Page 35 of Branded Hearts

Amelia just laughs, and Amanda rolls her eyes, but a broad smile spreads across her face. As the girls show interest in joining me, I lead the way to the booth where the boys are seated. They notice ourapproach and greet us with welcoming smiles.

Here we go.

“Bradley! My man,” Reynolds exclaims, raising his glass in greeting.

Daniels chimes in, “Ah, so this is where you disappeared off to, huh?”

I roll my eyes. Truth be told, I spotted Amelia at the bar, saw that jerk making her uncomfortable, and before I knew it, my legs were moving on their own—told them I needed to take a piss.

“Who are your friends?” Reynolds asks.

“Yes, who are these beautiful ladies?” Stokes comments, earning a round of giggles from the group. His full name is Tom Wilson, but his overuse of the word ‘stoked’ has about done our heads in, so now we just call him ‘Stokes.’

Ignoring their remarks, I begin the introductions. “This is Amelia, Stella, Kristie, Jamie, and Amanda.” The girls wave in acknowledgment. Then, pointing to the guys, I continue, “And these idiots are Daniels, Reynolds, and Wilson.”

Daniels interrupts with a sudden recognition. “Wait. I know your face,” he says, studying Amelia closely. I raise my brow at him, waiting for him to continue.

“You were at the shop that day, a few weeks back, right?” Amelia shifts uncomfortably in her seat.

“I was. Yes,” she admits reluctantly.

“Thought so.”

Clearing my throat, I decide to steer the conversation elsewhere. “Right, now that that’s out of the way, girls, now’s your chance to bail, and trust me, I don’t blame you if you want to,” I say, my tone clipped, hoping to spare Amelia any further discomfort. Memories of that incident at the shop flicker through my mind—I don’t want her to feel uneasy about it.

The guys chuckle at my attempt to lighten the mood. I mentally kick myself for bringing them here. Spending more time with her means those damn thoughts that have been plaguing me will only get worse.

“Oh, don’t be silly, we’d love the company,” Jamie says, and the girls all nod in agreement. Amelia just looks at me with a small smile. Her smile unexpectedly puts me at ease, and for a moment, any slight worry dissipates.

It’s been a few hours, and we’re all crammed into the large booth. The girls are huddled together, surrounded by the guys who are really hitting it off. Amelia’s on my left, and I’m at the end of the booth, with Daniels sitting opposite me.

Jamie and Kristie are shouting over the loud music, their voices barely audible above the din. Amanda signals her departure, claiming it’s past her bedtime and that herGerryis waiting for her at home, presumably her husband.

As the girls sing their goodbyes, Amelia accidentally knocks over her glass, spilling it all over the table.

“I think that’s enough drinking for you, missy,” Kristie says, and Amelia just giggles.

“I think I’m gonna be a be’sick,” she slurs, her words blending together in a drunken mumble.

Yeah, that’s my cue.

I rise from the booth, helping her stand up.

“Let’s get you home, then,” I say, my tone firm. “You didn’t drive here, did you?”

She looks up at me, her eyes glassed over. “No, I did not. We caught a taxi.”

“I’m gonna take you home, is that alright?” I ask.

“Yess’sir,” she slurs in response. Her calling me ‘sir’ sends a rush straight down to my cock; a response I shouldn’t be entertaining. I glance at the girls, silently extending the offer of a lift. They beam, their smiles widening as if they know something I don’t want to admit.

“Nah, we’re all good, champ. You get her home safe,” one of them says, their confidence in me oddly reassuring.

I nod in acknowledgment, then turn to the guys. Daniels just winks at me, his mischief evident.

“Night, boys. Stay sharp,” I say.

They reply in a chorus of “Yes, sir’s,” and I can’t help but shake my head as I guide Amelia to the doors. With a hand at her back, I lead her out, determined to get her home safe and sound.

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