Page 95 of Raging Inferno

Jessie slid her arm around his and gasped. She squeezed his biceps. “Oh, my, aren’t you the strong one?”

One of the waitstaff passed, toting a tray of champagne. Jessie stopped him, placed her empty on the tray, and took a fresh one for each of them, handing Kayne his. He thanked her, and she grasped his arm again and leaned close.

“You smell divine.”

“Thanks. The wife of one of my coworkers produces a line of men’s aftershave and cologne.”

“I assume she’s successful because I could eat you up.” He flinched when she growled and licked his neck. “Let me show you around the house.” Out of the side of her mouth, she said, “We have ten bedrooms.”

“There you are, Kayne.”

He let out a relieved sigh. Saved by Presley. She and Dominic came over to them.

“I was about to show your friend around,” Jessie said as she took a sip. “You didn’t tell me how hot he was, Pep.”

Kayne raised a brow and mouthed, “Pep?”

She frowned at him. “I need to talk to Kayne.”

Someone called Jessie’s name, and she grumped, “It’s the mayor. I have to go stroke his massive ego. I’ll catch up with you soon, Kayne.” She winked, licked her lips, and slapped his butt.

He jumped at the contact.

“She’s set her sights on you, Serruto,” Presley smirked.

“Isn’t she married?”

“On paper only,” Dominic informed him. “Affair is her middle name.”

“Ah. Great. So, Pep. What’s that about?”

“My initials. They called me that when I was a cheerleader.”

Kayne chuckled and shook his head. “I still can’t process that fact.”

She slugged him. Hard.

“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “What was that for?”

“For being a jackass.”

“Why?”

“You didn’t think I was feminine enough to wear short skirts and wave pom-poms.”

“All right, point taken. But I’ve seen you go up against Dante Costa and hold your own. Anyone who can do that is a beast.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Dominic was so proud to have Presley on his arm. Several of his firefighters were in attendance, and many pulled him aside to ask who she was and how he’d gotten so lucky. It hurt to admit she was a friend in town for a few days.

Many people remembered her from high school, and others had heard about the ordeal with Eddie Smith. Everyone wanted to talk to her.

No matter who she met, she was gracious and personable. His crew vied for her attention. He wanted to fight them off. Dom saw how the men leered at her and didn’t plan on letting her out of his sight. She was his, if only for a short time.

Jessie fluttered around the room, constantly with a glass in her hand. The waitstaff kept the alcohol flowing, and he wondered how many she’d imbibed already. Sam needed to stage an intervention, but Dom feared he didn’t care enough to do so. Presley had been right about her possibly harming someone else. It was irresponsible and dangerous.

He glanced over and spotted a woman doing her best to blend in with the wallpaper. He nudged Presley, and she followed his gaze.

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