She claps her hands and laughs. “Love it, girl. It's pompous and flashy, just the way he likes. Hey, Erik, why don't you go bring us some more, hmm?”
She passes the boy toy her empty glass, smiling like a shark. He shrugs and gladly does as he's ordered. I'm not sure if it's just Marnie's overbearing style, or if she has a real knack for bringing these big boys to their knees.#p#分页标题#e#
“You must be helping my bestie with all this, Mister SEAL,” she says, folding her hands neatly under her chin. “How hard is it to come home and stop all the killing? Do you ever get a break, like, for real?”
“Marnie!” I gasp, giving her a soft kick underneath the table. I'm not exactly thrilled with the way she's eyeing my man either, looking at him like he's her next conquest.
Chris takes a long pull of his beer before he answers. “About as hard as it is to keep your eyes off me while your boyfriend's sitting right next to you.”
Her eyes blow up and she coughs. I throw a hand over my mouth. I'm shocked, but I'm really suppressing a laugh, stunned because no one has ever put her in her place like this.
“You're a very bold man, aren't you?” she asks, toying with the straw in her water. “I like that. Delia's a very lucky girl...to have you as her brother, I mean.”
Marnie's shooting me a sharp glance like she knows. Shit.
Clearing my throat, I sip on my own margarita and try to deflect. We just need a few more seconds before the boy toy returns with more booze to shut her up.
“Yeah, she is.” Chris beats me to the punch. “I take care of family.”
“It's sweet two people can become so close when their parents hook up at an older age,” Marnie says, just as the walking orange returns with a fresh drink for her. “Help her out of her shell, Chris. Lord knows I've tried to get her mingling with the boys. If she's still a virgin by the time she gets her cap and gown, I swear, I'll –“
I put my hand over Chris' and lean forward, narrowing my eyes. “Marnie, we don't need to get into this. Not with these guys here. FYI, I'm working on it.”
I watch pink, sugary liquor go down her lips, a little too rapidly. She's already tipsy, and that means she's going to get on edge too. Normally, I'd be careful what I'm telling her, but I'm sick of her crap, being pushed around like she's some kind of alpha bitch.
“Yeah? Well, I wouldn't know. It seems you've been busy with other things for half the summer. What are you now, Delia?” She cocks her head. “Too good to invite us down to the beach again? Last year, we had about ten parties under our belt by now.”
“Dad's been using the land for his own stuff,” I lie, desperate to cover up the fact that I've been caught in my stepbrother's whirlwind, nearly sold into white slavery, and addicted to Chris' cock. “It's mid-summer now. Maybe we do need a bash.”
“Agreed!” That perks her up, and she pulls on boy toy's arm, who gives her a silent, dopy smile. “How about a house party too? Your folks are still going out of town a lot, yeah?”
I hesitate. Dad's only allowed me to use the house a few times. He's generous that way, but he wants it left spotless. Last time, I had to race to clean up burned out joints, beer bottles, and even a few used condoms tucked underneath the furniture.
I wouldn't dare leave my garbage there for the servants either. They think I'm such a good girl, even though they've seen sides of me that aren't.
“I'll have to check in and find out his schedule. I think he said something about a big conference in Atlanta next week. Only thing is, I'm not sure if Evie's going to be tagging along. She's been going through some crap lately.”
“Forget about her. She'll be too whacked out of her mind to know what the fuck's going on if you do decide to host.” Chris waves a decisive hand through the air. “I've got something coming up too. I'd love to have some fun before I have to go overseas and shoot people.”#p#分页标题#e#
Marnie laughs. The bodybuilder chuckles across the table too, then drains his drink and smiles. “Yeah, me three...or is that me four? I've lost count.”
“Then it's settled! Check in next week, Delia, and let us know what's up. See if we can use that awesome pool. I've got a new bikini I'm going to be trying either way.”
She's looking at Chris again when she says it, and I slide my hand to his thigh, stopping just next to his cock. Don't even think about it, SEAL.
I smile sweetly at her, and then look at the man next to me. My heart relaxes when I see him staring right back, his green eyes as intense as ever, swirling with lust, none of it directed across the table.