Page 36 of Riley & Kane: Complete Set

My attention travels back to Rex and I have to cover my mouth so they won’t hear my dreamy sigh. Holy moly. He gets more irresistible every time I see him. In the old white T-shirt he’s wearing, I can finally see his tattoos. They rake down his arm in spikes and brushes of bluish green. The material of the shirt is thinner than his usual flannel, so I can see patterns of his chest hair underneath, more tattoos sneaking out over theneckline.

He doesn’t have a flat stomach or six-pack abs. Not like the girls in my dance schoolneverstop talking about. No, he’s got a big barrel chest that drops to a real man’s waist. Thick but powerful. Sturdy. He’s a tank with thighs to match and they’re barely contained inside dark bluejeans.

As I watch, he lifts the bottle of beer to his lips, draining half of it with one gulp, the slide of his Adam’s apple making me ticklish between my thighs. I don’t even remember falling asleep after…after Rex used his mouth on me there. But God, howembarrassing.Seriously. Who just passes out on atable?

I didn’t even satisfyhim.

My gaze drops to the bulge in Rex’s lap. Did he touch himself when I wasn’t awake to do it myself? If he did, I’m going to throw another tantrum. Throwing my fit in the kitchen felt…good, actually. I’ve always been polite and mild mannered, but there’s something about Rex that fills me with static energy. Makes me want to lash out and be a brat, just so he’ll take over. Take control of me.Touchme.

“All right,” Rex says, slapping a hand down on the arm of the chair. I fade further into the hallway, pressing my back against the wall. “Let’s get this shit over with so you can stop acting like a couple of scandalized church ladies. Say what you have tosay.”

“She really your niece?” asks the skinny, red-headed man. “That’s some serious shit,Rex.”

“Step-niece. My new sister-in-law’s kid,” Rex answers in a grim voice, hoisting his beer bottle for another swig. “Met her for the first time a few days ago. By the time I knew we wererelated—”

“You’d already baited the trap,” says the second man, with a wise nod. “Hell, I’ve been there. Except mine was an undercover cop, not my niece.” He turns thoughtful. “Although, she was probablysomeone’sniece.”

“Jesus, Hank. Shut up,” Rex mutters, setting down his beer. “This is…different.”

“Bet her daddy won’t thinkso.”

“Don’t call him that, Rudy,” Rex snaps, sitting forward in his chair. “He’s her stepfather. They ain’t close enough for him to be calledDaddy.”

Rudy and Hank mimic each other, holding up their hands insurrender.

“How is it different than my undercover cop situation?” Hank asks, after a long pause. “You’re not fitting tokeepher, areyou?”

“Can’t.” A muscle jumps in Rex’s cheek. “Can’t do that. I’m a salty bastard like you two. I couldn’t make her happy. And hell, you seen her. She’s too young, too beautiful. I spend those fall months crabbing. You don’t think someone will steal her out from under me while I’mgone?”

“She’s a peach, all right,” Hank drawls. “You’d have to worry about those young bucks sniffingaround.”

Rex sends him a murderous look. “I can say it. Youcan’t.”

Hank just appears confused. “Whichpart?”

“All ofit.”

Rudy leans forward with a sigh. “The argument is irrelevant. She’s his niece. This kind of shit breaks up a family.” He tips back his beer, finishes it and sets it on the floor. “People will think it’s unnatural. And they won’t mind telling you. Tellingher. Hurting her feelings andwhatnot.”

“Yeah.” Rex’s voice sounds raw. “Yeah, I can’t ruin her life before it’s barely started.” He shakes his head. “Man, you should see her dance. She’s going to be astar.”

“Tasted her cooking,” Hank says, patting his belly. “Good thing I’m not a young buck anymore, huh,Rex?”

“Last chance,” Rex growls. “Then you’re sleepingoutside.”

Hank and Rudy dissolve intolaughter.

I’m caught between floating on air and sinking into the ground. Rex talks about me to his friends like I’m important to him. Like I’m special. And there was something about his jealousy when Rudy brought up my stepfather.He’s her stepfather. They ain’t close enough for him to be called Daddy. A low, thrilling tremor moved through me, seeming to hit a target. What was that allabout?

The conversation between the men fades and I glide back down the hallway, replaying Rex’s words in my head. I can’t ruin her life…I couldn’t make her happy.At least now I know what I’m up against. Now I know where to prod hisarmor.

Taking a deep breath, I open my bedroom door and slam it, before padding down the hallway, pretending to rub the sleep from my eyes. Rex tenses as I walk into the living room, his eyes narrowing on the hem of mynightshirt.

“Good…morning?” I laugh at my own joke, since no one seems inclined to do it for me. “Did everyone enjoydinner?”

Hank chances a look at me, but whips back toward the television when Rex growls. “Best meal I’ve had in a good longwhile.”

Rudy nods. “Same here. Thanks,Clara.”

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