Page 42 of Dark Horse

But even as gorgeous as Hayden is, and as good of a kisser as I remember him being—even drunk, which makes me curious about what the sober version would be—he pales in comparison standing next to Grant.

Grant walks up with Ramsey to greet him, and I swear the temperature drops. His hand finally leaves my side as he turns to shake Grant’s. Ramsey gives introductions to both of his brothers. Grant’s in full business mode, his icy-blue eyes have melted into an ocean of cordiality, all the smiles and nods and friendly words of welcome. The devil is exceedingly charming when he wants to be. All calm waters on the surface, but I know underneath it all, he’s seething while he tries to decipher the relationship between Hayden and me. One I’m not eager to explain, given we all have to spend the weekend together, and Grant’s been very clear about his feelings on other men flirting in my general direction during this agreement.

My eyes ping back and forth as the two of them talk, trying to make sense of what this is going to mean for me and this weekend. I don’t need to think too hard about it. Grant’s a lot of things, but bossy and territorial are at the top of the list. Hazel pushing me into Hayden’s lap again while Grant watches isgoing to be a mess of epic proportions. On the other side, I don’t imagine many women tell Hayden no either. All while I try to play host to this party and keep Hazel happy.

I’m ready to go back to the bar and have another drink.

SIXTEEN

GRANT

I’m in hell.My own version of it. Where I’ve finally had the smallest taste of something I’ve unknowingly craved for years but have to watch it all slip away right in front of my eyes.

Our agreement has my feet rooted in the ground as I watch this fucking prick teammate of my younger brother’s spin her around a makeshift dance floor. She’s teaching everyone a new dance for the wedding, using him as an example. His hands are all over every inch of her body, like he’s had them there before. And I just have to stand here and watch. All while everyone in the room cheers them on.

“Who the fuck is this guy again?” I ask quietly as I look at my younger brother. He introduced us earlier, but I was too busy trying to make sense of how he was so friendly with Dakota.

“Hayden. Plays for the Chaos with me. Good guy.” Ramsey smiles as the prick’s feet falter, and his hands slip a little lower on her ass. She laughs as he rights himself, but he doesn’t bring his hands back up where they belong as he turns her around the makeshift dance floor. I take another sip of my drink. I might break a few of his fingers and see who’s fucking laughing then.

“Good guy? Is he always so fucking handsy?” I glower at the way he’s running his hand over her hip as he pulls her closer to him again.

“No, but he and Dakota hit it off on New Year’s Eve.” Ramsey’s brow furrows.

“What do you mean hit it off?” I don’t bother to cover my tone, and Ramsey’s head snaps in my direction. He studies my face like he doesn’t like what he sees.

“Why do you care?”

Fuck.

“You know why I care. She’s his sister.” I try to sound nonchalant but fail miserably when her fingers drift over his shoulder, and her lashes lift as she laughs at something else he says. This fucker must be a fucking comedian in his spare time.

“That tone doesn’t sound like worry. It sounds like jealousy.” Ramsey’s already done the math. I can see it in his eyes.

“So what if it was?” I say flippantly, trying to throw him off.

“You got a hell of a big hole to try and climb out of. One you dug.” He makes a low whistle. “I don’t even know if there are ladders made for that.”

“You managed it,” I argue, pointing out that Hazel and Ramsey had spent a good portion of last year trying to make each other suffer—at least when they weren’t eye fucking the hell out of each other in between.

“She liked me before she hated me.”

I blow out a breath and take another sip of my drink. My eyesdrift back to Dakota as he spins her awkwardly. She’s a damn good dancer, and she’s reining it all in for his benefit—working hard to make him look like he knows what he’s doing. The way she’s laughing so effortlessly as he whispers something in her ear has my teeth set on edge. I don’t think she’s ever laughed like that in my presence, proving Ramsey has a point. She’s never been a fan of mine, minus one awkward moment when she turned eighteen.

“When you say they hit it off…” I have to focus on one problem at a time. Getting her to like me is one for a different day. Today is just making sure he doesn’t make her forget I exist.

“I don’t know the details…” Ramsey trails off.

“But?” I brace for whatever he’s about to tell me.

“She was in his lap most of the night when she wasn’t working. They were pretty heavy by midnight. Hazel and I left not long after.” He shrugs like me not having more details isn’t going to kill me. It’s left to my imagination, and well…

I’m imagining her stripping down and climbing into bed with him. Thinking about her making all her perfect little sounds for him and him knowing all the minute details of her body that I do. I feel fucking sick. It’s even worse when the song stops and Hazel catches Dakota, linking arms as they both giggle, and Dakota tells her something that makes her grin. Hazel talks animatedly with her, and I realize what this whole “wedding games” thing is: an elaborate ruse to push these two together. And fuck if it isn’t working like a charm.

“Your wife seems to have ulterior motives at this event.”

“I told you she had some plans.”

“And she thinks what… these two fucked once when Dakota was drunk, and now they’ll fall in love and Dakota can travel back and forth with her?”

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