Staring, I watch her closely. I know she must be sore from the kick and no doubt still struggling with her shoulder and ankle even though she keeps insisting they are both okay, but I see a quiver take over her body. A good or bad one who knows but I want to ease her insecurities.
“I’d waited years to finally kiss you, Phoebe, but I want to kiss you again.” Not asking permission, I lean across the console and she meets me halfway, my lips closing on hers. Slowly. Gently. Carefully. Shooting stars dart around my vision, our breathing increases. My body buzzes and I know I have to go and talk to the guys, but I can’t break away from her sumptuous mouth. Pulled in by her pure smell, witness to how strong she is although it’s unbeknown to her, I taste her, savoring every delicate sensation lit on my tongue, coursing through my entire body.
Regretful, but necessary, I gradually ease my mouth from Phoebe’s, watching her pink swollen lips be licked by her tongue, tasting me. Glazed eyes scan my face.
“Hell, I could eat you completely.”
Deep red cheeks radiate making this woman glow more. “That blush doesn’t help the cause either.” Laughing, I rub my thumbs over her cheekbones and heat pours from her skin into mine. Her smile increases.
“Come on, before I decide to act on my words, we better go and meet the guys.”
“Okay.” It’s small but there’s no disgust or worry in her tone. And I notice that her stutter has gone. Shaking my head, I wonder if it’s ‘cause she’s more comfortable around me now?
Bringing Phoebe here, the first girl to be brought to my apartment and straight into the mix of the guys and girls without any prior warning, what could go wrong?
Hell, I’m cringing thinking about the possibilities of how they will react.
“I hope you’re ready to meet my crazy ass friends.”
I’m not sure this is something you can be ready for. They’re all an energy on their own, but together a tornado.
No words can prepare you.
“The fuck I’m leaving! He’s my brother, I need to know how you propose to get him back.”
Walking to the side of Ocean, we enter a room after going up the elevator many floors. This building is huge and modern. Three men and one woman sit at the table watching a dark-haired beauty pace back and forth, throwing daggers and yelling at one male in particular.
“Emerald, you know how this goes. ‘Cause it’s Kyle, we have to be extra vigilant and prepared. You and Lace need to take your asses back up to the room and wait ’til we work out the plan. It won’t take long and then we can fill you both in on it.”
“Hey,” Ocean interrupts, all eyes go to me. “This is Bluebell.”
A gorgeous pregnant woman, with long mauve-colored hair stands and approaches. “Hi, I’m Lace. Nice to meet you.” She smirks at Ocean and then resumes hugging me, her large stomach getting in the way, but she manages like a pro. “Where’s this one been hiding you?”
“We’ve been at his cabin.” Trying to keep my anxiety from kicking in, I take a breath and steady myself.
Her eyebrows raise, there’s noise from the men and the ball kicker who was angry moments ago, strolls over and hugs Ocean, whispering something in his ear, then moves to me, wrapping her arms around me. “You’re the florist from the hospital, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“You’re good. The arrangements I received made by you were gorgeous.” Sounding friendlier than seconds ago, my shoulders sag a little and my teeth aren’t as clenched.
“Thank you. I try and do unique displays for my customers. Happy you liked them.”
“So, I thought the cabin was an alone trip for you?” Redirecting her gaze on Ocean, her brown eyes pierce him. “I’m Emerald, by the way.” Her head swivels back to me for a second.
“That was the plan, but it came to a screaming halt.” A smirk lights up his face looking at me. I remember almost getting squashed by his beast. “But I’ll fill you in later. First things first. We need to get Kyle back, unharmed.”
Scanning the surroundings, the men are broad, muscly, good looking, and all adorning tattoos. Danger, control, and power emanate from all of them. You wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley, they’re scaring the bejesus out of me in daylight.
“Wildcat, time to get your butt out of here. We’re wasting time.” The chair scrapes on the floor, weakening my knees. Tall and imposing, his lethal voice catches me off guard. Ocean takes my hand.
“You’ve got twenty minutes, or I’ll sort this shit myself.” Lace stands with her, boldly staring at the men. Subdued grins on the men almost make me laugh, but I hold it in. These women are as fierce as the men.
“Don’t give me ultimatums. You know they don’t work out for you, Wildcat.”
Shrugging her shoulders, she turns her back.
“Do you mind taking Bluebell with you?” Ocean squeezes my hand and watches me carefully. I nod in acceptance, my stomach revolving like a washing machine but the pain has subsided from earlier. I need to let him get his work done.
“Of course. Come on, we have our own plans to organize.” She takes my hand from Ocean’s. Hers is warm and inviting but I feel callouses on her skin.
“Leave it to us, honey bunny. You know we’ll get Kyle back.”
A jolt at my side and her hand’s gone, but there’s commotion at the table. Emerald’s jumped on the hugest guy and is trying to strangle him with both her hands.
“You just had to, didn’t you T.” Lace is beside me laughing at the craziness. I can’t take my eyes off either of them.
The man’s large hands wrap around her waist trying to pull her off. His eyes bulge a little and Emerald’s hair swooshes, trying to keep a grip on his tree-trunk neck.
This is new.
“Shouldn’t you help him?” I ask Ocean but keep watching the mismatched showdown. A chair is kicked out the way with Emerald’s legs swinging out.
“Nope. Tanner knows better than to use sweet names on Emerald. It only ends with his ass being kicked.”
“Fuck, you two, can we get on with business?” The guy who was being yelled at when we walked in, ventures toward the couple. “Wildcat, this isn’t helping your brother.”
In an instant, her hands release leaving some red marks on his neck but there’s a grin on the guy’s face.
Very odd.
His hands slide around her small waist and her back sags against his front. Her hair’s everywhere. “Come on, my little Wildcat. We need to get this sorted. Every minute wasted is a problem for your brother.” His voice is calm and exact. “I know it’s hard but let me fix this. Go with the girls and I’ll be up soon.”
Pain radiates from her face. The guy plants a kiss on her lips making me turn my head because it’s that intimate, I feel I’m intruding. Ocean walks back and leans in. “Welcome to my friends.” He kisses my ear and I smile.
“Come on, let’s go and let them figure this shit out.” Lace takes Emerald’s hand and as they walk past me, Emerald takes mine, trying for a smile at the same time. I walk with them out to the elevator, my head swirling, wondering what the hell is going to happen next.