Page 35 of Bounty
Stretch kissed her again. “Don’t have the deep pockets of the Masons and the McCalls, babe.”
“Mason?” Daria said. She nodded to Effie and tittered. “Any relation to Sloane Mason? Effie’s in love with him.”
“Mom!”
“He’s gorgeous,” Ophelia said, nodding at Effie in girly commiseration. “Besides Meggie, I’ve never seen eyes so gorgeous and blue.”
“Who is Meggie?” Daria asked.
“My brother’s wife,” Ophelia answered. “They’ve been together for almost eighteen years now. I’ve known Sloane almost as long and I’ve never decided which one of them has the most beautiful eyes.” She grinned. “I’ll say him because I find him sexy as fuck.”
“If you say that to that fucking asshole, I’m never talking to you again, Fee,” Cash said woefully. “His ego is big enough.” He looked from Daria to Effie. “He’s married to my little sister.”
Daria gasped and Effie’s hands flew to her mouth.
“Meet us later for drinks,” Ophelia said to Effie. “We’ll call him and let you talk to him.”
“No way!” Effie cried, her eyes round.
“Are you serious?” Daria said. “You’d do that for my Effie?”
“You’re my favorite romance writer and you’re about to sign my books. The least I can do is introduce Effie to Sloane and Georgie.”
“Fine,” Cash snapped, back to being a surly motherfucker. “Let’s go. I have business to see to.”
“Not yet,” Ophelia said. “I have to get Effie’s number and my books signed.” She smiled shyly at me. “And I still want a picture with you.”
“Fuck no!” Cash growled.
“Welcome back, asshole,” Stretch said, shaking his head.
“Behave, you two.” Ophelia’s coo broke into my dumbfounded outrage. “I promise I will make you both very happy when we get upstairs.”
Cash grunted.
Stretch wrapped an arm around her, brushed his lips over hers again, and nodded at me. “You don’t really need a picture with this dude, do you, babe?”
A small smile played on Daria’s lips. “Aww, c’mon guys, it’s just a picture!”
In control of her excitement, Effie smiled, revealing adorable dimples and fucking glowing despite our argument. Had she truly been that upset in the first place, or was she just that good at hiding her feelings? She hadn’t texted me or tried to call me to change my fucking mind about my decision.
She told me she wanted more, then accepted when I said I didn’t. Not a text. A call. A fucking visit to my room to seduce me into her way of thinking.
I’ll bet she didn’t even miss me at the fucking dinner. She’d probably turned her pretty smile on a motherfucker I hated—didn’t know his fucking ass but couldn’t stand him—charmedhim with her wit and opinions, and suggested they keep in contact on the Gram.
That stung the fuck out of me.
“Let the girl live a little,” Daria added.
“What the fuck’s that mean, lady? Mind your damn business,” Cash snapped.
Effie’s smile dropped.
I tensed, positioning myself closer to Effie and Daria, and examining the men for weapons. If theywerebikers, chances were they packed heat.
“Don’t talk to her like that, asshole,” Effie replied, glaring daggers at the guy.
She tried to step up to him, uncaring that he was bigger than her. Out of instinct, I placed a hand on her shoulder, keeping her in place. She froze, transferring her stare to me before shrugging my hand away. And fuck, did that rejection sting.
