Contingency Plan (Blackbridge Security #3) - Marie James Page 0,47
I should be glad to see them, knowing they’ll be the distraction I need to put some distance between the succubus and me, but more than half of me is a little bitter about the interruption.
See? A man crazed for a woman is a very dangerous thing. It’s like I’m drugged, intoxicated on her and ready to bite the head off of anyone who steps into the path of me getting to her.
“So you’ve been staying in and keeping her busy?” Both Ignacio and Gaige chuckle like school children at Quinten’s words.
“You guys are missing out!” I spin around, my mouth hanging open as Finnegan walks up behind me with a chicken drumstick in his huge paw. “Margarita is an amazing cook.”
He takes another bite, smirking as he chews.
I spin and glare at Ignacio.
“What? Look at that innocent face. I couldn’t say no.”
“Dick move of you to even suggest not letting me come,” Finnegan says, his accent as heavy and thick as the shove he gives my shoulder as he pushes past me to plop in the office chair.
“The gang’s all here,” Gaige says as he rubs his hands together.
“For work,” I remind them, sweeping my eyes to meet each pair in the room. “A day early.”
“Are we interrupting your plans?” After Deacon, I used to consider Ignacio my closest friend. It looks like that’ll be changing.
“No,” I hiss.
Get out of my head.
“The party is tomorrow night. I didn’t think Deacon would send nearly half his team out here a day early,” I mutter.
“Half,” Quinten says with a wide knowing smile.
These fuckers know me too well. They know I’m pissed they’re here. They gossip like adolescents, so they all know I kissed her. They know I wanted to come home, at first because my training is wasted on chasing a girl all over town, and then because resisting her is nearly impossible.
“Half?” I ask Quinten. There are ten active BBS members. Four are in front of me, and I make five so I guess that math is right after thinking about it.
“What did I miss?”
My jaw clenches, and I don’t bother to look behind me.
“I didn’t even have to flirt with Margarita to get a sandwich.” Brooks slaps me on the back as he shoehorns his way into the tiny office. “Cushy life, man.”
Five men stare back at me, all blinking slowly with mirth filling their handsome features. Yes, fucking handsome. I can admit it. Looks are the very reason I didn’t want them here, especially Finnegan with the accent and Brooks with enough charisma to charm the habit off of a nun.
“Calm down,” Ignacio says when I just stand and glare. “Wren found out that your girl—”
“Not my girl,” I growl.
“Your client,” he corrects, “is planning a little pre-party here tonight. Deacon suggested we come early to make sure things go smoothly.”
“Not your girl?” Finnegan asks, licking the chicken seasoning from the tip of one finger as he watches me. “So, she’s single.”
His eyebrows waggle up and down comically, but I don’t find a single thing funny about any of this right now.
“Stop.” Ignacio slaps him in the chest. “Can’t you see his head is about to blow?”
“I’m sure that’s not the only thing that’s gonna blow soon,” Brooks whispers purposefully loud enough for the entire room to hear.
“Hey guys.” I freeze at the sound of her voice, knowing if I turned around my very poorly kept secrets and desire will be evident on my face.
“Hey,” Brooks says, and I watch as his eyes go up and down, and up and down.
Ignacio keeps his eyes on me, gauging my reaction.
“Did Margarita make sure you got settled in okay?”
“Yes,” Gaige answers, his throat working on a swallow.
I still can’t face her, but she’s close enough that the flowery scent of her bodywash fills my nose. She’s not touching me, so I must just be imagining the heat of her skin along my side.
“Gaige and I are staying here,” Ignacio adds. “Quinten, Brooks, and Finnegan will be staying in the city.”
Thank fuck for small favors. I may actually get some sleep tonight, knowing those assholes will be miles away.
“Very good. Let Margarita know if you need anything else to make your stay more comfortable.”
Her hair brushes my arm when she walks away, and I’m unable to resist looking at her. I turn, knowing I’m going to watch the swish of her fabulous ass, only to find her sauntering away in nothing but a thong bikini bottom.