Page 52 of Consume Me

She shakes her head, walking away. I head to the bar, enjoying my second drink when Hunter appears at my side.

“Where is she?” he asks.

I lift the glass to my mouth. “Bailey’s in the bathroom. Nothing will happen to her. We’re safe here.”

“You don’t know that,” he says, striding away.

Stubborn as ever, being his usual control freak self. He’s so tense all the damn time that I’m afraid my twin will snap.

Tyson takes the seat next to me and orders a drink. That’s never happened before. Glancing around, I quickly figure out the reason for his change in demeanor: his stepsister is dancing with some guy.

“Girl problems?”

He mumbles something unintelligible, and a light bulb goes off in my head.

“You know guys, right?” I ask.

A contrite expression takes over his features. “Yeah, so?”

“I want to date, and no one wants to date me because they’re afraid of Blake.”

He looks at Ivy and then back at me. “Let’s say I entertain this.”

“You are entertaining this.”

“It could cost me my friendship with Blake.”

“I never said anything about you…”

“I’m the only one crazy enough to go in the ring with him.”

Blake’s getting restless, and fighting seems to help him. For a few moments, he finds some calm. I know that because I’ve watched him.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I really don’t,” I admit, but the limbo is killing me.

Speaking of the devilishly gorgeous guy and the bane of my existence, Blake comes straight over to us. His expression is fierce as he towers over me. He grips my chin, making me look at him.

“What was the rule, Mia?”

I forget my own name when I look into his eyes. This is going into unhealthy territory. Obsession, madness, and desire all weave together, consuming me.

“Not only can I take care of myself, but Tyson would protect me.”

“Would he?” Blake snaps his gaze to him.

“I would, and not just because I am considering dating her.”

For a moment, the pumping of my heart overshadows the music in my ears.

“Or you could go back in the ring,” Tyson challenges.

The asshole. This guy always has an agenda. Nothing is for free.

“Kiss her, and I will cut your lips off. Touch her, and I will break your hands. Fuck her, and I guarantee you that’s the last thing you’ll do.”

My insides liquefy into lava. That threat delivered in his deep voice does things to me, making me all hot and bothered.

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