Page 12 of Tempting Her Dragons

“I bet I’m fired now.” I pull away quickly and then regret the loss of the warmth of my mate. My breath becomes shallow as I turn to keep all the men around me in sight.

Kingston. Maverick moves beside him, a wall of sexy dragons. Kingson’s dark blonde hair is shaved close on the sides but it’s long on the top and brighter. His eyes match his hair; the gold flecks swirl with heat. I want to run my fingers over the scruff on his jaw. He is slightly shorter than Maverick, but their builds are similar. Kingston is wearing jeans with rips in the knees and a black T-shirt tight across his chest. His right wrist is wrapped in a rope he wears like a bracelet.

I’m curious why, and I want to lick the tattoos on Maverick’s skin.

“Saph,” Ryker snaps.

“Huh?” I turn my dazed eyes his way.

“What the fuck is going on?” The frustration is evident in his voice. I look from him to my mates and the customer in pain.

“Another man touched me without permission,” I explain shortly.

“Another?” Kingston rumbles.

“Who the fuck are you?” Ryker asks him.

“Friends,” I blurt louder than called for, and they all look at me. “Friends from out of town. They surprised me.” I shrug weakly, and thankfully, my mates say nothing. I need time without my brothers interfering to adjust to my new reality.

“Friends,” Ryker says slowly. “Dragon friends.”

“Yep.” I smile. “They showed up when this guy decided he wanted to hit on me and grabbed my arm. Kingston is protective of our…” I lick my lips. “Friendship. He didn’t like him touchingme. I’m sorry. I realize I’m really fired this time. I’ll take my friends and go. I will sternly lecture Kingston on his behavior, and he will never hurt anyone in your club again.” I pull in a deep breath and grab Kingston’s hand, and the air leaves my lungs in a rush.

Fuck, that’s powerful. I try to pull away, but he laces his fingers with mine, staring at our joined hands.

“You are so full of shit,” Ryker mutters to me but stares at my mates.

“Are you going to allow the bitch to get away with this?” the guy says wildly. It’s my turn to tighten my grip to hold Kingston back and look sharply at Maverick to keep him in place, before turning my attention back to Ryker.

“Shut the fuck up,” Ryker says dangerously to the table of pissed men. “You will leave my club and never come back. One of your buddies broke your arm while all of you were drunk.” His gaze travels over each of them, using his influence on the group. “You won’t remember being here or the woman and her—” He rolls his eyes my way. “Friends. Go now.” They all get up at the same time and walk away. “Saph—”

“Sorry. So, so sorry. We will go, and I won’t ask to be paid.”

“Shit. You aren’t fired. You can leave for the night, and I’ll pay you for the whole night.”

“Ryker,” I whisper.

“Do you trust your friends?” he asks.

“Yes.” The bond is starting rapidly, and even though I don’t know shit about them, I know they wouldn’t hurt me.

“Go. I don’t want to know anything. When anyone asks, I won’t have to lie,” he says, and I know he’s talking about my brothers. “If you don’t text me to check in by the end of the night, I won’t be so generous,” he warns.

“Got it,” I say quickly.

“You don’t want me to involve Micah,” he threatens. “And neither do they.”

“No,” I say, swallowing hard. He nods at me and then glares at the silent men beside me before disappearing into the crowd.

“Saphira,” Maverick says.

“Wait,” I say. “Come with me.” I pull on the hand holding mine and speed-walk to the front door.

I have two mates.

It’s not something I can deny.

What the fuck should I do about it?

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