Page 165 of Protective Heroes

Shay stiffened and pulled back. Bautista flinched, but continued, “Unless you’d like to take this talk privately?”

Dyson’s brow furrowed. A deep bass pulsated along the heated air, cranking up the tension. Guests gave them a wide berth, instinct driving them away from danger. “Not a fucking chance in hell. Either back the fuck off or we can have it out right here. Up to you. I don’t mind spending a few hours in the brig as long as you go down with me. And if you don’t take your hand off her right now, you and I’ll be the ones dancing.”

Bautista’s eyes flashed with a warning, daring Dyson to make a move. “Bautista, it’s best you leave, but my wife and I thank you for joining us on our day.” Diego rested a hand on Dyson’s shoulder and stepped between them.

Smart move.

The man turned his attention to Shay, calculating his move a moment before turning toward Diego. “The pleasure was mine.” His words clipped and dry. “And, amigo, get your friend on a leash before something bad happens.”

Bautista turned on his heel and Dyson watched as the viper slowly wove his way through the packed dance floor. Several suits peeled off from the crowd to follow. His goons, no doubt. This wasn’t the last they’d meet up—he could feel it deep in his bones.

“What the hell was all that about, Dyson?”

Dyson cringed from the lethal cut to Shay’s words when she turned on her heel and peered up at him.

Now that he could focus on her one hundred percent, the familiar scent of her shampoo washed over him. Or was it her body wash? Mango with an underlying hint of vanilla—as exotic as the woman. Fuck, he could eat her from mouth to pussy where she stood.

He couldn’t blame Bautista for wanting a chance at his lover. On second thought, after his latest misstep, he might need to attach former to that last thought.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he countered, crossing his arms. Normally, he was the rational one of the team—the one to ease the pressure and deliver solutions to tight situations. Tonight, all that took a back seat where Shay was concerned. Maybe that made him a prick, but he had no problem with the act-now-ask-questions-later, method.

“So neither of you think to ask me if you’re welcome to just waltz right into the middle of my dance with Bautista? And you can wipe that arrogant smirk off your face because I’m not in the mood for your puns and jokes, family or not. Damn cavemen, the both of you.”

Shay shook a finger in her cousin’s face and Diego had the common sense to keep his mouth shut. When neither of them gave an excuse or answer, she whipped around and headed toward the tables lining the far side of the dance floor.

A slow number replaced the faster salsa beat. A whole lot of kissing and groping was already going down and he burned to be right in the middle of it with Shay. Being this close felt so right, but out there he could get a hell of a lot closer.

Diego shot him a dirty look, but he wasn’t sorry one bit.

“Hold up there, little cuz, we’re not laughing. Do you know what the hell you were dancing with?”

Dyson didn’t give her time to answer. He grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him.

“What the hell are you doing with that guy, and why the hell is he here to begin with?”

Dyson stood his back to the dance floor, attention fully on Shay. “He’s my plus one. Or was. Everything else is none of your damn business.” Her eyes were daggers aimed right for his heart. “Or yours, Dyson. And really, he might have deserved it, but did you have to be such an ass?” Damn, he loved her accent—how she drew out her words with a sexy cadence.

He shrugged. “Seems to be the theme of the night.”

She inched around an empty chair that separated them and drove her point home with a finger to his chest. So petite to his taller stature, and so damn sexy all fired up.

He’d bet every last star in the fucking universe her lips would taste spicy as her attitude and he was dying to find out.

After he sucked on that sweet tongue he’d slowly work his way down until he had one of her sweet nipples in his mouth. He wouldn’t stop until she gave in to his charms, until he worked out the fear eating at his gut, and convinced himself she was safe.

At the thought of tasting her skin again and her pink pussy blood shot straight to his dick. It might have been six months since they’ last hooked up but he swore he could still taste the sweetness of her pussy every time he closed his eyes.

Diego stepped in and brought his thoughts back on track. “Looks like you two have some issues to sort out and I have a beautiful new bride waiting to dance with me.” Diego threw a wink at Shay, which brought a small smile to her lips. “And you know it doesn’t end there.”

Dyson nodded his understanding. “Thanks, buddy.” He could handle everything from here.

Dyson caught Shay’s hand in his and kept her from following Diego’s example and walking away from him.

He lowered his voice. He should be furious she was here with another man. Fucking wild with anger that she let any else touch her beside him. But that was his fault to begin with. He’d let her walk away from him and di nothing to let her know how much she meant to him.

He had no one to blame but himself. But he also didn’t have to step aside and let it continue.

“I’ve been known to step on a few toes. More than a few, actually. I’m not worried about your date’s feelings. I’m worried about you.”

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