Page 64 of Not Safe for Work

No, he is still the villain. The bad guy. He would take me to his underground lair, not a fairytale castle. Fuck, why is that prospect even hotter?

“Hi there.” I am pulled from my thoughts by Andy’s voice. He’s smiling at the three of us as he settles on the end of my lounger. “How’s everyone doing? I’ve sent you a few texts, Tris. Everything okay?”

“Sorry about that.” I search for a plausible excuse. “My phone has been acting up.” He nods as if that seems reasonable and then looks around the pool area. “Your attack dog not here today?”

“My attack dog?”

“Tall guy with the angry face?”

I snort. “No. I don’t know where he is.”

Andy shifts, moving a little closer, his hip brushing over my toes.

“If you don’t have plans tonight, there’s a trivia contest at the Sand Dune Bar.”

Andy lays a hand over the top of my foot and squeezes. I don’t think I like the assumption in that touch, but I let it rest there, not wanting to cause a scene.

“I’m amazing at trivia,” Gabrielle says, and Lan nods. “I’ve heard they give out huge prizes.”

“How about you?” Andy asks as his hand slides to my ankle, circling it with his fingers.

“I’ll see,” I say. “I’m kind of tired. I might just call it an early night.” I shift my legs, hoping he’ll take the hint. He doesn’t.

A moment later, a Rafe-shaped shadow falls over us, and we both look up to find his laser-eyed focus on Andy’s hand, still gripping my leg.

This is all very annoying, but I’m also grateful Rafe’s alpha stupidity causes Andy to back away. I should be furious at Rafe and his caveman antics, but my inner feminist is taking a nap. She understands that sometimes you need to counter one point of male nonsense with another.

“I should have known the mutt wouldn’t be far,” Andy drawls as he stands.

Unfortunately for him, Rafe is taller and wider and definitely angrier. While I don’t understand what Rafe is doing, I don’t interfere because I didn’t want Andy touching me, anyway.

Rafe’s jaw hardens into iron as he locks stares with Andy.

Gabrielle clasps her hands as though this is an afternoon soap opera and not my actual life. Lan braces a protective arm in front of her, clearly worried that Rafe and Andy are about to start throwing punches.

Thankfully, Andy takes a step back before anything drastic happens, and he looks down at me. “Come to the bar later. I’d love to hang out some more.” Then he tosses a dirty look at Rafe and walks away.

Then Rafe looks at me, and his expression combines all the sides of Rafe. It’s not the pure evil glare, but his dark lord mixed with a hint of protective bear and a smidge of sultry wolf. It’s there for a heartbeat, and then before he says anything else, he too turns and walks away.

The three of us sit in stunned silence when Gabrielle blows a low whistle. “I mean, if you’re looking to get laid, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble, my friend. Those two might even agree to do it at the same time just for the chance to have you.”

She takes a sip of her water and bats her eyes innocently.

“Shut up,” I say before Lan and Gabrielle burst out laughing as I drop my face into my hands.

Chapter Eighteen

I agree to attend trivia night after Lan and Gabrielle promise to play offense against Andy. I haven’t quite settled on my feelings about him, but we’ve chosen a code word in case I need someone to step in. Coconut shouldn’t be too hard to work into a tropical setting.

I’m dressed in a two-piece outfit made of flowing pink silk dotted with tiny white flowers. It’s a crop top with short puffed sleeves and a sweetheart neckline paired with a high-waisted skirt that is a little on the short side of professional. It’s a lot of skin, but I’ve spent the day at the pool, and I’m glowing. I strap on a pair of wedge sandals and head to the lobby to meet Lan and Gabrielle.

As I approach, Lan whistles and waves her hand like she’s just touched a hot stove.

“Are you trying to cause a riot?” she asks. “Cause those boys are going to tear each other to pieces with their teeth when they get a load of you in that.”

I look down at myself. “Should I change?”

“No way,” Gabrielle says, linking her arm with mine. “You look amazing.”