Page 41 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

“It won’t.” She started passing out beer. “Lacy and I did a bend-over test.”

Slater sat his cheek in his hand, elbow on the table. “The bend-over test? Please explain more. In graphic detail.”

Ella turned, handing Damon his beer directly. “I told you that she brought me clothes to wear tonight.”

“You didn’t elaborate on what kind of clothes.”

“I didn’t realize you were into women’s fashion or I would’ve.” She crossed her arms, irritation flashing in her blue eyes. “She brought me this skirt. When I changed, I bent over, and she guaranteed that my ass you’re so concerned about wouldn’t fall out.”

Xavier held up a hand like a kid in school. “I will gladly volunteer for the role if Lacy is unavailable.”

“Both of you, shut up,” Damon demanded, growing angrier. “You can’t walk around like”—he motioned to her outfit—“this. You need to change.”

She cocked her head to the side, the shift in her demeanor immediate. “Why?” She’d said it with an almost regal tone, like how could he possibly question her.

“Because every one in here is staring at your ass.”

“Ah. Right. So I need to dress for whose comfort, exactly? Mine, yours, or theirs?”

Ryker snorted as he drank the beer, turning into a coughing fit.

But Damon stayed locked in on Ella, trying to figure out how to respond to that question. “It’s to keep you safe and from being objectified.” Why didn’t she see that?

“I realize you boss everyone around, including me, but not on this.” Ella shifted closer, her finger poking into the middle of his chest. “I haven’t taken fashion advice from a man since I was seven. Now, it took me ten minutes to get tired of Carl’s bullshit at the bar, and I’m already fed up with yours after ten seconds. Lacy brought me this skirt. I like it, and I’m wearing it. I feel like I look cute.”

“Cute?” The word cute had never factored into his thoughts.

Straight sinwas more like it.

“You’re the one who told me to be Ella. And Ella likes this style. I don’t care if Damon doesn’t.” She snatched the empty tray from the table and stomped away.

In that moment, he’d witnessed Ella switch back into Elizabeth Cassin. But what did it say about him that her attitude was just as sexy as that outfit?

He flexed his hands from where they’d fisted as three guys at the end of the bar obviously checked her butt out when she passed by them. Turning, he spotted the massive smiles on his friends’ faces.

“Not. A. Fucking. Word. Any of you.” He sat down. “And if either of you guys checks out her ass again, I will let my intrusive thoughts take over and take my frustration out on your face.”

“You should apologize.” Slater touched the edge of his beer glass to Damon’s, still gripped in his hand. “It’s not nice to tell a woman what to wear. I’ve already learned that the hard way, and you did, too, my man.”

Damon grumbled and drank his entire beer in a long drink. He should apologize for trying to keep her safe and respected? She’d come to him, asking for his help. He tried to give it, and she told him she’s sick of his bullshit? Didn’t make any sense.

“Damn. Pace yourself, or you’ll be making drunken promises of love by midnight.” Xavier nudged Slater. “Want to place a bet?”

“Shut up.” He took Slater’s beer from him, downing the rest of it as well.

“I think she’s getting to him, boys.” Ryker grinned. “And no wonder. Not sure I’d hold out this long if someone as sweet as Ella lived ten feet away from me.”

Sweet? Yes. Ella had a very sweet side, but he liked the whole package, including the attitude.

Damon huffed and started to reach for Xavier’s beer, but he pulled it away.

“Nope. You have to figure this out sober.”

“Figure what out? I’m trying to help keep her safe, but she won’t do what I say.”

“Is that what it was? You dictate her not to wear the skirt because you don’t want her to get caught or because you don’t want a man looking at something you consider yours?”

That made him sit up straight. “Mine? I never once thought she was mine.”

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