Claimed By The Devil - Joanna Blake Page 0,75

sonofabitch.”

A dry chuckle came from just outside.

“Land shark.”

I groaned loudly at his joke.

“Am I interrupting something?”

I couldn’t even answer him. I heard Melissa rustling beside me, sitting up and straightening her clothes. I knew it was over. My dreams of afternoon delight had evaporated like a puddle on a hot day.

Now all that was left was a big old puddle of mud.

I forced myself to get on my feet and snuck into the bathroom to splash water on my face. I heard music playing. The faint sounds of laughter. This wasn’t just a friend popping over. Something was up.

And the timing could not have been worse.

There was nothing I could do about it, either. Not a damn thing to handle my harder than nails cock or the almost painful swelling in my balls. Nothing I could do to satisfy Melissa, either, although I doubted she was as riled up as I was.

I was well aware that I needed her more than she needed me. That was okay. As long as she felt a fraction of what I felt, it was enough.

Hell, it was more than enough.

Eventually, I got my feet moving and went to the door of the camper. It was open. Melissa was outside, surrounded by the girls. I watched as they led her inside. To get changed, I assumed.

Dear lord, not another makeover, I prayed silently. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I was turned on enough by her worn-in jeans and work shirts.

Kids ran around the house toward the back, where the screened porch opened to a patio and small garden. That was changing, though, thanks to Suzanna. The girls had been planting herbs and flowers and even vegetables back there. It was starting to look amazing. They had taken great care to save the heirloom roses that had been there forever, bringing them back to life with tender loving care. It was special.

I followed the sounds to the back and saw that it had been transformed. This wasn’t a casual pop over. It was a damned day at the fair. A grill was set up and a couple of folding picnic tables. There was even a sprinkler going, and cafe lights were hung everywhere. A couple of citronella candles were keeping the bugs at bay.

The guys came over to say hi, most of them wearing shit-eating grins. Especially Lucky, that sonofabitch.

“You said you wanted a surprise engagement,” he said with a smirk.

“Yes,” I growled. “I wanted to surprise her.”

Lucky laughed and winked at me. I knew. I knew that they were doing this on purpose to give me an epic case of blue balls. At this rate, my balls weren’t going to be blue. They’d be fucking purple.

“I guess the girls decided they had waited long enough.”

“Girls? Hah. This has your sticky fingerprints all over it.”

“I don’t know, man. I heard something about the ‘L’ word,” Callaway said with a raised brow.

“Better get on that,” Whiskey added. And then he let out a low whistle. I turned and my stomach dropped.

Goddamn it. They had done it. Again.

Daytime pretty Melissa was gone. In her place was an angel. A soft peach sundress drifted over her curves to her calves. She looked stunning. She looked perfect.

She looked as confused as I imagined she was. But bless her heart, she was going with it. She saw me and waved shyly. I was standing next to her without even realizing I had walked across the yard.

“You look nice.” I said stupidly.

“It’s my mom’s. The dress, I mean.”

“That’s good. She would say the same thing.”

“What?”

“That you look nice. Beautiful, I mean. Listen, Melissa, I need to talk to you.”

But she was suddenly surrounded by girls bearing cocktails. I watched as she was whisked away. How was I supposed to prepare her for what was coming?

I shook my head and realized I’d better get the ring out of the hiding place in the camper. I’d thought about proposing that night, so I tucked it away near the bed. I ran to get it, giving the guys dirty looks as I went.

Of course, that just made them laugh harder.

I tried to get Melissa alone three more times as the afternoon progressed. Every damned time, somebody stopped me. It was almost as if they didn’t want to miss the big moment, I thought sourly.

I’d wanted to at least let her know that I loved her, once and for all. Before I popped the question. But it didn’t look like I was