Protecting Dallas

“Oh yeah,” said Austin abruptly. “Remember the time Connor dragged us all out to that sushi restaurant?”

Maddox laughed. “Which one?”

“The one where he ordered everything on the menu,” Austin went on. “And they brought out—”

“They brought out that fucking wooden boat,” Kane snickered. “All covered in rice and fish. It had masts and sails and everything. Jesus, that thing took up the entire table.”

“It sure did,” said Maddox, laughing. “Only none of us would touch it. Only Connor.”

Smirking defeatedly, my gaze shot over to Austin. He was looking over his shoulder already grinning. His eyes were gloating.

Alright, alright, I mouthed silently as we pulled into the driveway. You win.

Kane tried helping Maddox inside, and was immediately shrugged off. They marched through the front door together, standing tall.

“The machismo levels in this house are off the charts,” I said, rolling my eyes at Austin.

“You think that’s bad? Wait until we stitch him up and he pretends it doesn’t even hurt.”

I laughed out loud, picturing it perfectly in my mind. It was exactly what would happen, too.

As we took the cracked cement walkway together, Austin’s arm slid around me. He pulled me into him.

“Hey, remember our bet?” he murmured. “Anything I want?”

He had a velvet voice. A smooth but insistent touch.

“Yes,” I answered haltingly. I noticed his scent; musky and manly and delicious. My heart was already beating faster. “Why? Do you know what you want?”

Austin’s hand slid downward, cupping my ass. As he pushed his lips close to my ear, he gave it a promising squeeze.

“I want you in my room tonight,” he whispered huskily. “Late. After we all turn in.”

An electric shiver rocketed through my body. It filled me with feelings of nervousness and excitement. Exhilaration… and

anticipation.

“O—Okay.”

“After all,” he murmured, turning to deliver a smile. “A deal’s a deal.”

Twenty-Two

DALLAS

The house was deathly silent as I slipped into the upstairs hallway. Maddox was all stitched up, and had taken something for the pain. He and Kane were both slumbering deeply, their doors closed.

It was well after midnight when I let myself into Austin’s room. The lights were pleasantly dim. The temperature was warm and welcoming.

“Hey…”

My heart was racing as I closed the door and turned around. Austin was lounged out in a soft, high-backed chair. His incredible body was gloriously naked except for a pair of tight boxer-briefs.

“Lose those,” he said casually, pointing with a short whiskey glass. He was indicating my sleep shorts.

“Yeah?” I teased.

“Oh yeah.”