Rogue Devil (The Rourkes #11) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,44

surrounded by all these loving couples sucks. I’m beginning to think love is never going to happen for me. And the stupidest thing is, I never wanted that before, and now I’m jealous I don’t have it. It must be the wedding putting these ridiculous ideas in my head.

“Shh, shh,” Mom says, suddenly sitting straight. Like when the teacher shows up after leaving the kids to their own devices in the classroom. Caught! She’s definitely had her share of champagne.

I slowly turn around.

Chloe is standing there, looking from me to my mom to Beast. “Were you talking about me?” she asks in a small voice.

My mom stands and squeezes her arm. “Just saying good things, sweetie.” She looks around for my dad and makes a beeline to him. He wraps an arm around her shoulders while they talk to the other oldies.

Chloe takes her seat, tucks her hair behind her ears, and stares at the table, looking extremely uncomfortable.

I lean close. “She was just curious about us. I said we were friends.”

She nods, still staring at the table.

Ariana waves across the table at us. “Hey, Chloe, would you like to hold Olivia? She’s been dying to play peekaboo with you again.”

“I’d love to,” Chloe says and heads over there. The moment the baby’s in her arms, she relaxes, cooing at her. I don’t know what it is about babies that brings out this warm, loving side in her. I only know I long to see more of it.

Chloe’s sitting next to me again at our table and seems relaxed after hanging with Ariana and the baby. The bridal party is dancing to a slow song, and I really want to slow dance with Chloe. I just want an excuse to touch her that won’t get me in trouble. It’s not like we’d ever make out on a dance floor surrounded by family and friends.

Chloe turns to me. “You think there’ll be any more pranks tonight?”

I lean back in my chair and look over at Jack and Riley on the dance floor. “Guarantee it. Though I’m not sure if it’ll be public. Jack might prank her on their wedding night.”

She crinkles her nose. “That’s just wrong. That should be your special romantic night, hearts and flowers stuff, don’t you think?”

“You’re missing the most important part.”

Her head whips toward mine, her eyes widening. “Bren.”

“What?”

“Don’t talk dirty to me.” She outlines a circle around herself. “Personal boundary bubble.”

I lift my palms. “I didn’t talk dirty. You filled in the blank.”

She nudges my shoulder with hers. “Besides, I don’t want to think about your brother fucking.”

Beast chuckles on my other side, and I realize her voice carried. I lower my voice, hoping she’ll do the same. Since we’re talking dirty, I keep it up. “Who do you like to think about fucking?”

“Blaze.”

I stiffen. I didn’t actually expect her to answer. “Ah, yes, good ol’ Blaze.” Who the hell is this Blaze guy? How come I’ve never seen him stop by? He’s probably a genius guy from the lab where she works. I hope he wears a pocket protector and has scrawny arms.

I study her, waiting for more information. The woman is a vault, casually sipping iced water and watching the couples dancing.

I speak through my teeth. “Does Blaze have a last name?”

Her green eyes dance with amusement. “I never asked him.”

“So it’s pretty casual.”

She bites her lower lip, fighting a smile. “No strings.”

She’s got to be messing with me. “You made him up.”

“No, I didn’t. Blaze exists, and we meet up regularly.”

A stab of pure jealousy has me sitting straighter. “How come I never heard about him before?”

She lifts one shoulder in a careless shrug. “I didn’t think we shared stuff like that with each other.”

“Well, we could.”

She gets serious. “I don’t want to hear the nitty-gritty on your Friday night hookups, so let’s just leave it there, okay?”

I work my jaw, trying to decide how to play this. I really need to know what’s up with this Blaze guy. On the other hand, I’ve been playing it like I meet a woman on Friday nights when I stay out all night. She’ll be mad that I lied, even though it’s for her own good. It’s so much easier not to cross the line when she keeps her distance.

The DJ announces, “Would everyone please join the bridal party for this next slo-o-ow dance? Come on, now, don’t be shy.”

One by one, my brothers get up from our table, bringing their dates with them. My