Page 54 of Undercover Desires

I take my seat, pouring the girls a glass each and handing them over. As I offer Bella’s to her, our hands brush, and for a split second her eyes meet mine. She felt it too, that spark of electricity. We can’t forget what happened between us the other night, no way in hell. It was too good.

The mood around the table is tense, and normally, this would be my cue to ratchet up the tension and create a little chaos, but I know this tension is all because of Bella, and with my brothers, I don’t want to add any more stress to her situation. Instead of hating on her like I know they do, I’m feeling strangely protective.

After our meal, we all gather in the bar area, drinks in hand. Classical music fills the air, and couples gracefully take to the dance floor. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to speak with Bella privately all night, but she and Hazel have been inseparable. They’ve polished off that bottle of champagne, though it seems like Hazel did most of the drinking. Despite this, the two of them are becoming increasingly giggly.

Jett comes to stand by my side, his instincts kicking in. “I don’t like this, Kobe. You need to get this situation under control,” he says, his gaze fixed on the girls. He’s always been fiercely protective of Hazel.

“She can take care of herself, Jett. You know I didn’t invite her, Hazel did.”

“I know,” Jett acknowledges. “Apparently, they’re best buds. Hazel thinks she can keep Bella from coming after us by keeping her close, showing her who we really are.”

“And you disagree?” I study him for his reaction.

“I don’t know the girl,” Jett admits. “All I can see is she has you two wrapped around her little finger, and I don’t want to see anyone I care about get hurt.”

As we talk, a man in a gray suit approaches the girls, striking up a conversation with them. My tension is mirrored by Jett’s. The man takes Bella’s hand and guides her to the dance floor. Jett visibly relaxes, but my entire body stiffens, a sense of unease settling over me.

As I watch Bella on the dance floor, my muscles clench involuntarily, a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions churning inside me. She has an uncanny ability to push me to the brink of madness, and the sight of another man’s hands on her feels like a brutal assault on my soul.

Hazel rejoins us, breaking my fixation. “Can you get me another drink?” she asks Jett, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. He eyes her as if he’s about to suggest she’s had enough, but he wisely refrains, vanishing into the crowd, heading for the bar.

“What do you think you’re doing, bringing her tonight? Are you trying to play matchmaker?” I ask Hazel, my voice hushed. I can’t help but vent my irritation. Having her right here in front of me is like dangling a sausage in front of a dog and expecting him not to take a bite. My hands itch to run through Bella’s hair, my lips to tease her with kisses.

Hazel chuckles softly. “Kobe, I don’t need to do anything. You’re all over her like a nasty rash.”

“Well, you invited her, and she’s wearing that dress you picked out for her. All that soft lace and hints of tanned skin peeking through—how can I resist?”

Hazel arches an eyebrow, seeing right through my feeble excuses. “You could if you wanted to,” she huffs.

“You know this is going to end badly. She’s a cop. I shouldn’t want her, but I can’t help it,” I admit, feeling like the room is spinning. I need to stop her from dancing with him, tell her she’s mine before it goes any further.

“I know that, and you know it too, but you still want her.” Hazel’s tone turns understanding. “I guess the heart wants what it wants.”

In frustration, I shake my head. “This has nothing to do with my heart,” I snap, realizing that my desire for Bella is leading me into dangerous territory.

“Oh yeah? I beg to differ. You two already fucked, and unlike every other girl in your life, you’re still interested. So, my guess is, you see something more in this girl.” She laughs.

“Did she tell you that?” I demand, irritated she’s been talking about us when we specifically said we wouldn’t.

“What, that you screwed her brains out? No, she didn’t have to. The tension between the two of you tonight is crazy.” She pokes me in the shoulder. “You two got busy this week, I’m sure of it.”

“Does Jett know?” I ask, stealing a quick glance in my brother’s direction.

“If he has eyes,” Hazel responds with a nonchalant tone.

Fuck. If they’ve caught on, then Leo has undoubtedly figured it out as well. I wonder why he hasn’t ripped me a new one yet. This baby really does have him preoccupied. The old Leo would be going postal already.

As the dude in the gray suit slides his hand down Bella’s back, dangerously close to her ass, I can’t tolerate it any longer. My anger boils over, and I make a quick dash across the room, approaching them. “Thank you for warming her up. I’ll take overnow,” I tell the dude, my voice dripping with bitterness. I flash a sardonic smile, letting my crazy show.

I’m struggling to hold my shit together, but I’m prepared to knock his lights out if it comes to it. He scans me up and down, clearly realizing he’s outmatched. He takes a step back, his nervousness apparent.

Bella sends me a warning look. “No, thanks,” she mutters, her voice soft and not convincing.

“I didn’t realize Kobe was your boyfriend. She’s all yours,” he says, stuttering as he backs away, realizing he’s bitten off more than he can chew.

“He’s not. He’s just my boss,” Bella tries to clarify, but the man is already halfway across the dance floor. Bella places her hands on her hips, a scowl etching across her face. “Why did you do that? He was nice,” she says, clearly disappointed. She had taken a liking to him, but I’m even more pleased with myself for scaring him off.

“He’s a coward, didn’t even stay and fight for you. I would’ve.”

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