Page 43 of Scorching Lies

CHAPTER NINETEEN

KENNA

“Oh-muh-god.”

"Really?” Ally laughs, rolling her eyes at me.

My tongue slips out to swipe up the syrup running down my chin, mouth full of warm pancakes, I nod at her. Swallowing down the way too big of a bite, a smile breaks free.

“These pancakes are heaven!”

She nibbles on the sausage link hanging off her fork, rolling the end in sticky syrup before taking another bite, keeping her eyes on the boy at the counter. She amazes me with how fast she can turn her attention around to someone else. Her small hand brushes back vibrant purple strands of hair, she truly is so beautiful, a wild card for sure.

“Got your eye on a new toy?” I joke, nudging her with my foot.

Dropping her head forward she eyes her plate, lips twisted to the side, looking perplexed with the question.

“West is fun, but that’s all it is with him. Fun. I know we can sleep together and it’ll mean nothing at the end of the day.”

“And that’s not what you want?”

It’s an honest question, but she seems surprised that I’d be so bold.

Holding out my hands I give her a soft look, “It’s not always fun playing the short-term game.”

Flicking a piece of egg off her fork, her gaze meets mine, “And what if the long game is one I’ll never win.”

My brows dip, “And why is that?” Her statement taking me by surprise.

Ally is anything but unsure. Most girls would show off their body to cover their insecurities, but she doesn’t give a shit. She’s herself through and through. Shoveling another massive bite in my mouth I wait for her to respond.

“Let’s just say I wouldn’t consider myself miss perfect and innocent.”

The tink of her metal fork dropping on the table has my eyes dropping to her plate and back up.

“No one is perfect, Ally. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I don’t know where I would be without you. You’ve been an amazing friend to me even through all the shit with the Stone brothers.”

Squeezing her hand with my clean one, I flash her a smile, because it’s true. Ally has kept my head above water more than I’d like to admit. Wrapping my lips around my straw I take a deep pull of the orange juice in my glass. Thank heavens for the tangy taste. Wiping my mouth with a napkin the ding frombehind me has my head turning on instinct. Resignation sinks in my stomach at the sight of the middle brother walking in, showcasing a wide grin and enough natural swag to drown any girl's panties.

“Well shit.” I mumble under my breath.

Ally’s eyes light up, but her smile isn’t fully there when she sees him this time. It’s more reserved and it has me wondering if West has done or said something to her to mess things up.

“Ally baby! I see you saved a spot for me. Let me slide in.” His voice bounces off the wall.

The amount of energy this man carries in one toe could fill my entire body. He doesn’t need coffee, he is the coffee. Ally has her eyes glued to him, but she doesn’t move. Her hesitation has his smile dropping an inch, but he catches himself. She may not have seen the slight change in his stance, but I know exactly what a Cobra looks like standing tall. She looks from me to him before she realizes that we are both watching her waiting to see if she was going to move for him.

“Sure!” Her voice filled with false excitement.

She starts to slide over giving him space to sit when his large hand engulfs hers, pulling her to him.

“Ally baby, why don’t you go to your boy at the counter and order me a slice of apple pie.”

It’s an order. One she doesn’t fail to abide by. She chances a glance at me, we both caught that comment,her boy,and the worry in her eyes is evident. She stands and her chest rubs against his with how close he’s standing to the booth. His tallframe leans down to whisper in her ear, I can see a shiver roll through her body with his word.

“Don’t worry about it, baby. He’ll never touch this skin while a Stone owns every inch of you.”

“You-”

---