Thunder - Willow Summers Page 0,26

laughing and look for the hidden camera.

“Let’s give it a minute.” As he said that, the stocky man pulled the groom toward the bar.

“You guys, we’re supposed to go to the reception hall,” one of the bridesmaids said, slowing.

“My man needs a shot.” The stocky guy, with a bullet head and a buzzcut, pounded the groom on the shoulder. “You don’t want him to take off, do ya?”

“That’s Tim,” Madison whispered, shrinking back. “He used to harass me in gym. Said girls should stick to the kitchen because sports were a man’s thing. He tried to grab my boob junior year and I kicked him in the balls. He told on me, and the principal didn’t believe my side of the story. I got suspended for two days.”

A flash of unexpected rage boiled Colton’s blood. His muscles tensed and his breathing sped up, his body amping up to walk over there right now and beat the man senseless.

He looked away and clenched his jaw, struggling for control. For sanity.

“Whoa, whoa, what happened?” Madison put her hands on his chest. “Your whole body is flexing—crap. James saw me. Oh no, he recognizes me. Here he comes. Oh my God, I’m freaking out. Help me, Colton. What do I do? Should I run? Let’s run, quick!”

Colton laid his hand on her jaw and gently stroked his thumb across her bottom lip. “Shhh,” he cooed. “Trust in me.”

Her eyes snapped to Colton’s and her pupils dilated. She leaned toward him, an unconscious sway. “The snake says that to Mowgli in The Jungle Book, and it didn’t work out very well for Mowgli.”

Colton couldn’t help his laughter as James stopped beside them, Tim in tow.

“Hell no! Is that Nerd-i-son? Holy shit!” Tim bumped James as he stepped up even with him, staring at Madison. “Where’d she come from?”

“Maddie, you came,” James said, lust written plainly in his smile. He stepped forward to give her a hug.

Madison stuck out her hand, like she had with Colton earlier in the day. “Hi, James.” She shook his hand. “Hi, Tim.” She nodded in Tim’s direction.

“You didn’t tell me you invited Nerdison.” Tim guffawed. A couple girls down the bar snickered.

“Colton.” Colton leaned toward James, using his size to his advantage. He stuck out his hand to shake, giving the guy a flat and confident stare. He let the aggression he felt color his gaze. These guys would know that if they stepped out of line, Colton would fix the situation. Hard and fast.

They were very close to stepping out of line where Madison was concerned.

“Hey, man,” James said, offering a weak grip.

“Hey, bro.” Tim tried a little harder. Colton squeezed until the other man’s eyes tightened.

“I’m being rude.” Madison waited until he leaned back against the bar before slipping her arm around his waist. “This is my boyfriend, Colton.” She rubbed her other hand on his chest. “Hon, this is James and Tim. I went to high school with them. James is the groom. Which you probably figured out.”

“Nice to meet you,” Colton said smoothly, unaffected.

“Reunions are fun and all, but I’m going to get us that shot, bro,” Tim said, slapping James on the back.

“Let me get that. What are you having?” Colton pointed at James.

“Oh, ah—” James hesitated.

“Jack Daniel’s,” Tim said. “Two shots. And a beer. Bud.”

“Maddie?” Colton slid his hand down her back, stopping at the top of her butt.

She jolted and her eyes widened—probably from the nickname. He leaned closer and kissed the edge of her lips. A jolt of electricity zipped through him and desire pooled in his gut. His arm tightened around her of its own accord, squeezing her into his body. Everything in him begged to deepen the kiss. To slide his tongue along her bottom lip before opening her mouth with his and tasting her.

Mine, something inside of him screamed, his hand now splaying on her back, her breath coming quick against his lingering lips.

“Dude, any time,” Tim said. “This is getting awkward.”

Heart pounding and cock throbbing, Colton struggled to lean away. He was making a show of them—the kiss not even square on her lips and his control completely gone. It wasn’t like him to lose his cool like that.

“Sorry about that,” he said in a rough voice, straightening up stiffly. He smiled as he looked down at her flushed face, her eyes sparkling with desire. Clearly she’d gotten used to his touch. “She’s too beautiful for her own good.”

James dug his hands into his pockets, frowning.

“You should’ve