Stand-In Saturday (Love For Days #2) - Kirsty Moseley Page 0,48

I hate it. Noah, one of my best friends, is full-on checking her out, his eyes predatory as his gaze rakes over her body so slowly that I want to karate-chop him in the fucking throat. I can almost see the cogs in his head turning. He wants to make a move. A zing of jealousy and possessiveness hits me and makes my back straighten. I’ve not felt passionate like this in a long time. I hate them all for looking at her and thinking they have a chance.

I shoot Noah a glare and subtly shake my head, warning him off, letting him know she’s with me.

Lucie awkwardly clears her throat. “I could use a drink right now. Did you get that round in, Theo?” she asks as she looks at my empty hands.

I shake my head and drag my attention back to her. “I didn’t have time. I only got here a minute or so before you did.”

The muscle in her jaw twitches again.

Behind her, someone bustles through the crowd, pushing horny guys out of the way who have converged, trying to get a better look at Lucie’s arse. (I must admit, I want to see her from behind too.) It’s Amy’s nanna. Her eyes are wide and fixed on Lucie as she stops at her side and obviously looks her up and down, wrinkly lips pursed in consideration.

When she’s finished her examination, she clicks her tongue. “Well, I’m glad I decided last minute not to wear my Wonder Woman outfit; that would have been embarrassing if we’d both worn the same thing.” She shoots Lucie a wink, and it breaks the hard, bleak look in her eye.

Lucie erupts into laughter, and I feel my muscles loosen slightly.

Peggy loops her arm through Lucie’s. “Don’t you dare even think about changing. You look marvellous! Jeez, if I had a body like yours, I’d be walking around in spandex all day, every day.”

A blush covers Lucie’s cheeks, and somehow, it makes her look even better.

“Thank you, Peggy. Can I keep you? Hire you to follow me around and shower me with praise all day?” Lucie jokes, shifting on her feet.

Amy nods in agreement. “Oh, please say you’re not changing. Please leave them on. You guys both look amazing! I love them! Please?” She beams a smile over at me, and I can see the happiness twinkle in her eyes as she looks back at Lucie hopefully.

I don’t want Lucie to change either. I want her to wear this outfit for the rest of her life and never leave my side.

Lucie cringes, but when Amy begs her some more, she finally nods in agreement.

I step closer, looking into Lucie’s eyes. I don’t reach out and touch her like I’m desperate to; she’s liable to break my fingers or something. “Luce, I’m so sorry. I messed up. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“Really?”

Her mouth is saying fine, but her eyes are saying, Die in a fiery wreck …

“Sure. It’s fine; don’t worry.” She waves a dismissive hand. “I’m going to get that drink. Are you staying here, or do you want to come with me?” One of her eyebrows rises in question. She sets a hand on her hip, the movement making her skirt rise half an inch.

I still can’t really think straight. She looks so hot; it’s like the outfit has melted my brain.

I blink dumbly. “Um …”

She laughs quietly, and the sound makes my body relax a fraction. Maybe I’m not going to die tonight after all. “It’s not a trick question, Theo. You can do whatever you want.”

Behind her, Jared’s eyes widen, and his back stiffens. He shakes his head and is mouthing something at me. I frown and give an imperceptible tilt of the head to let him know I don’t understand.

He mouths it again. It looks like … Tits a slap?

What? Is he high? Slap her tits? Like that’s not going to inflame the already-volatile situation.

Lucie raises her chin and turns to walk off, thankfully rendering my reply unnecessary because I have no clue what’s happening right now. She’s muttering something in Italian under her breath. My eyes drop down to her arse, and I grunt in appreciation. The damn thing sways from side to side like a pendulum as she walks away, the short skirt swishing around it teasingly. It’s exquisite.

As soon as Lucie is out of earshot, Jared steps to my side and grips my elbow, squeezing tightly. “Oh Jesus, you gotta fix this quick. She’s seething mad.” He