She snorted. “Yeah, right. I’m solid as concrete.”
“For now.”
“What’s that mean? For now?”
He turned so he was facing her. “It means if you keep going like this, you’ll be sloppy drunk by the end of the night.”
She laughed. “That’s kind of the goal. Good to know I’m on the right track.”
“Your goal, huh?”
She gave him a sly grin, licking her lips for emphasis. “Yes. Sir.”
Instantly, she scented his arousal, glancing around the room to see if anyone else noticed. But they were all preoccupied.
Magic’s brown eyes flickered, giving her a glimpse of his cat. “Well, then. I might as well be helpful.”
With commanding movements, he snatched a couple of shot glasses from the rack on the counter.
“Bailey. Cinnamon,” he barked.
She passed him a shaker and he lined it up with the glasses and a lighter he’d pulled from his pocket.
Eyes pinned on Josie, he cracked open the bottle of Rumchata and began pouring it in the glasses.
“A little sweet,” he murmured, his words dancing along her spine to form a pool of desire in her belly. “A little sassy.”
He capped the bottle with authority. He owned it, like everything else. And moved on to the Fireball, adding it to the glasses.
“A little firecracker.” He met her gaze. “Hot. So fucking hot.”
Josie gulped, trying to remain in control of herself, but she was burning up just from his gaze alone.
“But it’s about to get hotter…” He grinned, and it stole every ounce of breath in her body. Magic, grinning. It was better than a full body massage.
He picked up the lighter and set the alcohol ablaze. The thin blue flame was barely visible as he watched Josie over the drinks.
“My sweet little firecracker doesn’t burn up when facing a little heat. She’s tougher than that. I know.” He picked up the cinnamon and shook it vigorously over the flame causing brilliant sparks to fly. “I also know… we aren’t finished.”
Josie pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling.
Magic pushed the shot glass her way and she watched the flame burn out before knocking it down. It was delicious. Like ice cream and redhots. The best drink she’d had all night, even without the sexy cryptic commentary.
“I’ll have another please,” she said, thanking the liquor gods that her voice came out normal. “Gotta get my fill of the booze before I get knocked up and I’m put on restriction.”
She heard another fictional record scratch as her words registered in her own mind.
Holy shit. Did she just say that out loud?
Lifting her gaze to Magic, it was confirmed. He stood rigid, his jaw clamped tight, and his eyes storming with rage.
“Come again?” he ground out, barely audible over the roar of her heartbeat in her ears.
“Forget it,” she said, looking to the counter and hoping he’d let it go.
He pressed his palms into the stainless steel and leaned all the way over it until he was inches from her face. “Explain. Now.”
Josie tapped her nails nervously. “What do you care? You didn’t claim me. Didn’t even try. It’s my choice who I lend my womb to.”
“Lend your—” He stopped, and she felt the counter shake under the pressure of his grip. The muscles of his forearms bulged. “Lend your womb to who?”
“Look,” she whispered, hoping to quiet him down before the others heard. “Like I said, it doesn’t matter—”
He slammed his fist against the counter making her jump. “Who?” This time his voice was loud enough to make all heads turn in their direction.
“Not here,” she hissed.
“Renner?” Magic’s roar echoed off the appliances and rattled her nerves.
Renner’s eyes went wide and his head swung around to Beth who looked guilty as a coyote in a hen house. “I told you that was out of the question,” he rasped.
“I know. I was just… keeping our options open.”
Josie glared at Beth. She’d promised Renner would come around. Damn her.
Magic fumed from across the counter, his eyes never leaving Josie. She could feel his frustration so thoroughly through their bond, it made her squirm.
Beth laughed nervously. “I guess now would be a good time to make our announcement.”
Renner slapped a palm to his face. “Babe…”
“We’re having a baby,” Beth sing-songed.
The room stayed dead silent.
“On… on our own I mean. Without Josie’s help.”
Josie stared at Beth and her uncertain smile. She didn’t know whether to be happy or furious. A little heads up about the womb rental cancellation might’ve been nice. But ultimately, this was exactly what her friend needed. How could she begrudge her this?