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.It just reminded me how much he d given up for me. You ve been coming here a long time? Iasked, unable to let it go without finding out whether he d known the bartender a long time. Yeah, why?I was almost embarrassed to ask, but this man had seen me at my worst already.If he still lovedme after all we d been through, I was confident nothing I could say or do now would change how hefelt. Um, that bartender&  Natalie? Is that her name? Yeah.What about her? Have you known her a long time? I bit the inside of my cheek, barely resisting the urge topunch him in the stomach when a cocky smile spread across his handsome face. No, she just started here a couple of months ago.Why?I shrugged, though I knew pretending to be unaffected was pointless now. I was just wonderingif you d known her when we were together. We re still together, he said, gripping my chin. We may not be living together yet, but you restill my wife and I m still crazy in love with you.It was my turn to smile as I tipped my lips back for his kiss. And you told her that? Yeah, I did, as a matter of fact.Now what do you say we go back out there so you can catch upwith my brothers? They ve missed you, Mac.I d missed them too. I d love to.Let s go. I linked hands with him, thinking it was time to sendmy own message to the young lady tending bar.Ryker was most definitely off-limits.Chapter FourteenRykerMy brothers were flirting shamelessly with Mac as always, but I was just so happy to have her backin the fold, I couldn t even get mad at them.She volunteered to sit on my lap when there weren tenough chairs to go around, and I couldn t have been more pleased with the setup.I caught her glancing in Natalie s direction a time or two, obviously trying to send her a messageabout my status, but she was wasting her time.I d already made it clear to the pretty little bartenderthat my sole focus was on putting my marriage back together, not starting something with her. Well, would you look at her? Nex asked, tipping his chair back as he eyed a pretty blondwaitress starting her shift.She d just secured a black apron around her waist, making the short skirtshe wore under it virtually invisible. Don t you think she s a little young for you? Molly asked, rolling her eyes.Molly was right.She looked like she might be college-aged, while Nex was closing in on histhirtieth birthday. Age is just a number, Nex said¸ with a mischievous grin. It s guys like you, Mac said, pointing at him,  that made me glad we didn t have a daughter.Nex winked at Mac. You know your husband was just as bad before you swept him off hisfeet.My brothers laughed before raising their beer bottles in a mock salute.I d wipe those smug smiles off their faces, one at a time and take pleasure doing it, if Macwasn t sitting on my lap, rubbing against me, reminding me of how incredible last night had been andhow anxious I was to get her alone again. Could be I m waiting for a pretty little thing like you, Nex said to Mac,  to tame me the wayyou tamed ol Ryker here. Don t you mean whipped? Seb asked, masking the last word with a cough as the rest of thetable erupted in laughter.I knew they must be three sheets to the wind already if they thought Seb s lame-ass jokes werefunny.Before I could respond with a cutting remark that would have put them all in their place, theobject of kid brother s affection approached the table with a notepad in hand. Hey, y all, she said with a sweet Southern drawl that was a sharp contrast to the four-inchheels and low-cut top. My name s Jaci.Kelly has a sick little one at home, so she called me in to fillin for her.Hope you don t mind? Mind? Nex asked, lacing his hands behind his head as he eyed Jaci up and down as thoughthey were the only two in the room. I feel like I should thank her.Mac rolled her eyes before touching Jaci s forearm. Pay him no mind, honey.He just got out ofprison.Wouldn t even remember what to do with a woman.My brothers were roaring, leaving poor Jaci to decide for herself whether Mac was telling thetruth. Don t you listen to her, sweetheart, Nex said to Jaci. Not only do I know what to do with awoman, I wrote the book. Doesn t sound like a book I d want to read, Jaci mumbled before plastering a smile on herface and turning to Molly. You look like you could use a refill.What ll it be? Actually, I think I m gonna head out, Molly said, checking her watch. I have to worktomorrow.Mac, are you gonna catch a cab home with Ryker? I don t know, she said hesitantly. Maybe I should head out too. Stay, I whispered in her ear before wrapping my arms around her waist. Okay, yeah, she said, smiling at Molly. I ll hang out with the guys for a bit longer. Nice to see y all again, Molly said, reaching into her purse for a few bills to cover her drinks. Your money s no good here, Seb said, curling the bills in his fist and shoving them back in herpurse. Well, aren t you just the sweetest thing? Molly asked, running her palm over the stubble on hisjaw. No, Nex said, his eyes still trained on Jaci. I am.Jaci ignored him, smiling at Molly, who winked and patted her arm as she walked by. I can tellyou re a smart girl.You re not buyin what he s sellin.Molly kissed Mac on the cheek, promising to call her tomorrow, before she pointed a finger atme. And you, Mr.Steele, had better be good to this woman or you ll have to answer to me [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]