
That hurt, but at least someone had faith in her.
“I don’t have any senses,” TJ promised her. “And that makes it sound like Lou isn’t hot. Like oooo, I’ll wake up and realize I got the girl with the glasses when I was going for the popular one. I never did. I might have been stupid and insecure, but she’s always been gorgeous to me. I think she will be even more gorgeous when I get to properly see her boobs. Honestly, and the rest of her.”