Page 102 of Wanted

Aiden’s handsome face splits into a blistering smile. “She taken? I think I like this one.” He throws his arm around my shoulders, and I swear Jude actually growls.

“Get off her.”

“So touchy, big bro.” Aiden gives me a friendly lingering squeeze before he lets me go.

Jude turns to his other siblings. “Either of you two want to stay behind instead?”

“No.” Corjan grins.

“Nope.” Lee chuckles.

Aiden rubs his palms together. “Looks like she’s all mine.”

“Swear to fucking god.” Jude charges at his brother. I swipe a fistful of his shirt just in time. I realize I probably have the effect of a kitten trying to hold back a tiger, but at my tug, he turns his chin to me.

“Behave.”

Jude’s shoulders deflate. “Just let me give him a warning punch.”

“And get blood all over the place? I don’t think so.”

He spins around and cups my face. “This will have to do then.” He touches his mouth to mine.

“Get a room,” Aiden teases, hands cupped around his mouth.

“Later?” I whisper against Jude’s lips.

“Definitely later.” With one final lip touch, he straightens. “Don’t let him be a pain in your ass.”

“I won’t.”

I stand and wait while the boys load up the kennels into Jude’s van.

Jude kisses me once more, then swings around and jabs his index finger at Aiden. “I’m trusting you.”

“Yeah, yeah. You guys get so sensitive when you fall in love.”

Jude’s expression freezes into one of shock.

Oh god. Did he not... Isn’t he…? Shit.

After several seconds of pause, he shakes himself out of it and walks toward his van.

“I’ll see you later,” I tentatively call.

“Later,” he grunts and takes off. Lee and Corjan follow.

Once their taillights disappear down the driveway, I smack Aiden hard across the chest.

“Ow!” he cries and cups his hands protectively over his nipples, moving back a step. “What was that for?”

“Why did you have to say that?” I hit him again.

“Ow! Shit, Frankie,” he half laughs, half whines. “Stop, I’m sorry! Jesus, they shouldn’t have left me alone here with you, you witch.”

I screech in frustration. “Why do you have to poke at him like that? If he comes back and breaks things off because you scared him—”

Aiden stops dodging, and his face falls. “You don’t think he’d do that? I was just joking.”

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