Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers 3)

His words score me to my core. “Now who’s slaying who?”

“You can take it.”

“I can,” I reply bleakly. “But if you don’t stop, I’ll burst into tears again.”

“Tears of happiness, I can handle.”

“Apparently, you’re a master of bringing them to the surface.”

“I didn’t hurt you?”

“You didn’t hurt me. I hope to God security isn’t knocking on our door soon.”

“If security knocks and I’m forced to leave this bed and deal with it, they should be the ones worried.”

I giggle and shift my hips. “We have to move at some point.”

His cock lurches hard inside me. “Are you still—?”

“Get used to it. You changed the game when you clenched down so hard, sucking me into where I felt everything.”

Heat creeps up my throat, face, and tingles in my scalp. “Don’t. Don’t get embarrassed. I just came harder than any time in my life.”

I swallow down my humiliation and squeeze the back of his head. “Thank you for giving me that.”

“Poppy, you taking all of me without a flinch. Stretching around me, soaking me with your heat, giving me the honor of letting loose. You set the bar.”

My stomach coils again. “I think that’s my line.”

“Shit, baby, your face tells me you want more.”

“I have a lot of time to make up for.”

“Let me clean you up, make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m not ready to lose you yet.”

His face softens, and he lays his forehead to mine, kissing me sweetly. “Then you won’t.”

“I’m hitting the hard stuff. Champagne isn’t cutting it. Envy has never been my forte,” Ryanne announces, swallowing the last of her flute.

“Keep your voice down!” I glance around the bar.

“No, I’m jealous and utterly sad. Three times?”

My face flames. “Two!”

“He prepped you, Pips, that counts. You give up your virginity and get platinum from the very go? Not fair. I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you and rarely do I get a twofer.”

“Jeez.” I throw my hands over my face, shaking my head. “Why did I tell you this?”

“Because you’ve been avoiding my calls all day.”

“I’ve been busy!” I hiss.

“Of course you have. Now that the seal is broken, you’re a feign.”

“I’m not a feign. We didn’t have sex all day.”

She arches an eyebrow and replies sarcastically, “Sure you didn’t.”

I don’t know why I’m surprised. The moment she and Dante walked into the restaurant, they read me easily. They behaved during dinner, even when we moved to the swanky bar next door, per Ryanne’s suggestion.

I was riding on cloud nine, knowing my best friends and boyfriend got along. Therefore, I let myself relax.

The minute Dante left for the restroom and Evin excused himself to take a late call from Darby, Ryanne pounced. She wanted answers, and since I am full of love, happiness, and copious amounts of fine champagne, I gave her the condensed version.

Big mistake. Because I didn’t even get to the beauty of my first time before she zoned into one detail. Actually, three details.

“Can we talk about this another time?” I glance around again, catching Evin’s smirk as he watches us from the patio.

“Yes. Since Dante’s driving, I’m drowning ten years of wasted time on men. Then I’m going home and scheming a way to sneak into your suitcase and fly across the country to find my own Chris Hemsworth.”

Her face is so serious, I hold in my laughter as long as I can before doubling over.

She orders a martini with her eyes twinkling. “I’m happy for you, Popsy. You chose well.”

“I agree, plus the bite mark on the neck is hot.” Dante steps beside me. “Now, can I steal you for a dance before Rambo comes back?”

I set my glass down and take his hand, letting him lead us to the dance floor. “My gypsy goddess is moving on air.”

“I’m fully on the ground.”

“Good, then hold on.” He spins me around and we move in sync. Doing what we’ve done countless times, he gives a show until we have a small crowd clapping.

“Eventually, he’ll get you to Charleston. When it’s time, we’re creating our studio and taking the southern world by storm.”

“Dante,” my breath leaves me.

“It’s not happening right now, but we’ll get our chance.”

“Charleston, Vegas, wherever we are, we will get it.”

“I know.” He kisses me on the cheek and guides me back to the bar where Ryanne is deep in conversation with Evin.

“Everything okay with Darby?” I sit on the stool and he crowds in.

“Dev’s teething and having a rough night. She wanted to check-in.” He fills my glass and orders another whiskey.

Ryanne takes a huge slug of her martini. “I’m calling it now. Darby may be your sister and you have some supernatural ESP, but I’m claiming the maid of honor.”

I gasp, horrified and wide-eyed. “Ryanne!”

“Fine with me,” Evin encourages her.

My stomach drops at the same time my heart hammers.

“The sooner it happens, the better. Darby’s had a dream since she knew what weddings were,” he goes on with the conversation like I’m not here.