the other side. I hesitated, looking back at Goat, but he had perked back up, panting and hopping around Smith for another treat.
Why was Goat okay with him and no other guy? Nathan was a nice guy, though I couldn’t say the same for Ethan, but Goat would even growl when my dad came to visit.
Seeing that he was fine, I followed Marcus, downing half of my beer, wanting to drown all the strange moments today. Especially the ones with Smith.
Marcus’s friends were all doing shots, a few girls already hazy-eyed and giggling.
“Shot?” Marcus handed me one.
“Sure. Why not.” I lifted one shoulder, downing it with the rest of the group, ignoring the feel of eyes burning into me from across the bonfire.
For once I wanted to be a carefree twenty-two-year old. No responsibilities, on vacation, with a cute guy showing interest.
Chapter 10
Smith
“Can I just say?” The girl next to me purred, her blue eyes glossy with alcohol. “You are sooooo fucking hot. I mean…” She motioned around. “You put these little boys to shame.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, downing the rest of my fourth beer, my gaze not able to stay on the blonde next to me, but drifting across the bonfire to the tiny brunette devouring my attention. The more I drank, the more her presence seemed to grow and consume me instead of hazing out.
Every move that Marcus kid made on her, my gaze locked on it, my eyes trying to burn his fingers off her body like they were laser beams.
Kyle would want me to watch her. Protect her like an older brother from those shifty tossers. The ones who acted nice but were looking for ways to get you so plastered you couldn’t say no.
She wasn’t drunk, but I could see her cheeks getting redder; a flirty smile and fuck-me eyes came out the more she drank. Their bodies were getting closer, their touches lingering and getting more obvious.
Marcus’s hand slid down her back, sweeping across her ass as the whole group laughed over something. There were five guys in his little ensemble, recent graduates from Virginia Tech crossing the country in a party RV, landing in LA and San Diego. Basically, a sex caravan, seeing how many girls they could fuck cross country. Probably had some bet going on among them. A point for every state they picked up.
Fuck if Kinsley would be one of those.
He leaned over, whispering in her ear, his mouth brushing her neck, staying there longer than necessary. A growl crawled up my throat, twitching Goat’s ears, his head scanning around, trying to find the threat, looking for our girl.
Not our girl, I shouted at myself.
Goat made a little growl, seeing that guy grab her, pulling her into his side. Crap, I loved this dog. When he nipped at the douchebag, it took everything I had not to kiss his fuzzy head, cheering him on. When Goat hid behind me, trusting me to protect him, pack alpha, I almost hugged the little dude… and then gloat like a fucking bastard.
The dog likes me, not you. And the part I was trying to drink away was why it was so important to me. Like the dog liking me meant something…
My gaze darted over to her again.
“Hey?” A voice buzzed in my ear. A hand touched my bicep, jerking my head back to the girl next to me. Shit. I had totally forgotten she was there.
I blinked at her, her blue eyes looking up at me like she was waiting for me to answer.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
She laughed, leaning into me, her palm flattening on my chest. “I asked your name.”
“Smith.”
A salacious smile curled up her mouth. “Well, Smith, I was wondering if you wanted to go back to my cabin? My friend won’t be coming back tonight.” Her chin flicked over at another girl standing in the same group, talking to one of Marcus’s friends.
I blinked, staring down at her. She was cute. Naturally wavy blonde hair, a curvy figure, and heart-shaped face. Not someone I might pursue, but also wouldn’t turn down for a one-night stand. It was exactly what I had been wanting. A much-needed release to stop the thoughts I had of the girl across the way. I was just horny and needed sex. Then everything would go back to how it was supposed to be. Kinsley, the younger sister of my ex and old best friend.
“So?” The girl went on her toes, her lips brushing my earlobe. “What