Tagged Steel (Men of Steel #6) - MJ Fields Page 0,15
a full head of dark blond hair, blue eyes, a day or two worth of stubble covering his jaw, and a body that is definitely rocking the black V-neck, khaki cargo shorts, and flip flops.
I see him eyeing me the same as I am him, taking me all in.
I am in a Dad-approved swimsuit, even though I can’t go swimming for a while. The top isn’t all that revealing, which of course makes Dad happy, and the bottoms … well, I’m wearing a wrap for a reason.
When his eyes finally make their way up to mine, he asks, “You thinking about going for a swim?”
I set my glass down and smile. “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things.”
His smile grows. “Is that so?”
I shrug. “Weren’t we both?”
He looks me over again, slower this time, his eyes darkening, yet he says nothing.
No matter. It is what it is … God, I hope it is.
My mouth is suddenly dry, so I drink down the rest of the champagne, for courage this time, and then set the empty on the bar. “I’m going to take a walk toward the back of the boat.” I place my hand against his waist, and I smile inwardly when I feel how hard his abs are. Abs, I love abs. “I might get thirsty.”
He licks his lips, eyes cast downward, looking at my chest.
I step back and turn around, allowing him to take in more of my assets. I look over my shoulder and give him the sultriest look I can pull off then slowly walk away.
I hear him behind me … and so do my nipples.
He’s hot. So hot. Definitely hotter than Danny and maybe even hotter than … what’s his name?
I slow down, allowing him to catch up. He swings his arm around me from behind, a glass of champagne in his hand.
I stop and look behind me. He’s looking down at me with beautiful eyes.
I tip my head back and close my eyes as his lips come closer to mine …
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing young—”
I turn my head quickly and groan, “Daddy, go away!”
The arm in front of me quickly disappears as Dad stomps toward me. I look past him, knowing Carly will make him … behave, but she’s not there.
Dammit!
“—really fucking young, lady.”
Buzzed and pissed, I decide to take care of the situation the way I was taught to handle my shit … by him!
Rule number one: Make sure you’re right before you start some shit.
I know I’m right. I’m of legal age!
Rule number two: Be confident enough to handle your shit.
So, I go with that.
I hit him with rule number one, holding up my hand and telling him, “Dad, I’m of legal age to drink.”
“Dad?” I hear tall, blond, and gorgeous snarl from behind me.
Dad’s about to say something, so I hit him with rule number two.
“To be clear, I’m an adult, so this”—I motion between me and … aw hell, I don’t know his name either—“is none of your business.”
“You will always be my fucking business, Little Bell.” He points at me then at the hottie. “And what the fuck are you thinking, Arnesen?”
Arnesen? Oh damn, he’s Paige’s, the bride’s, brother.
“I was thinking she was thirsty,” he snaps back at Dad.
I cringe. Oh, here we freaking go.
“I was also not thinking she was one of you.” If he had said that with less attitude, it would have defused the situation, but he clearly isn’t intimidated by my father.
Stow it before I blow it, is not only Dad’s warning, but his exact words whenever I pop off at the mouth at him. I never pushed hard enough to see what him blowing it actually meant.
Time to diffuse the ticking time bomb that is Jase Steel.
“It was an honest mistake,” I say, hoping to catch his attention because Dad is turning red — I can even tell in the dim lighting— and his fists are actually balled-up at his sides. If I think about it, he truly resembles a cartoon character who is actually ready to explode into a million confetti-colored pieces.
He doesn’t look at me, but Arnesen gives me a sideways scowl, and yes, I know I shouldn’t have lied.
I attempt to step between them when Dad grabs my arms, moves me aside, and then demands, “Get your ass to bed.”
He isn’t stepping away, and Arnesen isn’t either.
Time to do the right thing or, in this case, the wrong thing to ensure there is no fight and