Hearts the Last Beat (Angel Fire #6) - Ellie Masters Page 0,15

shorts.

Now that I know what lingers between those luscious legs, I’m eager to continue my exploration. I’ve tasted her, and her essence lingers on my tongue. With great force of will, I refrain from putting my fingers in my mouth to get one last taste.

For the first time, there’s no frustration over not being able to touch her. Instead, an intense anticipation to take her in every filthy way invades my thoughts. I’ve imagined a lot of things since the day I first laid eyes on her.

“You’re playing with fire if you insist on getting busy with her.” Forest’s low rumble slams into me.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” I play it off, denying what Forest has to say. He’s got no right passing judgment on me.

“Whatever.” Forest gives a snort. “I smell her on you. It’s your funeral. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Don’t need you to warn me about anything.”

Lord knows, I’m more than capable of passing judgment on my actions. There’s no need for him intruding on my personal life. Anything he has to say is something I’ve already said to myself. I’ve weighed, measured, and discarded the best advice. I’m actively ignoring it when it comes to Angel.

The long and short of it is that I want her with a desire that can’t be defined. It settles deep within me, merging on a cellular level. She’s mine. That may, or may not, make me an idiot, but I crossed that line when I claimed her as mine.

“You’re a goddamn fool.” Forest’s glacial gaze is not for the faint of heart, yet I meet it with resolute determination. Angel is mine. I’ve known that from day one. “I’d tell you to keep your hands to yourself, but I see that’s already wasted breath. Anything I have to say is just me pissing in the wind. You’re going to do what you want, regardless of what happens next.”

“And what would you do if you were me?” I want this mountain of a man to tell me that I can’t have what I want, especially when he has a wife and a man on the side. Forest has no business telling me what I can and cannot do.

“I’d think this through, follow it to its logical conclusion. How does sleeping with a rock star alter the trajectory of her life? How does it affect the future of Angel Fire? I get you want to get your dick wet, but look someplace else.” A warning growl rumbles in the back of his throat. Forest’s hard stare demands answers I’m not prepared to give.

I simply want what I want.

I swallow, only because I don’t need my voice to squeak when I respond to Forest’s challenge.

“It’s none of your goddamn business what I do, or don’t do.”

I could pretend he doesn’t know, but Forest isn’t like the rest of us mere mortals. That brain of his operates on a completely different plane of existence.

He knows shit before any of the rest of us have an inkling something’s happening. More importantly, he can stop everything before it begins with one misplaced word.

I hate the power he holds.

Not that I’m admitting anything, least of all to him.

Technically, all I did was kiss Angel. Nothing else happened, which means I don’t have to lie to Forest.

“There’s nothing going on between us. You’ve got your panties twisted in a wad over nothing.”

“Don’t.” Forest points toward Angel.

Angel makes it to the edge of the pool, stops, and looks back. She pauses for a second, then scurries out of sight, escaping this confrontation.

“Don’t, what?”

“Pretend you’re not going after her. I wasn’t born yesterday, and when I said I smell her on you, I mean exactly that. You reek of sex.”

“I’m not fucking Angel.” It’s a truth I can speak with absolute conviction. “Don’t make shit up just to stir up trouble.”

“I’m not the one stirring shit up. You stay on this path, don’t come running to me when it blows up in your face.”

“I’d never run to you for anything. As for stirring up shit, are you going to be a problem? Are you going to run to Bash and speak shit about his daughter?” I will go toe to toe with Forest if needed.

“I’m not one to blab. Besides, I don’t need to do anything. You’re going to fuck up. You’re already messing with the Bro-code.”

“The Bro-code? What the fuck you talking about?”

“Don’t have sex with your best friend’s daughter, for one. But if you’re going to