“For now, we need you to keep protecting her until we can chase down the vermin.” Declan’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
“I’ll protect her as long as you need.”
Forever.
What the hell?
He nods, clapping me on the shoulder, before leaving to go upstairs.
I head out to the pool to check on Paige, and she’s getting out of the deep end when I walk around the corner.
Her curly hair is slicked back, flowing down her back and dripping water. That bikini of hers leaves very little to the imagination, and heat rushes through my body as she looks over at me, frowning slightly.
Feck.
My cock is hardening in my slacks, and I clear my throat, adjusting myself so it’s not so obvious.
Paige walks up to me, drying her hair with a towel.
“We have to take Sophie home,” she drawls, clearly a little tipsy.
I can see it in her glassy, wide green eyes. “Sure.”
I’m grateful when Paige wraps a towel around herself. I can’t look at her curves much longer without doing something about it.
Five minutes later, I’m waiting in the foyer for Paige and Sophie, rubbing a hand across my face.
Declan comes down the stairs, and he throws me a weird look.
“You okay, Kael?”
I jerk my head up, blink, and turn to look at him. “Yeah, fine. Why?”
“You have a weird look on your face.”
I snort. “What’s that supposed to mean? Stop being a girl.”
Declan laughs. “I just know you well enough to know something’s off.”
“Just need to blow off some steam.”
“Want to hit the gym? We can have Paige stay here a while longer.”
I sigh. “That’s okay. I’ll work out at her place.”
Declan nods. “Thank you, by the way. For all of this.”
“Of course. I’ll always help out.”
Paige and Sophie have showered and sobered a bit, and they only stumble a little getting into my car. I’m glad we didn’t ride my bike.
I don’t realize I’ve said it out loud until Paige looks up at me.
“You have a bike? Like a motorcycle?”
“No, a dirt bike.” The look I throw her is lost in the still slight haze of alcohol. “Yeah, of course a motorcycle.”
“I’ve never seen you ride.”