Chapter 2

James

Ijump back as if I’ve been burned. So does she.

I take in her big green eyes, that blonde hair gathered in a saucy ponytail which bounces as she moves. As for her hourglass figure, I’ve been itching to run my fingers over her curves since I saw her on the dance floor.

Watching her grind those luscious hips and throw her head back, laughing and moving to the music… It made me want to stomp over and plant my body in front of her so no one else can see that gorgeous body.

The possessiveness takes me by surprise. I don’t normally want to both protect a woman and haul her into my bed at the same time. It’s a strange combination of tenderness and lust, which sets alarm bells ringing in my head.

Not to mention, my response is all wrong. She’s my sister’s friend. That’s not a relationship I want to mess up. And that’s exactly what will happen if I act on this impulse to throw this woman over my shoulder and carry her out of here to have my way with her.

I’d enjoy her and then, I’d be done with her. And that would make things very uncomfortable between them. She’s too innocent for the likes of me. I’ve seen war, killed men, and buried friends. The nightmares I’ve seen and the darkness I carry inside of me as a result would only taint her. It’s best I leave her alone.

I’m very aware of my sister waiting for my response. But despite my best efforts, it takes me a few more seconds to rip my gaze from her friend’s beautiful face and to my sister. “Question is, what are you doing here?’

I have to raise my voice to be heard above the music, but Phe hears it. So does her friend. What is she doing here, surrounded by men who’ve been eyeing her since she stepped onto the dance floor?

One of them bumps into her.

I glare at the numbskull. He pales, stumbles back. Aiming a last ‘keep off’ scowl at him, I turn to Phe. “It’s time for you to get home.”

Her friend stiffens.

Phe rolls her eyes. “Seriously? We just started dancing.”

I bark out a laugh. “Nice try, Squirt. You’ve been on the dance floor for close to an hour.”

“But I want to dance all night long,” she whines.

“The music is too good to leave now,” her friend protests.

I allow myself to look at her, once more taking in those sparkling green eyes and the thick blonde hair held up in a ponytail which draws attention to her features. Instantly, that attraction I feel toward her snaps tight.

It doesn’t matter that we’re surrounded by gyrating people or that my sister is watching the two of us with curiosity. She’s probably picking up on the chemistry between us, which makes me uncomfortable. It’s bad taste to hit on my little sister’s friend.

Yet I’m helpless in the face of the attraction between us.

My pulse races, my muscles are so tense they seem to have turned into granite. My skin prickles with the need to have contact with hers.

Every instinct within me pushes me to haul her off the dance floor and away from the peering eyes of those around her.

I curl my fingers into fists to prevent myself from reaching out to touch her. I’m ashamed that I’m unable to resist this draw to her.

Me, the Marine who’s proud of my iron self-control, yet I’m helpless in the face of my attraction toward this woman.

I shake my head to clear it. I must be more deprived than I realized. Being on back-to-back tours of duty can do that to a man.

It’s only the possibility that I’d lose my sister’s trust not to mention my own self-respect and honor, if I act on my baser instincts towards her friend which spurs me on to finally rein in my desires.

I square my shoulders, keep my eyes averted from my sister’s friend.

“Can we have this discussion where my eardrums don’t feel like they’re being shredded?” I plead with Phe.

“You’re so old,” my sister yells in my ear.

That I am. Older than her, that is. I give her my best big brother stare.

It works, for she throws up her hands. “Whatever.” Phe pivots and begins to elbow her way through the gyrating masses.

I step around and in front of her, shouldering people aside. In seconds, we’re out of the sweaty, heat of the dance floor.

I draw in gulps of breath, glance over my shoulder to make sure the girls are following me, then head toward a relatively quieter corner of the bar. I find a high-top table and lean my elbow on it.

First Phe, then her gorgeous friend reach the table.

“You’re such a bore,” Phe whines.

I lean over and tug her hair. “And you’ve turned into a regular party animal.”

“Dancing for an hour, on a crowded dance floor at”—she pulls out her phone and pretends to check the time—”eleven pm makes me a party animal. Not,” Phe coughs.

Her friend stays silent.

Phe turns to her. “What do you think?”

She looks between us. “I’m not getting involved.”

Phe throws her arm around her friend. “Oh, you’re involved, all right, girlfriend. We’re here because you wanted to go dancing.”

I scowl at her friend. I saw her dancing, all right.

The way she shook her arse, rotated her hips, and twirled around on her toes mesmerized me. The lights bounced off her, covering her in a shimmering aura which made her seem almost otherworldly.

And damn, if I wasn’t drawn to her. Watching her shake her booty turned my dick to stone, and my balls felt like boulders. I also noticed how every other man in the room seemed to be focused on her. It made me want to step over and tear their eyes out. The level of possessiveness I felt—still feel—about her is bewildering.

Some of my feelings must show on my face, for her gaze widens. She holds out her hand. “I’m Harper. Harper Richie.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you two haven’t been introduced.” Phoenix waves her hand between us. “Harper, this is James, my brother. James… This is my bestie, Harper.”

I take Harper’s much smaller palm in mine.

A current of electricity zips up my arm. The hair on the nape of my neck rises. Holy hell. What kind of a crazy response am I having to this woman?

No, she’s a girl. And she’s out of bounds. Also, what is she wearing?

Why is her dress so short? Enough to bare her creamy thighs. Combined with her boots and her high ponytail, they make her look sexy yet also, sweet.

I can’t help but imagine wrapping her ponytail around my hand and urging her to her knees. Then I’d yank on her hair, so she opens her mouth, enough for me to ease my cock between those lips and—I shove aside the images my thoughts have conjured. Take a few deep breaths to try to dispel the tightness at my crotch. ‘Try’ being the operative word.

I get my thoughts under control and focus on my sister. And because I can’t ask this question of Harper, I aim it at Phe. “What are you wearing?”

She looks down at herself. “I’m wearing a perfectly respectable mini-dress which is⁠—”

“Miniscule.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I understand, you’re grown up. You’re an adult. But don’t expect me to be in the same room and watch you”—I nod in the direction of the dance floor—”make an exhibition of yourself.”

“Nobody asked you to come here and watch,” mumbles Harper.

The girls laugh, and I give them a quelling look.

Two men pass by, both eying Phe and Harper in a way that makes my stomach bottom out.

Yes, I’ve been to bars. Yes, I’ve looked at women with only one thing in mind. The same thing that these wankers are thinking about.

I glare at them. One of them looks at me and pales. The other one catches my eye and scowls. He comes to a stop. I draw myself up to my full height and slap my arms on my hips. When I thrust out my chest, the bastard swallows. His friend pulls on his arm, and the two walk away in a rush.

Good. I relax a little.

My urge to whisk her out of here is… Only because I’m a gentleman. Though my thoughts about her are far from gentlemanly.

Phe tosses her head. “Jeez, if you keep looking like that at anyone who passes us, we’ll never find anyone to dance with.”

I smirk. That’s the idea. But I don’t say that aloud.

“You’ve spoiled our evening.” Her lips turn down.

My chest tightens. Damn, I’m such a softie for my sister.

And very hard for her friend.

I keep my gaze averted from Harper, walk around, and wrap my arm around Phe. I kiss her forehead. “When I’m not around, I’m sure you get up to all kind of shenanigans. But I can’t stop myself from being protective. So, humor me, okay?”

And why do I feel so territorial about her friend? It’s a question to which I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

She sighs, then throws up her hands. “Fine.” She glances at Harper. “You okay to get out of here?”

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