Page 115 of Until It Was Real

I smirk at her. “You sound experienced.”

“Eli is very persuasive.”

My stomach cramps but I ignore it. I’m happy for my friends. I am. Paisley and Dakota deserve all the happiness in the world. It’s not their fault I’m obsessed with a Raider brother who pretends I don’t exist.

Except for the time Jaxon and I made out at the distillery. I nearly fan myself. His kisses turned me on like no man before him has done. Unfortunately for me, Jaxon said it was a mistake and has been ignoring me since. And, trust me, I’ve done everything I can think of to get his attention.

We arrive atHideaway Haven Resortand make our way to the restaurant. I frown when I notice the Raider brothers are waiting in the hallway.

“What’s going on?” I ask as we approach.

Eli points inside. “Rhett is still groveling.”

Miles chuckles. “It’s hilarious.”

“We should have planted a microphone at their table,” Zane says.

Kai sighs. “I tried. The hostess wouldn’t take a bribe.”

Only one Raider brother doesn’t speak – Jaxon. He fiddles with his glasses. Why are his nerdy tendencies sexy? Since when am I into nerds?

Saying Jaxon is a nerd isn’t an exaggeration – he’s the smartest person I know, obsessed with distilling the best whiskey ever made, and lacks social skills – but, except for the glasses, he doesn’t resemble a classic nerd.

He’s tall with broad shoulders. I’ve never met a nerd with the muscles Jaxon has. I’ve had the chance to touch his spectacular shoulders and biceps once before but guessing by the way his t-shirt strains over his chest, those pec muscles are spectacular, too.

And he has those classic Raider blue eyes. They pierce through you. When the man deigns to meet your gaze, which, if your name is Blossom, doesn’t occur often.

Finally, his jaw is covered with scruff since he always forgets to shave. Fine by me. I love running my fingernails over a beard.

“Uh oh,” Miles mutters and I shake my head to force my Jaxon cloud away. “Dakota’s crying.”

“Those are happy tears,” Paisley says.

“How can you tell?” Zane pushes his way to the front. “Oh.”

“Oh, what?” I elbow my way through the brothers. “Ah,” I say when I catch the couple making out.

Kai smirks. “Time to interrupt.” He marches through the hotel with Miles and Zane hot on his heels.

I chase after them. “Can’t you let them kiss for a while?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Zane asks.

He has a point.

“Hey!” Kai shouts as we reach their table and they startle apart.

“What’s going on?” Dakota asks.

I throw my arms in the air. “We’re here to celebrate your relationship!”

Jaxon flinches, and I glare at him. “Excuse me. I’m so sorry it’s impossible for you to pretend I don’t exist when I shout.”

“I’m not pretending you don’t exist.”

I snort. “Liar. Liar. Pants on fire.”

Jaxon lifts his glasses and pinches his nose. I refuse to find the gesture adorable. Re-fuse! “I’m not a liar.”

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