Here Comes Trouble (Trouble, Tennessee 0.50)

Her lips quivered and she acknowledged the anger. She had so much hostility inside her, so much rage. And as much as she tried to shut Denny out, she could almost feel his sinister smirk at her back, telling her in that evil voice of his that she could run, she could hide, but he’d always find her.

Allister folded his arms over her thighs and studied her. He then clasped his hands over her pussy and rested his chin on his knuckles. “I think you’re spectacular.”

“You don’t think I’m damaged?”

“Why would I think you’re damaged?”

“Because I…” She closed her eyes and kept telling herself to refuse the sadness, to ignore the undertow, the violence that had turned her into such a skeptic.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to me, Ellie. We’ve always been close.”

“We’re pretty close now,” she teased, wishing she hadn’t opened her big mouth. If she hadn’t allowed thoughts of Denny to interrupt her most pleasurable moments, she would’ve been screaming Allister’s name by now, pulling his hair, and fucking his mouth and fingers like a wild and reckless lover.

Ellie stilled at the thought.

She’d been the wild and reckless lover. Now, regardless of what she’d said to the contrary, her needs and desires were much different.

Now what she truly wanted seemed a little dull, but in fact it was far more exciting.

She wanted to be loved.

Chapter Five

“Guys, ya got a minute?” Draegan entered the Café on the Square before Bradley ever saw him coming, but he could guess why he was there.

“Look out boys,” Markie drawled. “Here it comes. The one you’ve been expecting.”

Draegan narrowed his eyes on Ryan. “What’s he talking about?”

“Talk. To. Me.” Markie aimed his index and middle finger at Draegan’s eyes before he swung them around to his own. “I’m right here, sweet thang. I won’t bite, unless you want me to.”

“Knock it off, Markie.” Draegan took the menu from their waitress. “Have you changed the selections?” He glanced up at Serena. “Well?”

“Um, no.” She frowned at Draegan. A resident in Trouble for only a couple of weeks, Serena still jumped at her own shadow. “I can put in a special request if you want me to.”

Draegan thrust the menu forward. “Just bring me the usual.”

Serena cleared her throat, forced a smile and directed her conversation to Bradley. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, we’re good,” Bradley said, handing over his empty plate.

“Ryan? Did you want to order?”

“No, I’m fine, Serena. Thanks,” he replied, thumbing Draegan. “And since Draegan is too lazy to tell you what his usual is, bring him a burger and fries.”

Draegan’s usual changed about as suddenly as the weather.

“See there,” Markie sang. “Now you see why I stick with this one. He takes care of those he loves.” He gripped Ryan’s bicep and made an O-shape with his mouth. “My oh my! Won’t you boys look at this? Ryan here is sporting some trunks instead of fragile limbs!”

“Thanks,” Ryan grumbled, pulling away from him.

Markie pressed down on his cock, pretending he had a hard-on for Ryan. The act made Ryan blush and he wasn’t one who embarrassed easily.

Undoubtedly eating up his reaction, Markie fluttered his false eyelashes. “If it doesn’t work out between you and the lovely Miss Hunter, you come find me now. Ya hear?”

“Markie, do you mind?” Draegan dragged his hand down his face. “We’ve got a problem.”

Swinging his arm over the booth, Markie grunted. “I’d rethink that if I were you. They don’t have a problem. You, however, have a major one if you’re thinking everyone here—not to mention that brother of yours—is just gonna slide a spot over and make room for one more.”