Claimed By The Devil - Joanna Blake Page 0,18

Becky joked.

“You are so pretty! You really don’t go out with anyone?” Molly asked incredulously.

I shook my head.

“No. I really don’t know anything about men.”

“Don’t worry. We can help in that department,” a gorgeous blonde named Sally said with a wink. “They’re pretty simple creatures.”

I exhaled and smiled.

“Thank you. I could use any, um, tips.”

"Interesting," the leggy redhead said with a regal air. "I like you. I definitely approve."

The other girls started laughing as my cheeks got even redder.

"We all do. Right, girls?" Kaylie asked. It was clear to me that she was their leader and Janet was her general. But I liked them. They weren’t the type to beat around the bush, that much was clear.

I held my breath, realizing I was about to be included in their ranks. Or not.

They all nodded, and just like that, I felt like one of them. They started talking all at once, offering me advice and telling me about their kids. The interrogation was over.

Chapter Ten

Nick

Kaylie tipped her head toward the path that led around the lake. I'd been sipping soda and listening to everyone talk for quite a while without really hearing anything they were saying. Inside me, there was this tight, anxious feeling. I was worried. But every time I looked at the girls, they were smiling.

It looked like Melissa was having a nice time, at least.

Unfortunately, she was not having a nice time with me. Because I was fucking scared to talk to her.

Be a goddamned man, Nick. My God. She’s not going to bite you.

Unfortunately.

got up and followed Kaylie, Janet, and Molly around the side of the house and into the woods. When they were out of sight to everyone on the deck, they stopped and waited for me to catch up.

"How are you doing, Nick?" Janet asked dryly. “You seem relaxed.”

"Don't tease him! He looks like he's about to throw up," Kaylie said with a chuckle.

"All right, all right," Janet said, holding her hands up. "She likes you. You're in the clear, my friend."

I stared at her, my heart thumping in my chest.

"You're absolutely sure?"

"We're sure. Trust us, Nick," Kaylie added.

"But go slow," Molly said. "She's really green."

"Green?"

“Inexperienced,” Kaylie qualified.

Oh, Jesus, did they mean she was a virgin? I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. She was always pretty sheltered and wrapped up with the horses. But the possibility of being the first one to ever touch her set a massive burst of lust through me.

It would be an honor and a fucking privilege to touch her as it was. But to be the first . . .

Janet nodded.

"Normally, I would tell any girl who dated any of our guys that I'd have their heads if they fucked up with you boys. But in this case, I have to tell you. If you hurt that girl, there will be hell to pay."

"Yeah," Kaylie agreed. "She's one of us now. We’re keeping her. Don't mess this up."

"I won't," I said, not willing to tell them I was head over heels for the girl already. Not that I really knew how to be a boyfriend, though. I just knew I'd never hurt her. “Thank you,” I added sincerely.

"Well, then." Kaylee smiled. "Let's go get your woman."

I followed the girls back to the party at a distance. It honestly felt like I was walking on air. Melissa was mine, or she would be. There was nothing standing in my way.

As soon as my feet hit the deck, I made a beeline for Melissa. She looked so sweet sitting there surrounded by the other girls, like a pretty flower in a garden. I noticed a conveniently empty spot by her side, realizing immediately that the girls were really looking out for me. I sat down and took her hand. I squeezed it when she looked at me.

"Do you need anything?"

She shook her head, beaming at me. The girls were right. Melissa liked me. I wasn't a dirty old man. I was just a guy and she was just a girl. I had to let the age thing go.

"No, I'm great, thanks."

I felt something click into place. We were together now. She knew it and I knew it. Everyone at the whole damn barbecue knew it. Nothing else mattered.

Everything was right in the world.

We’d both been quiet at the party. Maybe we were both naturally not all that talkative. I was pretty much just thrilled to be near her and to know that she and I were on the same page. But