LISS
I hated being beholden to anyone. Leon was worse than anyone. Because when the guy you were trying to keep out kept finding new ways to sneak beneath your defenses, it highlighted just how inadequate they really were.
I ran my tongue over my lips as I walked into Danny’s kitchen and my eyes scanned over the crowded room. When a shot glass appeared in my line of sight, I reached for it, taking the proffered drink, and throwing it down the hatch without tasting it.
“Keep 'em coming,” I muttered, passing the empty glass back to Riley.
Riley shook her head with a little smile, but another drink appeared like magic.
And then my gaze landed on Leon standing by the dining table just through the doorway. I sucked in a deep breath, fist closing tight around the empty shot glass in my hand.
Shit.
Thank you.
That's it. Two words... that's all you need to say.
But I had to do it while trying not to spontaneously combust at the sight of him, too.
“You going over there? Or are you just going to think grateful thoughts in his direction?”
Twisting my neck to glare at Riley, I muttered, “You’re an asshole.”
“Here,” she said with a grin, swapping out my empty glass for a full one. When I’d told her on the drive over what Leon had done, she’d practically swooned.
“Be back in a sec,” I muttered, jaw tight, drink in hand.
Faded jeans that wrapped around his muscled thighs, a bright, white tee that accentuated his bronzed skin and molded to his sculpted back, and that mussed, sun-streaked dirty blonde hair.
A boy band really did throw up on him.
And god fucking help me if I didn’t want to fan girl all over him.
With dogged steps and gritted teeth, I drew up behind him, perching a hip against the table. “Bradshaw?”
He spun immediately, blue eyes fastening on my face before flickering quickly over my body. I felt naked as his gaze sparked, incinerating my clothes. His lips stretched into a slow grin as he cocked his head. “Snow Queen.”
This was why he’d done it. This right here.
He fucking knew I’d have to say thank you. And he knew how much he’d enjoy seeing me squirm.
I rolled my eyes, chest heaving with the weight of my indrawn breath. The words refused to leave my mouth.
“Aw, come on, Lissa.” He grinned wider. “You can say it...”
Swiping my tongue over my teeth before catching the tip between them, I gave it a little nip and rested my eyes on his. “Why did you do it?”
He leaned back, crossing his bulky arms, and planting his ass down on the edge of the table. “Do what?”
My nostrils flared. “How much do I owe you?”
“I don’t want your money, Snow Queen.”
“What do you want then?”
His eyes softened as he cocked his head, locking me in h
is stare. “Still trying to figure that out.”