Southern Pleasure (Southern Heart 1) - Page 17
“He really has,” Kinley agrees.
Mike joins us and sets four bottles of beer on the table. “Livvy, I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“Mom and Dad were hovering. So, I decided to come check the place out. You did good, big brother.”
The band takes the stage and Olivia jumps from the booth. “Let’s get our groove on,” she says, holding her hand out for Kinley.
Kinley stands and my eyes follow her. Those short-ass shorts, long tanned legs, and cowboy boots are fucking sexy as hell.
Southern pleasure.
“You can say that again,” Mike says.
His voice brings me out of my Kinley trance and I tear my eyes from her. Mike is now sitting beside me. “What?” I ask him.
“I agree, she’s full-on fucking southern pleasure.”
Fucking Mike! Looking across the booth, I see Aaron’s not there. No wonder he’s not out of his seat kicking both of our asses. My eyes scan the crowd and I catch the back of him as he walks into the bathroom.
Turning to face Mike, I see his eyes are glued to the dance floor. From the look on his face, I know it’s not his little sister he’s watching. My protective instincts kick in, only this time it feels different.
“Not fucking happening,” I growl.
Mike slowly tears his eyes from her and faces me. The smirk on his face makes me want to hit him like a donkey kicking a barn door.
“She’s a big girl, Chamberlin. She already has one big brother, she doesn’t need another.”
My hands, which are resting on the table, tighten into fists. I’ve always considered Mike a friend, but now, I just—
“Besides, aren’t you the one who dubbed her southern pleasure?” he goads me.
We’re sitting on the same side of the booth, which makes my next move easy enough. I grab hold of his shirt collar and bring his face mere inches from mine. “Not fucking happening,” I repeat my earlier threat. “Stay the fuck away from her.” I release his shirt with a shove, and his body jerks back.
“Hey, is this one mine?” Kinley’s sweet voice washes over me. I’m still wound tight, my eyes never leaving Mike’s.
I watch a slow smile creep across his face. “Sure is, darlin.’ Don’t forget you promised me a dance.” He winks at her.
I clench my jaw tight to keep from making a scene.
“Yeah, I’ll have to take a rain check. I have an early shoot in the morning. This is my last one.” She raises her beer as she turns to face me. “Evan, do you think you could take me home? Aaron said he was going to stay for a while longer.” She points over her shoulder. I see Aaron and a blonde getting friendly out on the dance floor.
“I can take you home,” Mike offers.
“Uh, thanks, Mike, but Evan is going my way.” She gives him a polite smile, but it’s not her smile, the one that lights up her face—the smile I’ve come to enjoy seeing on her over the past several weeks.
Digging my wallet out of my back pocket, I throw a few bills down on the table and push on Mike’s arm. Reluctantly, he stands and allows me to slide out of the booth.
I place my hand on the small of her back. Kinley leans in to give Olivia a quick hug, then turns to smile up at me.
My smile.
“Let’s get you home,” I say, bending down next to her ear. She nods and, with my hand guiding her, we head out to my truck.
This past month has been crazy. I’ve been busy with sessions in my studio. Business is great; I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been shopping non-stop for the perfect room for baby girl Chamberlin. Evan says he doesn’t know what he’s going to name her yet. I want this little girl to have a room that dreams are made of. Even though Evan has to play mom and dad, I want to help him—-we all do. I want to make sure this little girl knows she’s loved, because she is.
Evan is family, so sometimes when I think of him as something other than that, I feel guilty. I try; I really do. I try hard not to notice how amazing his body is. I try hard not to fantasize about tracing those six-pack abs with my tongue. I find myself failing in my attempts more often than not.
It’s hard to prevent it when we spend so much time together. Today is a perfect example. I’m going over to his place in a few hours to start painting. I picked up the paint and all the supplies yesterday. I’ve been giving his credit card a workout. I’ve been finding bargains to save him some money, but he needs everything!
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