“What’s stopping you. –I’m sure Bastion’s happy to oblige in that department.”
“Nothing. I don’t have cancer. I have the gene. Mom and grandma were in their fifties before they died.”
I glance at her beer. Eve has only been sipping at it. Then I drop my gaze to her stomach. “Are…”
She smiles as she shakes her head. “No. but like you said, Bastion is happy to oblige in that department. We are trying. Sugar Jay says she can’t wait to be an aunt. That she’ll like our babies born at about the same time.”
“She’s invited me down for the summer break. I think I’m going to take her up on the offer,” Poppy said.
“Shit, how many kids has she got now?” I glance over at Poppy, then at the other women. Guilt floods me over the cancelation of our short vacation. “Once this is over. We can still go to New Orleans.” The other women smile. “Come on. Don’t let Delaney spoil everything.”
Poppy nods, her smile bright. “One last fling before I go away for the summer.”
“Are you okay?”
As I hand the helmet to Cole, I smile. I’ve missed our chats. He may not have sent the blood rushing to my clit or my heart rhythm out of tune with just a look. But he was good to me. “Yeah.” I glance around the compound; dusk is settling in and the sun is low. Demon’s Lair will be setting sail soon. “I’m going to miss Poppy while she’s visiting Sugar Jay.”
“She’s not gone yet. Shit, I might not be Poppy. But you can talk to me anytime.”
“Thanks, Cole. Not sure if I’ll take you up on the offer. Now you’re one of the Demons, you don’t have that air about you.”
“Are you saying I’m too butch to listen to your girly wiles.”
I chuckle as I slip my arm through his and walk up the gangplank. “If there’s one thing I know, Cole. Your manliness is never in question.” His deep laugh fills the air and as I glance to the top of the gangplank, I spot Alex waiting. His lips set straight; his gaze fixed on the arm linked through Cole’s. “And I don’t think Alex thinks of you as the girly buddy kind of guy.”
Cole squeezes my hand. “You’re not going to let Alex get between you and me.”
When we reach the top of the gangplank, I shake my head and kiss him on the cheek, ignoring Alex’s growl. “Not at all. We’re friends.”
Cole’s smile reaches his eyes. “Friends. And don’t you forget it.” He nods at Alex, then walks away, and I watch as he saunters down the deck to his cabin. Three nights ago, he had moved on to Demon’s Lair.
“You two are mighty friendly.”
I step close to Alex. His hair is damp and lemons and sandalwood tease my nose. It’s not long since he left the shower. “He was just looking out for me. Isn’t that why you sent him with me.” I link my arms around Alex’s neck. His body is hard, and I give a slight thrust against him.
“Just make sure that’s all he was doing.” Then what little sun is left is hidden as Alex dips his head and our lips meet. Coffee and mint tease my taste buds and I slip my tongue into his mouth as he cups my ass, pulling me in closer. When he releases me, I gasp for air. “Meet me in the casino when you’re ready.”
“If you had waited for me. We could have showered together.”
“And if we had showered together. I would be late. And having Day grumble in my ear all evening is not something I want to endure too often. The man is not entertaining when he’s unhappy.”
I wink, “but it would have been worth it.”
Alex chuckles as he slaps my ass. Damn, that man does like to spank and my clit pulses. “Go before I decide to follow you.”
I prefer the casino to the club’s private room when Alex is working. Although I know the men will leave me alone, it’s the women who have me on my guard. Alex is a catch. The women enjoy his company. Shit, who wouldn’t. He knows how to please a woman, spanking or not, and they are not too fond of me for taking up his time or for moving into his cabin. Especially Teach. There have been times when she’s made a slight dig. If she and Alex are working the same night, she hints they are doing things during their break. As I watch her now. Her black dress caressing her curves, she leans into Alex, and when he smiles, my stomach coils. I know nothing will come of it. Teach is working, TJ has a client lined up for her. But I am powerless to stop the jealous twinge as it wraps itself around my body, and wonder if this is what Alex feels when he sees me with Cole. Or am I just his property whilst he fucks me.
“What happened to the smile,” Eve said as she approached me.
I blink as I glance up, “no baby making tonight.”
Eve chuckles as she sits in the chair beside me. “Day and Bastion are having a meeting. They’ll be plenty of baby making later. Now tell me about your smile or lack of.”
“I love him, Eve. I have for a long time.” I glance around the room. It’s full of beautiful women. Most of whom will have known Alex the same way I have, and none of them ever lasted more than a night with the odd repeat performance. “And I’m not sure I can fight a ghost.”
“Don’t”
“Don’t what.”
“Fight a ghost. Don’t try to be Jo-Leigh.” Eve chuckles. “From what I’ve heard, you’re nothing like her. Alex must like that.”
