Page 5 of Royally Lucky

Sasha blinked watery eyes. “Can I say bye to Benny?”

“The week is off property. No contact as of now. Go.” Ayesha pointed toward Chris and Darla, the other waitress who stood near the entrance to the kitchen.

After Sasha walked off, Ayesha turned to Sutton. “Whatever the fuck that bitch said, you ignore. Or ask for clarification from anyone except her. She’s eyeing a bigger fish than what she has without realizing Benny is a real catch for a twatwaffle like her. Ugg, if it weren’t for him, I’d have kicked her ass to the street a week after she stepped through that door.”

“Fuck, I love it when you get angry.” King moved behind Ayesha, placing a hand on her abdomen below her breasts. With the other hand, he gripped her jaw and turned her head up to look at him over her shoulder. “Did you just exile that woman?”

“For a week. Next time, it’s a month, and then she’s gone. Of course, if the infraction is bad enough the next time...” she trailed off.

“Good,” King rumbled. “If we didn’t have to stay for shit like food and a dance or two, I’d take you home and make you beg for my dick.”

“I see what you mean about that bleach.” Kendrick mused under his breath.

“Yo, Kendrick. How’s it going, brother?”

The two men slapped palms and then did the whole man hug thing she found sexy as all get out.

KENDRICK PULLED BACKfrom King, shaking his head. “The two of you should come with a warning label.”

“Hey, I take offense to that. Nah, we probably should.” King rested his chin on Ayesha’s head.

“Did you get that for Sutton?” Ayesha asked, nodding at the plate.

“Yes, she said she was starving. Can’t have a lady dying on my watch.”

“Especially when she’s the nurse we’d call if Doc weren’t available since Jovi is on maternity leave. Go on and feed our girl. We’re making rounds saying hello while we wait for your brother to defile the limo on the way here.”

Kendrick rolled his eyes. “I figured he was doing something like that. Fucking little prick.”

He placed the snack plate in front of Sutton, noticing the rosy blush covering her chest and cheeks. Son of a bitch, he’d love to see if she blushed all over like that when she came.

He’d been laser-focused on the table as he walked back toward Sutton. Truthfully, he’d noticed her the second he’d entered the clubhouse. His eyes had locked on her, and he’d been unable to do anything but watch and steadily measure every angle of her perfect figure. She was tall, curvy in all the right places, blonde, brown-eyed, and so damned alluring his dick was hard thinking about sinking into her. He needed to get his mind on something else, or he’d burst the zipper of his slacks.

“I can instruct one of you how to save me.” Sutton gave a crooked little smile.

He sat down, knowing his cock had no chance of doing the same, especially with thoughts of doing mouth-to-mouth running rampant through his mind.

“Well, there you go, problem solved.” King clapped his hands and winked.

Kendrick reclined in his chair a little, giving himself a bit of room under the table to relax. Sutton ate off the snack plate, appearing completely engrossed in the tiny morsels of fruit and vegetables he’d procured for her.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Sutton held out her fork with a piece of strawberry on it.

He blinked slowly, looked at the strawberry, and then at her lips. Dammit.Get your shit together.“How old are you, Sutton?” he asked abruptly.

“I’m sorry.” She dropped the fork onto the plate. Her hands went to the table like she prepared to stand.

Kendrick stopped her before she could do anything. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Passerotta. I apologize if my staring bothered you.”

Unable to stop, he brushed his thumb over the back of her hand.

“No, I’m sorry for saying something so childish as I did,” she said in a shaking voice.

The entire room could’ve gone still, her words cutting him like a knife. This beautiful, intelligent woman apologizing for a statement like that nearly broke him. This time, he didn’t hesitate to touch her how he wanted. His hand reached up, brushing at the wetness under her eye. “You never have to apologize to me for saying something. I was staring, and you felt a certain way. You should always feel confident that you can express yourself without judgment or backlash, Passerotta.”

Sutton swallowed audibly. “Thank you. Not that I can change a lifetime of habits, but thank you just the same,” her voice shook slightly.

“I’ll have to fix that. You don’t know me well, but I need you to trust me when I tell you that I don’t let anyone bully women, children, or those who can’t protect themselves. I especially don’t allow anyone to fuck with those I consider mine, and you, Sutton James, feel very much like someone who needs to belong. I’d like to get to know you better—after tonight.” He was rushing things with her. He knew it. Yet there was an instant connection deep within him he’d never experienced before. Kendrick felt he’d lose his one chance at true happiness if he didn't grab and hold onto it. Fuck, his mother had to have slipped him some love potion or some shit.

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